The European Union (EU) imposed safeguard measures on certain steel imports in 2018 in response to US import tariffs on steel and aluminium (see Steel and aluminium imports to the USA). The United Kingdom also imposed safeguard measures on imports of certain steel products from 1 January 2021 following its withdrawal from the EU. Switzerland is affected by these measures, which are based on WTO law.
Measures taken by the European Union
The European Commission adopted definitive safeguard measures on steel imports in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/159 dated 31 January 2019. These safeguard measures applied from 2 February 2019 to 30 June 2021. The EU Commission decided to extend the safeguard measures on imports of certain steel products for three years until 30 June 2024 through Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1029 dated 24 June 2021. On 23 June 2022, the European Commission adjusted the safeguard measures on certain steel imports by means of Implementing Regulation 2022/978.
The safeguard measures are implemented in the form of country-specific tariff quotas per product category (26 in total). For Switzerland, country-specific quotas exist for product groups 12, 14, 16, 21, 26 and 27. The size of the quotas is based on average annual imports in 2015, 2016 and 2017, with quota volumes increasing by 4% annually. For the remaining product categories, imports from Switzerland fall under the global quotas for other countries.
An additional duty of 25% is due on imports that exceed the quotas.
The fill rate for quotas is published by the EU Commission via this link and updated on an ongoing basis.
Measures taken by the United Kingdom
Following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the EU, the former introduced separate safeguard measures on imports of certain steel products with effect from 1 January 2021. These concern a total of 19 product categories from the EU safeguard measures on steel imports.
On 30 June 2021 and on 30 June 2022, the UK decided to extend its safeguard measures on imports of certain steel products until 30 June 2024.
The safeguard measures are implemented in the form of country-specific tariff quotas per product category. The size of the quotas is based on average annual imports in 2015, 2016 and 2017, with quota volumes increasing by 3% annually. No specific tariff quotas apply to Switzerland, so imports of the products in question from Switzerland fall under the global quotas for other countries.
An additional duty of 25% is due on imports that exceed the quotas.
The fill rate for UK quotas can be consulted via this link. Search for the tariff line, then select the quota number under Import.
Position of the Swiss federal authorities
Switzerland has repeatedly asked the European Commission and EU member states for an exemption from the European safeguard measures. The aim here is that trade defence measures should not restrict trade between Switzerland and the EU, and that they should comply in full with the obligations of the Swiss-EU Free Trade Agreement of 1972 and WTO law. Similarly, Switzerland has intervened on several occasions with the UK to ensure that British safeguard measures do not hinder trade between the two countries.
Last modification 01.11.2022
