19 September 2024 – Calls for urgently needed changes to CBAM are now also growing louder from EU stainless steel manufacturers. There are many indications that this is linked to the extreme shortage of stainless steel scrap. And the power poker for important EU posts continues – despite von der Leyen’s harsh criticism of her proposed commissioners?
Power poker for important EU posts continues
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has presented her new team for the next five years in the European Parliament. Raffaele Fitto is the first politician from the right-wing Italian party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) to be appointed as one of the Vice-Presidents of the EU Commission.
Harsh criticism of von der Leyen’s personnel decisions
Ms von der Leyen had already been harshly criticised in the run-up to this personnel decision. Especially from the parties that had elevated the re-elected Commission President to office. However, as Ms von der Leyen has never really been interested in criticism of her administration and would like to rule sacrosanctly as the monarch of Brussels, she nevertheless presented her new court.
French commissioner sacked from behind the scenes
How Ursula von der Leyen deals with critics of her policies is illustrated by the example of the now former Commissioner for Internal Market and Industrial Policy, Thierry Breton. The Frenchman, who is regarded as von der Leyen’s biggest critic, was sacked at short notice when France was asked to put forward an alternative candidate. Breton, who had apparently not been informed of the decision beforehand, announced his resignation as Commissioner on Monday.
Is von der Leyen letting Parliament pay for her decisions?
So it is clear that, if Ms von der Leyen wants to, she can change personnel. Now the European Parliament still has to decide on the 26 future Commissioners – and could follow up the outrage with action. But in the end, this is just another round in the Brussels power game – if the Parliament fails the Italian candidate in the election, for example, Ms von der Leyen can sit back and blame the parliamentarians.
EU stainless steel manufacturers call for CBAM changes
European stainless steel manufacturers are increasingly calling for changes to the EU Carbon Border Tax CBAM and see no benefit for the domestic stainless steel industry – according to recent media reports.
Extreme shortage of stainless steel scrap
The reasons cited include the extreme shortage of stainless steel scrap in Europe and the availability of raw materials such as nickel pig iron (NPI, ferro-nickel). Another reason could be that more and more stainless steel slabs have to be imported into the EU, as mills have not been able to meet the demand for flat and long products in the EU27 for years and the market is dependent on imports of at least 25%. NPI, but also stainless steel slabs, are covered by CBAM and will be subject to a CO2 price on import from 2026.
EU Commission repeatedly rejects changes to CBAM
Logically, the disastrous effects of CBAM on European industry as a whole are now being increasingly recognised. It’s just stupid that the European Commission continues to categorically reject changes to the existing CBAM rules and ignores any criticism – which in turn fits in well with the first part of this article.
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