Třinec Ironworks: Key to the EU Steel Industry Protection Plan is its Quick Adoption
Třinec (Frýdecko-Místecko) – Key to the European Commission’s (EC) plan to protect the steel industry in the European Union (EU) is, according to Třinec Ironworks (TŽ), its swift adoption. The only Czech steel producer would welcome it if the measures took effect as of January 2026. TŽ spokesperson Petra Macková Jurásková said this today to ČTK. The proposal was also welcomed as a step in the right direction by the CEO of the Ostrava company Nová Huť Radek Strouhal.
The EC officially presented the new plan to protect the steel sector in the EU on Tuesday. It proposes to reduce steel import quotas by 47 percent to 18.3 million tons per year. The tariff on supplies exceeding these quotas should be increased to 50 percent from the current 25 percent. The proposal still needs to be approved by EU member states and the European Parliament.
“If the proposal is approved, it will be the most significant intervention in European steel policy in recent years and also the first positive news after a three-year crisis in the sector, which continues to face serious problems due to unfair trading practices and high energy prices,” said the TŽ spokesperson. According to her, the step is necessary because the European market has been suffering from cheap imports from China and other Asian countries for some time. “The increase in tariffs should prevent the influx of cheap goods from other markets into Europe and strengthen the competitiveness of European producers against the USA, which has already raised tariffs to 50 percent,” Macková stated. The question, according to her, is when the measures will take effect. “We would welcome them as of January next year. Even that is already five minutes past twelve… Therefore, its swift adoption is key,” the spokesperson added. Třinec Ironworks is the only steel producer in the Czech Republic.
“We welcome the European Commission’s proposal as a step in the right direction. Europe needs to protect its steel industry, which is the foundation of energy, transport, and construction infrastructure. Reducing import quotas and increasing tariffs will contribute to fairer market conditions and strengthen the competitiveness of European mills and steel companies. We believe that this step will help stabilize the environment in which European steelworks – including our company – strive for modern and sustainable production,” said Strouhal. (October 8)
