The future of Italy's steel industry

Abstract

On February 10, 1958, all remaining tariffs protecting Italian steel products against imports from other countries of the European Iron and Steel Community (ECSC) will be abolished. Naturally, there is a great deal of uncertainty among Italian experts as to the ability of the relatively young Italian steel industry to withstand the full force of competition from the other members of the Community, and particularly Germany. The present article takes stock of the progress so far achieved by that industry and attempts a cautious assessment of its prospects during the possibly testing period of the next four years. The post war revival of the Italian steel industry, the role of the ECSC, recent improvements, raw materials, and finally structural problems are all considered in turn. In concluding, the author contends that “if present boom continues, the adjustments resulting from the removal of protection need not be too painful”.

JEL: F15, L61