The UK Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) is reviewing whether the tariff-rate quota measure on category 2 steel – cold rolled coil – imports should be revoked, following an application made by Tata Steel UK. The authority’s preliminary view is the change in UK market conditions warrants the revocation.
The product in question falls under HS codes 72091500, 72091690, 72091790, 72091891, 72092500, 72092690, 72092790, 72092890, 72099020, 72099080, 72112320, 72112330, 72112380, 72112900, 72119020, 72119080, 72255020, 72255080, 72262000 and 72269200.
The current safeguard measure is due to expire on 30 June 2026.
The application suggests that as a result of a lasting change of circumstances, UK producers would cease to suffer serious injury if the safeguarding remedy were revoked.
Tata Steel ceased ironmaking in the UK in September and plans to resume crude steelmaking via the electric arc furnace route only in late 2027 (see Kallanish passim).
The period of investigation is set as 1 January 2024 to 21 October 2024. The quota measure was extended on 1 July 2024, but the relevant period of investigation for that extension review ended on 31 March 2023. Interested parties must submit comments by 24 November.
“Based on the application received from TSUK, and the evidence provided by them, it is the TRA’s preliminary view that the conditions in Regulation 35A(4) apply and that a recommendation should be made to the Secretary of State to revoke the definitive safeguarding measure of Category 2 steel products,” TRA concludes.
Separately, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade has accepted the TRA’s recommendation to maintain the 60.4% anti-dumping duty on imports of steel ropes and cables from China, protecting the UK’s £36 million ($45.6m) industry. The measure was among those inherited from the EU. The TRA conducted a transition review to establish whether it was still suitable for the UK’s needs.
In its final recommendation, the TRA recommended the anti-dumping measure be maintained for a further five years until 21 April 2028. The 60.4% duty also applies to some South Korean and Moroccan producers; however, the remainder from these jurisdictions are levied with zero duty.
Adam Smith Poland