France, Oct. 8 -- The European Union has unveiled its toughest plan yet to defend its steel industry, halving the volume of foreign steel that can enter the bloc without tariffs and doubling the duties on imports. The move has alarmed the United Kingdom, which sells most of its steel to the EU.

The plan, announced by the European Commission in Strasbourg, comes as Europe's steelmakers face what officials call "crushing" competition from China.

It still needs approval from the 27 EU governments and the European Parliament - a process that could take several months.

At the Parliament, many lawmakers welcomed the move as overdue.

"It was time," said Belgian socialist MEP Kathleen Van Brempt. "It is a good first step. It is essential that...