US announced decision on corrosion-resistant steel imports originating from the UAE

The US Department of Commerce announced that it has made a preliminary positive “critical condition” determination in its ongoing investigation into imports of certain corrosion-resistant steel products (CORE) originating from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the decision published in the Official Gazette of the United States, the ministry has determined that no such situation exists for CORE products originating in South Africa.

Within the scope of the investigation covering the period from July 2023 to June 2024, it was stated that a negative critical status decision was made for UAE-based producers Al-Ghurair Iron and Steel and United Iron and Steel Company, while a positive critical status determination was made for all other CORE producers in the UAE.

On the South African side, it was stated that a negative decision was made for all producers, including Duferco Steel Processing.

Giant US Steel Producers and Trade Unions Behind the Investigation

Giant US steel producers such as Nucor, US Steel, Wheeling-Nippon, Steel Dynamics and various trade unions representing the employees of the sector are among the complaining parties of this investigation launched against CORE products.

Products and HTSUS Codes within the Scope of the Investigation

CORE products subject to the investigation within the scope of the US Customs Tariff Schedule (HTSUS), 7210.30.0030, 7210.30.0060, 7210.41.0000, 7210.49.0030, 7210. 49.0040, 7210.49.0045, 7210.49.0091, 7210.49.0095, 7210.61.0000, 7210.69.0000, 7210.70.6030, 7210.70.6060, 7210.70.6090, 7210.90.6000, 7210.90.9000, 7212.20.0000, 7212.30.1030, 7212.30.1090, 7212.30. 3000, 7212.30.5000, 7212.40.1000, 7212.40.5000, 7212.50.0000, 7212.60.0000, 7225.91.0000, 7225.92.0000, 7226.99.0110, 7226.99.0130, 7210.90.1000, 7215.90.1000, 7215.90.3000, 7215.90.5000, 7217.20.1500, 7217. 30.1530, 7217.30.1560, 7217.90.1000, 7217.90.5030, 7217.90.5060, 7217.90.5090, 7225.99.0090, 7226.99.0180, 7228.60.6000, 7228.60.8000 and 7229.90.1000.

The course of the investigation and the final decisions are expected to closely affect UAE and South Africa-based producers' access to the US market in the coming period.