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Swiss steel industry raises concerns over EU steel tariffs and presses for exemptions

Swiss industry expressed concern on Wednesday over the European Union plans to reduce tariff-free import quotas of steel by almost half, and to impose a 50% tax for excess shipments. They urged the bloc to make an exception for Switzerland. Swissmem, an industry association, said that curbs on the free trade would harm Swiss manufacturers. They are already subject to much higher U.S. tariffs as part of the Trump administration’s effort to reorder global trade.

EU steel is protected at the moment by safeguards which cap imports for 26 steel grades. Any steel imported above these limits will be subject to 25% tariffs. The tariffs have been steadily increasing each year, despite declining demand. They must be lifted by mid-2026 under World Trade Organization regulations.

Swissmem's spokesperson expressed concern about the reduction of duty-free steel to the EU.

The steel industry will face a serious problem if the EU does not grant Switzerland duty free quotas of a comparable scale to those currently in place.

The group demanded a solution that was negotiated and stated that even with tariffs of 25%, companies could not compete on the EU market.

Switzerland and the EU have agreed to a new trade agreement that will deepen their ties. Any disagreements over tariffs could complicate this process.

Swiss Steel, a steelmaker, said that while it is still analyzing the EU's proposed measures it was vital that Switzerland be excluded from them.

Swiss Steel, and its counterpart Stahl Gerlafingen are not the only Swiss companies exporting processed steel into the EU. (Reporting and editing by Dave Graham and Alexandra Hudson.

(source: Reuters)