Push by lawmakers to ban Russian steel sets up clash with EU capitals (www.politico.eu)
from breakfastmtn@piefed.ca to world@lemmy.world on 06 Feb 23:10
https://piefed.ca/c/world/p/506427/push-by-lawmakers-to-ban-russian-steel-sets-up-clash-with-eu-capitals

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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ms_lane@lemmy.world on 06 Feb 23:21 collapse

We make Steel in Australia.

Canada also makes Steel.

China also makes Steel from Australian and Canadian Iron Ore.

Why buy Russian Steel?

Thedogdrinkscoffee@lemmy.ca on 07 Feb 00:10 next collapse

Shipping costs.

tal@lemmy.today on 07 Feb 00:14 next collapse

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:

<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.today/pictrs/image/3946571c-3469-4d06-8389-1651a086b236.webp">

kavehmetal.com/steel-slab-7-essential-tips2025-gu…

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.

Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works on 07 Feb 18:06 collapse

The answer, of course, is that we barely do.

I can’t find any source papers, but on several summaries and industry infographics, Russia isn’t even in the Top 6 sources for imported steel, meaning they’re under 5% for both flat steel (plates) and longs (beams).

Ukraine, meanwhile is the 4th largest source of long products, and the third largest grower.

Edit: the article is pretty shit. Apparently it’s not steel products, but products used in steel-making. So iron, reduced iron, slab, etc. Russia is (shamefully) the main source of those products for the EU.