The CBSA Launches Anti-Dumping Investigation Into Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Several Countries and Territories

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that it is launching an investigation on whether certain concrete reinforcing bar originating in or exported from Belarus, Portugal, Spain, Japan, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is being sold at unfair prices in Canada.

The investigation is the result of a complaint filed by ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada (Contrecoeur, QC), AltaSteel Ltd. (Edmonton, AB) and Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation (Whitby, ON). The complainants allege that as a result of price undercutting from the subject countries/territories, Canadian producers face lost revenue and market share, resulting in reduced production and employment.

Currently, there are 48 special import measures in force, covering a wide variety of industrial and consumer products, from steel products to refined sugar. These measures have directly helped to protect the Canadian economy and jobs in Canada. Note that there is currently a special import measure in place since December 2014 on concrete reinforcing bar from China, South Korea and Turkey.

Quick Facts

• Concrete reinforcing bar is used almost exclusively in the construction industry to provide reinforcement to concrete and masonry structures.

• The CBSA and theCanadian International Trade Tribunal(CITT) both play a role in the investigation. The CITT will begin a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the imports are harming the Canadian producers and will issue a decision by October 18, 2016.

• Concurrently, the CBSA will investigate whether the imports are being sold in Canada at unfair prices, and will make a preliminary decision by November 17, 2016.

• More details about this investigation will be available on the CBSA website atwww.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsiwithin the next 15 days.