According to Bloomberg, the UK government defended its decision to hike out-of-quota steel import tariffs from 25% to 50% and slash import quotas by 60%, effective July 1. Trade Minister Chris Bryant argued the measures are crucial to shield the ailing domestic steel industry from "artificially low prices" driven by cheap imports, especially from China, and global tariff wars. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's administration insists these targeted protections are vital for maintaining a level playing field. Without such interventions, the UK risks losing thousands of jobs and becoming the only G7 nation without primary steel-making capabilities, following last year's state intervention to rescue British Steel.

The United Kingdom government officially launched a new national Steel Strategy on March 19, 2026, aimed at domesticating 50% of the nation's steel consumption, up from the current 30%. As part of this robust trade defense, the UK will reduce tariff-free import quotas by 60% effective July 1, 2026, while raising the maximum Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff to 50% for imports exceeding these limits. This move is designed to shield the domestic industry—currently transitioning from traditional blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces (EAF)—from global overcapacity and extreme subsidies.

【SMM Steel】The Middle East conflict is disrupting shipping routes, causing longer delivery times and higher costs for EU steel imports. Buyers expect cargoes to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope, adding 2-4 weeks and raising freight costs. Uncertainty is limiting orders. The delays come as the EU plans tighter import quotas from July 2026. Higher energy and freight costs may push up steel prices.

On February 24, 2026, the European Commission began trilogue negotiations on a new steel safeguard measure to combat global overcapacity. The regulation proposes reducing tariff-free import volumes to 18.3 million tons per year (a 47% cut compared to 2024 quotas) and doubling out-of-quota import duties to 50%, to be fully in place by July 1, 2026

Expert Gracelin Baskaran is urging western allies to form a coordinated “anchor market” to counter China’s dominance in critical minerals.

The second round of coke price cuts has been implemented. The coke procurement prices of large steel mills in Hebei have been reduced, with a decrease of 50 yuan/mt for wet quenched coke and 55 yuan/mt for coke dry quenching. The specific situation after adjustment is as follows: Grade 1 wet quenched coke (A≤12.5, S≤0.7, CSR≥65, MT≤7) is priced at 1,410 yuan/mt; Grade 1 coke dry quenching (A≤12.5, S≤0.7, CSR≥65, MT≤0) is priced at 1,625 yuan/mt. The above prices are tax-inclusive, delivered to the mill and payable upon acceptance, effective from 0:00 on May 28, 2025.