Industry ministry extends duties on Chinese steel bars and H-beams

The industry ministry said Thursday it will extend anti-dumping duties on Chinese H-beams for another five years after finding that dumping and injury to domestic producers would likely recur if the measures expired.

The Trade Commission also voted to recommend provisional anti-dumping duties ranging from 25.08 percent to 27.96 percent on Chinese rebar, citing preliminary findings that local manufacturers suffered material harm from the imports.

Under the final ruling on H-beams, Laiwu Steel and Rizhao Steel will operate under price undertakings for the next five years instead of paying cash duties, while all other Chinese providers face tariff rates between 28.23 percent and 32.72 percent. The decision follows a complaint filed by Hyundai Steel and Dongkuk Steel last September regarding the structural steel used in buildings, ships and civil engineering projects.

Regarding the rebar case, the commission identified Daye, Jiangsu Yonggang and Jingteng as subject to the new levies. A final determination is scheduled for February next year to confirm or adjust the provisional rates.

In a separate unfair trade investigation, the body terminated its probe into alleged patent infringement involving secondary battery fire monitoring systems, concluding that the imported goods did not fall within the scope of the applicant's patent rights.

The commission simultaneously initiated three new anti-dumping investigations covering PET film from Taiwan, Thailand and the UAE, as well as ethyl acetate and fully drawn polyester yarn from China. Authorities plan to conduct written surveys, public hearings and on-site inspections before issuing final rulings in the first half of next year.