EU Proposes Doubling Steel Tariffs to 50% to Block Cheap Chinese Steel Impact
The EU legislative bodies and national governments have agreed to double tariffs on foreign steel to 50% and significantly cut duty-free quotas by 47% to protect the EU steel industry from the impact of cheap Chinese steel. This move addresses global steel overcapacity, reducing the duty-free quota to 18.3 million tons annually, based on 2013 levels. The new measures will apply to all steel-importing countries, excluding Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 11:16
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 11:31 (15 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 19:52 (32h 20m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Brussels, April 13, Comprehensive Foreign Report) EU legislative bodies and national governments today agreed to double tariffs on foreign steel to protect the EU's steel industry from the impact of cheap competition from countries like China.
Agence France-Presse reported that representatives from EU governments and the European Parliament reached an agreement late at night to raise import tariffs on steel to 50% and significantly cut the duty-free quota by 47%.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic stated: "The European steel industry stands firm globally and is crucial for our strategic autonomy and industrial strength, so we cannot turn a blind eye to the critical level of global overcapacity."
He said: "Today's decision will help bring much-needed stability to our manufacturers, allowing the steel industry to thrive in Europe."
Under this agreement, the EU's duty-free quota for imported steel will be reduced to 18.3 million tons per year, which was the EU's total import volume in 2013.
The EU uses 2013 as a benchmark because that year saw global steel overproduction and market imbalance, and Chinese authorities heavily subsidized their domestic steel producers. China's steel production now accounts for more than half of the world's total output.
The new measures will be implemented for all countries importing steel into the EU, with the exception of European Economic Area member states Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
This proposal will be sent to the European Council and the European Parliament for formal approval before taking effect.
The current steel tariffs will end at the end of June, with a 25% tariff currently imposed on steel exceeding the duty-free quota. (Compiler: Chi Chin-ling) 1150414
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(Central News Agency, Brussels, April 13, Comprehensive Foreign Report) EU legislative bodies and national governments today agreed to double tariffs on foreign steel to protect the EU's steel industry from the impact of cheap competition from countries like China.
Agence France-Presse reported that representatives from EU governments and the European Parliament reached an agreement late at night to raise import tariffs on steel to 50% and significantly cut the duty-free quota by 47%.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic stated: "The European steel industry stands firm globally and is crucial for our strategic autonomy and industrial strength, so we cannot turn a blind eye to the critical level of global overcapacity."
He said: "Today's decision will help bring much-needed stability to our manufacturers, allowing the steel industry to thrive in Europe."
Under this agreement, the EU's duty-free quota for imported steel will be reduced to 18.3 million tons per year, which was the EU's total import volume in 2013.
The EU uses 2013 as a benchmark because that year saw global steel overproduction and market imbalance, and Chinese authorities heavily subsidized their domestic steel producers. China's steel production now accounts for more than half of the world's total output.
The new measures will be implemented for all countries importing steel into the EU, with the exception of European Economic Area member states Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
This proposal will be sent to the European Council and the European Parliament for formal approval before taking effect.
The current steel tariffs will end at the end of June, with a 25% tariff currently imposed on steel exceeding the duty-free quota. (Compiler: Chi Chin-ling) 1150414
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.