SIDÉRURGIE: New Brussels/Europe steel plan, EURANIMI disapproves of the measures

Brussels.- According to EURANIMI, the European Association of Independent Metal Distributors, the steel plan proposed in early October by the European Commission jeopardises tens of thousands of manufacturing companies across Europe, writes Tribune De La Sidérurgie.

Steel prices could rise by at least 10%

Brussels wants to reduce import quotas by 50% and 60% for stainless steel products, and increase out-of-quota duties from 25% to 50%. In addition, the entry into force on 1 January 2026 of the CBAM, the tax on CO₂ emissions contained in imported steel, is expected to push up steel prices by at least 10%.

EURANIMI fears a spike in prices and structural shortages for the European manufacturing industry. Furthermore, if
the new safeguard measures are introduced, finished products made from cheap, untaxed steel, such as machinery,
consumer goods and components manufactured outside the EU, will flood the European market.

To prevent Europe from undermining its own industrial base and accelerating the ongoing deindustrialisation, EURANIMI calls on the European Parliament to urge the Commission to thoroughly review its proposal.

The association suggests supplementing it with a mirror mechanism for finished products. This mechanism could include the simultaneous application of a 50% import tax on the value of the steel contained in imported finished products composed of at least 20% steel, as soon as a reasonable import threshold is exceeded.

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Tribune De La Sidérurgie
Translated from French
29 October 2025