Yayan: Turkey’s HRC imports to EU should be viewed in partnership context

Complaining about the increase in hot rolled coil (HRC) imports to Europe despite low demand in the European market, the European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries (EUROFER) has been expressing its concern regarding this issue and the possibility of relevant trade action. EUROFER officials have also remarked that Turkey holds a significant place among the countries importing high volumes of HRC to Europe.
 
Regarding this statement and emphasizing the increased focus of Turkish mills on exports, Turkish Iron and Steel Producers' Association (DCUD) general secretary Veysel Yayan shared his comments with SteelOrbis as follows:
 
"Although there is a sharp increase in Turkey's import to the EU, it should be taken into consideration that Turkey differs from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, South Korea and China that export to the EU market in great amounts. First of all, Turkey and the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) have a free trade agreement and this makes Turkey a part of the EU economy. Besides, unlike countries such as Russia, Ukraine and China which export flat steel to the EU, Turkey has a two-way steel trade with the EU. However, the other countries have a one-way trade relationship with the EU focused on export. Turkey's imports in significant volumes from the EU clearly indicate the integration of the Turkish economy into the EU economy."
 
Yayan also stated that in the first four months of 2011 Turkey imported 833,000 mt of HRC from EU, while the EU imported only 65,000 mt of HRC from Turkey. However, Turkish mills had no objections within the context of the partnership between the EU and Turkey.
 
Yayan suggested that EUROFER's attitude regarding this issue is caused by the fact that Europe will not be able to export flat steel to Turkey as easily as before.