NAFTA Panel Mostly Rejects Mexican Challenge to U.S. Duty Order on Rebar
07/14/2016 - A North American Free Trade Agreement review panel has generally upheld a finding that U.S. producers had been harmed by unfairly traded Mexican rebar exports.
According the Steel Manufacturers Association, a trade group that largely represents America’s electric arc furnace producers, the review panel largely upheld a 2014 ruling from the U.S. International Trade Commission, rejecting four of the five arguments on which Mexican officials had based their challenge.
“This decision constitutes a major victory for the U.S. rebar industry, a segment of the industry that continues to be harmed by the ongoing import crisis,” said association president Philip K. Bell in a statement.
“The cumulative assessment challenge was particularly significant, and I believe that the review panel’s decision ensures that domestic producers, the workforce, and surrounding communities will continue to receive needed remedy.”
The commission in 2014 ruled that Mexican producers were selling rebar at less than fair market value, undercutting American producers. The decision cleared the way for anti-dumping duties of between 20.6 percent and 66.7 percent.
The trade commission’s decision arose from a complaint filed by Nucor Corp., Gerdau Ameristeel, Commercial Metals Co., Cascade Steel Rolling Mills Inc., and Byer Steel Corp.
“This decision constitutes a major victory for the U.S. rebar industry, a segment of the industry that continues to be harmed by the ongoing import crisis,” said association president Philip K. Bell in a statement.
“The cumulative assessment challenge was particularly significant, and I believe that the review panel’s decision ensures that domestic producers, the workforce, and surrounding communities will continue to receive needed remedy.”
The commission in 2014 ruled that Mexican producers were selling rebar at less than fair market value, undercutting American producers. The decision cleared the way for anti-dumping duties of between 20.6 percent and 66.7 percent.
The trade commission’s decision arose from a complaint filed by Nucor Corp., Gerdau Ameristeel, Commercial Metals Co., Cascade Steel Rolling Mills Inc., and Byer Steel Corp.
