On December 27, 2024, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade officially launched its first anti-dumping sunset review concerning cold-rolled carbon steel flat products imported from China. The review's primary objective is to determine if the termination of existing anti-dumping measures would lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping and subsequent harm to the domestic steel industry. This review comes at a critical time as both Vietnam and China are major players in the global steel market, and any shifts in trade dynamics could have significant implications for the regional economy.
The products under scrutiny in this sunset review are cold-rolled carbon steel flat products, which may be either alloyed or non-alloyed. These products are typically manufactured in coils or plates with widths less than 1,600mm and thicknesses ranging from 0.108mm to 2.55mm. They are classified under various Harmonized System codes, which include 7209.16.10, 7209.16.90, 7209.17.10, 7209.17.90, 7209.18.91, 7209.18.99, 7209.26.10, 7209.26.90, 7209.27.10, 7209.27.90, 7209.28.10, 7209.28.90, 7209.90.90, 7211.23.20, 7211.23.30, 7211.23.90, 7211.29.20, 7211.29.30, 7211.29.90, and 7225.50.90.
The existing anti-dumping measures were originally imposed due to concerns that Chinese manufacturers were selling these steel products at unfairly low prices in the Vietnamese market, potentially harming local steel producers. Anti-dumping duties are typically levied to protect domestic industries from unfair competition by ensuring that foreign producers do not sell products at prices below market value, a practice known as "dumping."
As part of the sunset review process, the MOIT will assess whether the current anti-dumping duties should be extended or terminated. The review will also evaluate whether the withdrawal of these duties could result in a re-emergence of dumping practices that would negatively impact Vietnam’s steel industry. In essence, this review is not only about the immediate pricing and trade practices but also about securing the future health and competitiveness of the domestic steel sector.
