As part of the European Convoy for Industrial Competitiveness, Belmetal met with Benoît Cassart, Member of the European Parliament for Renew Europe (MR),at the European Parliament. The discussion focused on the competitiveness of European industry and the importance of an approach that protects the entire industrial value chain.
For the convoy, Eurometal had brought 200 representatives of the European metals and industrial sectors together in Brussels. Belmetal took active part in the initiative and President Philippe Mercier, Vice-Presidents Nicolas Caeymaex and Johan Rosseel, together with Director Chetan Corten, met with MEP Benoît Cassart to discuss the challenges facing the sector.
As the federation representing the Belgian metal distributors, Belmetal represents companies that form an essential link between producers and industrial users. The metal trade is therefore at the heart of the industrial value chain and directly exposed to the impact of European regulation, trade measures and international competition.
Competitiveness does not stop at primary steel
An important message during the meeting was that European industrial policy cannot focus solely on steel production. The competitiveness of European industry must be considered from the perspective of the entire value chain.
In recent years, Europe has taken important steps to protect its steel industry against unfair international competition. At the same time, there is a risk that competitive pressure will simply shift when steel-intensive processed and manufactured products from third countries can enter the European market under different competitive conditions.
“If European measures stop at primary steel, competitive pressure risks simply shifting to the next links in the value chain.”
For Belmetal, a coherent European industrial policy is therefore essential — one that considers not only producers, but also the other links in the industrial value chain.
Giving businesses on the ground a voice
Belmetal also stressed the importance of direct dialogue between the European institutions and the companies that experience the consequences of European policy choices on a daily basis.
The Belgian metal trade is close to the market and, from this position, has a clear view of the impact of European measures on trade flows, costs, competitive conditions and the position of European industrial users.
A strong European industry therefore requires not only ambitious policy objectives, but also regulation that works in practice and considers the reality of the entire value chain.
Belmetal thanks Benoît Cassart for the open and constructive discussion, and for his willingness to bring the voice of the steel trade into the European debate. Because the competitiveness of European industry is not decided in Brussels alone. It is built every day by the companies across the entire industrial value chain.