Wuhan may seek anti-dumping measures on steel sheet
China's Wuhan Steel has announced that it may request the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) to re-impose anti-dumping tariffs against some cold-rolled steel sheet imports if its operations are endangered. As SteelOrbis reported last week, MOFCOM rescinded antidumping duties on cold-rolled steel sheet imports from South Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Taiwan due to changes in the supply situation in China. The tariffs had been imposed on January 14 of this year after a review determined that imports from these countries were hurting local steelmakers. However, due to Chinese steel users', especially in the auto and home appliance industries, complaints of shortage in domestic supply, MOFCOM decided to rescind the duties. When rescinding the duties, MOFCOM added that domestic steel producers can apply for reinstatement of the antidumping tariffs if they show significant evidence of material damage from cheaper imports following the lifting of the antidumping duties. Sales of cold-rolled sheet, used mainly in automobile, home appliance and truck parts manufacturing, presently account for roughly 17% of Wuhan Steel's total sales. According to market sources, following completion of technical upgrading on existing plants, Wuhan Steel plans to expand its cold-rolled steel production capacity from 1.22 million tons to 1.85 million tons.