ArcelorMittal Predicts EU Steel Imports to Stay High Before Tighter Quotas
EU Steel Import Trends and Market Impact
By Javi West Larrañaga
Current Import Levels and Market Behavior
April 30 (Reuters) - Steel imports into the European Union should remain high in the second quarter as buyers rush material into the bloc before tighter safeguards take effect, ArcelorMittal's finance chief said on Thursday.
Genuino Christino said imports were still elevated at the start of the second quarter even after easing in the first.
Quarterly Import Analysis
"We saw imports coming down in quarter one, but evidence suggests that imports, at least at the beginning of quarter two, are still elevated," he said on a call with analysts.
Upcoming Trade Policy Changes
The EU is expected to start a new trade policy in July that will halve steel import quotas. Christino said higher freight rates and longer shipping times linked to disruption from the war in the Middle East were unlikely to delay arrivals.
Industry Warnings and Market Share
The European Steel Association, known as Eurofer, warned in March that imports reached a record 29% share of the EU steel market in the third quarter of 2025.
ArcelorMittal Financial Performance
Quarterly Earnings Overview
The Luxembourg-based company posted first-quarter core earnings of $1.68 billion, narrowly beating analysts' average estimate of $1.65 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Javi West Larrañaga in Gdansk; Editing by Matt Scuffham)
