[SMM Iron & Steel] European Parliament Approves Strict New Steel Trade Defense Measures to Curb Non-EU Influx

German steelmaker Thyssenkrupp has officially reduced its hot metal production at the Duisburg plant after persistently low water levels on the River Rhine severely disrupted raw material supply chains. The logistical constraints forced the company to pull its push-barge fleet out of service and rely on externally chartered vessels with lower drafts, severely limiting the volume of incoming bulk materials. Although specific tonnage curtailments were not disclosed, market sources indicate the raw material shortage has fueled bullish sentiment, pushing domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices in Northwest Europe up by approximately EUR20 per tonne to EUR710 per tonne ex-works.

The US International Trade Commission has opened the probes following petitions from US manufacturers alleging the goods are being sold below fair value and are subsidized, causing material injury to the domestic industry; the investigation covers HS codes 7305.31.60, 7306.11.00, 7306.40.50 (and possibly 7306.40.10), with a preliminary ruling expected by end of August and findings due to the Commerce Department by early September, part of a broader wave of trade defense measures across the US, EU, UK, India, and the EAEU as governments move to shield domestic steel industries from oversupply.