CST, CSN fight to avoid AD duties

CST, CSN fight to avoid AD duties

Brazilian steel producers Companhia Siderurgica Tubarao (CST) and Compangia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN) are seeking exemptions from the US International Trade Commission's (ITC) decision to renew antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel products. As reported by SteelOrbis last week, the ITC decided to extend the duties on hot rolled steel products imported from Brazil, Japan and Russia by an additional five years. However, CSN expects the ITC to allow it to export hot rolled coils to its US subsidiary CSN LLC without paying any duty. The ITC is expected to rule on the subject by September 2005. Moreover, CST also requested an exemption from the duties. The company argues that it should not be subject to the duties since it was not producing the specified merchandise when the original duties were imposed. US officials will make a decision on CST's claim after conducting an investigation in May.