EU says new steel import tariffs will not harm Ukraine

Ukraine's preferential terms or its steel exports will not be affected by a new European Commission plan to protect the EU steel industry, which was presented in Strasbourg on 7 October and aims to cut import quotas by 47% while doubling tariffs on excess imports.

The reduction of quotas and increase of tariffs on steel imports to the EU will not cancel the EU's previous decision to grant preferential treatment to Ukraine.

"The Commission's support for Ukraine is unwavering. This measure is not the same as the previous steel safeguard. As such there is no contradiction to a previous decision taken that will remain in place until the safeguard expires," Olof Gill, Deputy Chief Spokesperson for the European Commission, said in a comment to European Pravda.

Gill explained that the new proposal "aims at tackling the negative effects of global overcapacity on the Union's steel market".

"Ukraine is amongst the top ten sources of imports into the EU. And, we need to be mindful that, in certain market segments, Ukraine's imports into the EU have grown substantially in the context of depressed local demand," the spokesperson said.

He added that in 2024, Ukraine even significantly increased its exports in several key product categories covered by the new regulation.

"However, under the measure, Ukraine will have access to a system of free-of-duty tariff quotas. The proposal specifically indicates that we will take into account the situation of a candidate country, such as Ukraine, facing an exceptional and immediate security situation when allocating these quotas," he concluded.

The European Commission plans to cut steel import quotas by 47% and raise tariffs on imports by 50%.

In June 2025, the Council of the European Union adopted a regulation extending the suspension of protective measures on imports of iron and steel from Ukraine.

The EU intends to raise steel import tariffs to 50% to align the Union's rate with that of the United States, which is seeking to counter excess steel production capacity in China.

The EU steel industry has been facing a deep crisis in recent years due to cheap imports from China and other Asian economies. In addition, US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to 50% shortly after taking office.