New features
The MEPs of Steel podcast explores the implications of the European Commission's plans to replace steel imports with protective measures.
Steel market analyst John Carruthers-Green identified the key characteristics of the new offerings in a 20-minute episode offering insight into how the new defense trading mechanism is likely to affect the supply of steel products, demand and prices.
He also shares an analysis of the expected replacement of tariff quotas for the current EU, reflects on speculation about these possible measures, and considers the possibility that the EU's key trading partners could respond to retaliatory tariffs.
Speaking to MEPs, Tom Sharp's editor—in-chief for this month's podcast, Carruthers-Green said: "There has been a huge amount of concern in the industry about exactly what is going to replace the existing protective measures.
"After months of waiting and a lot of speculation, we finally have to find out that a replacement has been and will be."
MEPs are free to watch, and the podcast of the series is available, on demand, via all major podcast platforms. Click on one of the links below to access the latest episode.:
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On October 7, the Executive Director of the European Commission, Vice-President Stefan Sejourné, and Commissioner Maros Sefcovic outlined for the first time the European Union's plans to replace the protective mechanism for steel trade. The current import protection measures expire at the end of June 2026, eight years after their introduction.
The proposed measures will reduce annual quotas for duty-free steel imports by 47%, from 33 million tons to 18 million tons. In addition, they will increase the above-quota tariff rate from 25% to 50%.
The MEPs for this month's European Steel commentary shows that uncertainty about the EU's new mechanism of influence on the steel market. Many buyers are concerned that the new trade protection measure may be put into effect before July 1. Combined with uncertainty about the cost of CBAM taxes, which are due to be introduced on January 1, 2026, this has prevented most buyers from placing new overseas orders.
The European Steel Review from MEPS presents steel prices, indexes, comments and forecasts for Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Contact the MEPs for detailed information on how to subscribe.
