Mexico issues preliminary duties on Chinese and Vietnamese HR steel

Mexico’s Ministry of Economy issued a preliminary ruling in its anti-dumping case on hot-rolled steel imports from China and Vietnam. The government found evidence of price discrimination and imposed provisional duties on a wide range of hot-rolled flat products, including coils, sheet, strip, and plate.

The Secretariat found the subject imports from China and Vietnam increased during the period of analysis, the 12-month period ending Aug. 31, 2024. They also entered at dumped prices, undercutting domestic producers. The agency determined these imports coincided with declines in profitability, capacity utilization, sales volume, and market share for Mexican mills.

Exporters argued other factors explained the injury. The Secretariat rejected those claims. It stated, “The increase in imports at dumped prices coincided with the deterioration of the national industry’s indicators,” and respondents did not provide sufficient evidence to break the causal link. The Secretariat concluded provisional duties were warranted because “imports under investigation caused price suppression and prevented the national industry from recovering its costs.”

The findings formed the basis for the following provisional levies, provided by the Ministry in US dollars per kilogram, and calculated into USD per metric ton for your convenience:

Exporter/Category	Duty (USD/kilogram)	Duty (USD/metric ton)
Shanghai Meishan Iron (China)	$0.2304	$230.40
Wuhan Iron (China)	$0.2160	$216.00
Other Chinese producers that appeared	$0.2242	$224.20
All other Chinese exporters	$0.2304	$230.40
Hoa Pha Dung Quat (Vietnam)	$0.1960	$196.00
Formosa Ha Tinh (Vietnam)	$0.1969	$196.90
All other Vietnamese exporters	$0.1969	$196.90

This trade case was originally filed in November 2024 and initiated by the Ministry of Economy in March 2025. The domestic industry in this case is represented by Ternium Mexico, the petitioner, with ArcelorMittal Mexico and Grupo Acerero participating as supporting producers.

The case now moves into the final phase. A final determination is expected between July and September of this year. Duties may be confirmed, modified, or revoked in the final decision.

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held various editorial positions with steel industry publications, associations, and mills since 2007. She joined the SMU team in 2022. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.