US steelmakers demand investigation into imports of corrosion-resistant flat products

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Several American plants, including Steel Dynamics, Nucor Corporation and US Steel, have petitioned the US Department of Commerce (DOC) and the International Trade Commission (ITC) to initiate an anti-dumping investigation into imports of corrosion-resistant flat products (CORE) from 10 countries. This is stated in the message Steel Dynamics.

The petition refers to steel products from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey, the UAE and Vietnam.

The complainants also request an investigation into the countervailing duties on these products from Brazil, Canada, Mexico and Vietnam.

The steel producers were supported by the United Steelworkers (USW) trade union.

It is claimed that imports from these countries have caused significant damage to the US domestic industry and will be greater if no action is taken. In addition, investments in increased galvanised steel production capacity by producers in these countries have raised concerns about increased exports to the United States.

‘Between the first half of 2023 and the first half of 2024, CORE imports from the ten subject countries increased from less than 1.25 million tonnes to almost 2 million tonnes, a significant increase of 57%. The increase in unfair CORE imports has had a significant negative impact on volumes, prices and profits of the domestic steel industry, necessitating these cases,’ said Barry T. Schneider, President and COO of Steel Dynamics.

The products in question fall under the following Harmonised Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) codes: 7210.30.0030, 7210.30.0060, 7210.41.0000, 7210.49.0030, 7210.49.0040, 7210.49.0045, 7210.49.0091, 7210.49.0095, 7210.61.0000, 7210.69.0000, 7210.70.6030, 7210.70.6060, 7210.70. 6090, 7210.90.6000, 7210.90.9000, 7212.20.0000, 7212.30.1030, 7212.30.1090, 7212.30.3000, 7212.30.5000, 7212.40.1000, 7212.40.5000, 7212.50.0000, 7212.60.0000, 7225.91.0000, 7225.92.0000, 7226.99.0110 and 7226.99.0130.

In July this year, the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) and six other industry groups called on the House of Representatives to include the Playing Field 2.0 Act in the upcoming package of legislation designed to protect the United States from China’s unfair trade practices.