Commerce launches probe into unfairly traded rebar imports

RTAC, comprising Nucor, Steel Dynamics Inc., CMC, Gerdau, Byer Steel, and Optimus Steel, claims imports from these countries are hurting their industry and threatening their businesses.

After reviewing the petitions, Commerce determined there was sufficient evidence to warrant AD and CVD investigations. It officially initiated both on June 24.

The AD portion will investigate rebar imports allegedly sold at less-than-fair value by Algeria, Bulgaria, Egypt, and Vietnam.

Bulgaria is spared from the subsidy investigations; the CVD portion will examine illegal government subsidies received by rebar producers in Algeria, Egypt, and Vietnam.

Case timeline

SMU has calculated the trade case’s timeline to be as follows. Remember that there are often delays and postponements in trade investigations, so these dates could change.

The timeline will be pushed out if the AD and CVD portions of the cases are aligned and maximum extensions are granted. In that case, we would expect initial margin decisions by the end of 2025. We’d then see final margins by the end of May and a final injury ruling in July next year.

Import levels

The chart below shows the rebar import levels from the targeted countries and how they’ve grown in recent years. It is taken from RTAC’s trade petition and cites US government data.