Economy
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/media/k2/items/src/165675d6e711186d39a748f63a9670f8.jpg)
EU Wields Trade Laws Against Chinese Imports
Written by Tim Triplett
August 12, 2017
Like in the United States, steelmakers in the European Union are using their trade laws to fight back against steel imports that are unfairly subsidized by the governments in China and other countries. On Aug. 9, the European Union imposed provisional import duties of up to 28.5 percent on certain Chinese corrosion-resistant steels.
The eight-month investigation was triggered by a complaint from Eurofer, the European steel trade association, whose members include ArcelorMittal, ThyssenKrupp and Tata Steel Europe.
Jefferies, the investment bank, estimates that Chinese imports of coated, corrosion-resistant steel into the EU have surged 45 percent this year and make up 51 percent of total EU imports of the product. EU regulators found that antidumping duties were needed to help producers in at least 15 EU countries raise prices and return to profitable operations.
The EU import duties, ranging from 17.2 percent to 28.5 percent, will affect Hesteel Group, Shougang Group, Shagang Group and several other companies.
The ruling on corrosion resistant steel imports follows closely the European Commission’s June 9 decision to impose countervailing duties of up to 35.9 percent on certain hot-rolled steel imports from China.
Since March 2016, the EU has put 12 antidumping measures in place, most of them on Chinese products.
Last May, the U.S. Department of Commerce imposed antidumping and countervailing duty rates in excess of 200 percent on certain Chinese corrosion-resistant products.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/tim-triplett.jpeg)
Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Economy
Metalformers expect steady conditions in coming months
Metalformers expect economic activity to stabilize over the next three months, according to the recently released July Business Conditions Report from the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA).
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/construction.png)
Architecture Billings Index rises from 4-year low in June
The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) ticked up in June following May’s four-year low, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Deltek. While the index improved this month, it continues to indicate weak business conditions among architecture firms.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/FedRes.png)
Beige Book: Uncertainty to continue fueling slower economic growth
Growth in the US economy continues to be constrained. The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book report for July shows more areas reporting flat or declining economic activity than in its previous report at the end of May.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/AISI.png)
AISI, AISC, University of Massachusetts get ~$6.4M EPA grant
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst have received a grant to enhance emissions reporting for steel construction projects.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/empire_state_1-scaled.jpg)
Manufacturing activity in New York state continues to soften
New York state saw a continued decline in manufacturing activity in July, according to the latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.