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| EU India FTA negotiations |
European Steelmakers Urge Protection in EU-India Trade Talks
The EU steel industry calls for a balanced approach in the EU-India FTA negotiations. EUROFER emphasizes protecting strategic European industries.
However, India’s rapid capacity expansion and access to cheap raw materials could disrupt fair competition. The association stresses that trade agreements must not favor imports over EU production.
Meanwhile, India is projected to reach 205 million tons of steel capacity by 2025 and 300 million tons by 2030. Most new plants rely on carbon-intensive blast furnace technology. This contrasts sharply with Europe’s strict environmental and decarbonization standards, raising concerns over competitive imbalances.
EUROFER also opposes exemptions for India under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Weakening CBAM could undermine EU climate goals and disadvantage responsible European producers. The association urges negotiators to align trade policy with climate objectives to safeguard industrial resilience.
Steel Trade Data Highlights Risks for EU Producers
According to recent EU import statistics, India exported 1.47 million tons of rolled steel from January to August 2025, down 47.7% from 2024.
Total EU steel imports reached 20.24 million tons, slightly declining by 1.1% year-on-year. Flat product imports fell 5.3% to 14.75 million tons, while long products rose 12% to 5.49 million tons.
These trends indicate that EU producers face both short-term import fluctuations and long-term strategic pressure from India’s growing industrial output.
ScrapInsight Commentary
EU-India FTA negotiations pose potential risks for EU steelmakers due to India’s rapid capacity growth and lower environmental standards.
Maintaining CBAM integrity is crucial to protect fair competition and support Europe’s decarbonization targets. Strategic industrial policies will determine the EU steel sector’s resilience in a shifting global market.
