The European Commission is reviewing the extension of safeguard quotas on steel imports into the EU, as 14 member states have requested it. The investigation will cover the allocation of tariff rate quotas, products, and categories, with feedback due by Feb. 26. Market participants support the extension, citing concerns about trade flow redirection and costly technical changes for decarbonization. The EU steel industry is transitioning to greener practices, and higher steel prices are essential for mills to cover these costs. Excess capacity in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, along with China's record steel exports, pose challenges for the EU market. The UK, which has its own steel safeguard quotas, is also considering an extension while reviewing a temporary nine-month extension of HRC import restrictions