EU Cuts Duty-Free Steel Quota to Block Chinese Imports
The EU has cut the amount of duty-free steel it accepts from abroad by nearly half. The move is designed to stop cheap Chinese steel entering Europe.
It also aims to protect local steel industries. Out-of-quota tariffs are doubling from 25% to 50%.
The new rules took effect on July 1, 2026. Thirteen countries with free trade deals with the EU got a smaller cut.
Their quota was reduced by one third instead of nearly half. These countries together can still send 9.15 million tonnes of steel duty-free.
The UK is among those thirteen countries. The UK, US and Canada have made similar moves to raise steel tariffs.
Klear Note — Tariffs are taxes on imported goods. Higher tariffs make foreign steel cost more, protecting local steel makers from cheaper competition.
Key Terms 4
- duty-free Goods that can be imported without paying extra taxes
- quota A set limit on how much of something can be imported
- tariffs Extra taxes added to goods coming in from other countries
- free trade deal An agreement letting countries trade with lower taxes