On October 7, 2024, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal announced the initiation of an expiry review concerning its previous order issued on October 31, 2019. This review pertains to hot-rolled carbon steel plate and high-strength low-alloy steel plate imported from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Romania. The Tribunal's objective is to determine whether the expiry of this order is likely to result in continued or resumed dumping of these steel products and whether such actions could injure the domestic steel industry in Canada.
The original order was established following a thorough investigation into the dumping of steel products from the mentioned countries. Dumping occurs when foreign producers sell goods in Canada at prices lower than their normal value, which can undermine local industries. The Tribunal’s earlier findings indicated that the Canadian steel market faced significant challenges due to these unfair pricing practices.
The current expiry review will evaluate if the termination of the order would likely lead to a resurgence of dumping activities. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is tasked with determining, by March 6, 2025, whether there is a likelihood of continued or resumed dumping. If the CBSA finds a positive indication, the Tribunal will conduct further investigations to ascertain, by August 13, 2025, whether such dumping would likely cause injury to the Canadian steel industry.
The CITT is an independent quasi-judicial body that operates under the auspices of the Canadian government. It reports to Parliament through the Minister of Finance and plays a crucial role in protecting Canadian industries from unfair trade practices. The Tribunal handles cases related to dumped and subsidized imports, safeguard complaints, federal government procurement disputes, and appeals regarding customs and excise tax rulings.
When requested by the federal government, the Tribunal also provides expert advice on various economic, trade, and tariff-related matters. This function is vital for ensuring fair trade practices and maintaining the integrity of the Canadian market.
