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European Parliament adopts higher tariffs on foreign steel

Lawmakers approved the move by 606 to 16, citing global overcapacity and cheap Chinese exports as they seek to shield Europe’s steelmakers.

  • On May 19, the European Parliament voted 606 to 16 to slash tariff-free steel imports to 18.3 million metric tons annually, a 47% reduction, with excess imports facing a 50% tariff starting July 1, 2026.
  • The strategy mirrors United States President Donald Trump's approach of imposing 50% tariffs to block cheap metals from China, designed to defend the European Union's industrial base amid global overcapacity.
  • Ukrainian steelmakers, who sold 79% of their exports to the EU last year, face mounting pressure as Metinvest official Oleksandr Vodoviz warned factories are "bombed and shelled every day," leaving no alternative markets.
  • Steel exports have already plummeted 60–70% this year due to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism; European Parliament member Karin Karlsbro argues Ukraine "must not be punished" while under direct Russian attack.
  • The European Commission is currently negotiating quota terms for non-EU countries before July 1; diplomats previously indicated potential allowances for candidate nations like Ukraine facing "exceptional and immediate security situations.
Insights by Ground AI

22 Articles

Lean Right

The European Parliament has finalized a plan to raise import tariffs on steel from 25% to 50% and cut duty-free import quotas in half. This measure is intended to prevent low-priced steel products, having nowhere to go due to U.S. steel tariff hikes, from flooding the European market. Concerns are rising that the burden on domestic companies could increase as trade barriers in the EU—the largest export destination for the South Korean steel indu…

Lean Right

The EU raises its tariffs on steel dramatically – and thus plunges into the global power struggle for one of the most important materials of our time. There is a lot at stake for the continent.

·Dortmund, Germany
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The steel industry is suffering from cheap competition from China and other countries. The EU therefore follows Trump's approach and imposes high tariffs.

·Frankfurt, Germany
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Hospodárske Noviny broke the news in Bratislava Region, Slovakia on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
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