fr flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by AFP.

Steel: Paris proposes to “adapt” the European safeguard clause

by AI | 06.Feb 2025 | Europe in brief AI

The French government wants to strengthen the protection of European steel producers, threatened by Asian competition.

French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci leaves after the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysée Palace in Paris, February 5, 2025. (Photo: Ludovic MARIN / AFP)

Paris – French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci proposes “to adapt the safeguard clause” on steel that has been limiting imports into the European market since 2019, in order to protect steelmakers from Asian competition deemed unfair because it is subsidized.

“Too much subsidized Chinese steel is entering the EU,” Mr. Ferracci points out in an interview with Le Figaro on Thursday, given upon returning from an informal European Council on competitiveness in Poland.

A major player in steel in Europe, ArcelorMittal, suspended its vast investment projects in decarbonization in Dunkirk (France) at the end of 2024, and announced the closure of two small sites in France.

According to Mr. Ferracci, the Commission “must take measures in the coming weeks to extend and adapt the safeguard clause,” which is supposed to be maintained until June 30, 2026.

“Today, it limits steel imports to 15% of the 2016 European market,” he recalls. But as steel consumption has decreased, “this actually amounts to 30% of the current market.” A threshold “too high.” (February 6, 2025)