Following the political developments in 2019, the UK formally left the European Union on 31 January 2020.

If during the current transition period, nothing changes in terms of the UK’s trading relationship with the EU, the European steel industry is concerned about the market disruptions which may occur in case of a no-deal Brexit or if an insufficiently ambitious agreement is reached.

Continuity of the logistical procedures involved in the movement of goods, mutual market access, as well as alignment of standards on state aid, competition policy, state-owned enterprises, employment, environment, climate change, relevant tax matters and other regulatory measures and practices, are vital.

EUROFER therefore calls both sides to reach as comprehensive an agreement as possible. The European steel industry, its suppliers and downstream users need frictionless trade in a stable environment, mutual market access, a level playing field between competitors and reciprocity in the treatment of regulation, firms, products and staff.