Turkish exporters participate in US ITC rebar duty investigation hearing

The Turkish Steel Exporters' Association (CIB) has stated that, regarding the antidumping (AD) duty and countervailing duty (CVD) investigation launched by the US against Turkish and Mexican rebar imports, it has taken its first step in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Economy, participating in the hearing held on September 25 by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) which included the presence of US producers as well as Turkish and Mexican government representatives and exporters.
 
Speaking on behalf of Turkey at the hearing, Savas Malkoc, head of the general directorate of exports at the Turkish Ministry of Economy, said that Turkey's iron and steel trade with the US generates a trade deficit and this deficit will grow if an antidumping duty decision is implemented. He also pointed out such a decision this would also negatively affect Turkey's scrap imports from the US, which is the largest source of scrap imports for Turkey. He went on to say that the accusations made by the US domestic producers do not reflect the truth, stressing that Turkey does not provide subsidies to its iron and steel industry as per the country's commitments made to the EU. This has also been affirmed by the US ITC during previous administrative reviews, he stated. Mr. Malkoc concluded by saying that these investigations usually result in nothing but an adverse impact on trade relations between the two countries during the actual investigation process.
 
Meanwhile, CIB chairman Namık Ekinci pointed out that Turkey buys its raw material from the US, resulting in a cost disadvantage of $80/mt. However, despite this, Turkey is working with feasible profit margins within the framework of WTO free trade regulations, he said. "The duty investigations by the US against many countries limit the US-based consumers' options and direct them to more expensive products," Ekinci added.