The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) has called the US Department of Commerce’s (DOC) decision to levy antidumping (AD) duties on Canadian fabricated structural steel unlawful.
CISC indicated it would explore all avenues to rectify the decision, including options proferred under the existing North American Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization. A hearing on the case was set with the US International Trade Commission on Tuesday.
Canada risks a 6.7pc duty on its US-bound structural steel exports after the DOC levied AD duties on the material on January 24. These duties, in addition to countervailing duties were also levied against China and Mexico for structural steel.
Ed Whalen, president and chief executive officer of CISC, said the organization would seek the federal government’s assistance in fighting what he called a deliberate attempt to exclude Canadian participation in the US market.
On Feb 4, 2019, the American Institute of Steel Construction initiated the trade case on fabricated structural steel imports from the three countries. On September 4, 2019, the DOC announced there was little to no dumping evidence against Canada, signifying Canadian steel exports traded at fair market price. Canada was subsequently assessed a 0.69pc during a preliminary AD investigation, which was found too trifling. Canada was then given a 0pc provisional duty rate, until the latest DOC decision increased it.