The Rebar Trade Action Coalition in the US has filed an antidumping (AD) petition against steel concrete reinforcing bar imports from Turkey and Mexico and a countervailing duty (CVD) petition against steel concrete reinforcing bar imports from Turkey. The individual members of the Rebar Trade Action Coalition are listed herebelow:

• Byer Steel Corporation
• Cascade Steel Rolling Mills Inc.
• Commercial Metals Company
• Gerdau Ameristeel Inc.
• Nucor Corporation

The petitioner alleges that rebar imported from Mexico and Turkey is being or is likely to be sold at less than normal value within the maning of the relevant sections of the Tariff Act. Petitioner further alleges that Turkish producers and exporters of rebar into the United States have benefited from subsidies that are countervailable within the meaning of the same act, and also alleges that these unfairly-traded imports have materially injured the United States domestic industry producing rebar and threaten to cause further material injury if remedial action is not taken.

The AD petitions allege the following dumping margins:

1. Turkey – a range of 41.93% to 42.49%.
2. Mexico – 66.76%.

The countervailing duty (CVD) petition identifies a number of subsidies allegedly used by Turkish rebar producers, but it does not quantify an alleged CVD margin.

The scope of the petition is as follows: Steel concrete reinforcing bar imported in straight length or coil form, regardless of metallurgy, length, and diameter.  Specifically excluded are plain rounds (i.e., non-deformed or smooth bars).

These products are usually classifiable under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under item numbers 7213.10.0000, 7214.20.0000, and 7228.30.8010.

Speaking on behalf of the producers and exporters of long steel products; IREPAS Chairman Ugur Dalbeler said it is highly likely that the US ITC will accept the petition and start an investigation. However he said, the dumping margins alleged by the US producers are ungrounded. Mr.Dalbeler added “Free trade is one of the few unambiguously good things and it is based on the idea of comparative advantage. Most commodities freely trade around the world and this allows resources to flow to their best use. Countries and companies that have embraced this message have thrived and prospered. Those that tried to close themselves off from this trend have not. Competition increases efficiency and serves customers and the public. IREPAS always supports free and fair trade in steel.”