Domestic Coalition Asks for New AD/CV Duties on Rebar from Mexico and Turkey
A domestic coalition of steel companies on Sept. 4 requested new antidumping and countervailing duties on steel concrete reinforcing bar (commonly known as rebar) from Turkey (A-489-818/C-489-819), and antidumping duties on rebar from Mexico (A-201-844). Rebar is used in the construction industry to reinforce concrete structures. The Rebar Trade Action Coalition, which includes domestic manufacturers Byer Steel Corporation; Cascade Steel Rolling Mills, Inc.; Commercial Metals Company; Gerdau Ameristeel US Inc.; and Nucor Corporation, alleged that producers in Mexico and Turkey are underselling rebar in the U.S., and producers in Turkey are also benefiting from illegal subsidization. Their low priced imports are taking market share from U.S. producers, forcing down prices, and causing material injury to U.S. producers, the petitioners alleged.
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Rebar has historically been a magnet for trade remedies, according to the petition. An antidumping duty order on rebar from Turkey was previously in place from 1997 to 2009, when it was revoked in a sunset review. Antidumping duties have been imposed on rebar from Belarus, China, Indonesia, Latvia, Moldova, Poland, and Ukraine since 2001. Safeguard duties were also briefly put on rebar from many countries between 2001 and 2003.
Proposed Scope
The petition proposed that the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission define the scope of their investigations as follows:
“The merchandise subject to investigation is steel concrete reinforcing bar imported in either straight length or coil form ("rebar"). The subject merchandise classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States ("HTSUS") under item numbers 7213.10.0000, 7214.20.0000, and 7228.30.8010, as well as elsewhere. Specifically excluded are plain rounds (i.e., nondeformed or smooth bars). While certain HTSUS numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of the investigation is dispositive.”
Commerce Accepting Comments on Petition Support
The Commerce Department is accepting comments on domestic industry support for the petitions to determine whether the petitions meet the dual requirements of support by domestic producers or workers accounting for (1) at least 25% of the total production of the domestic-like product and (2) more than 50% of the production of the domestic-like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. If the petitions meet these requirements, among others, Commerce will initiate an antidumping duty investigations on steel concrete reinforcing bar from Mexico and Turkey, and a countervailing duty investigation on steel concrete reinforcing bar from Turkey. Comments are due by about Sept. 24.
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the petition.