New decisions take another stand against Chinese steel dumping

23 Apr 2016 Media release

Local steel manufacturers have a greater opportunity to compete on a level playing field after the Government accepted two Anti-Dumping Commission recommendations to impose dumping duties on Chinese-made steel reinforcing bar and rod in coil imported into Australia.

The commission has found that Chinese steel reinforcing bar is being dumped at margins from 11.7% to 30% and Chinese rod in coil is being dumped at margins from 37.4% to 53.1%. This has caused material injury to Australia’s steel industry.

Duties applying to rod in coil from China will range from 37% to 53% of the export price depending on the exporter, while reinforcing bar from China will be subjected to a fixed duty ranging from 11.7% to 30% depending on the exporter, as well as an additional duty should the export price fall below a specified floor price.

These anti-dumping decisions have ensured that Australian steel manufacturer; Arrium, can compete on even ground with imports from other countries such as China, South Korea and Taiwan in the local market.

In making the announcement today, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne said that these decisions were another step forward for local producers.

“Australia takes pride in the quality and reliability of locally-produced steel products, so it’s only reasonable that our manufacturers compete in a fair market,” Mr Pyne said.

“The Australian Government is working to sustain the local steel industry, while acting within World Trade Organization rules.”

Assistant Minister Andrews this week told the OECD Steel Symposium in Brussels that Australia’s anti-dumping reforms are designed to ensure Australia’s Steel industry is not disadvantaged by the unfair practices of foreign companies.

“There are currently some 44 anti-dumping measures in place on 12 steel products from 14 countries and we will be closely monitoring the effect of our reforms and developments in other countries to determine whether further changes are warranted.

In making these decisions, Assistant Minister for Science Karen Andrews commended the open and transparent investigations carried out by the Anti-Dumping Commissioner before making his recommendation.

“The Commissioner has found that, during the investigation period, the dumping of these imports caused material injury to the Australian industry manufacturing steel reinforcing bar and rod in coil,” Mrs Andrews said.

Investigation Reports No. 300 (REP 300) and No. 301 (REP 301), detailing the Commissioner’s findings, can be found atadcommission.gov.au.