Trade Cases
Brazil Considering Section 232 Concessions
Written by Sandy Williams
April 2, 2018
Brazil is one of seven countries granted a temporary retrieve from Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum. If the 25 percent tariff is imposed on the Brazilian steel industry, it would impact 13 percent of the nation’s steel exports and lead to losses estimated at $350 million annually, according to a new study by the Institute for Applied Economic Research. In 2017, Brazil exported approximately $2.6 billion of steel to the U.S., 33 percent of its total steel exports.
Last week, it was reported that U.S. negotiators proposed measures for Brazil to consider in return for permanent exemption from the tariffs. They included:
- Reduce tariff and quota limits on imports of ethanol. Currently, Brazil charges a 20 percent tariff on ethanol imports above 150 million metric tons per quarter. The tariff is designed to protect Brazilian farmers from foreign competition.
- Finalize the Open Skies deal. Open Skies is an agreement that would allow unlimited commercial flights between Brazil’s LATAM Airlines Group and U.S.-based American Airlines. The Brazilian Senate approved the agreement on March 7, sending it on to President Michel Temer for signature.
- Defend against Chinese circumvention. U.S. negotiators request that Brazil take measures to prevent China from circumventing the U.S. tariffs though shipments of steel and aluminum through Brazil’s borders.
In return, the United States said it will support Brazil’s effort to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Trade Cases
Nippon respects HR dumping decision, expects lower rate in next review
Nippon Steel says it respects the US Department of Commerce’s findings in administrative reviews despite the agency recently assigning the Japanese steelmaker a higher dumping margin.
CRU: Trump tariffs could stimulate steel demand
Now that the dust has settled from the US election, as have the immediate reactions in the equity, bond, and commodity markets, this is a prime opportunity to look at how a second Trump presidency might affect the US steel market.
Rebar import duties to continue for 5 more years
Import duties on rebar from a handful of countries will continue to be collected for at least another five years.
Leibowitz: Trump 2.0 signals Cold War 2.0 trade and China policies
China is one of the elephants in the room as the transition to Trump 2.0 continues. While the people and policies are still being formulated, it’s possible to detect a strategy for the new Trump administration. I think there are two imperative issues that the new administration needs to balance. The Trump strategy will, I believe, follow the following points. First, trade is one of the issues that got President Trump elected in 2016 and 2024—it nearly got him elected in 2020, save for the pandemic. If President Trump had won in 2020, I might be writing chronicles about the end of his eight years in the White House now instead of projecting what the next Trump administration would accomplish or break. Oh, well—that’s life. Trade will necessarily be a key feature of relations with China for the next four years.
Commerce says Nippon dumped steel in US in 2022-23
Commerce determined a significant dumping margin for hot-rolled steel imports from Japan's Nippon Steel.