Overview

• The European Commission unveiled a plan to double duties to 50%, shrink the duty‑free quota to about 18.3 million tonnes, and add melt‑and‑pour origin checks to curb circumvention.
• The package is intended as a permanent replacement for the expiring safeguard regime but still needs approval from EU governments and the European Parliament.
• EU commissioners say the measures aim to counter cheap Chinese steel, safeguard jobs, and underpin investment in cleaner production while pursuing a coordinated metals approach with the United States.
• UK industry bodies warn of an existential risk because roughly 78–80% of British steel exports go to the EU, urging country‑specific quotas and tougher domestic defenses.
• The UK government says it is seeking urgent clarification from Brussels, as EU officials signal readiness to engage bilaterally and call for swift adoption by member states and MEPs.