Industry News

The European Steel Association (EUROFER) has welcomed the EU and the USA’s joint statement to tackle shared challenges in the steel and aluminium sectors. This includes negotiating an arrangement on carbon intensity and global overcapacity, as well as replacing the current 25% tariff measure of the US Section 232 on EU steel imports by a tariff rate quota regime based on historical volumes. 

The arrangement between the USA and EU is a first important step in favour of a globally decarbonised industry in-light of COP26 negotiations. “We welcome the announcement of the agreement, which could be the starting point of a new, transatlantic partnership tackling global trade distortions and climate change together, addressing the interlinkage between both,” said Axel Eggert, director general of the European Steel Association (EUROFER). 

“State supported steel production and capacity built with CO₂ intensive technologies contribute significantly to climate change. The global steel industry is responsible for almost 10% of global direct and indirect CO₂ emissions, while the less CO₂ intensive EU steel industry accounts for only about 0.5%. The arrangement between the US and the EU is therefore the first important commitment towards a global, market-based and decarbonised industry,” underlined Mr Eggert.

The EU is already a frontrunner in climate policy with a very stringent cap and trade system, which exposes EU industry to unparalleled carbon costs. The successful decarbonisation of the steel sector requires a supportive regulatory framework, including a global level playing field. International cooperation needs to contribute to this objective with concrete and effective measures.

“However, with regard to US import tariffs on steel it is important for EU steel producers exporting to the US that the new provisions, introducing a Tariff Rate Quota system, take into account traditional EU export levels within a stable framework, and that the product exemptions for EU steelmakers already in place are maintained or renewed,” continued Mr Eggert.

This step forward on Section 232 is a positive signal after the EU-US frictions over the past years, which have put transatlantic relations under strain and impacted businesses and consumers alike. It prevents a further escalation in the trade dispute between the two blocks by avoiding the doubling of the EU tariffs on US goods otherwise kicking in on 1^st December 2021. 

“EUROFER stands ready to contribute to and support constructively the further exchange and work for alignment between the EU and the USA, in order to rebuild a sustainable global steel market and achieve carbon neutrality in the sector by 2050,” said Mr Eggert.