Steelmakers across Europe are demanding that European Union (EU) officials do something to stem the tide of cheap steel imports from China that is flooding the market. On Monday, while EU ministers convened at an impromptu summit in Brussels to discuss the issue, steel workers protested in the city.

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Thousands of jobs have been axed in the European steel industry as companies struggle to contend with a market riddled with high supply and low demand. While some have blamed the state of the industry on market dynamics, others have pointed the accusing finger at cheap steel imports from China.

The crisis has been felt worse in the UK, where companies have been forced to close some of their production plants in addition to reducing their work force just to keep afloat. This was a hot topic during the recent visit of President Xi Jinping to the UK. Many advocates had urged British authorities to raise the issue with the Chinese leader. But British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond had warned that the government will not "build a wall" around the UK's steel industry. He described the steel surplus as a global problem.

China is arguably the world's largest steel producer. In 2014, the country produced more than 1.6 billion tonnes of steel - about half of the world's output. This year it is expected to surpass that record.  As production continues to expand in China's steel market, prices are dropping rapidly. This has prompted some critics to accuse China of dumping steel in the European market.

While some impassioned demonstrators have called for an outright ban on Chinese steel imports, others have proposed the more level-headed solution of imposing tariffs to ensure a level playing field.

On Monday, EU officials agreed to use "trade police instruments" to solve the crisis. But they failed to delve into the details of their plan.

Several steel workers groups including UK Steel and Community have accused EU authorities of failing to take action timely. A statement from Community general secretary Roy Rickhuss after the emergency meeting between EU officials said there was "very little comfort" in the outcome of the gathering.

He also highlighted the failure of EU officials to discuss the fact that if China gains market economy status next year it would severely limit their power to control cheap steel imports from the country. Several steel associations have voiced opposition over China's bid to gain market economy status by the end of next year.

"Given the continuing significant role of the Chinese government in many key aspects of the Chinese economy, and especially in its state-owned and controlled steel sector, there can be no question that China remains very much a non-market economy today," a statement jointly released by nine steel groups on Monday said.

TagsChinese Steel Imports Europe, European Steel Industry Crisis, China Steel Production, UK, European Union (EU), UK Steel