TRA progresses anti

The TRA has today published its interim findings in a transition review of an anti-dumping measure on imports of heavy plate steel from China and has also launched a transition review into anti-dumping measures on imports of corrosion resistant steels from China.

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has today published its interim findings in a transition review of an anti-dumping measure on imports of heavy plate steel from China. The TRA has also launched a transition review into anti-dumping measures on imports of corrosion resistant steel from China.

The TRA is assessing a trade remedy measure on imports of heavy plate from China to establish whether duties are still needed to counter dumping of these imports in the UK at prices below what they would be sold for in their home country. The TRA has proposed in its initial findings that the measure is retained on these imports until 1 March 2027.

This measure covers certain flat products of non-alloy or alloy steel which are often used in the manufacture of construction, mining and logging equipment, in oil and gas pipelines, for ship-building and construction of bridges and buildings. The UK imports around 100 tonnes of heavy plate from China annually.

The TRA's interim findings are set out in its Statement of Essential Facts. The TRA has provisionally found that if the anti-dumping duties on heavy plate were removed, dumping and injury to UK producers would likely recur, and maintaining measures will benefit UK producers and their suppliers without materially harming any other UK interests. Businesses which may be affected by the investigation (such as importers or exporters of the products or UK producers of similar products) can read this report and comment via the TRA's online case platform before 4 March.

"Our provisional finding is that the UK should retain existing tariffs protecting domestic producers of heavy plate steel, concentrated in Motherwell and Gateshead, from unfair Chinese imports. The economic analysis has also given weight to the projected negative impacts on the upstream steel supplier if the measures were revoked."

Once the TRA has reviewed any further evidence, it will submit its final recommendation to the Secretary of State for International Trade, who will make a decision on whether to retain the measure.

Also today, the TRA has initiated a review into an anti-dumping measure on imports of corrosion resistant steels from China. These measures are among those inherited from the EU system and the TRA is reviewing them to establish whether they are still suitable for the UK's needs. The review will establish whether the measures are needed to protect the UK industry.

The products in scope of this review are flat rolled, iron/alloy/non alloy steel, plated or coated by hot dip galvanisation with zinc and/or aluminium and/or magnesium – this is a process which effectively makes the steel rustproof. Primarily used in the construction and automotive industries, corrosion resistant steel lends itself to various end uses, such as car structures, steel vents and fencing.

Coated steel, which includes corrosion resistant steels, is seen as a prospective growth area for the UK steel industry – representing future revenue opportunity worth nearly £1bn annually by 2030.

The TRA's investigation will look at a period from 1 January 2022 until 31 December 2022, while the injury period will be 1 January 2019 until 31 December 2022. You can find out more about the product types in scope of the TRA's review on the case public file.

Businesses that may be affected by this review (such as importers or exporters of the products or UK producers of similar products) can contribute to the review process by registering their interest in the case on the TRA's online case platform by 15 February 2023. All new developments in the case will be posted on the TRA's public file.

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The deadline for comment on the Heavy Plate interim findings has been changed from 2 to 4 March 2023.

First published.