The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has rescinded its findings regarding cold rolled carbon steel sheet products from Belgium, the Russian Federation, the Slovak Republic and Turkey.

The decision follows expiry review of findings made by the CITT on August 27, 1999, in Inquiry No. NQ-99-001. The case addressed cold rolled carbon and high-strength low-alloy steel in coils or cut lengths (not painted, clad, plated or coated), in widths up to and including 80 inches (2032 mm) and in thicknesses from 0.014 to 0.142 inches (0.35 mm to 3.61 mm), inclusive. Products in coil form and products cut from a coil were included in the review, including cut lengths from slit coils, having a square or rectangular shape, regardless of whether the products are referred to as blanks.

Cold-rolled steel strip made to ASTM A109/A109M, A682/A682M and A684/A684M specifications was not part of the product definition. These specifications cover cold-rolled carbon strip in cut lengths or coils that is finished to closer tolerances than cold-rolled carbon steel sheet, has a specific temper, edge and finish, and a maximum thickness of 0.2499 inches (6 mm) and produced in widths from 1/2 inch (12.5 mm) to 23 15/16 inch (600 mm).

The expiry review investigation was initiated by the CCRA on December 10, 2003 to determine whether expiry of the findings was likely to result in continuation or resumption of dumping of the subject goods. As announced on April 7, 2004, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA, formerly the CCRA) determined that expiry of the findings was likely to result in continuation or resumption of dumping of the subject goods. On April 8, 2004, following the CBSA's determination, the Tribunal continued its review to determine whether the expiry of the findings respecting the subject goods was likely to result in injury or retardation.

Three domestic producers — Dofasco Inc., Stelco Inc. and Ispat Sidbec Inc. — provided witnesses and were represented by counsel at the hearing. They submitted evidence and made arguments in support of a continuation of the findings.

Two exporters/foreign producers of cold-rolled sheet — U.S. Steel Kosice, sro (USSK) of the Slovak Republic and Borçelik Çelik Sanayii ve Ticaret AS (Borçelik) of Turkey — were represented by counsel at the hearing, submitted evidence and made arguments in support of a rescission of the findings. One importer, Arcelor International Canada Inc. (Arcelor), was represented by counsel and made a submission in support of a rescission of the findings, but did not appear at the hearing.