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The vote on Jan. 16 would put in place an effective cap on steel
imports for three years to counter concerns of EU producers that
European markets could be flooded by steel products that are no
longer being imported into the U.S..
The bloc imposed "safeguard" measures on a provisional basis on
imports of 23 steel product types in July, with an expiry date
of Feb 4. The quota was set at the average level of imports over
the past three years, with a 25 percent tariff applied if the
quotas are filled.
The temporary measures won widespread backing from EU member
countries, with only two abstaining.
"There is more scepticism than at the provisional stage. Steel
users have been affected... but I expect there will be enough
countries in favor to push the safeguards through," one EU
diplomat said.
The Commission's proposal is similar to the provisional
measures, although quotas would be set at the average of the
last three years plus 5 percent. It has also set limits for
major exporting countries. The quotas would apply for
three-month periods in order to limit stockpiling and could be
increased by 5 percent each year.
European auto manufacturers association ACEA called the measures
protectionist and said they would harm its members. It added
that steel exports to the United States had only dropped
slightly and so little extra steel was being diverted to Europe.
Steel group Eurofer, whose members include world number one
ArcelorMittal and Germany's ThyssenKrupp, previously welcomed
the safeguards.
The main exporters of steel to the EU are China, India, Russia,
South Korea, Turkey and Ukraine.
(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
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