Photo by Mads Eneqvist on Unsplash
The European Commission has presented its long awaited Steel and Metals Action Plan – the EU’s proposal to ensure the future of the European steel industry.
The Commission says the plan will support the steel sector face current challenges in the short to medium term.
The sector-specific priority measures are the result of an inclusive and collaborative process, which involved multiple discussions and stakeholder engagement, including the Steel Dialogue that took place on 4 March 2025.
Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “The steel industry has always been a core engine for European prosperity.”
“Next-generation, clean steel should therefore continue to be manufactured in Europe. That means we have to help our steelmakers who are facing strong headwinds on the global market. To make sure they remain competitive, we must reduce energy costs and help them introduce innovative, low-carbon technologies to the market. With today’s Action Plan we are offering concrete solutions for a thriving European steel industry.”
Reaction was swift.
The Socialists and Democrats say they have repeatedly called for EU coordinated action to support a sector facing various challenges: dozens of plant closures and job losses, increasing energy costs and unfair global competition.
Recent US tariffs on metals will exacerbate the already harsh market conditions for the EU’s steel industry and threaten its future, they claim.
The S&D Group reminded the European Commission that the decarbonisation of our economy and industry has to remain the principle driver of EU competitiveness.
It said, “The European steel industry can certainly achieve and maintain a competitive edge in producing green steel, but, for this, we must support our leading companies in the transition towards green production.”
“Moreover, Europe’s continued reliance on imported fossil fuels has led to increased costs of steel production and undermined the international competitiveness of our industry, especially compared to the US or China. Today, we have an opportunity which we must not lose. Transitioning to renewable and affordable energy is the way out of this. Addressing this energy challenge will enhance our steel industry’s competitiveness in global markets.”
Mohammed Chahim, vice-president of the S&D Group for the Green Deal for Industry, Energy and Climate, said: “The European steel and metal industry currently faces many problems, such as cheap Chinese steel in the world market, production shrinkage over the years and recently the US tariffs.”
