[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] EU ETS Reform Debate Intensifies: Big Corporations Benefit While SMEs Bear the Burden

Published: Jun 22, 2026 09:57

Save

Around 40 major German corporations including ArcelorMittal, ThyssenKrupp, and BASF have written to EU leadership calling for a fundamental rethink of climate policy, arguing that EU ETS carbon costs of around EUR 80/tonne are undermining European competitiveness while non-European rivals face little or no equivalent burden. Bavaria's Economy Minister Aiwanger called on the Commission to immediately suspend — and ideally abolish — the EU ETS. Critics note, however, that the same corporations have cumulatively received nearly EUR 464 billion in free ETS certificates since 2005, representing hidden subsidies never available to SMEs, who nonetheless help fund them. The EU Commission plans to present proposals for reorganizing emissions trading next month.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

54 mins ago

[SMM Analysis] China's Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid Import and Export Data in May

54 mins ago

55 mins ago

[SMM Flash] China's Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid Import and Export Data in May

In May 2026, China's total monthly sulphur imports were 268,380.951 mt, down 9.2% MoM and down 66.40% YoY. The main import sources were Oman, South Korea, Japan, the UAE, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, and Kazakhstan, among others; China's total monthly sulphur exports were 440 mt, down 36.37% MoM and down 19.56% YoY. The main export destinations were Myanmar, Vietnam, Fiji, Indonesia, Cambodia, and South Korea; China's total monthly sulphuric acid imports were 946.594 mt, down 94.46% MoM and down 90.05% YoY. The main import sources were Taiwan, China, South Korea, Japan, Germany, and the US; China's total monthly sulphuric acid exports were 116,703.096 mt, down 15.69% MoM and down 75.87% YoY. The main export destinations were Indonesia, Chile, Brazil, Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore, among others.

55 mins ago

1 hour ago

SMM #1 Refined Nickel Price Drops 2,350 Yuan/MT, Spot Premiums Stable

On June 22, the SMM #1 refined nickel price fell 2,350 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. In terms of spot premiums, the average premium for Jinchuan #1 refined nickel was 1,400 yuan/mt, unchanged from the previous trading day, while the premium range for mainstream brands of electrodeposited nickel in China was -600 to -400 yuan/mt.

1 hour ago