Commerce Probes Thai-Finished Chinese Steel
Published Date: 7/6/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce is checking if certain corrosion-resistant steel products made in China but finished in Thailand are sneaking around existing trade rules. This affects steel companies like Nucor and Steel Dynamics, who want these products to face the same duties as Chinese steel. Starting July 6, 2026, this inquiry could lead to new duties and impact steel prices and imports.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Inquiry Could Extend China Duties
Commerce has started a country-wide inquiry, effective July 6, 2026, to determine whether corrosion-resistant steel (CORE) completed in Thailand using Chinese-origin components should be covered by existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on CORE from China. If Commerce includes these products in the orders, those imports could face the same duties as Chinese CORE and that could affect U.S. importers and downstream buyers of steel.
Suspension of Liquidation, Cash Deposits Apply
Commerce notified U.S. Customs and Border Protection to continue suspension of liquidation for entries subject to this circumvention inquiry and to apply the cash deposit rate that would apply if the product is found covered by the Orders. Commerce published the initiation on July 6, 2026.
Questionnaires and Penalties for Nonresponse
Commerce intends to issue questionnaires to producers and exporters in Thailand about their CORE production and shipments to the U.S. Companies that fail to fully respond may face partial or total facts available, which can include adverse inferences under the statute.
Decision Timetable: 150 and 300 Days
Commerce intends to issue a preliminary circumvention determination within 150 days and a final determination within 300 days from the July 6, 2026 publication of this initiation notice. These deadlines set when Commerce expects to make formal findings in the inquiry.
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