China to impose export restrictions on steel

China to impose export restrictions on steel
Steel rolls from China are seen after being unloaded at the Valparaiso port, Chile July 10, 2025.
Reuters

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday that it will introduce a licensing system for steel exports starting in 2026, covering around 300 steel products.

The ministry did not specify the reasons for the restrictions, but the move is widely seen as a response to criticism from Europe over cheap Chinese steel and the country’s persistent excess production capacity.

Under the new system, certain steel products will require export licences from January 1.

China’s steel exports rose 6.7% from January to November compared with the previous year, surpassing 107 million tonnes, despite high tariffs imposed by the United States.

European officials have long criticised Chinese steel for being priced well below that of competitors, partly due to government subsidies, arguing it undermines the EU’s steel industry.

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