South Korea Seeks Preferential Steel Export Terms from European Union

Presidential policy adviser Kim Yong-beom confirmed that the proposal was presented directly to European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. While the European Parliament previously approved plans to slash tariff-free steel imports by nearly 50 percent by 2024, Seoul anticipates a more lenient outcome than other global exporters. Last year, South Korea moved 3.24 million tons of steel into the European market, making the sector a primary concern for the administration.

Beyond the steel negotiations, the meetings served as a broader platform for technological alignment. Both delegations explored deeper cooperation in semiconductors and artificial intelligence, signaling that the EU’s decision on steel may hinge on Seoul’s willingness to integrate further into the European high-tech industrial strategy.