EU rolls out action plan on steel and metals

The European Commission (EC) on March 19 announced 'a European Steel and Metals Action Plan' with the aim of safeguarding the European Union's steel and metals sectors in the face of global overcapacity, unfair trade practices, high energy costs and growing carbon costs.

"Currently, iron and steel is the (EU's) sector with the most trade defence measures in place, followed by the non-ferrous metals and minerals sector. Nevertheless, the industry remains threatened by global excess capacities and by global distortions from China and other countries that artificially support their domestic industries or