W.43 Policy Watch

The Policy Watch is a weekly update which aims to provide concise insights into the current policy landscape. Tailored for our members and individuals interested in international affairs, this update offers a brief yet comprehensive summary of key developments affecting policy decisions and political trends both globally and locally.

Global 

On the 8th of October 2025 it was announced that the EU will strip the UK out of its steel safeguard quota and charge 50 % tariffs on any volume above an 18.3 Mt ceiling (double today’s rate). With 78 % of UK steel exports heading to the EU, the move is already freezing orders and pushing Tata and British Steel to the brink, unless London can negotiate a country-specific quota at the 29 October Partnership Council. 

EU 

• Brussels is doubling its out-of-quota steel tariff to 50 % and shrinking duty-free import allowances because it wants to shield its own mills from the flood of cheap Asian metal. 

• By squeezing total access to 18.3 Mt a year and insisting on a “melted and poured” origin rule, the Commission aims to push EU plants back up to a profitable 80 %, save 300,000 direct jobs and create bargaining chips for a future EU-US “metals alliance” against Chinese overcapacity. 

UK 

• “Protectionist and unjustified,” Industry Minister Chris McDonald told the Commons on 7 October 2025 as he confirmed the UK will challenge the EU’s new 50 % steel levy at the 29 October Partnership Council. 

• With 78 % of UK steel exports (worth £5 billion a year) suddenly outside the shrunken quota, plants from Port Talbot to Scunthorpe must either absorb the duty, reroute 2.7 Mt to distant markets, or accelerate 2026 closure plans already pencilled by Tata and British Steel. 

Review 

• This steel dispute shows Brexit trade rules are still fragile: if the UK and EU can’t agree in October, tariffs could quickly spread to cars, food and medicines, reminding every exporter that market access can still be shrunk overnight. 

Local 

The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) digitally records entry/exit data of non-EU short‑stay travellers. Starting 12 October 2025, it will be phased in over six months (full operation by April 2026. At Schengen borders, EES will capture passport details and biometrics (fingerprint, photo), replacing manual stamping. The system then automatically monitors compliance with the 90‑day/180‑day visa‑free limit. 

Sweden 

• In Sweden, EES applies to anyone entering or leaving the country who is not an EU/Schengen national.  

• The Swedish government says EES “… registers information about inbound and outbound travel,” helping to flag false documents or overstays. The aim is to streamline border checks and boost security by catching illegal short stays.  

UK 

• For UK travellers, EES adds biometric checks but not a visa: from Oct 2025, British visitors must register fingerprint and photo on first Schengen entry.  

• They should allow a few extra minutes for this process. Otherwise, UK nationals continue to travel visa-free up to 90 days (within any 180-day period) under existing rules  

Review  

• EES replaces passport stamps with automated digital records. Businesses should advise employees about the new checks (biometric scans at border kiosks) and allow for slight delays at passport control.  
• Companies must also track any 90-day stays carefully under the new system. The EU emphasises that EES will enhance Schengen security and travel efficiency.