[SMM Steel] EU Steel Quota Cuts Raise Concerns Over Ukraine’s Export Losses

Published: May 20, 2026 17:11

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[SMM Steel] Ukraine’s steel industry warned that the EU’s planned steel safeguard revisions could significantly reduce the country’s export revenues and damage its wartime economy. Under the new measures effective from July 1, the EU plans to cut steel import quotas by 47% and impose a 50% tariff on out-of-quota volumes. Ukrainian steelmakers said the restrictions could sharply limit access to their largest export market, as Ukraine exported around 2.65 million mt of steel to the EU last year. Industry sources estimated the proposed quota reductions could cut export volumes by around 70% and result in up to €1 billion in lost export revenues.

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