Trade Cases
China Calls U.S. Protectionist and Threatens WTO Suit
Written by Sandy Williams
June 28, 2016
China is threatening to file a suit at the World Trade Organization against the U.S. following the latest duty assessments against imports of cold-rolled and corrosion resistant steel products from China.
The Commerce Ministry said it is deeply concerned about the protectionist policies of the U.S. steel industry and fears the large anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties would force Chinese companies to pull these type of steel products out of the U.S. market.
“China’s steel industry export interests will suffer a serious impact and the Chinese steel industry is strongly opposed to this,” the Ministry said in a statement posted to its website.
“With regard to the United States’ mistaken methods that violate WTO rules, China is and will continue to take all measures, including filing suit at the WTO, to strive for fair treatment for enterprises and safeguard their export interests,” it said.
The Ministry of Commerce said in its statement on Tuesday, the United States should be more prudent in using trade remedy measures in the steel sector, as it hurts the interests of companies in both the United States and other countries.
In the long haul, the U.S. protectionist measures will also make its own steel industry less competitive, and thus may hurt its economy, the statement warned.
In a website statement the Ministry of Commerce said, “The difficulties challenging the global steel industry result from the weak demands because of the international financial crisis. This is a common consensus reached by many countries in the world. Fiercer and fiercer trade protectionism can only aggravate frictions and conflicts, but help little to solve the problem.”
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Trade Cases
CRU: Turkey imposes tariffs on steel imports; Malaysia launches AD probe
Ankara has placed anti-dumping duties of ranging from 6.10% to 43.31% on hot-rolled steel sheet from China, India, Japan, and Russia. Meanwhile, Malaysia has announced it will investigate allegedly dumped steel wire rod from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Price on trade: The excess capacity threat moves closer to home
The Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity (GFSEC) reaffirmed on Oct. 8 what domestic steel producers have long known—the threat of excess steel capacity never disappeared and is evolving. China’s steelmakers are boosting capacity and exports, echoing the 2016 global steel crisis. There is no doubt that China is successfully weaponizing excess capacity across many industries, and the fatal damage to domestic production and national security undermines the interests of all market-oriented countries. The question now is: How will GFSEC countries respond?
US bans steel made with forced labor from Baowu subsidiary
The US has banned imports from a subsidiary of the world’s largest steelmaker because it is allegedly using forced labor to produce steel products.
China challenges Canada’s tariffs on steel, aluminum, EVs
China is challenging Canada’s decision to put tariffs on imports of Chinese steel, aluminum, and electric vehicles.
Leibowitz: Harris, Trump don’t talk much about steel and trade – because they (mostly) agree
By most accounts, the issues that are most important for voters in this election are the economy, immigration, and abortion. International trade policy plays a key role in at least two of those three (the economy and immigration). Both presidential candidates recognize that trade and tariffs are an important focus. And “America first” is a rallying point for both candidates.