EC opens dumping probe into HDG steel imports from Turkey and Russia

June-24-2021 Bursa — The European Commission announced June 24 it has opened an investigation into hot-dipped galvanized coil imports from Turkey and Russia, alleging imports of certain corrosion resistant steels originating from these countries were being dumped.

The dumping allegation is based on a comparison of the domestic price with the export price on an ex-works basis of the product under investigation when sold to customers in the union, according to the EC statement.

The probe will cover the period from Jan 1 2020 to Dec 31 2020 and determine whether the product under investigation is being dumped and if the dumped imports have caused injury to the Union industry. In addition, the EC said the examination of trends relevant for the assessment of injury will cover the period from Jan 1 2017 to the end of the investigation period.

Discussions amongst market participants on a possible investigation of HDG imports on Turkey that could lead to anti-dumping duties have been circulating since February, with some sources saying producers had already received notification from the EC.

Turkish and Russian steelmakers contacted by S&P Global Platts June 24 did not immediately comment on the EC's formal announcement.

According to trade data published by European steel federation Eurofer, 315,378 mt of Turkish origin and 114,559 mt of Russian origin hot-dipped coils were imported into the EU during the first three months of 2021 out of a total of 1.17 million mt of hot-dipped imports in the period.

Spain and Italy were the main buyers of Turkish material during this period. Belgium and Latvia have been the main buyers of Russian material this year.