The European Steel Association EUROFER has welcomed the WTO Panel report ruling against Indonesia’s ban on the export of nickel ore. These measures have been artificially distorting the global market for nickel ore and fuelling the new export-oriented stainless steel production in Indonesia, whilst harming the EU stainless sector. EUROFER Director General Mr Axel Eggert said “The WTO dispute resolution panel confirms what EUROFER has been saying for the past four years: the Indonesian measures on nickel constitute a violation of its obligations under WTO rules. Our stainless industry has been suffering from massive Indonesian exports into the EU at very low prices, while the stainless steel products made in the EU have a carbon footprint five to six times lower. This is a nonsense that should not be tolerated by the EU any longer against the background of the EU 2030 climate targets.”The EU requested consultations at the WTO in November 2019, and the establishment of a Panel in January 2021. The WTO panel report was made public on 30 November 2022.Nickel is a key component in the production of stainless steels. Around 55% of all stainless steels contain nickel, as it improves corrosion resistance and properties.The Indonesian stainless steel industry was developed and built upon locally-available nickel ores from the outset, taking advantage of the local export ban that unduly grants an unfair competitive advantage to the Indonesian producers, whose business model is based on exports.
The European Steel Association EUROFER has welcomed the WTO Panel report ruling against Indonesia’s ban on the export of nickel ore. These measures have been artificially distorting the global market for nickel ore and fuelling the new export-oriented stainless steel production in Indonesia, whilst harming the EU stainless sector. EUROFER Director General Mr Axel Eggert said “The WTO dispute resolution panel confirms what EUROFER has been saying for the past four years: the Indonesian measures on nickel constitute a violation of its obligations under WTO rules. Our stainless industry has been suffering from massive Indonesian exports into the EU at very low prices, while the stainless steel products made in the EU have a carbon footprint five to six times lower. This is a nonsense that should not be tolerated by the EU any longer against the background of the EU 2030 climate targets.”The EU requested consultations at the WTO in November 2019, and the establishment of a Panel in January 2021. The WTO panel report was made public on 30 November 2022.Nickel is a key component in the production of stainless steels. Around 55% of all stainless steels contain nickel, as it improves corrosion resistance and properties.The Indonesian stainless steel industry was developed and built upon locally-available nickel ores from the outset, taking advantage of the local export ban that unduly grants an unfair competitive advantage to the Indonesian producers, whose business model is based on exports.
