Switzerland insists on exemption from EU trade barriers on steel

Switzerland insists on exemption from the EU’s planned new protective measures on steel imports and has convened a special meeting with representatives of the bloc on trade issues. This is stated in a report by the country’s government.

A meeting of delegates from both sides to discuss trade barriers took place in Brussels on January 29.

According to the Swiss government, steel production in the country does not contribute to global overcapacity. Instead, it supports the functioning of regional supply chains that are crucial to European industrial ecosystems.

“Switzerland is continuing its efforts to find a solution with the EU that will preserve trade as much as possible,” the statement said.

In addition to steel, Switzerland will focus on exemption from EU protective measures restricting imports of certain manganese and silicon-based alloys (ferroalloys). The country also expressed concern about the possibility of the EU imposing restrictions on the export of aluminum scrap.

As a reminder, in October 2025, the European Commission presented a proposal to protect the EU steel industry from the unfair impact of global overcapacity. It provides for limiting duty-free imports to 18.3 million tons per year and doubling the duty rate on products outside the quota to 50% (compared to 25% under the current safeguard measure). The EC has announced its intention to work closely with the bloc’s trading partners affected by this tariff change within the WTO to offer them quotas for individual countries.

The bloc plans to make exceptions to its new safeguard measures only for countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) – Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.