The European Parliament on 18 May 2026 debated a new autonomous trade measure to protect the EU steel market from global overcapacity, set to replace the current safeguard after 30 June 2026. Commissioner Costas Kadis stressed that overcapacity will reach 721 million tonnes by 2027, five times EU annual consumption, and that the measure—raising tariffs from 0% to 50% via GATT Article 28—is essential to prevent a surge of imports and mass closures. He thanked co-legislators for a fast, ambitious agreement covering 80% of imports from FTA partners.
Rapporteur Karin Karlsbro (Renew, Sweden) welcomed the deal but demanded an end to Russian steel slab imports and urged the Commission to ensure Ukraine's quotas are generous, given its war-hit industry. Sofie Eriksson (S&D, Sweden) called for investment in mill towns. Martine Kemp (PPE, Luxembourg) framed the measure as defending Europe's industrial identity. Brando Benifei (S&D, Italy) stressed protecting the entire industrial base, including automotive and construction.
Divergences emerged over the root causes of uncompetitiveness. Anna Bryłka (PfE, Poland) blamed EU climate policy for making European steel uncompetitive. Daniele Polato (ECR, Italy) said the deal lacks courage and called for including more products. Sarah Knafo (ESN, France) blamed overregulation and advocated nuclear energy to cut costs. In contrast, Sara Matthieu (Greens, Belgium) backed the measure to save jobs and enable green investment, and Marina Mesure (Left, France) demanded solidarity and decarbonisation of EU-made steel. Francisco Assis (S&D, Portugal) warned against protectionism harming efficient manufacturers and urged monitoring.
Yvan Verougstraete (Renew, Belgium) praised the quota cut and tariff doubling. Jörgen Warborn (PPE, Sweden) welcomed flexibility for downstream users but regretted the Ukraine solution. Julie Rechagneux (PfE, France) called the response too late and technocratic. Kris Van Dijck (ECR, Belgium) stressed protecting the whole value chain. Brigitte Van den Berg (Renew, Netherlands) linked green steel to energy independence. Vicent Marzà Ibàñez (Greens, Spain) backed the green transition. Nikola Bartůšek (PfE, Czechia) supported strategic quotas for regions like Moravia-Silesia.
The vote was scheduled for the following day. The measure will directly affect EU steel producers (300,000 jobs), downstream industries (automotive, construction, SMEs), Ukraine's steel sector, and FTA partners. Workers in steel-dependent regions face both risks of closures and opportunities for green investment.