Jakarta probes steel dumping

The Indonesian Anti-Dumping Committee has commenced an investigation into the alleged dumping of cold-rolled steel from Viet Nam, mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan, announced Viet Nam Competition Administration deputy director Vu Ba Phu.

The investigation arises from a petition recently lodged by steel producer PT Krakatau Steel. The Indonesian Anti-Dumping Committee (KADI) accepted the investigation because Indonesian customs data showed that cold-rolled steel imports from those countries had increased by over 57 per cent over the same period last year.

“According to the World Trade Organisation’s Anti-Dumping Agreement, if Vietnamese rolled steel accounted for 3 per cent or less of Indonesia’s total steel imports, it wouldn’t be investigated for dumping and Viet Nam’s steel exporters would be dropped from the legal action,” Phu said.

“If the plaintiff is not eligible to sue, Viet Nam may request Indonesian authorities consider rejecting anti-dumping investigations of cold rolled steel imported from Viet Nam into Indonesia,” Phu said. “Meanwhile, steel producers and trade associations should actively co-operate with the foreign investigation by providing clear and sufficient evidence that no dumping on the Indonesian market occurred.”

Producers should review their production, business and export records to collect figures and prepare financial reports for the investigation, he said. They should co-operate closely with the Viet Nam Steel Association and State offices to receive advice and technical support aimed at making an effective response to the foreign investigation.

The Viet Nam Competition Administration was working with the General Department of Customs, steel producers and the association to make a timely response.

This was a complex lawsuit, so the producers and the association should employ lawyers and auditors to support them through the duration of the legal action, he added.

Vietnamese steel exports to Indonesia rose 119.35 per cent in the first quarter of this year to a total value of US$61.5 million, said the Trade Office of Viet Nam in Indonesia, while exports of steel products rose 82.11 per cent and reached a value of $3.3 million. — VNS

Tags: Vietnam steel industry, Vietnam steel market, Vietnam steel prices