USITC Tentatively Rules Taiwan's CSC to Pay Antidumping Duty of 27.54% for NOES Exports to U.S.

Following months of investigation in an antidumping lawsuit filed by Taiwan's steelmakers with the United States International Trade Commission against foreign suppliers of non-oriented electrical steels (NOES), the United State Department of Commerce ruled on October 8 that Taiwan's China Steel Corp. (CSC), the island's biggest steelmaker by size, to pay antidumping duty of 27.54% on NOES sold to the U.S.

According to official statistics, Taiwan exported US$8.1 million of NOES to the U.S. in 2013, mostly used for production of refrigerators, electric fans and other white goods.

Although disappointing, the ruling is acceptable by CSC given that other foreign suppliers, including China's Baosteel and Wuhan Iron & Steel, involved in the case are imposed with even heavier duties.

For instance, China exported to the U.S. some US$11.9 million of NOES last year, to be subject to an antidumping rate of 407.52%, as well as a countervailing duty of 158.88%. Meanwhile, Japan-based JFE and Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal are imposed  punitive duties 135.59%- 204.79%.

The USITC is scheduled to finally rule on November 17 whether the foreign suppliers have been jeopardizing the American  industry, affirmation of which will  result in enforcing the penalties. (SC)