More than 200 representatives of Europe’s steel, metals distribution, processing, logistics and manufacturing industries took part in the European Convoy for Industrial Competitiveness in Brussels on 7 September.
Organised by EUROMETAL, the initiative brought 15 trucks and 10 symbolic industrial coffins to the European Quarter to highlight the growing pressures facing European industry and the urgent need to restore competitiveness throughout Europe’s manufacturing value chains.
Participants travelled from across Europe with one clear message: KEEP MANUFACTURING IN EUROPE.
A symbolic warning for European industry
While the truck convoy travelled through Brussels, a parallel procession carried 10 symbolic industrial coffins to the European Commission’s headquarters at the Berlay Sta. The convoy and procession arrived together, and the coffins were laid down to create a symbolic “graveyard of European industry”.
The installation represented companies, jobs, investments and manufacturing facilities threatened by the competitive imbalance between European producers and imported steel-intensive products. It reflected the industry’s concern that current policies risk accelerating industrial decline, investment leakage and the loss of highly skilled employment across Europe.
No representative of the European Commission met the delegation at the Berlaymont. A member of the Commission’s security staff received EUROMETAL’s position paper and Call to Action on behalf of the institution.
EUROMETAL now calls on the Commission to consider the industry’s proposals and engage in a substantive dialogue with the affected sectors.
Fair competition across the entire value chain
The convoy was neither a protest against Europe nor a rejection of its climate ambitions. It was a constructive appeal for policies that protect competitiveness, encourage investment, safeguard employment and strengthen Europe’s industrial resilience.
Steel produced in Europe—or imported directly into the European Union—is subject to extensive trade-defence measures, carbon costs and regulatory requirements. However, many imported steel-intensive manufactured products are not subject to equivalent obligations.
This imbalance creates a growing risk of downstream carbon leakage, production relocation and job losses throughout Europe’s industrial value chains.
Participants called for:
Fair competition throughout the European steel and manufacturing value chain.
Effective measures to prevent downstream carbon leakage.
Trade and climate instruments that address steel-intensive manufactured goods where appropriate.
Enhanced traceability and origin requirements.
Stronger support for “Made in Europe” industrial value chains and strategic projects.
Reduced unnecessary administrative burdens while maintaining Europe’s environmental ambitions.
“There can be no Green Deal without industry”
Alexander M. Julius, President of EUROMETAL, said: “The message of the convoy was simple: Europe cannot achieve its climate ambitions, strategic autonomy or economic resilience if it allows its industrial base to disappear. European manufacturers support decarbonisation and fair competition, but the regulatory framework must apply consistently across the entire value chain.
Today, too many steel-intensive products enter the European market without being subject to equivalent trade, carbon and regulatory obligations.
The result is investment leaving Europe, production moving abroad and skilled industrial jobs being lost.The trucks and coffins that arrived together at the Berlaymont symbolise a choice for Europe: either preserve and strengthen its manufacturing foundations or watch more factories become part of industrial history. There can be no Green Deal without industry, no strategic autonomy without manufacturing and no resilient Europe without strong European steel and metal value chains.”
Continuing the discussion at the European Parliament
Following the demonstration, participants were welcomed at the European Parliament by Elena Donazzan, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), who supported the initiative and hosted a dedicated discussion on the future of European industrial competitiveness.
The exchange brought together industry representatives, policymakers and stakeholders to consider the legislative and regulatory changes needed to restore the competitiveness of Europe’s steel-using industries, retain investment within the European Union and preserve high-quality manufacturing employment.
EUROMETAL will continue to advocate for an industrial, trade and climate policy framework that supports strong, sustainable and resilient European value chains.
Europe’s industrial future can still be secured—but decisive action is needed to keep investment, innovation, production and employment in Europe.
EUROMETAL Brussels Convoy Press Release – 9 September 2026 EN
EUROMETAL Brussels Convoy Press Release – 9 September 2026 DE