In 2024, Europe saw a significant rise in stainless steel imports, including raw materials and semi-finished products. This trend reflected an increasing reliance on external suppliers to meet demand.

European stainless steel manufacturers imported record amounts of slabs and nickel pig iron. Imports of nickel pig iron surged by nearly 60,000%, indicating a heavy dependence on imports.

In addition, the rise in Taiwan’s flat-rolled stainless steel sources, surpassing the EU’s quotas for the first quarter of 2025, has sparked concerns about potential higher duties and compliance issues.

This surge in EU stainless steel imports raised questions about Europe's protectionist policies and carbon emission subsidies. It highlighted the growing dependency on global markets to satisfy local production needs, even as local manufacturers push for stricter protections.