UK fears heavy losses as Europe moves to shield steel industry

The European Commission unveiled unprecedented measures on Tuesday, including a doubling of import tariffs, to protect steelmakers from what it sees as unfair and increasingly crushing competition from China. Getty Images/Monty Rakusen

The European Union has unveiled its toughest plan yet to defend its steel industry, halving the volume of foreign steel that can enter the bloc without tariffs and doubling the duties on imports. The move has alarmed the United Kingdom, which sells most of its steel to the EU.

The plan, announced by the European Commission in Strasbourg, comes as Europe’s steelmakers face what officials call “crushing” competition from China.