Changing the shape of British metallurgy: the debate of MEPs at the UK Metals Expo
Experts from across the UK carbon steel and stainless steel supply chains shared their views on the "tough period" for the sector, ahead of the MEPs panel discussion at the UK Metals Expo 2025.
Eight senior figures from steel mills, international traders and industry associations will discuss key issues affecting the UK steel market in a discussion hosted by the European Parliament's Head of Price Analysis and Forecasts, Kaye Ayoub, on September 10 and 11.
Ahead of their appearance at the Great Britain Metals Expo Supply Chain, Trade and Politics Theater, MEPs turned to the lineup of participants to gather their initial views on the market.
Those who participate in the Carbon Steel Market: Navigating trends and price dynamics discussions (from 12 to 12:50 p.m., September 10) are waiting for the UK government to announce on June 30 the tightening of the UK import quotas – just a few hours before their implementation to be at the center of the discussions.
negative consequences of increased trade protection
Godfrey Watt, president of the International Steel Trade Association (ISTA), criticized what he saw as a "growing anti-import government attitude", saying that the recent tightening of UK trade protections amounted to a lack of a "balanced approach" to protecting jobs across the steel supply chain.
He said: "The latest round of stricter import restrictions will negatively affect many more jobs than those exclusively related to steel production, which they are designed to protect."
Tom McDougall, Commercial Director of All Steels Trading, suggested that restricting end-user access to imported steel could undermine the competitiveness of British production. McDougall, who described the last 12 months as "constantly challenging," said: "The current trend that we are seeing is the idea of protectionism, but this only applies to the level of manufacturers. As a country, we really need to take care of our producers. Without them, what is the purpose of manufacturers?"
However, Gareth Stace, managing director of UK Steel, a trade association representing UK steelmakers, stressed that weak economic activity and "massive steel flooding in China" had driven steel prices to unacceptably low levels.
August, UK hot-rolled coil price recorded in the European Parliament steel comment is just GBP20 per tonne higher than in October and November last year, when values sank to their lowest level since Covid-19 September 2020.
Stace replied that the low prices are