HOME > Chairman's Comments > Statement concerning Thailand’s Extension of Anti-dumping Measures for Hot-rolled Sheets and Plates

Chairman's Comments

Statement concerning Thailand’s Extension of Anti-dumping Measures for Hot-rolled Sheets and Plates

May 26, 2009

Shoji Muneoka

Chairman

The Japan Iron and Steel Federation

The government of Thailand recently announced its intention of extending for another five years its anti-dumping measures for hot-rolled steel sheets and plates imported from 14 countries, including Japan.

Almost all of the hot-rolled sheets imported by Thailand from Japan are high-grade products used for the production of cold-rolled sheets that are supplied to Japanese companies in Thailand as well as Thai companies. It is obvious that the expiry of these anti-dumping measures would not lead to continuation or recurrence of injuries to Thai domestic industry. Consequently, this decision by the government of Thailand is clearly inappropriate and regrettable.

According to the announcement, the government of Thailand will not apply anti-dumping measures to hot-rolled sheets that are imported for cold-rolling and supplied to manufacturers of automobiles, electrical machinery and other products. This exemption will reduce the impact of anti-dumping measures on downstream industries in Thailand to some extent. However, leaving these measures in place is certain to have a negative impact on industrial activity in Thailand.

The Japanese Steel Industry will carefully study this decision and, after holding discussions with Japanese government officials, determine the proper course of action.

Top of Page