U.S. Probes Unfair Steel Help from Algeria, Egypt
Published Date: 6/30/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. is starting investigations into whether steel concrete bars from Algeria, Egypt, and Vietnam are getting unfair government help. This could lead to extra taxes on these imports to protect American steel makers. The process kicked off on June 24, 2025, and could impact prices and trade soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
U.S. Opens CVD Probes on Rebar Imports
On June 24, 2025, the Department of Commerce started countervailing duty (CVD) investigations into steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) from Algeria, Egypt, and Vietnam to determine whether those imports receive countervailable subsidies. The petitioner filed the petitions on June 4, 2025, and Commerce found that the petitions were filed on behalf of the U.S. domestic rebar industry.
Company-Specific Subsidy Rates and Respondent Selection
Commerce intends to calculate company-specific subsidy rates in these CVD investigations and, if the number of companies is large, may select mandatory respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) import data. Commerce released CBP import data under administrative protective order on June 23, 2025 to parties with APO access.
Which Programs Commerce Is Reviewing
Commerce initiated CVD investigations on a set number of alleged subsidy programs for each country: 24 programs for Algeria, 25 programs for Egypt, and 39 programs for Vietnam. These counts are the basis for the country-specific initiation checklists referenced in the notice.
Which Rebar Is Covered (HTS Codes Listed)
The investigations cover steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) in straight length or coil form and list primary HTSUS classifications including 7213.10.0000, 7214.20.0000, and 7228.30.8010, among others. The scope explicitly excludes plain rounds (nondeformed or smooth rebar).
Algeria's WTO Status Noted for Proceedings
The notice states that Algeria is not a member of the World Trade Organization and notes uncertainty about whether Algeria is a 'Subsidies Agreement Country' under the Tariff Act provisions that apply to Egypt and Vietnam. Commerce says it considered the petitioner's injury allegation for Algeria for purposes of initiation despite that uncertainty.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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The U.S. is starting investigations to see if steel concrete bars from Algeria, Bulgaria, Egypt, and Vietnam are being sold unfairly cheap in America. This affects steel companies here who say they’re getting hurt by these imports. If unfair pricing is found, extra taxes could be added soon to protect U.S. businesses and jobs.