The Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine contributed to a German economic slowdown that underpins the steel industry’s fears of continued weak demand in 2025.
The latest episode of MEPS International’s Speaking of Steel podcast considers the role that the two events played in weakening Europe’s largest economy. The effect of the green transition on Germany’s steel industry and flagship automotive sector, and the collapse of its government, have further slowed its growth, with more uncertainty yet to come.
Research conducted forMEPS’sEuropean Steel Review reveals that participants in the German market now struggle to envisage a recovery. Speaking in the new Speaking of Steel podcast, MEPS steel market analyst Jon Carruthers-Green said: “Add some Donald Trump into the mix, and all the uncertainty he brings, and you’ve got to wonder whether, for this very fragile economy, this is another tipping point.”
Carruthers-Green joined fellow steel market analyst Stuart Gray and MEPS managing editor Tom Sharpe for the recording of the latest Speaking of Steel podcast.
Gray believes that a resolution to Germany’s recent political issues may provide a stimulus for infrastructure investment in the second half of 2025, increasing steel demand. Revisions to the European Commission’s import safeguard measures could also restrict the influx of steel products into Europe from other parts of the world from April 1, further increasing sales opportunities.
“If you look at imports from last year, just below the 16 million tonne mark, maybe steel producers are eyeing that, to try and take some of that back”, said Gray.
“That could be something that they can take something from, in terms of [sales] volumes.”