Building on its Steel and Metals Action Plan, the European Commission has outlined a broader strategic vision linking industrial resilience, the Clean Industrial Deal, and Europe’s security and defence priorities.

The new communication stresses that Europe’s strength lies not only in its climate ambition but equally in its industrial sovereignty. Steel and metals, core components of the European economy, are indispensable for sectors ranging from renewable energy to defence. The Clean Industrial Deal, launched earlier this year, seeks to ensure that Europe’s industrial decarbonisation strengthens — rather than weakens — its global competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

A New Industrial Resilience Agenda

The Commission places the steel and metals sectors at the heart of Europe’s new industrial resilience strategy. The Action Plan for Affordable Energy, the Savings and Investments Union Strategy, and the Net-Zero Industry Act are now interlinked with sector-specific efforts.

The Commission acknowledges that without steel, aluminium, nickel, and copper, Europe’s ambitions for wind energy, electric vehicles, batteries, and hydrogen technologies cannot materialise. Similarly, these metals are essential for military production, cyber-defence systems, and critical infrastructure.

The EU’s strategic autonomy depends not only on access to critical raw materials but also on maintaining strong domestic primary and secondary production capacities. In this context, the Commission calls for faster deployment of clean technologies, deeper integration of recycling systems, and stronger supply chain diversification.

Defence and Security Dimensions

The Russian aggression against Ukraine has starkly illustrated the importance of industrial readiness. Defence capabilities are intrinsically linked to a resilient and agile metals sector. Modern battle tanks, aircraft, naval ships, and missile systems require advanced metals — and sufficient, secure supply chains.

Recognising this, the Action Plan highlights metals production as a dual-use sector vital for both civilian and military needs. The Commission encourages Member States to treat steel and metals as strategic assets and integrate them into national defence procurement and industrial strategies.

New funding opportunities under the European Defence Fund, the SAFE initiative, and the European Peace Facility will help align defence investment with industrial support measures. Ukraine and like-minded partner countries are also encouraged to participate in joint procurement and industrial projects to bolster European and allied supply chains.

Clean Industrial Deal: Opportunities for Metals and Steel

The Clean Industrial Deal presents new opportunities for the steel and metals sectors to drive innovation and secure investment.

Key instruments include:

• The Industrial Decarbonisation Bank, which will finance clean industrial projects.

• Horizon Europe calls for disruptive clean technologies.

• Strategic Project pipelines under the Critical Raw Materials Act.

• Green Public Procurement reforms to favour low-carbon industrial materials.

• A “Made in Europe” labelling system to stimulate demand for European-produced clean steel and metals.

Through these measures, the Commission aims to create a “lead market” effect — where clean, competitive European products gain a first-mover advantage globally, unlocking economies of scale and reinforcing the industrial base.

Next Steps: From Planning to Execution

The Commission plans to implement the Steel and Metals Action Plan rapidly, with a clear timeline and monitoring framework. It invites the European Parliament, the Council, Member States, industry leaders, workers’ representatives, and financial institutions to join a new High-Level Forum on Strategic Industrial Resilience.

This Forum, to be launched in the second half of 2025, will monitor progress, identify bottlenecks, and propose additional actions as necessary. It will also facilitate dialogue between industrial stakeholders, financial institutions, and policymakers to ensure coordinated implementation of the Plan.

In parallel, the Commission will continue efforts at international level to counter unfair trade practices, promote open and sustainable supply chains, and strengthen cooperation with like-minded partners through bilateral and multilateral platforms.

A Strategic Choice for Europe’s Future

The Commission concludes that securing a strong, clean, competitive metals and steel sector is not only an industrial necessity but a strategic choice for Europe’s future.

Without decisive action, Europe risks dependency on external suppliers for critical materials, weakening its economic, technological, and military sovereignty. With the Steel and Metals Action Plan, combined with the Clean Industrial Deal, Europe sends a clear signal: it is determined to lead the green and digital transitions with strength, resilience, and autonomy.