Following an investigation launched in March 2018 into US restrictive measures against European steel, the European Commission announced on Friday 4 January the introduction - for a period of three years - of definitive safeguard measures regarding the importation of 26 categories of steel products in the European Union.
The European Commission notified the World Trade Organisation (WTO) of its findings of the safeguard investigation concerning certain steel products (see EUROPE 12065) on the same day. She explained in a statement that these measures, once definitively adopted, will maintain a tariff quota until 16 July 2021 under which a 25% duty will apply on the various American steel products once the level of traditional trade flows has been reached. Such a level is calculated on the basis of the average import level over the last three years.
The Commission's conclusions have already been submitted to EU Member States before the winter break. They will vote in mid-January on the planned measures. Once adopted, the definitive measures could enter into force as early as early February 2019.
Concerns among car manufacturers. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) disapproved of this decision, which it believes will penalise the competitiveness of the automotive sector.
For the organisation, the Commission's conclusions on trade diversion that would require protection for European steel producers are not valid because of the very high price of American steel (30 to 40% higher than the world average price).
On the contrary, the Commission's provisional measures were welcomed by Eurofer, the European association of steel producers, as they ensure the stability of the internal market and prevent European producers from suffering peaks in steel imports diverted from the now restricted US market. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)