In a significant move to protect its steel industry, the European Union has agreed to double tariffs on steel imports from 25% to 50%. This decision, made by EU lawmakers and representatives, aims to shield local producers from a surge of inexpensive steel from China, which has been heavily subsidized and dominates global production. The new agreement also reduces the volume of steel that can be imported tariff-free by 47%, lowering the quota to 18.3 million tons per year, a level last seen in 2013. This change is crucial as the EU's trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, emphasized the importance of a robust steel sector for the bloc's strategic autonomy and industrial strength. The European steel industry group Eurofer has welcomed the decision, stating it could help preserve around 230,000 jobs. However, industry experts caution that while these measures are a step forward, they alone may not be sufficient to revitalize a sector grappling with high energy costs and competition. The new tariffs will affect imports from all countries, excluding members of the European Economic Area (EEA) such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. This provisional deal awaits formal endorsement by the European Council and Parliament before becoming law.