BRUSSELS, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Europe's steel industry said on Thursday that EU provisions due to be set out next week that prioritise the use of locally-made materials must include steel, and 'local'
EU Steel Industry Urges Inclusion in 'Made in Europe' Plan, With Tight Scope
Steel’s Bid to Join 'Made in Europe' Under the Industrial Accelerator Act
BRUSSELS, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Europe's steel industry said on Thursday that EU provisions due to be set out next week that prioritise the use of locally-made materials must include steel, and 'local' should be understood as only close EU neighbours such as Britain and Norway.
Act Overview and Local-Content Aims
The EU executive is to propose its "Industrial Accelerator Act" next Wednesday, with requirements to prioritise locally manufactured products when public money is used.
The "Made in Europe" provision is designed to cover "key strategic sectors", including batteries, solar and wind energy, hydrogen manufacturing, nuclear power and electric vehicles. It is not clear if low-carbon steel would be included.
Geographic Scope Dispute
The plans were due to have been presented this week but were delayed by disagreements over the geographic scope.
EFTA and UK Inclusion
Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the EU's single market, are likely to be included.
"I would agree for those that have a very similar system to the EU to add them. I have no problem with the UK, but you cannot add all the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) countries," Axel Eggert, director general of steel association Eurofer said.
Regions Cited for Exclusion
The Middle East/North Africa region, India, Indonesia and Vietnam should be excluded, he said.
"These are exactly those who create the overcapacity, who do not decarbonise in a way as we have to in the EU," he continued.
Supply-Chain Push from Carmakers
Carmakers and other industries have called for provisions to extend to include countries in their supply chains, such as Britain and Turkey.
Steel’s Status in Latest Draft
Eggert said the latest draft appeared to have removed 'Made in Europe' requirements for steel.
Global 'Buy National' Context
He said many other trade partners were buying locally, "India massively, China, the U.S. all 'buy national', but they do it for all the production, and we are here just talking about low carbon steel. So if you want to trigger investment in the decarbonisation, then you have to put steel here as well," he said, referring to the Act.
Reporting Notes
(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
