The Spanish steelmakers association UNESID has stated that it supports cooperation with the UK government to address global steel overcapacity and unfair competition following a meeting in Madrid with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Chris Bryant.
During the discussions, UNESID addressed the potential impact of recent changes to UK steel safeguard measures on steel trade flows between the UK and the European Union.
The association emphasized that maintaining open and balanced steel trade between the UK and the EU is in the mutual interest of both sides amid the current complex international market environment.
Association supports balanced EU-UK agreement
UNESID expressed support for a constructive agreement designed to preserve traditional trade flows between the closely connected European and British steel markets.
The association also stated that it is willing to support an arrangement based on historical trade exchanges while strengthening cooperation between the European and UK steel sectors in combating global overcapacity and unfair trade practices.
According to UNESID, the European Union should prioritize market access for historical trading partners that share European economic, environmental, and social standards. It also welcomed the ongoing dialogue between the UK, Spain, and the EU and said it expects the discussions to contribute to a more stable and predictable framework for cooperation between strategic partners.
Industry warns against uncoordinated trade measures
Carola Hermoso, director general of UNESID, stated that the European and British steel industries are facing common challenges within an increasingly complex global market environment. She added that trade measures should be designed in a coordinated manner in order to avoid disproportionate impacts and preserve balanced bilateral relations.
UNESID also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation at a time when the global steel market continues to face structural imbalances and trade practices that may distort international competition.