In a report released Tuesday, the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) expressed concern about surging imports of grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES). "Official US government statistics reveal that during the first three months of 2012, imports of GOES dramatically surged," said counsel David A. Hartquist, international trade lawyer and a partner at Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP. "Annualizing first quarter data for full year 2012 would result in the following: a 38 percent increase in imports over 2011 by value, and a similar 38 percent increase over 2011 in quantity. If this trend continues through 2012, it would represent a 340 percent increase in tons over 2009. Imports from Japan, Poland, Korea and the Czech Republic are of particular concern."
The surge from Japan initially occurred in 2010 then moderated slightly in 2011 before once again increasing in 2012. An analysis in 2011 revealed dumping by Japanese producers. US producers are now reviewing 2012 data. Surges in GOES shipments from Korea, Poland and the Czech Republic have occurred more recently and are under review.