International trade is essential for the European economy, and steel products are among the most intensively traded products in the world. Around a quarter of the 160 million tonnes of steel used in the EU every year is imported - and the EU is also a major steel exporter.
Trade policy issues are of central importance to EUROFER, because free and fair international trade conditions are the basis for the stability of the EU steel market. EUROFER welcomes free trade agreements that open up mutually accessible markets between trade partners and ensures fair access to public procurement tenders.
In particular, EUROFER monitors - on an ongoing basis - trade flows to ensure that imports into the EU are coming on a fair basis and are not dumped, produced using unfair subsidies or circumventing existing trade defence measures.
EUROFER’s Annual Report 2026 sets out the key economic trends, policy developments and challenges shaping the future of the European steel industry today.
Brussels, 4 June 2026: One year after the United States imposed 50% tariffs on steel imports, European steel exports to the U.S. are down by one-third according to latest figures by the European Steel Association (EUROFER).
Production falls to record low despite recovery in demand