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European Steel in Action 2025
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EUROFER’s Steel in Action captures a pivotal moment for the European steel sector. As global overcapacity, unfair trade practices, high energy prices, carbon costs and decarbonisation investment challenges converge, the EU has begun to respond - most notably through the new Clean Industrial Deal and the long-awaited Steel and Metals Action Plan. A fast-changing geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape is also redefining Europe’s route to a greener, more resilient and competitive industrial future.
This booklet outlines how Europe’s steel industry - represented and led by EUROFER - is navigating these complex challenges, from trade and energy to climate policy and industrial competitiveness. With a spotlight on the EU’s new policy frameworks, it presents key developments, policy milestones and industry trends impacting the future of EU steel.
Above all, the booklet tracks the progress already made and the urgent steps still needed to make Europe #StrongerWithEUSteel - and avoid the irreversible cost of inaction.
It’s time to act. It’s time to #SaveEUSteel.
The full booklet is available below.
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Brussels, 05 June 2025 – The high level of uncertainty and major disruptions caused by the new U.S. tariffs have dealt a severe blow to recovery expectations in the steel market for 2025. Against the backdrop of broader economic resilience driven by services, industry remains weak, weighing on steel demand and consumption. Recovery is not expected before 2026, and only if positive developments emerge in the global geoeconomic outlook. According to EUROFER’s latest Economic and Steel Market Outlook, the recession in apparent steel consumption will continue in 2025 (-0.9%) for the fourth consecutive year (-1.1% in 2024), contrary to earlier forecasts of growth (+2.2%). A similar trend is expected for steel-using sectors, with another recession in 2025 (-0.5%, after -3.7% in 2024) instead of a projected recovery (+1.6%). Steel imports remained at historically high levels (27%) throughout 2024.
Second quarter 2025 report. Data up to, and including, fourth quarter 2024
Brussels, 4 June 2025 – With U.S. blanket tariffs now raised to 50%, the only way to avoid the further erosion of the European steel market and another blow to European steelmakers is the swift implementation of the “highly effective trade measure” promised by the European Commission in its Steel and Metals Action Plan. A negotiated solution between the EU and the U.S. is also vital to preserve EU steel exports to the U.S., warns the European Steel Association.
The European Steel Association (EUROFER)
172 Avenue de Cortenbergh
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Email: mail@eurofer.eu
Phone: +32 (0) 2 738 79 20
