During his presentation at the SteelOrbis 2014 Fall Conference & 71st IREPAS Meeting being held in Berlin on September 28-30, Bernd Neuenkirchen from international steel trading company C&F International commented on both current and concluded trade investigations, as well as on possible filings to initiate duty investigations. Regarding the US antidumping duty investigation against Chinese wire rod, Mr. Neuenkirchen said that, since the mandatory respondents have not responded to the US Department of Commerce's questionnaire, it is likely that the triple-digit antidumping duty rates will become final for Chinese exporters. The final decision is expected on November 12.
Considering that China will have to leave the US wire rod market, the C&F International official said that Turkey is always a good source of wire rod, though Egypt and Peru are also likely to take some share of the cake.
Recalling that Turkish rebar producers ended up with no duties in the antidumping duty investigation in the US, Mr. Neuenkirchen added that there are rumors that the US domestic producers will appeal the ruling around mid-October. He also said he believes that the final injury determination from the US International Trade Commission expected on October 14 is Mexico's last chance to not be shut out of the US market.
Commenting on possible new trade investigations, Neuenkirchen said that it is believed that US producers will file a complaint regarding Chinese hot rolled coil imports, which, in his view, could be concluded with an antidumping duty rate imposed on Chinese hot rolled coil.
