The EU Council's Working Party on Trade Questions is scheduled to meet on 7 July 2026 at 10:00 in the Justus Lipsius Building in Brussels, according to a notice of meeting and provisional agenda published on 3 July 2026. The meeting will focus on steel overcapacity measures and the presentation of Irish Presidency priorities.
Agenda item 2 will feature a presentation of the priorities of the Irish Presidency. Item 3 includes a discussion on the OECD Steel Committee and the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity (GFSEC). The core of the meeting, item 4, addresses the regulation targeting global overcapacity effects on the EU steel market, with two sub-items: results of the stakeholder consultation on 'melt and pour' provisions (4.1) and the implementing act for those provisions (4.2).
Under 'Any other business' (item 5), the Commission will provide an update on the first product scope review of the steel overcapacity regulation (5.1.1) and final allocations of tariff rate quota volumes to third countries (5.1.2). Additionally, outcomes on final apportionments from Article XXVIII steel negotiations will be discussed, with Trade Policy Committee Deputies invited (5.2). Delegations must submit any 'Any other business' requests in writing by noon on 6 July 2026.
The meeting underscores the EU's ongoing efforts to address global steel overcapacity, which has significant implications for EU steel producers, who face competition from subsidised imports, and for downstream industries reliant on steel. The 'melt and pour' provisions aim to ensure that only steel melted and poured in the country of origin benefits from preferential tariff treatment, potentially increasing administrative burdens for importers. Tariff rate quotas and product scope reviews will directly affect trade flows and market access for third-country suppliers. The Irish Presidency's priorities may shape the direction of trade policy discussions in the coming months.
No prior coverage of this specific meeting exists in the available record.