7 Steel UK, the Cardiff-headquartered steel producer, today expressed deep concern over the European Commission’s announcement of sweeping changes to steel import quotas, unveiled on 7 October 2025. The proposed measures — reducing tariff-free quotas to 18 million tonnes and doubling out-of-quota tariffs to 50% — pose a direct threat to the viability of UK steel exports and the future of Welsh steelmaking.

The EU remains the destination for nearly 80% of UK steel exports, including a significant share from Welsh producers, such as our own low-carbon production. These new restrictions risk cutting off access to our most vital market and flooding the UK with redirected steel, undermining domestic demand and destabilising local supply chains.

Carles Rovira, CEO of 7 Steel UK, said:

“This is a critical moment for our industry. The EU’s decision risks severing the lifeline of Welsh steel exports and unleashing a wave of redirected imports that could overwhelm our domestic market. We stand with UK Steel and other UK producers in urging the UK Government to act decisively by negotiating country-specific quotas and tightening our own import controls to protect jobs, communities, and the future of steel in Wales.”

“The proposal lacks essential clarity on timescales, transition arrangements, and the allocation of country-specific quotas — all of which are critical to business planning and supply stability. Without this detail, the market faces heightened uncertainty that could drive volatility in pricing and investment decisions across the industry.”

“7 Steel UK urges the UK Government to negotiate country-specific EU quotas to safeguard export access while introducing new domestic trade measures — such as strengthened import safeguards and targeted support for strategic producers.”

“We are proud of our role in Cardiff’s industrial heritage and future. But without swift and strategic intervention, this policy shift could undo decades of progress in high-value steel production and regional regeneration.”

7 Steel UK calls on the UK Government to:
 Secure preferential treatment for UK steel through country-specific EU quotas
 Implement robust UK import safeguards to prevent market destabilisation
 Align the implementation of UK trade measures with EU timelines
 Champion the strategic importance of steel in Wales’ economic and industrial future.

 7 Steel UK is working closely with UK Steel, the UK Government, the Welsh Government, and industry partners and EU stakeholders to ensure that the final arrangements recognise the high environmental standards, circular production model, and reliability of UK producers. It is vital that any new framework safeguards fair access for UK steel and avoids unnecessary disruption to the integrated supply chains that underpin Europe’s low-carbon transition.

ENDS

For media enquiries: gabriella.nizam@7-steel.com

7 Steel and the EU

 The EU has historically been 7 Steel’s most critical export market, accounting for the majority of outbound trade.
 The newly proposed tariff structure threatens to disrupt this foundation, potentially reducing export volumes and weakening our competitive position — already facing stiff headwinds.
 Without swift government intervention, the sector could face a contraction in investment, skilled employment, and strategic capacity, just as steel is set to play a pivotal role in the UK’s industrial and green transition — something 7 Steel is leading.

The EU Market

 The EU was the destination for 78% of UK finished steel exports in 2024, equating to 1.9 million tonnes (ISSB data). For context, the UK’s crude steel production in 2024 was just over 4 million tonnes, making it an enormously important market.
 64% of UK finished steel imports in 2024 came from the EU, equating to 3.6 million tonnes.
 The EU imported 27.4 million tonnes of steel in 2024, not all of which was subject to import quotas.

Global Steelmaking Overcapacity

 China subsidises its steelmakers at ten times the OECD average (Source: OECD Steel Outlook 2025).
 Global overcapacity stood at over 600 million tonnes in 2024, representing 24% of total capacity, according to the OECD. The OECD forecasts this to increase to 721 million tonnes by 2027, in part driven by China.
 China exported a record 118 million tonnes in 2024. For context, besides China, only one other country (India – 149.6 million tonnes) even produces that much. China produced 1 billion tonnes in 2024 out of the 1.882 billion global total, according to the World Steel Association (Worldsteel, December 2024 Crude Steel Production and 2024 Global Totals).