ArcelorMittal expects that the "stimulating" new EU trade policy will help restore fair competitiveness in the steel market in 2026, according to the company's report for the third quarter of 2025, published on Thursday, November 6.
According to the company, the new steel protection measures proposed by the European Commission on October 7, combined with the EU Carbon Boundary Regulation Mechanism (CBAM), will provide greater market security and boost demand in the medium and long term.
"Once in force,[the policies]will support the European steel industry's ability to improve capacity utilization, increase profitability, and invest with confidence in the future," ArcelorMittal chief executive Officer Aditya Mittal said in a report.
The recently proposed precautionary measures involve a reduction of duty-free quotas by about 47% and the introduction of a 50% ad valorem duty on any volumes exceeding the new limit.
In addition, according to the new plan, steel supplies with a capacity of over 18.3 million tons per year will be subject to a duty of 50%.
"Despite difficult market conditions and continued difficulties related to tariffs, we are seeing signs of stabilization and are optimistic about our business prospects in 2026, when we will benefit from more favorable industry policies in key markets," Mittal said in the report.
In October, ArcelorMittal became the first steel mill in Europe to raise prices for flat rolled products, which increased by 20 euros ($23) per tonne for December delivery and by another 20 euros per tonne for January delivery.
Since then, other plants have followed their example, which has led to an increase in supply on the metal products market. But it remains to be seen whether the higher offers will be fully accepted by European buyers.
Fastmarkets' daily hot-rolled steel roll price index in the domestic market, exw in Northern Europe also showed an upward trend: prices for hot-rolled steel on Wednesday, November 5, amounted to 600 euros per ton, compared with 575 euros per ton at the same time in the previous month.
But despite the fact that producer sentiment was "very optimistic," demand remains low, and higher supply prices are mainly due to "expectations of increased protection measures" in the European market, Fastmarkets sources said.
Key indicators of ArcelorMittal Europe
Steel production at ArcelorMittal's European facilities reached $7.25 million per tonne in the third quarter, down slightly from $7.53 million per tonne in the previous quarter and compared to $7.87 million per tonne year-on-year.
The company's steel supply volume in the third quarter
