The EU imported more steel from Russia in 2025. The European Parliament now sees a unique chance to ban it.

The EU imported more steel from Russia in 2025. The European Parliament now sees a unique chance to ban it.

The EU already had its work cut out to agree to impose a 50 percent tariff on steel imports by a summer deadline. Now, an attempt by lawmakers to graft a ban on Russian steel onto the measure has made things a lot more complicated.

With the four-year mark of Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine looming this month, European lawmakers have broadly backed amendments that would allow Brussels to shut out all Russian steel, choking off an important source of export revenue for the Kremlin’s war economy.

By bolting their proposal on to the measure to overhaul steel industry protections that is already in the works, MEPs hope to halt Russian steel exports where earlier attempts to sanction them failed because such a step would require the unanimous support of the 27 EU member countries.

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  • tal@lemmy.todayEnglish
    2·
    3 hours ago

    Why buy Russian Steel?

    Without looking at the numbers, I’d guess that Russia is probably the cheapest option for those companies importing it from Russia.

    It also sounds like it’s not just steel in general, but some specific stuff:

    Sanctions on Russian exports have blocked most steel products from flowing into the EU, especially the most basic ones. Yet semi-finished slabs are still permitted into the bloc because Belgium, Czechia and Italy requested they remain available for factories that they say have no alternative sources of supply.

    I’m a little skeptical that nobody else out there produces those, though.

    searches

    Apparently they look like this:

    https://kavehmetal.com/steel-slab-7-essential-tips2025-guide/

    Steel slab plays a vital role in the production of steel sheets, plates, and other related products. Its use is particularly prominent in the manufacture of:

    Hot-rolled sheets or black sheets: The slab is heated to a specific temperature, then passed through rollers to reduce thickness and achieve the desired dimensions.

    Structural components: It is also used in the production of I-beams, rebars, and steel pipes, which are essential for construction and infrastructure projects.