Thailand Launches Sunset Review of Antidumping Duties on Vietnamese Steel Pipes
The Department of Foreign Trade in Thailand has officially announced the initiation of a sunset review concerning the antidumping duties imposed on steel pipes imported from Vietnam. The review is a standard procedure to assess whether lifting or maintaining these duties would have any adverse effects on the Thai domestic industry. This assessment comes ahead of the duties’ scheduled expiration on February 12, 2026.
Background: Antidumping Duties and Their Impact
The antidumping duties on steel pipes from Vietnam were originally imposed by Thailand on February 13, 2020, after an investigation into the dumping of steel pipes into the Thai market at unfairly low prices. The duties, which range from 0% to 51.61%, were introduced as a protective measure for Thailand’s domestic producers. These measures were set for a five-year period, expiring in 2026.
Antidumping duties are applied by governments to protect local industries from foreign competition that might sell products at artificially low prices, potentially undercutting domestic production and causing harm to the local economy. The goal of these duties is to level the playing field, ensuring that Thai manufacturers are not disadvantaged by cheaper imports that do not reflect the true market value of the product.
The Sunset Review Process
A sunset review is a mandatory procedure that allows governments to assess whether existing antidumping measures should be extended, modified, or revoked. In this case, the DFT will review the effects of the antidumping duties on both the Thai steel pipe industry and the broader market. The department will examine various factors, such as the current market conditions, the potential for continued dumping, and the overall impact of the duties on local producers and consumers.
The review process will include consultations with industry stakeholders, including local manufacturers, importers, and other interested parties. These stakeholders will provide their perspectives on whether the removal of the antidumping duties could negatively affect the local steel pipe sector.
