Brussels, 19/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - Thanks to the exceptional properties of steel and the taking into account of environment-friendly new technologies, "the European steel industry is well equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century. However, the EU market will come under strain. It is already clear today that increasing globalisation will result in ever-louder calls for protectionist measures to bolster up uncompetitive industries, and trade conflicts in the steel market cannot...