Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra has ruled out special protection or support instruments for the EU coking industry, arguing that the most efficient plants already receive sufficient free emissions allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). In a written answer on 18 June 2026 to a parliamentary question by Patryk Jaki (ECR), Hoekstra said the 2026-2030 benchmarks for free allocation are set by law and the Commission has no discretion to deviate from them. The answer signals that the Commission will not intervene to shield the sector from competitive pressure from non-EU producers with lower regulatory costs, despite Jaki's warning that the industry faces deindustrialisation and risks to raw material security.
The question, submitted on 16 April 2026, highlighted the strategic importance of coke for steel, defence and infrastructure, and asked whether the Commission would level the playing field or recognise coke production as a strategic sector. Hoekstra's response was firm: no special provisions are envisaged. However, he noted that the Critical Raw Materials Act already recognises coking coal as a critical raw material, triggering provisions on spatial planning and exploration. The Commissioner also pointed to the upcoming review of the ETS Directive, where the Commission will consider options for free allocation and boosting investments in low-carbon technologies. This leaves the door open for future adjustments, but offers no immediate relief for the sector.
Stakeholder impact: EU coking producers face continued cost pressure from ETS and cheap imports, with no targeted support; the most efficient plants may benefit from surplus allowances. Non-EU competitors gain from lower regulatory burdens, reinforcing competitive asymmetry. EU steel and defence industries relying on domestic coke may face supply risks if production declines. EU taxpayers and consumers may bear costs of imported coke or future low-carbon subsidies, but avoid direct subsidies to the sector now.