By CGTN's Hu Chao
The US Department of Commerce said last Thursday that imports of Chinese stainless steel sheet and strip should be subject to anti-dumping duties of between 64 percent and 77 percent and anti-subsidy duties of between 76 percent and 190 percent. China called the decision "unfair" and has called for the decision to be reconsidered.
US Department of Commerce ruling on imports of Chinese stainless steel sheet and strip. /US International Trade Administration website screenshot
The Taiyuan Iron and Steel Corporation (TISCO) - China’s largest stainless steel producer - has been the main focus of the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations by the US Department of Commerce.
TISCO is the world’s largest stainless steel producer. /TISCO Photo
While TISCO officials say they have cooperated fully in the anti-subsidy investigation and provided whatever was asked for, they also claim the US hasn't sent anyone in relation to its anti-dumping investigation. The officials say the US has dismissed much of what TISCO has provided and that the final decision on high duties is unfair and doesn't abide by World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations.
Imports of Chinese stainless steel sheet and strip subject to the US anti-dumping duties. /TISCO Photo
TISCO also believes the decision is an abuse of "trade protectionism", and fears it will encourage more countries to safeguard themselves against Chinese enterprises. TISCO awaits a final determination from the US International Trade Commission in March and is willing to appeal the decision if necessary.
Professor Zhou Xinsheng at the Shanxi University of Finance and Economics has been studying trade protection against China for over two decades. He says that the US Department of Commerce's investigation has violated WTO rules. The 15th article of WTO rules says the surrogate country system was terminated in December, 2016. But the US still used it for the investigation and neglected the abundant proof offered by Chinese companies. The final decision is quite unfair, Zhou says.
China urges US to reconsider the anti-dumping tariffs. /CCTV Photo
Zhou also said the high anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties are acts of trade protectionism. He argued that US trade protectionism has a long history and has been gaining momentum in recent years. The high anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on Chinese steel products will affect the global trade pattern.
China's Ministry of Commerce has reiterated that the US should abide by WTO rules, and correct unfair practices. Beijing has also made clear a willingness to take all necessary steps to protect the rights of Chinese enterprises.
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