METI Blame Protectionism for Steel Trade

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry criticized unfair steel trade policy of foreign countries in the report on compliance by major trading partners with trade agreements, announced on Wednesday. METI requests strongly the repeal of unfair trade by USA including the Byrd Amendment and zeroing practice, which raises the antidumping duty for petitioners. METI requests USA to comply with recommendations of World Trade Organization on AD measures against hot rolled steel import from Japan.

METI tries to repeal of the import restriction by India, higher steel import tariffs by Russia. METI seeks China to improve the export restriction of coke and rare earths. METI also seeks to improve Chinese export quota control for rare earth when China has reduced the quota in recent years, which could violate the protocol of accession to WTO.

METI requires the repeal of Russian import safeguard on large diameter steel tubular from Japan. METI argues high grade steel pipe from Japan doesn’t injure Russian pipe makers’ interests.