'Two Sessions': Industry leaders call for greener Chinese steel exports

Amid the global transition to low-carbon development and the rise of green trade barriers, China's steel industry should accelerate the establishment of a comprehensive low-carbon system -- covering raw materials, production, certification and markets -- to enhance export competitiveness, according to Dong Caiping, a deputy of the National People's Congress (NPC) and chair of Zenith Steel Group Co. Dong made the proposal during the ongoing ''Two Sessions" meetings.

China's "Two Sessions" -- the annual meetings of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference -- began on March 4 in Beijing.

Dong highlighted the European Union's plan to impose a carbon tariff on imports of steel, aluminum, cement and other goods starting January 1 2026. He noted that once in effect, China's steel exports to Europe will face a carbon cost of €50-€70 ($54-76) per ton of emissions.

"This will pose a significant impact on China's steel exports," he stated.

Dong is not alone in emphasizing the need to strengthen the green competitiveness of Chinese steel in international markets. On March 1, Zhao Minge, another NPC delegate and chair of China Iron and Steel Association, stressed in an interview with China Metallurgical News that China must set carbon emission targets to regulate steel exports.

Zhao also called for a faster refinement of tariff codes for high-end steel products and the reinstatement of export tax rebates for these products to support enterprises in expanding exports of premium steel products.

To achieve its "dual carbon" goals of reaching carbon peak by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, China unveiled a detailed action plan in late May 2024, outlining energy-saving and carbon-reduction measures for key industries, including the steel sector, as Mysteel Global reported.

Written by Carly Chen, chenziyi@mysteel.com

Edited by Vivian Yang, yangzhenqi@mysteel.com