Eurofer: Dialogue on Steel marks progress for European steel industry

The European Steel Association (EUROFER) has welcomed the European Commission’s decision to initiate a Strategic Dialogue on Steel, describing it as a crucial step toward addressing the challenges facing the sector. The meeting, convened by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, brought together key representatives from the steel value chain, laying the groundwork for industry-specific solutions in the upcoming Steel Action Plan, expected to be published later this month.

“The European steel industry faces unique, existential challenges that need urgent action,” said Axel Eggert, Director General of EUROFER. He stressed the importance of the Commission’s commitment to collaborating with the industry, highlighting that decisive measures should be reflected in the forthcoming Steel Action Plan and the revision of EU steel safeguards by April 1.

EUROFER has consistently called for immediate policy responses in four key areas: tightening safeguard measures to prevent global steel overcapacity from distorting the European market, ensuring a robust Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to prevent carbon leakage, securing access to affordable clean energy, and retaining ferrous scrap within the EU to support decarbonization and strategic autonomy.

Eggert warned that the sector is at a critical juncture, with job losses, halted decarbonization investments, and external pressures such as looming U.S. tariffs. “The time for half-measures is over. Building on the momentum from today’s dialogue, we call on EU policymakers to stand up for European steel and rise to the challenge of preserving a strategic industry vital to Europe’s future,” he concluded.

Source and Photo: Eurofer