UK set to support Ukrainian steel imports

The UK is considering temporarily lifting anti-dumping duties on hot rolled flat and coiled steel (HRFC) from Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.

The move is part of a general review of tariffs on HRFC imported from Russia, Ukraine, Brazil and Iran being undertaken by the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), the UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports.

It is reviewing a number of trade measures following Britain’s departure from the European Union, decisions previously taken by the Commission. It is also looking at imports of stainless steel rods and bars from India.

In a statement, the TRA says it has assessed information provided to it by the government of Ukraine against three conditions:

• Whether there has been a change to market conditions
• Whether the effect of this change is temporary
• The effect of this change on UK industry

‘The TRA has made an initial assessment that these three conditions have been met following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year and will now investigate this further,’ it concludes. The suspension would be short-term and no more than nine months in duration. Before making its recommendation, the TRA must give UK industry n opportunity to comment on the proposed suspension.

TRA chief executive Oliver Griffiths says: ‘We have launched two transition reviews into measures on steel products, spanning imports from from India, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil and Iran.

‘Alongside this, following a request from the government of Ukraine, we will investigate whether a suspension of measures on certain Ukrainian steel products is justified because of changed market conditions after the Russian invasion.’