We spoke with Uğur Dalbeler, chairman of the board of the Turkish Steel Exporters' Association (ÇİB), about the developments seen in the first month of the EU's new steel import regime and its impact.
The initial effects of the European Union's new steel import regime, which entered into force on July 1, 2026, have begun to be felt in the industry. The reduction of the annual duty-free steel import quota by approximately 47 percent to 18.3 million mt and the increase in the out-of-quota duty from 25 percent to 50 percent have increased trade uncertainty in the European market.
In the first weeks of implementation, European buyers have been seen shifting toward shorter-term orders, postponing some purchasing decisions and reassessing shipment plans. From the perspective of the Turkish steel industry, we can say that the main issue is not competitiveness, but restrictions on market access resulting from administrative regulations. Türkiye ranks among Europe's strongest and most reliable suppliers in terms of quality, supply reliability, production flexibility and sustainability.
If the current quota levels remain in place, there is a risk that Turkey's steel exports to the EU could decline by approximately 3.5 million mt, resulting in a revenue loss of $3 billion. We believe that, in the long term, the new system could result not only in exporting countries, but also steel users in Europe facing higher costs and more limited supply options.
As the Turkish Steel Exporters' Association, we are monitoring the process on a daily basis, analyzing data received from our members and maintaining contact with all relevant institutions. The initial data confirm the validity of the concerns raised by our industry. However, with its strong production infrastructure, flexibility and export experience, the Turkish steel industry has the capacity to adapt to this new era as well.
In the coming period, we will intensify our efforts in alternative markets in order to offset potential losses. Our goal is not only to compensate for any losses that may arise, but also to further strengthen the Turkish steel industry's strategic position in global supply chains. To achieve this, it is of great importance to preserve fair competitive conditions on international platforms and to resolutely maintain policies that support the competitiveness of our exporters.
