Thyssenkrupp is expecting further production and sales declines in the auto industry this year due to demand slump during the pandemic. In Europe, in particular future trading relations with the UK and US remain uncertain. The weakening of the auto market that started last year, will be putting pressure on flat steel particularly. "EU carbon steel flat market contracted by 6% in 2019 due to very weak automotive market and recessionary trends in other sectors; with current high level of uncertainty, the decline in 2020 is expected to be higher, possibly in the two-digit range," according to Thyssenkrupp.