Government approves TRA recommendation on cold rolled flat steel

The Government has agreed with the Trade Remedies Authority’s recommendation on anti-dumping measures on imports of cold rolled flat steel from China and Russia.

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA)’s recommendation on imports of cold rolled flat steel from China and Russia have today been accepted by the Secretary of State for International Trade. You can read the TRA’s full report on this case on its public file.

Cold rolled flat steel is used in the manufacture of parts for the automotive industry and domestic appliances, as well as other goods. It can be found in such consumer products as radiators, steel drums, domestic appliances, racking, shelving and metal furniture.

As part of its assessment, the TRA found that extending the anti-dumping measure for a further five years would be in the economic interest of the UK. It also concluded that cold rolled flat steel from China and Russia would likely be dumped in the UK if the measure were to be removed, causing injury to UK producers, which produce 40-50% of the UK’s market, with annual combined turnover of £685 million.

Industry responds to initial findings

On 31 March, the TRA published a Statement of Essential Facts, setting out initial findings on the measures. UK and overseas industries had 30 days to review and comment on the findings before the TRA made its recommendation to the Secretary of State. Some important submissions were made at this stage.

Background information

About the TRA

The Trade Remedies Authority is the UK body that investigates whether trade remedies measures are needed on imports. Trade remedy investigations were carried out by the EU Commission on the UK’s behalf until the UK left the EU.

Anti-dumping measures counter goods being ‘dumped’ into countries at prices below their normal price in their country of origin and are one of the three types of trade remedies – along with countervailing measures against countervailable subsidies and safeguard measures– that are allowed under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

Forty-four EU trade remedies measures that were of interest to UK producers were carried across into UK law when the UK left the EU and the TRA is reviewing each one to check if it is suitable for UK needs. The measure on cold rolled steel is the latest to be completed.