【SMM Steel】ArcelorMittal Spain questions effectiveness of new EU steel trade shield

Published: May 12, 2026 11:03

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【SMM Steel】ArcelorMittal Spain's president expressed doubts about EU's new steel market safeguards. From July 2026, duties on over-quota steel will rise from 25% to 50%. Despite tighter protections, the company expects a less active year-end due to geopolitical uncertainty. In Spain, imported steel share rose from 22% in 2012 to over 50% last year, indicating systemic loss of competitiveness. EAF economics remain more complex than BF models. The new EU rules set annual duty-free quota at 18.3 million tonnes with 50% over-quota duties.

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