The U.S. Department of Commerce has released the final results of its expedited fourth sunset reviews concerning antidumping duty orders on hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Ukraine. This review, conducted by the International Trade Administration, concluded that revoking these orders would likely result in the continuation or recurrence of dumping practices. The findings were officially published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2024, under document number 2024-26142.
The background of this issue dates back to 2001 when the original antidumping orders were issued to counteract unfair pricing practices that harm domestic industries. On July 1, 2024, the Commerce Department initiated the fourth round of sunset reviews, a routine process to assess the necessity of continuing these orders. The reviews are conducted in accordance with the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, which mandates periodic evaluations to determine whether revocation would lead to the recurrence of dumping.
Domestic steel producers, including Nucor Corporation, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc, United States Steel Corporation, SSAB Enterprises LLC, and Steel Dynamics, Inc., actively participated in the review process. These companies, collectively known as the domestic interested parties, submitted their intent to participate and provided substantive responses within the required deadlines. They argued that their industry would be adversely affected without the antidumping orders in place, citing historical data and market conditions that support the continuation of these protective measures.
Interestingly, no substantive responses were received from the respondent interested parties, which are typically foreign producers or exporters subject to the orders. This lack of response prompted the Commerce Department to conduct an expedited review, completing the process within 120 days. The absence of foreign input suggests either an acceptance of the current orders or a strategic decision to avoid engagement in the review process.
The scope of the orders covers specific hot-rolled carbon steel flat products. These products are essential materials used in various industries, including construction and manufacturing. The review's findings, detailed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum, indicate a high likelihood of continued dumping if the orders were revoked. The memorandum, accessible through the Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System, provides a comprehensive analysis of the evidence and arguments presented during the review.
The final results of the review revealed significant dumping margins for each country involved. India faces a weighted-average dumping margin of 44.40%, Indonesia 47.86%, China a substantial 90.83%, Taiwan 29.14%, and Thailand 20.30%. These figures highlight the extent of the pricing disparities and the potential impact on U.S. industries if the protective measures were removed. The high margin for China, in particular, underscores ongoing concerns about competitive practices in the global steel market.
