【SMM Stainless Steel Market】German Steel Summit Criticized as "Declaration of War" on Downstream Industries

Published: Nov 25, 2025 15:22

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【SMM Stainless Steel Market】Following a major national steel summit, a smaller summit in Berlin has drawn sharp criticism for its "one-sided" demands that allegedly favor steel producers at the expense of downstream industries. Critics argue that despite electricity prices falling over 60% since 2022, the steel lobby (WV Stahl) continues to demand further reductions and export bans on steel scrap—scrap that domestic mills reportedly often refuse to use. The push for higher tariffs and import quotas, coupled with reliance on "politically favorable" rather than current data, is being framed as a "declaration of war" on the SME-dominated downstream sector, which faces rising costs from CBAM and potential supply constraints.

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