German steelmakers are demanding urgent steps from the European Commission to counter rising pressure from new US tariffs.
Major industry players like Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe (TKSE) and Salzgitter AG want immediate enforcement of the EU Steel and Metals Action Plan.
Their concerns reflect fears over rising import volumes and trade diversion triggered by the recent US protectionist moves.
US Tariffs Intensify Pressure on EU Steel
Salzgitter CEO Gunnar Gröbler stated Europe must not stay passive against escalating import threats.
He urged the European Union to respond quickly while maintaining open discussions with the United States.
Thyssenkrupp also stressed the urgency, saying the plan will boost competitiveness and support steel sector decarbonization.
Dennis Grimm, a TKSE board spokesperson, added that the current geopolitical situation requires immediate action.
He proposed setting minimum quotas for European steel in both public and private procurement to protect domestic output.
This would strengthen regional supply chains and cut reliance on imported steel.
Industry Seeks Safeguards and Scrap Retention
As reported by S&P Global, steelmakers want stronger trade protections and rules to retain scrap within the EU. These issues topped the agenda during a high-level dialogue led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on April 7.
The industry, including Eurometal, warned that US tariffs could affect not only primary products but also steel derivatives. They worry about redirected exports and stressed the importance of prioritizing EU steel in public procurement. Support for innovation and domestic production in key sectors like defense and green energy is also essential.
Steel producers pushed for a renewal of safeguard measures, currently set to expire in June 2026. They also called for faster updates to carbon border adjustment mechanisms to close gaps in current regulations.
Eurometal further noted that 25–30% of US steel is imported. They argue US protectionism could weaken its own industry and hurt transatlantic competitiveness.
According to GMK Center, the EU is preparing retaliatory measures against the new US tariffs. These responses will roll out in two phases—on April 15 and May 15.
At SuperMetalPrice, we will continue tracking how these developments impact steel pricing and scrap availability in the EU.
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