Tata Steel UK CEO Rajesh Nair has responded to today's EU announcement of new steel quotas, saying that along with recently announced UK steel import measures, they are likely to have significant impact on the Tata Steel UK business.
In a statement he said: “While we recognise the UK Government’s efforts in these negotiations, the overall reduction of 60% in guaranteed tariff-free EU quotas, combined with the recent UK steel import measures, is likely to have a significant impact on our UK business."
He continued: “We will need some time to analyse the specific details of the announcement with respect to different product categories, but given the importance of the EU market to British steel producers, fair and workable market access remains critical if we are to achieve a sustainable steel industry here in the UK.”
Notes
- The quotas are due to take effect from 1 July 2026
- Around 70 per cent of UK steel exports go to the EU market.
- Tata Steel UK will continue engaging with the UK Government on a longer-term arrangement that supports competitive steel production, commercially viable downstream operations and investment in the UK steel sector.
Tata Steel UK CEO Rajesh Nair
Notes
Global steel markets remain heavily impacted by overcapacity and increasing international protectionism, with a number of major economies continuing to strengthen trade protections for domestic producers.
Tata Steel UK recognises the significant work undertaken by UK Government in developing the revised quota framework during an exceptionally challenging global trading environment for steel.
The company continues to support the principle of effective UK steel trade measures and recognises the importance of maintaining a stable and workable framework for both domestic steel production and the wider steel supply chain.
Tata Steel UK remains concerned that quota volumes in a number of product categories, including metallic coated steels (Category 4), packaging steels (Category 6) and hollow sections (Category 21), continue to permit significant import penetration and do not sufficiently reflect underlying UK market conditions or the pressures facing domestic steel producers.
Tata Steel UK has consistently engaged constructively with Government regarding the importance of ensuring that quota volumes remain aligned to UK market demand and support a sustainable long-term future for domestic steel production, investment and downstream operations in the UK.