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Input for the consultation on the new circular economy action plan
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Steel is one of the most recycled materials in the world, playing a vital role as an enabler for transitioning to a CO2 neutral and circular economy. It is possible to recycle steel multiple times into same quality or even better quality steel, a permanent material. Steel inherent properties make it more versatile, durable and even separable than other materials. Thus, steel is a material permanently available to society, a “permanent material”.
However, notwithstanding the previous EU action plan on circular economy, there are still barriers which limit the contribution of the steel sector to the EU transition towards a circular economy. In the following paragraphs, EUROFER summarises its suggestions and proposals on how to support the initiatives contained in the roadmap and how to achieve the goals without hampering the industrial transition.
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Brussels, 21 August 2025 – Joint written EU-U.S. statement broadly confirms the deal struck by Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen on 27 July: 15% U.S. import tariff on most EU products but 50% on EU steel, aluminium and their derivatives with the intention to consider working towards a tariff rate quota (TRQ) for EU exports and ring-fencing against global steel and aluminium overcapacity.
Brussels, 28 July 2025 — The European steel value chain is at a critical juncture. Deindustrialization is accelerating across both steel production, distribution and processing, threatening the resilience, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability of a sector essential to Europe's strategic autonomy and industrial base.
Brussels, 29 July 2025 – The proposal for a ‘highly effective’ new trade measure to counter global overcapacity and preserve the European steel industry’s capacities, published yesterday by France on behalf of a group of 11 Member States, is a timely initiative. The non-paper sets a clear course towards a comprehensive steel trade measure to replace the current safeguard regime at a critical moment, as the negative impacts of global overcapacity on the European steel industry continue to grow, says the European Steel Association (EUROFER).