Japan Provisionally Concludes South Korean and Chinese Steel Products Are 'Dumped,' Considers Tariffs

The Japanese government has provisionally concluded that imported steel products from South Korea and China constitute unfair low-priced sales, or dumping, and are harming its domestic industry, Kyodo News reported.

Japan's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced this provisional decision today (July 24) and plan to consider whether to impose anti-dumping tariffs on the South Korean and Chinese steel products hereafter.

The products provisionally judged by the Japanese government to be subject to dumping are hot-dip galvanized steel sheets and strips used for guardrails and housing building materials. According to reports, the prices of South Korean products sold in Japan were up to 43% lower than their domestic prices in South Korea, while Chinese products were up to 69% cheaper than their domestic prices in China.

This investigation follows a request filed in April of last year by four Japanese steel manufacturers, including Nippon Steel and Kobe Steel, claiming they were suffering damages.

In response, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry launched an anti-dumping investigation in August of last year.

Following this provisional decision, whether to impose anti-dumping tariffs is expected to be decided within this year.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama stated during a press conference after the Cabinet meeting today, "We will continue our investigation toward a final decision."

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.