Mexico has extended antidumping duties on Chinese carbon steel fittings, according to an economy ministry resolution published in the official gazette.
The duties were first imposed in 2004 at 81%, before being revised to US$2.07/kg in 2006 and then to US$1.05/kg in 2011.
Following a sunset review, required every five years under WTO rules, the economy ministry extended the duties for a further five years at US$1.05/kg, after an expression of interest by Tubos de Acero de México (TAMSA).
COLD-ROLLED SHEET
Mexico's economy ministry also extended antidumping duties on cold-rolled steel sheet imports from Russia and Kazakhstan.
The duties, imposed in 1999, will continue for five years at 15% for Russian imports and 22% for those from Kazakhstan, following an expression of interest from steelmaker Ternium México.
Dumping is a key threat to Mexican steelmakers, with China and Russia seen as among the biggest offenders.
Rising low-cost imports and falling steel prices, linked to Chinese overcapacity, has led Mexican producers to cut production and shed 10,000 jobs, with Altos Hornos de México (Ahmsa), DeAcero and ArcelorMittal warning of afurther 7,000 job losses unless import tariffs are imposed.
Chinese steel imports to Latin America increased 26% year-on-year in April to 822,000t, according to regional association Alacero.

July 3, 2015
Source: bnamericas.com