Turkey still under risk of getting included in S201 tariffs

Turkey still under risk of getting included in S201 tariffs

US flat rolled steel producers complain about 43% increase in steel imports from Turkey in the first 10 months of this year. Turkey is exempt from the S201 measures due to its developing country status. Although the monthly figures show a decline of 61.19% the annualized figures of the first ten months point out to an exceeding of the 3% threshold that is allowed for the developing countries under the framework of S201 safeguard measures of the US. Previously, domestic flat rolled producers sent a letter to the trade officials asking for the import tariffs to include Turkish imports as well, with the exception of slab and tin mill products. Turkish imports for the first 10 months of year 2002 amount to 1'066'000 mts with an increase of 42.90% when compared to the same period of year 2001. Meanwhile SteelOrbis is unofficially informed that certain intermediary exporters of Erdemir are pushing the steel mill to get into contact with US authorities with the aim of securing separate quotas for the company. On the other hand, some US traders are of the opinion that Turkish steel imports have not reached a level as high as India's and hence are not likely to cause a discomfort at the US Department of Commerce (DOC) for the time being.