【SMM Steel】EU adjusts safeguard categories for rebars and merchant bars

According to Thai media reports, Thailand's steel industry, under pressure from rising energy and freight costs, called on the government to strengthen support and adopt anti-dumping measures. Steel enterprises announced a 10% to 15% price raise on all products starting from April, with a possible second round of adjustments in May depending on cost changes. The price increase covered a wide range of products including rebar, wire rod, sheets & plates, and specialty steel for automotive and construction applications. Industry insiders pointed out that Thailand lacked iron ore resources, and its steel industry was highly dependent on imported steel scrap, making it extremely sensitive to international market fluctuations.

The EU reached a preliminary agreement on Monday to cut steel imports by nearly half and impose a 50% tariff on excess steel imports to protect the EU steel industry from the impact of overcapacity in other regions. Affected by rising imports and the 50% tariff imposed by US President Trump, the capacity utilization rate of EU steel producers currently stands at only 65%. The new measures aim to raise the capacity utilization rate to 80%. The European Parliament and representatives of the Council of the EU, which represents the governments of EU member states, reached an agreement on Monday evening to cap duty-free imports at 18.3 million mt per year, a 47% reduction from 2024, while doubling tariffs on volumes exceeding the quota.