*EPF208 05/23/00
Commerce Dept. Rules Cold-Rolled Steel From Four Markets Dumped
(USITC still must make injury determination on duties) (300)

Washington -- The U.S. Department of Commerce has ruled that cold-rolled steel from China, Indonesia, Slovakia and Taiwan was dumped on the U.S. market.

In its affirmative final determination announced May 23, the department calculated dumping margins ranging from 14 to 163 percent.

Imposition of antidumping duties requires affirmative final determinations both from Commerce on dumping and from the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) on injury to U.S. industry.

The USITC final determination is expected in June or July. In the meantime the U.S. Customs Service will collect a cash deposit or bond on any subject imports; it would return the money after a negative determination.

In parallel cases, the USITC has already rejected antidumping duties on cold-rolled steel from Brazil, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Venezuela even though the Commerce Department ruled that dumping had occurred; the commissioners determined that the imports did not injure or threaten U.S. industry.

In the present cases the Commerce Department calculated dumping margins as follows:

-- China: 23.72 percent country-wide.

-- Indonesia: PT Krakatau, 83.79 percent; all others, 43.90 percent.

-- Slovakia: V.S.Z., a.s., 163.89 percent; all others, 109.21 percent.

-- Taiwan: China Steel Corporation, 14.97 percent; all others, 14.97 percent.

U.S. imports of cold-rolled steel in 1998 amounted to $45.2 million from China, $30.2 million from Indonesia, $25.5 million from Slovakia and $19.1 million from Taiwan.

Dumping is the export of goods at below the price in the home market or a third market or below the cost of production.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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