Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has extended safeguard duties on certain welded iron and steel pipes through November 5, 2029. The duty will be set at 19% from November 6, 2026, and will fall by one percentage point each year.
The rate will drop to 18% on November 6, 2027, and to 17% on November 6, 2028. The measure will expire on November 6, 2029. It covers welded pipes with circular, square or rectangular cross-sections, including conical and pyramidal forms.
The decision followed a review launched on June 17, 2026. The ministry found that imports increased in both absolute and relative terms between 2022 and 2025. While domestic producers improved several performance indicators, the ministry said the recovery was too recent and fragile to be considered lasting.
The ministry also cited expanding global steel production capacity and stronger trade protections in other markets as factors that could drive further imports if the duties were removed. It concluded that extending the measure was necessary to remedy and prevent serious injury to domestic producers, who are taking steps to improve their competitiveness.
Imports from a number of developing WTO members will remain exempt. The list includes India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Brazil. The ministry may revise the list based on import data; suppliers whose share exceeds the 3% threshold could be brought within the scope of the measure.
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