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Commission launches consultation on future measures to safeguard EU steel sector from unfair trade practices

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The European Commission has launched a targeted consultation to help identify future measures to continue safeguarding the EU steel sector from unfair trade practices and the negative effects of global steel overcapacities.

The intention is to gather expertise from sectoral stakeholders with a view to finding an effective replacement for the current EU safeguard on steel, due to expire on 30 June 2026. Stakeholders have until 18 August 2025 to express their views on several potential scenarios prepared by the Commission. Through this consultation, the Commission aims to gather input from across the steel value chain. These valuable insights will directly shape the Commission’s legislative proposal. 

In its Steel and Metals Action Plan (SMAP), the Commission committed to presenting said legislative proposal by the third quarter of 2025. 

Next Steps 

The consultation launched today is comprised of a Call for Evidence and a Questionnaire, available on EU Survey, which outlines different scenarios upon which stakeholders can express their views. 

The period to submit views and reply to the questionnaire will run until 18 August 2025 at close of business (Brussels time). The Commission will then review the feedback and incorporate it into its ongoing assessment process. A factual summary of the responses will be made available to stakeholders.

The Commission will also prepare a Staff Working Document to accompany the Commission’s legislative proposal. This document will include an economic model that analyses different scenarios and their effects on the EU steel supply chain.

Background 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen identified the EU’s steel industry as a core engine for European prosperity. The Competitiveness Compass for the EU, adopted on 29 January 2025, identified steel and metals as a key area for action. Furthermore, the Strategic Dialogue on Steel, hosted by the president on 4 March 2025 and involving stakeholders from across the whole steel supply chain, reflected the critical challenges faced by the sector and the need for urgent actions. 

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On 19 March 2025, the Commission adopted a Steel and Metals Action Plan, outlining actions across different policy areas, including trade. In the field of trade, the Commission committed to propose, by the third quarter of 2025, a measure replacing the steel safeguards that will legally expire on 30 June 2026, providing a highly effective level of protection against negative trade-related effects caused by global overcapacities. 

The Commission first introduced the steel safeguard measure in 2019 to prevent economic damage to EU steel producers from trade diversion and rising imports. It has undertaken numerous reviews since, including functioning reviews to adapt the measure to market developments and prolongation reviews.

The current steel safeguard measure was extended for two years in June 2024, following an investigation requested by fourteen EU member states. This investigation showed that the safeguard measure continued to be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury to the EU’s steel industry. 

Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Executive Vice President Stéphane Séjourné said: "Faced with the current uncertainty, and the flow of Chinese steel overcapacities, our current safeguard clause does not suffice to efficiently protect our European steel producers. We therefore launch a consultation to seek the best recommendations on how to replace the current clause. And effectively protect the European steel market."

Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maroš Ševčovič (pictured) said: “Our steel sector is of strategic importance to the EU economy, and the Commission’s commitment to supporting - and, when necessary, protecting - it is absolute. By launching this consultation, we are inviting those who know the sector best to share their valuable insights. We will continue to stand firm against the damaging effects of unfair trading practices - now and in the future - to safeguard Europe’s industrial strength.”

More information

Consultation 

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