Eurofer Trade Defence Cases

Since 2006, EU imports of finished steel products have surged up to the level of more than 30 million tonnes in 2007 representing an increase of 26% compared with 2006 and 100% compared with 2005. This evolution was driven by massive surges of Chinese steel exports into the EU which have jumped from around 1 million tonnes (2005) to close to 10 million tonnes (2007). In four years China has gone from being a net importer of 2,6 million tonnes (2003) in its steel trade with Europe to being a next exporter of 8,8 million tones (2007)

Chinese export surges into the EU have been taking place with respect to lower-end steel products such as wire rod, as well as higher-end products such as hot-dipped metallic coated sheets and stainless cold-rolled flat products.

Chinese export surges into the EU have been made under significant dumping and EU domestic price undercutting conditions having injured EU steel producers. Forced by the flood of EU imports of Chinese steel which became unsustainable in terms of volume and price, Eurofer filed anti-dumping (AD) complaints against steel imports from this country, for some products in combination with other exporting countries each representing a significant share of overall EU import surges.

Currently, EU AD actions include two investigations initiated by the Commission:

AD investigation on imports of certain hot-dipped metallic coated sheets and narrow strip from China initiated on 14 December 2007, based on Eurofer’s complaint alleging material injury suffered by the EU industry caused by massive import surges (+3300% over the period 2005-2007) at significant dumping margins.

AD investigation on imports of certain stainless steel cold-rolled flat products from China, South Korea and Taiwan AD initiated on 1 February 2008, based on Eurofer’s complaint alleging material injury suffered by the EU industry resulting from high import surges (+550% over the period 2005-2007) at significant dumping margins.