16/10/2024 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 16 October, Eurofer, the European steel association, sent an open letter to the EU heads of state and government ahead of the European Council meeting to be held on 17 and 18 October. The steel industry is going through its worst crisis since 2009, according to Eurofer. Steel production in Europe has been shrinking by 30% between 2008 and 2023, deplores the organisation. This is why it is calling for an action plan for steel, as part of the ‘Clean Industrial Deal’. The following objectives should be included: - strengthen and implement EU Trade Defence Instruments; - a structural solution to resolve overcapacity in this sector; - improvements to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM); - lower energy prices; - the establishment of lead markets to drive demand. Read the open letter here: https://aeur.eu/f/dx0 (LM)