UK extends anti-dumping duty on Chinese plate

The UK Government has agreed to the recommendation of the Office of Remedies (TRA) to extend anti-dumping duties on plate of Chinese origin for another five years from 1 March 2022.

The TRA issued its final decision on Wednesday after recommending in February that anti-dumping duties be maintained at 65.1-73.7% of the value of Chinese-origin heavy plate (see Kallanish passim). At the time, UK Steel CEO Gareth Stace said the move was "extremely important for British industry".

The UK plate industry consists of two manufacturers, Spartan UK Ltd and Liberty Steel Dalzell Ltd, employing about 300 people. The TRA investigation showed that the damage to British industry would be repeated if the anti-dumping amount was no longer applied. As a result, British manufacturers are unlikely to be able to compete, and this could lead to the closure of their factories in North Lincolnshire and North Lanarkshire.