[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] EU Plans Permanent Steel Trade Measure, Doubling Tariffs and Slashing Quotas

Published: Mar 25, 2026 23:15

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According to EUROMETAL reports, the EU will implement a permanent steel trade measure on July 1, 2026, replacing the expiring safeguard system. The new framework drastically tightens import protections by slashing the annual quota volume by 47% (from ~34M mt to 18.3M mt) and doubling the out-of-quota tariff to 50%. A strict "melt and pour" rule will also be introduced, requiring importers to prove where the steel was originally melted and cast to access country-specific quotas, significantly increasing customs complexity. This permanent measure applies to all non-EEA nations, removing previous exemptions for developing countries and FTA partners. Legal experts warn this aggressive protectionist shift could provoke retaliatory countermeasures if negotiations fail.

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