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Requests Concerning the Steel Import Measures taken by the European Union (EU).
July 1, 2026
The Japan Iron and Steel Federation
Special Steel Association of Japan
Japan Stainless Steel Association
Japan Wire Products Association
Non-Integrated Steel Producers’ Association
After the comprehensive safeguard measure on steel products, which had been introduced since July 2018, expired at the end of June, the European Union (hereinafter “EU”) has initiated a new regulation on July 1, 2026, which halved the total tariff-rate quotas established under the previous SG measures and raised the out-of-quota tariff rate to 50%. In line with the significant decrease in total volume, the tariff quota for Japan has also been set at approximately 800,000 tons, which is well below the average import volume from Japan from 2022 to 2024 (approximately 1.5 million tons).
The EU also initiated an anti-dumping (hereinafter "AD") investigation in August 2024, regarding hot-rolled flat steel products imported from four countries, namely, Japan, Egypt, India, and Vietnam. Despite a significant drop in imports of hot-rolled flat steel products from Japan following the modification and reinforcement of the previous SG measures in July 2024, the EU determined that injury had occurred without properly accounting for the trade-restrictive effects of those measures and issued a final determination in September 2025 to impose AD duties.
Furthermore, the EU launched a separate AD investigation in September 2025, concerning cold-rolled flat steel products imported from five countries and entities, namely, Japan, India, Taiwan, Turkey, and Vietnam. Through the investigation, a similar concern arose that AD duties might be imposed without properly considering the trade-restrictive impact of the modification and reinforcement of the previous SG measures on the products in question.
We consider such a series of trade measures taken by the EU is inappropriate and regrettable, given the fact that Japan and the EU have concluded an Economic Partnership Agreement (hereinafter "Japan-EU EPA"). "2026 Report on Compliance by Major Trading Partners with Trade Agreements", which was publicized by the Japanese government in June, also expressed concerns regarding potential inconsistencies with international rules, such as the WTO agreements and Japan-EU EPA. Indeed, these trade measures become obstacles to facilitating steel trade between Japan and the EU and are placing burdens on industries in both regions. There also is another concern that these measures taken by the EU, which has historically played a major role in shaping international rules, could affect other countries, thereby substantially undermining the rule-based trading system.
While the Japanese steel industry appreciates the Government of Japan for the vigorous negotiations conducted to date, however, unfair trade measures taken by the EU have been creating a serious situation that hinders the smooth export of steel products by Japanese companies to the European market and threatening our capacity and contribution to serve customers in the European market. We therefore urge the Japanese government to continue persistent negotiations with the EU and to make further efforts toward an early resolution of the current issues by utilizing dispute settlement procedures established under the WTO agreements and the Japan-EU EPA.
July 1, 2026
The Japan Iron and Steel Federation
Special Steel Association of Japan
Japan Stainless Steel Association
Japan Wire Products Association
Non-Integrated Steel Producers’ Association
After the comprehensive safeguard measure on steel products, which had been introduced since July 2018, expired at the end of June, the European Union (hereinafter “EU”) has initiated a new regulation on July 1, 2026, which halved the total tariff-rate quotas established under the previous SG measures and raised the out-of-quota tariff rate to 50%. In line with the significant decrease in total volume, the tariff quota for Japan has also been set at approximately 800,000 tons, which is well below the average import volume from Japan from 2022 to 2024 (approximately 1.5 million tons).
The EU also initiated an anti-dumping (hereinafter "AD") investigation in August 2024, regarding hot-rolled flat steel products imported from four countries, namely, Japan, Egypt, India, and Vietnam. Despite a significant drop in imports of hot-rolled flat steel products from Japan following the modification and reinforcement of the previous SG measures in July 2024, the EU determined that injury had occurred without properly accounting for the trade-restrictive effects of those measures and issued a final determination in September 2025 to impose AD duties.
Furthermore, the EU launched a separate AD investigation in September 2025, concerning cold-rolled flat steel products imported from five countries and entities, namely, Japan, India, Taiwan, Turkey, and Vietnam. Through the investigation, a similar concern arose that AD duties might be imposed without properly considering the trade-restrictive impact of the modification and reinforcement of the previous SG measures on the products in question.
We consider such a series of trade measures taken by the EU is inappropriate and regrettable, given the fact that Japan and the EU have concluded an Economic Partnership Agreement (hereinafter "Japan-EU EPA"). "2026 Report on Compliance by Major Trading Partners with Trade Agreements", which was publicized by the Japanese government in June, also expressed concerns regarding potential inconsistencies with international rules, such as the WTO agreements and Japan-EU EPA. Indeed, these trade measures become obstacles to facilitating steel trade between Japan and the EU and are placing burdens on industries in both regions. There also is another concern that these measures taken by the EU, which has historically played a major role in shaping international rules, could affect other countries, thereby substantially undermining the rule-based trading system.
While the Japanese steel industry appreciates the Government of Japan for the vigorous negotiations conducted to date, however, unfair trade measures taken by the EU have been creating a serious situation that hinders the smooth export of steel products by Japanese companies to the European market and threatening our capacity and contribution to serve customers in the European market. We therefore urge the Japanese government to continue persistent negotiations with the EU and to make further efforts toward an early resolution of the current issues by utilizing dispute settlement procedures established under the WTO agreements and the Japan-EU EPA.
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