AD/CVD Investigation on Corrosion Resistant Steel Moves Forward

The products covered by these investigations are certain flat-rolled steel products, either clad, plated, or coated with corrosion-resistant metals such as zinc, aluminum, or zinc-, aluminum-, nickel- or iron-based alloys. They include galvanized and Galvalume steels which are used in construction applications and automotive parts.

According to the International Trade Administration Fact Sheet (which can be accessed here), in 2014, imports of corrosion-resistant steel products from China, India, Italy, Korea, and Taiwan were valued at an estimated $685 million, $379.5 million, $99.1 million, $416.7 million, and $577.5 million, respectively, for a total of $2.2 billion.

The alleged dumping margins are as follows:

China 114.06 to 126.34 percent
India 71.09 percent
Italy 119.68 to 126.75 percent
Korea 46.80 to 86.34 percent
Taiwan 86.17 percent

Now that DOC has initiated the investigations, the next step is for the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to make a preliminary determination on whether the corrosion-resistant steel products from the five countries “materially injure, or threaten material injury, to the domestic industry.” That determination is scheduled to be made by July 20, 2015.

If the ITC finds injury, the Department of Commerce will make preliminary CVD determinations by August 27, 2015 and a preliminary AD determination by November 10, 2015. If the ITC determines no injury was caused, then the investigation for that country will be terminated.

The final determinations and issuance of orders will continue on through March of 2016. (See table below.)