A Changed Ukraine? US to review Ukrainian wire rod AD order
Sources report that
Ukraine has applied for a “changed circumstances review” on their carbon
wire rod anti-dumping order.
In light of
Ukraine's transformation to an open-market economy, Kiev is hoping that the US will reconsider the AD order that it imposed on
wire rod imports from
Ukraine.
At one time, Ukrainian mills were major suppliers for low-carbon mesh quality
wire rods. In 2001, however, US mills filed anti-dumping petitions that effectively halted all Ukrainian exports to the US.
Ukraine was found to have a dumping rate of over 116%, and has been subsequently prohibiting from selling a single ton to the US market. Since that time, Turkish mills have ramped up their exports to fill the Ukrainian void.
In order to review
Ukraine's claims, the US Commerce Department will first need to determine that their economy meets the following criteria:
•
Ukraine's currency is convertible to other currencies.
• Wage rates are determined through free bargaining between workers and management.
• Joint ventures and other
investments by foreign firms are permitted.
If
Ukraine is exonerated, there is no question that there will be a shift in the balance of power regarding imported rod supply. The question will be, “By how much?”