EU expands the scope of anti-dumping duty on Chinese corrosion-resistant steel products

Brussels, Aug 5 (Reuters) - anti dumping duties on imports of Chinese corrosion-resistant steel products have been expanded to prevent steelmakers from evading existing tariffs by slightly modifying export materials, the European Commission said on Wednesday.
In February 2018, the European Union imposed tariffs of 17.2% - 27.9% on Certain Corrosion-Resistant steels imported from China in response to its so-called unfair low prices.

The European Commission said the anti-dumping measures have led to almost zero imports of the affected products, but at the same time imports of other corrosion-resistant steel products climbed to about 1 million tons, or 650 million euros (769.2 million US dollars) per year. The Commission investigated the issue in November 2019.

"A specific anti circumvention investigation has confirmed that anti-dumping measures are the only reason for the change," the Commission said

The expanded tariff will apply to corrosion-resistant steel products modified by magnesium, silicon alloys, additional surface treatment or trace element composition.

The European Commission said the increase would apply to all Chinese exporters except one partner. But the statement did not mention the name of the exempted company.