METI Reports Unfair Trades and Counteractions

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced on Tuesday the unfair trade report for fiscal 2006 started April. METI reported it pressures US government on antidumping duty for hot rolled flat steel through the bilateral talk and dispute settlement body of World Trade Organization to comply with recommendation by DSB of WTO after agreement with USA that Japan retains the right to retaliate against USA. The report also argues China should comply with WTO agreement on export regulation of coke and antidumping duty for stainless cold rolled steel. METI concerns Thai antidumping for Japanese hot coil and Malaysian higher tariff for flat steel could violate WTO agreement. The ministry will keep an eye on Russian move on the safeguard for large diameter welded steel pipe when Russia failed to submit report by the deadline after the extension. USA’s antidumping duty, which was decided in 1999, was proved not to comply with WTO agreement in 2001 and WTO recommended the correction. However, USA failed to comply with the recommendation even after 3 times extension of the deadline. Japan agreed with USA in July 2005 it retains the right to retaliate against USA after Japan confirmed USA’s willingness to realize the recommendation. METI will keep seeking early implementation of the recommendation.