Commerce releases prelim anti-dumping duties in sweeping trade case targeting CORE imports

Notable details

Certain countries and mills were hammered while others were largely spared. Brazilian steelmaker CSN, for example, received a preliminary rate of 137.76%. Some Turkish mills – including Boreclik and ArcelorMittal Celik Ticaret – received no dumping margin at all.

There were wide variations among producers even within the same country. In Brazil, for example, Usiminas received a comparatively modest rate of 31.53%.

Meanwhile, in Canada, ArcelorMittal Dofasco received a rate of 2.31%. Stelco – now a subsidiary of Cleveland-Cliffs – got a rate of 5.93%. Nova Steel, in contrast, was hit with a rate of 52.08%.

Background

Recall that the original anti-dumping petition was made by domestic mills and the USW in September. They filed the case against Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey, the UAE, and Vietnam.

Subsidy investigations are also ongoing against Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Vietnam. Commerce set preliminary countervailing duty (CVD) rates in February.

Rates and timelines

Commerce is scheduled to make final duty determinations on Aug. 18. The US International Trade Commission (ITC) will then make a final “injury” determination on Oct. 2.

If the ITC decides that the domestic mills have been injured by imports, duty orders will be issued. If the commission makes a final determination that mills have not been injured by imports, then the duties will not apply.

Country/mill and prelim dumping margin

* This will take place only in the event of final affirmative determinations from Commerce and the ITC.