Australia considers extending anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese galvanized steel

The ADC launched a continuation inquiry on September 9 into whether the anti-dumping duties should remain in place after its current term expires on August 16, 2027, the Trade Remedies Authority said.

The measure was first imposed on galvanized steel from Vietnam, India and Malaysia on August 16, 2017, and was extended for another five years in 2022.

In 2017, the ADC determined a dumping margin of 8.4 percent for a 'cooperative' producer in Vietnam and 14.2 percent for 'uncooperative' and all other Vietnamese exporters, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

BlueScope filed an application to continue the anti-dumping duties beyond August 16, 2027, arguing that exports of galvanized steel from Vietnam, India and Malaysia could increase again if the measure expires.

The Australian company said such an increase could put downward pressure on steel prices and harm domestic producers.

After reviewing BlueScope's application, market developments, excess steel production capacity and trade trends, the ADC found that the Australian industry could continue to suffer injury if the anti-dumping duties were allowed to expire.

The finding is preliminary and does not constitute a final determination, according to the ADC.

The period covered by the investigation is from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, according to the Trade Remedies Authority.

Exporters and other interested parties have until October 16, 2026 to submit their questionnaire responses and comments in the case, the authority said.

The ADC is scheduled to issue its Statement of Essential Facts (SEF), a preliminary report forming the basis for its final findings, on January 4, 2027.

Interested parties will have 20 days after the SEF is issued to submit comments, while the ADC Commissioner is expected to submit a report and recommendation to Australia's Minister for Industry, Science and Resources on February 11, 2027 for consideration.

The ADC's current inquiry covers flat rolled iron or steel products plated or coated with zinc, commonly known as galvanized steel, exported to Australia from Vietnam, India and Malaysia.

The goods covered by the inquiry do not include painted or pre-painted galvanized steel, electro-galvanized steel, corrugated galvanized steel, or zinc-alloy coated or plated steel, according to the commission.

Vietnamese companies involved in exporting galvanized steel include Hoa Phat, Nam Kim and Hoa Sen, among others, according to the Trade Remedies Authority.

In response to the Australian inquiry, the authority has asked Vietnamese steelmakers to promptly assign personnel, collect relevant data and fully respond to questions from the Australian authorities.

The agency also urged companies to prepare arguments to counter the view that Vietnamese galvanized steel exports could increase significantly and cause injury to Australia's domestic steel industry if the measure expires.

Incomplete or late responses, or a failure to cooperate with the inquiry, could put Vietnamese companies at a disadvantage, the authority warned.

It recommended that businesses maintain regular communication with the authority if they face difficulties with data, requests for additional information or Australia's verification process.

Several Vietnamese galvanized steel companies told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper that such inquiries are 'normal' in the industry and that they are preparing their submissions before the deadline.