The European Union (EU) Commission issued a press release on January 4, 2019, making known that the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been notified of its intention to replace current provisional measures, which have been in place since July 2018, with definitive safeguard measures.
This action comes as a result of an investigation launched as part of the EU’s response to the decision by the United States to impose tariffs on steel products and is intended to deter the diversion of steel products to the EU. As is the case at present, the measures will be based on a quota system, which will allow for the imposition of a 25% duty on imports of certain steel products once the level of traditional trade flows is reached.
It is expected that the definitive measures will enter into force in February 2019.
The press release can be found here:
