Overview

• The SPD has circulated a six‑page plan that the party presidium is slated to adopt on Monday, elevating steel policy to a top priority.
• The paper urges preferential procurement of German and EU‑made steel for public projects, with specific focus on defense, energy infrastructure and major construction.
• Proposals include an EU import ban on Russian steel, tighter anti‑circumvention rules involving third countries, and negotiations with the United States to restore duty‑free export contingents.
• Ministers pledged to pursue an industrial electricity price subject to European Commission approval by year‑end, with reimbursements planned via the 2027 federal budget and potential use of the Climate and Transformation Fund not yet quantified.
• EU Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné has signaled readiness to expand protective measures by raising tariffs and cutting duty‑free quotas, while the Greens voiced support for Buy European rules and unions stressed job security concerns.