Vietnam's Wheels Investigated for Chinese Steel Shenanigans
Published Date: 3/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce is checking if steel wheels made in Vietnam using Chinese steel are sneaking around import rules meant for Chinese wheels. This could affect companies importing these wheels and might lead to new duties or restrictions starting March 19, 2026. Domestic wheel makers like Accuride and Maxion pushed for this to protect their business from unfair competition.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Country-wide Circumvention Inquiry Launched
The Department of Commerce has initiated a country-wide circumvention inquiry, effective March 19, 2026, to determine whether certain on-the-road steel wheels finished in Vietnam using hot-rolled steel produced in China are evading the U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty orders on Chinese steel wheels. The inquiry covers the subject merchandise (including nominal rim diameters 22.5 and 24.5 inches) exported from Vietnam to the United States.
Suspension of Liquidation & Cash Deposits
Commerce will notify U.S. Customs and Border Protection to continue suspension of liquidation and to apply cash deposit rates that would apply if the Vietnam-finished products are determined to be covered by the Orders. Commerce will also instruct CBP to begin suspension of liquidation and cash deposits for unliquidated entries entered on or after March 19, 2026, and may direct suspension for certain unliquidated entries entered after November 4, 2021 (but not prior to that date).
Questionnaires, Respondent Selection, and Penalties
Commerce intends to issue questionnaires to producers and exporters in Vietnam and will select respondents using U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data placed on the record within five days of this notice; comments on the CBP data and respondent selection are due within seven days after placement. Companies that fail to fully respond to Commerce's information requests risk the application of facts available, including adverse inferences under sections 776(a) and 776(b) of the Tariff Act, which can lead to higher duties.
Timing: Preliminary and Final Deadlines
Commerce intends to issue a preliminary circumvention determination no later than 150 days after publication (no later than August 16, 2026) and a final determination within 300 days after publication (no later than January 13, 2027), unless the inquiries are rescinded or extended. These deadlines set when any preliminary or final decisions about duties, scope inclusion, or other measures could be made.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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