Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that proposed EU steel import tariffs pose a severe threat to Serbia's economy. He specifically highlighted the risk to the Chinese-owned Smederevo steel mill, which employs 5,000 people and supports up to 20,000 livelihoods. Vucic announced he will urgently discuss the issue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, seeking an exemption for Serbia as an EU candidate country. He proposed accepting import quotas as a potential alternative to the damaging tariffs.