The European Council has approved a tougher set of measures to shield the EU steel industry, tightening import restrictions amid rising global excess capacity and market pressures, effective from 1 July.
The European Council has signed off on a tougher set of safeguards for the EU steel market, moving to curb the impact of global overcapacity just as the current regime is due to expire at the end of June.
According to the Council, the new framework will take effect on 1 July and replace the existing safeguard measure, which was extended in 2024 after an investigation found persistent pressure on the bloc’s steel industry from excess global supply, weaker demand in Europe and trade diversion from third markets. The revised regime is one of the main outcomes of the European Commission’s Steel and Metals Action Plan, unveiled in 2025.
The measures tighten the tariff-rate quota system substantially. Duty-free imports will be cut to 18.3 million tonnes a year, around 47% below the 2024 quota level, while shipments above that threshold will face a 50% customs duty rather than the current 25%. Brussels says the aim is to provide more durable protection for European mills in a market distorted by sustained excess capacity.
The Council’s approval follows a series of earlier institutional steps. In December 2025, member states agreed a negotiating mandate, setting out a balance between strong protection for producers and flexibility for downstream users. That was followed by a provisional deal with the European Parliament in April and MEP approval in May. The Council said 25 of the 27 member states backed the final text.
The new regime is also intended to avoid a regulatory gap once the current safeguard ends on 30 June. Officials involved in the process have stressed that the revised rules are designed to remain compatible with international trade obligations while giving the EU more room to respond to structural global overcapacity.
For industrial users, the outcome points to a more restrictive import environment and a likely shift in sourcing strategies. For steelmakers, however, it marks a clear signal that the EU is prepared to use trade policy more aggressively to defend domestic capacity as the bloc grapples with the twin pressures of decarbonisation and intensifying global competition.
- https://www.urdupoint.com/en/middle-east/eu-approves-stricter-measures-to-protect-stee-2200028.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/06/08/steel-overcapacity-council-greenlights-new-rules-to-protect-the-eu-steel-market-from-global-overcapacity/ – On 8 June 2026, the European Council adopted a regulation establishing a new framework to protect the EU steel market from the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity, as outlined in the Steel and Metals Action Plan of 2025. The new rules will replace the current EU steel safeguard measure, which expires on 30 June 2026, ensuring continued protection for the EU steel sector. The new procedures stipulate a reduction of duty-free quotas by approximately 47%, allowing the import of 18.3 million tonnes of steel annually without tariffs. In contrast, a 50% customs duty will be imposed on quantities exceeding these quotas, compared to the current rate of 25%. This step comes as part of the European Union’s efforts to strengthen the protection of its industrial sector in the face of global pressures and increasing competition in steel markets.
- https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/04/13/council-and-european-parliament-strike-deal-to-protect-eu-s-steel-industry-from-global-overcapacity/ – On 13 April 2026, the Council presidency and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a regulation aimed at addressing the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity on the EU steel market. The regulation will introduce a new framework to protect the EU steel sector from global excess production and trade diversion, while ensuring that the measure remains compatible with the EU’s international trade obligations and sufficiently flexible for economic operators, including downstream industries. It will replace the current EU steel safeguard measures, which are due to expire on 30 June 2026, thereby ensuring continued protection for the EU’s steel market without regulatory gaps. The new rules introduce a revised tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system designed to better address structural global overcapacity in the steel sector, including a significant reduction of import quotas and higher duties for imports exceeding those quotas.
- https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/12/12/steel-overcapacity-council-adopts-mandate-on-new-rules-to-protect-eu-steel-industry-from-global-overcapacity/ – On 12 December 2025, the Council adopted its mandate to negotiate with the European Parliament on the regulation addressing the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity on the EU steel market. The new regulation is designed to replace the existing steel safeguard measure, which is due to expire on 30 June 2026. The Council’s mandate strikes a balance that aims to maintain the necessary high level of protection for the European steel industry, which is vital to the EU’s economy and security, while introducing key flexibility and consideration for downstream steel users. The period for the first overall review of the regulation’s effects on the steel market and the EU interest has been shortened to 4 years from the date of entry into force, with subsequent evaluations every two years thereafter. Council also added further attention in the review for the impacts on downstream industries.
- https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260513IPR43305/steel-overcapacity-meps-approve-new-measures-to-protect-eu-steel-market – On 13 May 2026, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) approved new measures to protect the EU steel market from global overcapacity. The new regulation replaces measures due to expire on 30 June 2026 and will help protect the EU steel industry from the negative effects of a global steel surplus. The regulation introduces lower import quotas by limiting tariff-free import volumes to 18.3 million tonnes annually, a 47% reduction compared with 2024 steel quotas. It would also apply a 50% customs duty (instead of the current 25%) to imports above the quota and to steel goods not covered by it. Ukraine’s situation as a candidate country with special security concerns shall be considered when allocating country quotas.
- https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-prolongs-steel-safeguard-measure-until-june-2026-2024-06-25_en – On 25 June 2024, the European Commission published an implementing regulation confirming the extension of the current steel safeguard measure for two more years, until June 2026. The regulation also adjusts the functioning of the measure to adapt it to market conditions. This decision follows an investigation requested by fourteen EU Member States, which showed that the safeguard measure continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury to the EU’s steel industry. In addition, it showed that EU industry is adjusting to a higher level of imports. The prolongation and adjustments are justified by a combination of factors that resulted in significant import pressure on the Union market: high levels of global steel overcapacity and the surge of exports from China to third countries, notably in Asia, resulting in increased exports from those third countries to the EU; the increased number of trade defence measures and other trade restrictive measures imposed by other third countries; and the significant reduction of demand in the EU.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article reports on the European Council’s recent approval of new safeguards for the EU steel market, effective from 1 July 2026. This aligns with the official press release from the Council dated 8 June 2026. ([consilium.europa.eu](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/06/08/steel-overcapacity-council-greenlights-new-rules-to-protect-the-eu-steel-market-from-global-overcapacity/?utm_source=openai)) The narrative appears original, with no evidence of prior publication. However, the article’s source, UrduPoint, is not a major news organisation, which may affect the perceived freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes attributed to Michael Damianos, Minister for Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus. These quotes are present in the official Council press release dated 8 June 2026. ([consilium.europa.eu](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/06/08/steel-overcapacity-council-greenlights-new-rules-to-protect-the-eu-steel-market-from-global-overcapacity/?utm_source=openai)) No earlier instances of these quotes were found, suggesting they are original. However, the absence of independent verification of these quotes raises some concerns.
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
UrduPoint is a lesser-known publication, which may affect the reliability of the information presented. The article appears to be summarising the official Council press release without significant independent analysis. This reliance on a single source without additional corroboration from major news organisations or independent experts reduces the overall reliability.
Plausibility check
Score:
9
Notes:
The article’s claims about the EU’s new steel safeguard measures are consistent with the official Council press release dated 8 June 2026. ([consilium.europa.eu](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/06/08/steel-overcapacity-council-greenlights-new-rules-to-protect-the-eu-steel-market-from-global-overcapacity/?utm_source=openai)) The details regarding the reduction in import quotas and the increase in customs duties align with the official information. No contradictory information was found in other reputable sources.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the article’s content aligns with the official Council press release, the reliance on a single, lesser-known source without independent verification or corroboration from major news organisations raises significant concerns about its reliability and credibility. The absence of independent analysis and the use of unattributed quotes further diminish the article’s trustworthiness.
