The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) proposes to extend measures on hot rolled flat and coil steel imports from China, Russia, Brazil and Iran, but remove them for Ukraine.

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has published its initial findings in transition reviews into trade remedy measures on imports of hot rolled flat and coil steel from China, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil and Iran.

The TRA proposes to extend the measures on imports from China, Russia, Brazil and Iran but remove them for Ukraine, as it concluded that dumping of products from Ukraine was unlikely to recur, due to reduction in Ukraine’s production capacity and limits on the ability to export caused by the war with Russia. The TRA also took into account Ukraine’s requirement to rebuild steel production facilities and domestic demand for steel to rebuild the country’s infrastructure.

The TRA also proposes to extend its current suspension of measures on imports of this product from Ukraine for another 12 months, which will allow time for the review to be completed.

Steel that makes up a third of global production

This product covers hot-rolled flat products of iron, non-alloy and other alloy steel. It’s commonly used as a raw material for other types of steel and makes up almost 1/3 of all steel production globally.

The TRA carried out all three reviews in parallel to reduce the administrative burden on affected industries. Its initial findings are published in reports (known as a Statement of Essential Facts) on its public file. If you think your business may be affected, you can register to comment by 10 April 2023. The TRA will consider any further evidence and submit its final recommendations to the Secretary of State.

Suspending tariffs for imports from Ukraine

Tariffs on imports of this product from Ukraine have been suspended since August 2022. The suspension is due to end on 30 May 2023. The TRA proposes that the measure on Ukraine imports is revoked. However, in the meantime the TRA will assess whether the suspension on tariffs for Ukrainian imports should be extended for a further 12 months.

TRA Chief Executive Oliver Griffiths explains: “Following thorough analysis, our conclusion is that UK steel producers would be harmed if protection against unfair imports from China, Russia, Brazil or Iran was removed. We have concluded that the impact of the war and subsequent reconstruction in Ukraine means that there is little likelihood of Ukraine dumping hot rolled steel products into the UK.”

Source: GOV.UK