Steel is a fundamental pillar of a healthy economy, essential for infrastructure, construction, and industrial development. Industrialisation typically starts with the establishment of a domestic steel industry.
However, some formerly developing countries struggle to scale down their steel production once they reach a mature industrial stage. Meanwhile, other countries continue to expand their steel industries, often guided by government strategies aimed at boosting exports. This dynamic has led to production capacities far exceeding global demand.
As of 2024, global steel overcapacity exceeded 602 million tonnes - more than 4 times the EU’s total annual steel consumption – and is projected to rise to 721 million tonnes by 2027. Despite the growing mismatch, capacity reductions are frequently delayed or avoided due to government intervention, resulting in entrenched structural overcapacity and significant market distortions.
As a consequence, EU steel trade deficit has massively widened since 2021. A positive trade balance in finished steel products of 11 million tonne in 2013 has turned into a deficit of 10.7 million tonnes in 2024.
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Brussels, 11 July 2025 – The delay and ongoing uncertainty about a deal on tariffs between the EU and the U.S. further worsens the crisis for the European steel industry. U.S. steel tariffs at 50% are adding fuel to an already explosive situation, putting the sector at risk of losing all its exports to the U.S. and facing a surge of deflected trade flows redirected from the U.S. to the EU market. The lack of bold and timely implementation of the Steel and Metals Action Plan is further accelerating the sector’s deterioration, says the European Steel Association.
Brussels, 02 July 2025 – The 90% climate target proposed today by the European Commission demands an unprecedented transformation of EU society and industry in just 15 years. The European steel industry is already doing its part, but a viable business case for the transition is still lacking. To enable it, the EU needs to implement the Steel and Metals Action Plan much more decisively, delivering a highly effective trade protection against global overcapacity, access to internationally competitive low carbon energy and scrap, and a watertight CBAM, says the European Steel Association.
European Steel in Figures 2025 is EUROFER's statistical handbook, laying out in an easy-to-use format the key statistics and data about the performance and footprint of one of Europe's most important strategic sectors
The European Steel Association (EUROFER)
172 Avenue de Cortenbergh
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Email: mail@eurofer.eu
Phone: +32 (0) 2 738 79 20
