Following the decision by the Thailand Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Thailand DFAT) to initiate an antidumping (AD) investigation against galvanized sheet imports from China, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) has stated that Thailand has continuously initiated AD investigations against steel imports from China in the past two years, while in fact Chinese steel is actually of great benefit to Thailand’s economy, especially for infrastructure construction in the country.
The MOC pointed out that China has reached a consensus with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which includes Thailand regarding cooperation in eliminating excess capacity rather than adopting trade protection measures, adding that Thailand’s practice of taking such measures is in opposition to ASEAN wishes. The MOC urged that Thailand should adhere closely to the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and avoid implementing unreasonable measures, while it expressed the hope that the two sides would strengthen dialogue and communication and resolve trade frictions.