The European Commission has imposed a 50% out-of-quota duty on steel products originating from Morocco and eight other countries, according to Implementing Regulation 2026/1930 published in the Official Journal of the European Union on August 5, 2026. The measure took effect on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
The regulation applies once the tariff-rate quotas for these countries are exhausted. The affected countries include Morocco, as well as eight other nations, though the full list was not specified in the available information. The move is part of the EU's safeguard measures on steel imports, which aim to protect the European steel industry from surges in imports.
The European Commission has not provided a detailed explanation for the inclusion of these specific countries, but it is consistent with the EU's ongoing trade defense mechanisms. The steel sector has been under pressure globally due to overcapacity and trade distortions.
This action is expected to impact steel exporters from these countries, who will face higher costs when shipping to the EU once their quotas are filled. The EU has been reviewing its steel safeguard measures periodically, and this regulation is part of that process.
