Production d’acier, décarbonation et souveraineté

A sovereignty challenge

Steel is a major issue in global geopolitical matters, particularly for Europe, as this material is strategic for industrial sovereignty, defense, infrastructure, and the energy transition. In a context of strong global trade tensions, overproduction capacity in China, and aggressive industrial policies in the United States, the European Union is seeking to limit its dependencies and secure its value chains.

This geopolitical dimension explains why steel has become a crucial current issue. As highlighted by the French newspaper Le Monde on October 7, 2025, in its article “The EU announces a highly protectionist plan to save the steel sector,” the difficulties faced by European steelmakers—due to low-cost imports and high energy prices in Europe—underscore the risks of deindustrialization across the continent. Steel thus lies at the intersection of climate, industrial, and geopolitical challenges, making it a key lever in the European strategy for competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

To better understand the situation and the challenges, download our Green Paper.