EEC’s Final Determination After Sunset Review
On April 17, 2025, the Department for Internal Market Defence of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) issued its final ruling after conducting the first sunset review of the anti-dumping (AD) duties on seamless pipes from China. The review aimed to determine whether ending the duties would result in the recurrence of dumping and potential injury to manufacturers within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The findings were unequivocal—removing the duties would almost certainly lead to resumed dumping activities by Chinese exporters. These actions could devastate local producers, threatening employment and market stability across the union. As a result, the EEC resolved to continue the imposition of 15.5% duties for an additional five years.
What Products Are Covered Under This Measure?
The products in question are hot-deformed seamless pipes of circular cross-section, made primarily from corrosion-resistant steel. These pipes are used in critical industries including oil & gas, energy, chemical processing, and machinery.
Key features:
• Manufacturing Process: Hot-deformed (hot-rolled or hot-extruded)
• Outer Diameter: Not exceeding 650 mm
• Material Composition: Corrosion-resistant or stainless steel
• Product Codes: As classified under various Harmonized System (HS) codes used for international trade tracking.
These seamless pipes are prized for their durability, pressure resistance, and integrity under extreme temperatures and conditions—making them indispensable in high-risk applications.
The Rationale Behind Duty Continuation
The EEC’s sunset review included a rigorous analysis of import volumes, prices, production costs, market share trends, and injury indicators. According to the commission, Chinese suppliers had been selling below fair market value, thus undermining local industry.
Local manufacturers in Russia and other EAEU states had either stagnated or lost market share during the prior period when the duty was not active. Moreover, there was substantial evidence suggesting that China retained both capacity and intent to flood the Eurasian market with underpriced products if the AD barrier was lifted.
Implications for Stakeholders
With the duties extended until 2030, local producers are granted a reprieve to recover, invest, and innovate. However, importers and industries relying on Chinese pipes may face cost escalations, possibly pushing them to seek alternative sourcing channels or domestic suppliers.
The EEC has also opened a consultation window for interested parties—including exporters, importers, industry bodies, and governments—to submit their positions and supporting evidence by May 5, 2025.
China's Response & Global Context
Though the Chinese government has yet to officially respond, such duties often invite retaliatory trade measures or diplomatic negotiations. This case adds to a growing list of global trade frictions concerning steel and pipe products, especially between China and large economic blocs.
China has consistently argued that such measures are protectionist, while target countries defend them as necessary to counteract unfair trade practices such as state subsidies, price dumping, and market distortion.
Eurasian Steel Market Outlook
The Eurasian region, particularly Russia and Kazakhstan, is rich in steel manufacturing infrastructure. This decision gives their producers more room to breathe and scale up operations, while also encouraging investments in innovation, quality, and value-added products.
Market experts believe that consistent policy enforcement like this can lead to market stabilization, healthier competition, and potentially spur cross-border partnerships within the EAEU.
Key Takeaways:
• EEC has extended 15.5% anti-dumping duty on Chinese seamless pipes for 5 years.
• The decision was based on a sunset review concluding that dumping would resume if duties ended.
• Products affected: Hot-deformed seamless steel pipes (circular cross-section, ≤650mm diameter).
• Chinese exporters accused of undercutting prices and harming Eurasian producers.
• Final decision taken on April 17, 2025; comments accepted until May 5, 2025.
• Measure aims to protect EAEU countries from unfair competition.
• Affected industries include energy, chemicals, oil & gas, and infrastructure.
• May escalate trade tensions between EEC & China.
