The European Steel Association (EUROFER) has requested some revisions on steel import duty and safeguard quota volumes to tighten safeguard measures, according to Yuriy Rudyuk, partner at Belgium-based law firm Van Bael & Bellis. The EU’s safeguard measures will expire on June 30, 2026.
Accordingly, EUROFER requested a reduction to the tariff rate quotas to reflect the declining steel demand in the EU, an increase of the safeguard duty from the current 25 percent to a possible 32-41 percent, a change in the allocation methods of quotas and the setting of a 15 percent cap to other product categories similar to that already applicable for HRC. In addition, the association has also asked the European Commission to remove the carry-over option from previous quarters and to introduce more country-specific quotas and not grant new exemptions for developing countries.
Mr. Rudyuk noted that the EU Commission will have to find the right balance between these requests of EUROFER and the strict legal boundaries of application of the safeguard measures as provided under the EU and WTO laws.