Consideration of SMEs in preparation of a follow-up to EU steel safeguard measures
29.9.2025
Question for written answer E-003767/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Pascal Arimont (PPE)
In its Steel and Metals Action Plan, the Commission announced that it is working on a possible follow-up to the safeguard measures against imports of certain steel products, which expire in mid-2026 (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/159). According to available Eurostat data, a handful of large EU companies are responsible for the vast majority of imports from third countries – 57.3 % of the import value in 2022 – but make up only 3 % of all importing companies. Micro-enterprises, for instance, import steel worth only EUR 0.24 million per year on average, while large companies import steel worth EUR 34.76 million on average – as much as 145 times more. This creates a structural imbalance, which tends to be exacerbated by trade defence instruments.
- 1.What exactly is the Commission doing to make sure any follow-up action improves SMEs’ ability to compete?
- 2.What mechanisms is the Commission considering to prevent a small number of large companies from making disproportionate use of any tariff quotas established in a follow-up legal act and crowding out SMEs?
Submitted: 29.9.2025