News 2022

FIEC asks for temporary suspension of restrictions against imports of steel

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, sourcing of steel has become increasingly difficult. Imports of certain steel products are currently restricted by safeguard measures and FIEC expresses its concern regarding the application of these measures for the duration of the persisting conflict in Ukraine.

For specific steel products, such as reinforcing steel, it is not feasible to shift to other supply sources. The availability of such products, which are key in construction activity, has become highly problematic and their prices have been increasing significantly.

This situation is leading construction companies to suspend activities on worksites and to refrain from submitting new bids, thereby hindering the implementation of many ongoing and future projects including those in the framework of the EU Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Within this framework - and to allow for more steel imports into the EU and to stabilise Europe’s supply chain – on 12 April, FIEC addressed a letter to the European Commission asking for the following policy action:

1.       The temporary suspension of steel safeguard measures

2.       The temporary suspension of EU anti-dumping duties on steel products