The US Initiates Five-Year Review of Anti-Dumping Duty on Chinese Steel Threaded Rods
On February 3, 2025, the US International Trade Commission began a critical five-year review to determine whether removing the current anti-dumping duties on steel threaded rods imported from China would harm the domestic steel industry in the United States. The review process, commonly referred to as a sunset review, assesses whether the continuation of these duties remains necessary or if lifting them would lead to recurring injury to local manufacturers.
Background of the Anti-Dumping Duties
The anti-dumping duties in question were originally imposed on steel threaded rods from China to prevent the practice of dumping, where goods are sold at unfairly low prices, typically below their cost of production or market value. These duties were introduced to protect the US steel industry from unfair trade practices that could potentially undermine local manufacturers. The goods subject to these duties are primarily steel rods used in construction, mechanical fastening, and industrial applications.
Purpose of the Review
The five-year review serves as a routine assessment to determine whether the anti-dumping duties should continue or be lifted. It is part of a legal process that occurs every five years after duties are first imposed or last reviewed. In this case, the USITC is focusing on whether the removal of the duties on steel threaded rods would result in injury to the US steel industry, especially in terms of price depression, market share loss, or other harmful effects.
The USITC’s review will take into account various factors, including trade patterns, market conditions, and whether the Chinese steel rods continue to be sold at unfairly low prices. The goal is to assess if lifting the duties could result in substantial harm to US manufacturers, which could hurt their ability to compete in both domestic and international markets.
Timeline and Process
The review process is structured with specific deadlines for submissions from interested parties. Comments and responses from stakeholders, including US manufacturers, industry groups, and the Chinese exporters, are essential for the USITC to make an informed decision. The timeline for the review is as follows:
• Deadline for responses: Interested parties must submit their responses to the USITC by March 5, 2025.
• Deadline for comments on the adequacy of responses: After the initial responses are reviewed, comments on the adequacy of these responses must be submitted by April 17, 2025.
These deadlines are crucial, as they provide the necessary information and feedback for the USITC to evaluate the continued relevance of the anti-dumping duties on Chinese steel threaded rods.
