Steel News

The Department of Foreign Trade of Thailand (DFT) has just issued the final conclusion in the final review of the anti-dumping duties order on steel products originating from Vietnam. Accordingly, DFT has stopped the order to impose anti-dumping duties on GL and extended the duty imposition on PPGI and PPGL.The Trade Remedies Department said it had received information that DFT has initiated an investigation and review at the end of the anti-dumping duties period with two product lines, GL and PPGI/PPGL of Vietnam. After these two product lines were investigated and anti-dumping orders were imposed five years ago.In the case of GL, the list of Vietnamese manufacturers and exporters named includes: Hoa Sen Group Joint Stock Company, Nam Kim Steel Joint Stock Company, Member of Hoa Phat Group Joint Stock Company, Dong A Steel Joint Stock Company, Dai Thien Loc Joint Stock Company, Vnsteel Thang Long Coated Sheets Joint Stock Company, Maruichi Sun Steel Joint Stock Company, NS BlueScope Vietnam Co., Ltd., and Southern Steel One Member Co., Ltd.In the case of PPGI and PPGL, the list of Vietnamese manufacturers and exporters subject to anti-dumping investigations includes Hoa Sen Group Joint Stock Company, Nam Kim Steel Joint Stock Company, Hoa Phat Steel Sheet One Member Limited Liability Company, Dong A Steel Joint Stock Company, Dai Thien Loc Joint Stock Company, Thang Long Vnsteel Coated Steel Joint Stock Company, Maruichi Sun Steel Joint Stock Company, NS Company Limited BlueScope Vietnam, Southern Steel One Member Limited Liability Company, and Fujiton Color Coated Steel Joint Stock Company.Specifically, the Trade Remedies Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that this case, announced by DFT, will initiate an investigation and review at the end of the period on March 31, 2022. The purpose is to consider whether to continue or not to continue to impose anti-dumping orders on two product lines: GL and PPGI/PPGL of Vietnam. DFT sent the questionnaire and requested that relevant Vietnamese manufacturers and exporters submit their responses before 16:30 on May 2, 2022 (Bangkok time).In order to ensure its interests, the Trade Remedies Department recommends that relevant organizations coordinate and provide information at the request of the DFT. At the same time, keep in touch with the Trade Remedies Department for timely support.It is known that in the past, on September 18, 2015, DFT also initiated an anti-dumping investigation of Vietnam's GL and PPGI/PPGL. On March 25, 2017, DFT issued a final decision to apply anti-dumping duties from 4.3% to 60.26% for GL and from 6.2% to 40.49% for PPGI and PPGL imported from Vietnam. The duty rate will be effective for 5 years from the date of issuance.After the investigation process, on June 7, 2023, the Trade Remedies Department received the final conclusion in this case. Specifically, GL, after the investigation process, DFT decided to terminate the order to impose anti-dumping duties on this product (including 39 HS codes listed under the HS code list of Thai Customs). For PPGI and PPGL, DFT decided to extend the anti-dumping duties from 4.3% to 60.26% (including 39 HS codes listed under the HS code list of Thai Customs). This duty rate will continue to be applied for the next 5 years to prevent the dumping of the above steel products in the domestic market of Thailand, causing serious injury or damage to the domestic industry of this country.    

Tensions in trade between Turkey and the EU have always been a never-ending matter. Recently, on April 18, 2023, the European Commission expanded an investigation against the sale of hot rolled stainless steel prices from Turkey due to suspicions about the origin of these items from Indonesia.1. EU accuses Turkey's support of cheating for Indonesian steel to enter the marketThe EU  has discovered that Turkey's HRSS (hot roll stainless steel) has been disposed of before being dispensed to the European market. This has raised doubts when the origin of this item comes from Indonesia, which is considered a severe circumvention of the anti-dumping duty.Statistical table of SSR import volume from Turkey and Indonesia to the EU marketIn October 2020, the European Commission imposed an anti-dumping duty on hot-rolled stainless steel imported from Indonesia at a rate of 17.3%.However, on June 17, 2022, the European Commission received an investigation requesting signs of anti-dumping tax evasion from Indonesian manufacturers. Products investigated in the following codes: HS 7219 11, 7219 12, 7219 13, 7219 14, 7219 22, 7219 23, 7219 24, 7220 11, and 7220 12.Some data provide that there has been a significant change in the volume import of stainless steel plates (the primary raw material for the production of hot-rolled stainless steel) from Indonesia to Turkey and the volume of exports of hot-rolled stainless steel surged from Turkey to the European market. The European side believes that Indonesian manufacturers have circumvented the law by changing the location of product assembly and borrowing from consignment in Turkey to avoid anti-dumping tax.Statistical table of imported stainless steel plates from Indonesia to the Turkey market2. Some responses from Turkish steel exportersAfter the announcements, Çolakoğlu - a steel exporter in Turkey argued against it. He said it was an absurd and unfounded decision when the EU only relied on statistical data about Turkey's hot-rolled stainless steel imports and the number of stainless steel plates from Indonesia to conclude.In addition, other exporters in Turkey claim that importing stainless steel plates from Indonesia is a normal commercial activity as it helps Turkey steel factories have more diverse input materials. In the opinion of Turkey's steel exporters, the EU's expansion of investigation measures and the imposition of anti-dumping duties on Turkey will give them more losses than benefits they receive. Specifically, the price will be increased many times; the most damaged person is still the end user in the region, which seems to go against the interests of the Alliance.3. What is the direction for steel exporters in the EU market?Europe has long been recognized as an essential market with much potential but is fraught with strict barriers. One of the typical challenges is the level of tariff quotas for imported steel and numerous recent trade remedy lawsuits.From the perspective of Vietnam - one of the countries with outstanding export development, steel is a commodity getting involved in trade remedy lawsuits quickly. Although Vietnam's steel export situation still faces trade remedies in Europe, opportunities still exist for Vietnamese steel manufacturers.Until now, Vietnam has 15 contracts of Free Trade Agreements, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Vietnam-EU FTA (EVFTA), etc. Depending on this covenant, import tariffs are reduced significantly compared to other countries in the region.As for anti-dumping, steel products imported from Vietnam to the EU are complementary and not in direct competition. The reason is that the import proportion of Vietnamese steel enterprises is still relatively low, so it is not enough to threaten the competition of manufacturers in the region. 

The global steel trade conflict is increasingly exploding with trade defense lawsuits. Recently, Turkey has announced that it will continue to impose anti-dumping duties on hot-rolled steel plates originating from China, this is considered a new escalation in the trade conflict in terms of hot-rolled steel products between the two countries.1. Overview of the Türkiye imposed an anti-dumping tax on Chinese steelAccording to statistics from the World Steel Association, Turkey has always been considered as one of the significant steel factories in the world and this country has specific effects on the global steel supply chain.Steel has always been one of the critical economic sources in Turkey, however, each year Turkey has to import a significant amount of steel from other countries in order to meet the domestic demand for steel. Specifically, since 2015, hot-rolled flat steel imported from China has always accounted for a large proportion of the market share of steel imports in Türkiye. Thanks to its low price and abundant steel production capacity, China naturally becomes the second largest steel importer here (after Russia), which has helped China gradually dominate the output market share and make it competitive for domestic manufacturers.Turkey's Ministry of Economic Affairs decided to open a preliminary investigation on anti-dumping on hot rolled flat steel in December 2016 after strict requirements from the domestic steel corporation. After nearly a year of investigation, officially on November 29, 2017, the Turkish side announced an anti-dumping tax on Chinese hot-rolled flat steel products at 16.9%- 22.6%.Following international principles, anti-dumping duty will be practical for 5 years from the decision to impose the tax. When Turkey imposed anti-dumping duty took place in 2017, so on October 22, 2022, the Turkish authorities announced that they would review the investigation and continue to apply the anti-dumping duty definitively on Chinese hot-rolled flat steel.2. Vietnam's role in tensions about importing steel between Turkey and China Up to now, hot-rolled flat steel products originating in Vietnam have not been applied to anti-dumping duties by Turkish manufacturers. However, to avoid a sudden increase in imports which causes competitive pressure on the domestic steel industry, the Turkish Ministry of Economy has introduced temporary trade remedies to Vietnam.Specifically, from 2018 onwards, flat-rolled steel imports will be subject to a quota of about 3.1 million tons. If the amount of substances exceeds the given limit, the item will be subject to an additional duty of 25%.According to the newly updated data from Turkey Customs, in January 2023, Russia and China are still occupying the role of the two biggest players in the market share of steel imports here. Meanwhile, Vietnam accounts for only 0.003%, it can be said that Vietnam's steel import output is still not enough to cause competition as well as create anxiety for domestic steel enterprises. Therefore, the steel import-export relationship between Vietnam and Turkey is always within a safe threshold and it is difficult to get involved in disputes about trade remedies. Turkey has always been an ideal destination for a long-term hot-rolled steel plate import strategy for Vietnam and vice versa.

Trade remedies are increasingly being applied by many countries through anti-dumping duties. Specifically, Mexico investigates anti-dumping coated flat steel in Vietnam. Facing that unfavorable situation, Vietnam has always expressed its opinion that Mexico is still a potential export destination in the Americas region thanks to the CPTPP.1. Total process of Mexico investigate anti-dumping on coated flat steel VietnamOn August 30, 2021, the Mexican government conducted an anti-dumping investigation based on lawsuits from domestic enterprises against Vietnam's galvanized steel. This incident also marked the first anti-dumping investigation case between the two countries. The parties involved in the lawsuit include domestic Mexican steel manufacturers and some large galvanized steel manufacturers in Vietnam such as Hoa Sen, Nam Kim, Ton Dong A,...On July 28, 2022, the Mexican Ministry of Industry and Trade published the official gazette on the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation against cold rolled steel originating from Vietnam. It is expected that within 130 days from the date of the announcement, the Mexican Ministry of Economy will make a preliminary conclusion on the case.According to the lawsuit filed by the Mexican side, the list of products related to the investigation is under HS codes: 7209.16.01, 7209.17.01, 7209.18.01, 7209.26.01, 7209.27.01, 7209.28.01, 7209.90. 99, 7211.23.03, 7211.29.99, 7211.90.99, 7225.50.07, and 7226.92.06.On September 15, 2022, after a series of preliminary review and appraisals, the Mexican Ministry of Economy had the final conclusion on the case of anti-dumping investigation on cold-rolled steel products of Vietnam. Specifically, the anti-dumping tax rate applied to these items ranges from 7% to 12.34%.2. The reason for the anti-dumping investigation from MexicoIn the period from 2018 to 2020, steel imports volume from Vietnam have increased significantly, creating a rivalry about production capacity and domestic steel consumption market. The import price of Vietnamese steel is even lower than the domestic steel price, leading to competition from many sides.Through the investigation process, Mexico concluded that Vietnamese coated steel products possess the same specifications and standards of steel grades as domestic steels in Mexico. Moreover, it has the same physical structure and there is no significant difference in chemical composition between Vietnamese steel and Mexican steel.Another factor leading to the anti-dumping investigation related to the distribution channel and consumers of Vietnamese steel in the Mexican market. Specifically, Vietnamese exporters as well as domestic steel manufacturers supply products to the same consumer market, including construction contractors, machinery and equipment manufacturers, auto parts manufacturers...In summary, the Mexican government said that the steel consumption market in Mexico has been unintentionally more complex than ever and there has been rivalry in the trading chain since the participation of Vietnamese enterprises . Many steel producers in Mexico have simultaneously adjusted and reduced selling prices to be able to compete with Vietnamese products.Strong production capacity and preferential prices brought by Vietnamese exporters have changed the situation of the steel industry here. The government believes that if they do not promptly apply the anti-dumping duty, in the future Vietnam's imports will continue to enter the Mexico market in a much larger quantity than the current one. Consequently, this escalating steel import makes the steel industry in Mexico have serious problems.3. Vietnam continue looking for chances when face of competitive pressuresAlthough the Mexican Ministry of Economy has imposed anti-dumping duties on galvanized steel products from Vietnam, it is still not enough to generate an interference of Vietnam steel exporters to the Mexican market.An important factor that has contributed to improving the import-export relationship between Vietnam and Mexico despite the imposition of anti-dumping duties is the influence of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). More specifically, Vietnam and Mexico are still members of the CPTPP, so Vietnam's coated steel products enjoy a preferential import tax rate of 0%. This proves that Mexico is still the most impressive steel market for Vietnam in the Americas region because of the fact that the final price to end users is still cheaper than the price from domestic manufacturers.To sum up, the reality that the anti-dumping investigation against Vietnam's coated steel products is still not enough to hinder the attractiveness of the benefits in the bilateral cooperation relationship between both countries. Vietnam's current steel production capacity also indirectly contributes to improving the economy for Mexico. The reason is that because Mexico mainly exports steel directly to the USA, leading to domestic demand not responding in time, the Vietnamese steel export strategy will be an appropriate choice because it not only helps Mexico to balance equals domestic steel demand but also supports the development of steel exports to the USA. 

Mexico is issuing anti-dumping duty policies to the steel industry imported from China, Taiwan, France, and Vietnam, ... to tighten the dumping situation, causing severe damage to the manufacturing industry's domestic steel production. However, with the efforts of the Vietnamese government in promoting import and export, Vietnamese steel importers in Mexico still enjoy many attractive incentives thanks to the lower anti-dumping duty rate than many other countries.1. Mexico: Increase anti-dumping duty on flat steel imported from ChinaOn April 5/2019, The International Trade Practices Unit (UPCI) of Mexico's Ministry of Economy opened an anti-dumping investigation on stainless steel products from China and Taiwan. Products subject to investigation in the HS code group include 7219.34.01, 7219.35.01, and 7220.20.02. The investigation got its official results on November 21, 2019, when the Mexican authorities imposed a temporary anti-dumping duty on goods imported from China with a duty rate of 88.42 – 121.46% depending on the company. Until October 2020, Mexico imposed an anti-dumping duty on stainless steel imports from China of $0.05 - $0.63/kg.Mexico's imposition of anti-dumping policies on steel in the market will protect domestic businesses and consumers against "takeover prices" and monopoly prices of importers from foreign companies. However, this also makes Mexican steel importers limited in supply and lose profits from cheap, quality products from abroad.2. Mexico: Extension of anti-dumping duty on some steel products imported from China, France, and GermanyOn June 25, 2014, two of Mexico's leading steel companies, Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA) and Ternium Mexico SA de CV, filed a complaint about dumping by exporters from China, France, and Germany. As a result, on September 12, 2014, the Mexico Ministry of Economy initiated an anti-dumping investigation on imported steel products, including hot-rolled coil, hot-rolled coil, hot-rolled coil plate, coil sheets, or hot rolled bands. The products under investigation are classified under the following HS codes: 7208.3601, 7208.3701, 7208.3801, 7208.3901, 7225.3002, 7225.3003, and 7225.3099.The competent authority of Mexico decided, on May 22, 2015, to impose a temporary anti-dumping duty on the aforementioned imported goods from China, France, and Germany, specifically:The duty rate applied to German steel imports is 36.08%, and ArcelorMittal Bremen GmbH is 25.43%.The duty rate applied to China's steel imports is 78.96%, and Tangshan Iron and Steel Group, Co. Ltd is 72.16%.The duty rate applied to French steel imports is 78.96%, and ArcelorMittal Mediterranée, S.A.S is 12.42%.On December 17, 2020, before the 5-year period of the decision to apply anti-dumping duty, the Mexican authorities conducted a sunset review of the official duty rate for goods imported from France, Germany, and China. Accordingly, Mexico has decided to impose definitive anti-dumping duty on steel imported from Germany of 137 USD/ton for ArcelorMittal Bremen and 166.01 USD/ton for other exporting companies. The duty rate on steel imported from China is $335.60/ton for Tangshan and $354.92/ton for other exporting companies. The duty rate for steel imported from France is 67.54 USD/ton for ArcelorMittal Mediterranee and 75.59 USD/ton for other exporting companies. The duty rate is extended for 5 years, valid from July 23, 2020.3. Solutions to import Vietnamese steel in the context of anti-dumping in MexicoAccording to data from the Trade Remedies Administration of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, Mexico, and Vietnam are all members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). As a result, Vietnam's tariff support regulations grant a preferential duty rate of 0% on many steel products, including coated flat steel. Thanks to this duty advantage, Vietnam's large steel enterprises have boosted exports to Mexico with a total value of up to 220 million USD, with flat-rolled, roller, coated, plated, and coated steel products accounting for nearly 80%. However, this rapid increase in exports has caused serious threats and damage, causing two large steel companies, Ternium Mexico and Teniga, to complain about imported painted flat steel from Vietnam, affecting the domestic steel industry.The Mexico Ministry of Economy began an anti-dumping investigation in August 2021 into imported Vietnamese galvanized steel and painted flat steel products with the following HS codes:7210.30.02, 7210.41.01, 7210.41.99, 7210.49.99, 7210.61.01, 7210.70.02, 7212.20.03, 7212.30.03, 7212.40. 04, 7225.91.01, 7225.92.01, 7226.99.99, 9802.00.01, 9802.00.02, 9802.00.03, 9802.00.04, 9802.00.06, 9802.00.07, 9802.00.00.04, 9802.00.06, 9802.00.07, 9802.0.320, 09.08.09.09.09 9802.00.19.The Unit of International Trade Practices (UPCI) of the Mexico Ministry of Economy issued a decision to reduce tax on steel products imported from Vietnam after the conclusion of an anti-dumping investigation that the industry Vietnamese steel operates under the market mechanism. The new duty rate for Vietnamese steel products ranges from 0-12.34% (from September 14, 2022). Specifically, the duty rate of 12.34% for products of Hoa Phat Group (lower 2.02% than the preliminary duty rate), Ton Dong A is 10.84% (lower 1.24% than the preliminary duty rate), for POMINA  is 8.29%, for Hoa Sen group is 7%, for Nam Kim is to 6.64% and for the remaining companies will decrease 1.5% to 10.84 %.This duty rate is significantly lower than the anti-dumping duty that Mexico imposes on other steel exporting countries. With the preferential duty rate of UPCI, it will help Vietnamese steel enterprises maintain their price advantage and continue to promote steel exports to the Mexico market. Data from the International Trade Center (ITC) 2020 shows that Vietnam achieved 170 million USD from exporting galvanized steel sheet to Mexico and obtained 370 million USD in 2019.Above is information about Mexico's latest anti-dumping duty policy for steel products imported from China, France, Germany, Vietnam,... Hopefully, the updated news of MRS Steel has provided importers more suggestions to import reputable and quality steel. Any need to import prestigious and high quality Vietnamese steel, please contact MRS Steel via Email vanloc@mrssteel.com.vn for the most dedicated support. 

On November 16, 2022, the European Commission (EC) imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on electrolytic chromium coated steel (ECCS) originating from China and Brazil. Despite complaints from the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) about the decision, the EC rejected the arguments and upheld the results. Will the EU's anti-dumping policies and regulations on Brazil and China help Vietnam enhance its advantage in importing steel to the EU?1. EU: Imposing temporary anti-dumping duty up to 77.9% on chromium coated steel from BrazilProducts made of chromium-coated steel, such as iron or non-alloy steel, that are plated or coated with chromium oxides or with chromium and chromium oxides, play a significant role in industries and consumer packaging. It is frequently used in food packaging or as optical fiber protection material and other electronic parts. The ECCS market value in the EU is up to 500 million Euros.On September 24, 2022, the European Steel Association Eurofer represented ArcelorMittal Atlantique et Lorraine (France), ArcelorMittal Etxebarri (Spain); ThyssenKrupp Rasselstein (Germany) and Acciaierie d'Italia, which account for 85-95% of ECCS output and revenue in the EU steel industry, requested an investigation into the dumping status of products imported from Brazil and China.On May 23, 2022, the European Commission made the decision to impose a temporary anti-dumping duty on the import of electrolytic chromium coated steel from China and Brazil with the CN codes 7210 50 00 and 7212 50 20. The anti-dumping duty rate will change for every business, specifically:For Baoshan Iron & Steel from China, the duty rate is 33.2%.For Handan Jintai Packaging Material, the duty rate is 53.9%.For GDH Zhongyue (Zhongshan) Tinplate Industry and Shougang Jingtang United Iron & Steel subject to a temporary duty rate of 36.7%For other manufacturers from China, when exporting ECCS to the EU, they face a temporary duty rate of 77.9%.Meanwhile, Brazil's Companhia Siderrgica Nacional (CSN) is subject to a provisional anti-dumping duty of 52 percent from the EU. The declaration of the final anti-dumping measures is anticipated for November 23, 2022.2. EU: Imposing definitive anti-dumping duty up to 53.2% on chromium coated steel from BrazilAccordingly, the European Commission has imposed an official anti-dumping duty from 30.7 to 77.9% on electrolytic chromium coated steel originating from China and Brazil, valid for 5 years from November 16, 2022.The EC said that the dumping of steel into the EU market has caused serious damage to domestic producers and the EU industry. The EU market share of China and Brazil has increased abnormally from 13.1% in 2018 to 15.4% in 2022.With the final tariff decision issued, exporters of electrolytic chromium coated steel from China and Brazil are subject to a duty rate of 239-607 euros per ton. Baoshan Iron & Steel Co of China's ECCS products are subject to a 30.7% anti-dumping duty; Handan Jintai Packaging Material is 53.9%; GDH Zhongyue (Zhongshan) Tinplate Industry is subject to a duty rate of 34.6%; the rest of Chinese companies is 77.9%. ECCS products from Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN) and other Brazilian companies are subject to an anti-dumping duty of 53.2%.3. Advantages of exporting Vietnamese steel to the EU marketAccording to a report from the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA), Vietnam exported more than 2.28 million tons of steel in the first three months of 2022. The EU ranked second in terms of Vietnam's steel export market, with more than 19 percent of the industry's export share. In July 2022, Vietnam also exported steel to major markets such as the EU with 1.1 million tons, up 18.1% over the same period in 2021.The bright spot in the picture of steel exports to the EU cannot ignore the advantage from joining the EU - Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) from August 2020. The EVFTA has supported the export of many groups of products to the EU market, including steel products with many duty incentives that the Agreement brings.4. EU imports steel from Hoa Phat Group, Ton Dong ACurrently, in the context of the tense war between Russia and Ukraine, it is also an important event that changes the situation of Vietnam's steel exports to the EU. In early 2022, the EU decided to ban iron and steel imports from Russia as a sanction of the European Union. Russia ranks second in steel exports to the EU (after Türkiye) with a share of about 14.1% for flat steel and 19% for long steel.Turkey is one of Vietnam's biggest competitors in exporting steel to the EU because it has certain advantages in terms of distance, transportation, culture,... However, currently, Turkey is also in the stage of reorganization and construction to overcome the terrible consequences after the earthquake in February 2023. All these factors make the supply as well as the cost of steel production in the EU increase at an alarming rate.A limited amount of steel exports to the EU will create opportunities for Vietnamese steel exporters to access this market. Typically, Ton Hoa Sen, Ton Nam Kim, Ton Dong A, Hoa Phat, etc. with revenue growth in 2021 mainly thanks to exports to the EU market.Under the escalation of the world economic and political situation, the steel import market in the EU is still volatile and unpredictable changes. So, don't forget to follow MRS Steel to update more latest world steel news articles. For all inquiries and contact to import Vietnam steel, please contact Hotline +84 76 911 2358 for 24/7 support.