Acciai Speciali Terni (AST), a stainless steel manufacturer in Italy, will suspend one of its hot-rolled stainless steel production lines from April 14 to April 30, citing reasons including growing difficulties in production and strategy sectors, including the possible saturation of the European steel market.

In addition, the production situation of AST appears fragile and uncertain due to US’ tariff policy and the persistent issue of rising energy costs. Although AST doesn’t highly rely on US market, the new tariffs imposed by the US may still have significant indirect effects.

The difficulties faced by AST are not isolated cases. The entire European steel industry is facing multiple challenges from geopolitics, incomplete energy transition, and intensified competition from Asia.