The European Steel Association announced that EU steel protection, allegedly intended to prevent import spikes as a result of the introduction of 232 steel import tariffs in the US, was automatically increased by 5%, despite steel industry protests and a number of member concerns expressed. States. This significant increase in the size of the import quota, the second this year, occurs even when in 2019 the fall in steel demand in the EU is expected. Mr. Axel Eggert DG EUROFER said: “An increase in the quota of 5% was programmed into a regulation that implemented EU security measures. Nevertheless, there is a constant review, which should take into account the changed situation in the market. An increase of 5% has not been eliminated, despite the damage caused by rising imports, which means that the Commission ignored the industry’s legitimate concerns about an increase in quota in a falling market. This is irrational, as it will make the review more difficult. ”
He said: “We, as a sector, called on politicians not to raise the quota, because the incremental increase does not correspond to the size and direction of the market. Starting in 2018, when imports increased by a record 12%, as a result of which their market share reached a record high, it is extraordinary that the Commission will not act, at least, to postpone this programmed change until the revision discontinued "
Mr. Eggert continued: “For a large part of our industry, the guarantee is barely functioning as intended. The increase in quota, which is already being rapidly consumed, and the volume of imports already awaiting distribution, is just a cherry on the imported cake. We urge the Commission to heed our call to those Member States that have already expressed growth concerns and to respond by canceling this gradual expansion before it undermines the protection and the sector that relies on it.”
