04/03/2025 (Agence Europe) – The long-awaited Strategic Dialogue on the future of the European steel sector was launched on Tuesday 4 March by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. She took the opportunity to meet stakeholders in the sector, whose hopes are high. The steel industry is waiting for strong measures from the EU to tackle the problem of Chinese overcapacity and to remedy the US tariff hikes on steel and aluminium, due to take effect on 12 March. The strategic dialogue will culminate in a Metals and Steel Action Plan on 19 March. The Commission promises to find a lasting solution to replace the European safeguard measures on steel, which expire in 2026. It also wants to look at market outlets for its own steel, which is causing concern among European producers. (LM)