Provisional Determination on Dumping of Korean and Chinese Steel

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have conducted a joint investigation since August 13, 2025, following the submission of applications on April 28, 2025, by Nippon Steel Corporation, NIPPON STEEL COATED SHEET CORPORATION, Kobe Steel, Ltd., and Yodoko Co., Ltd., four companies. The products covered are hot-dip galvanized steel strip and sheet from the Republic of Korea and the People's Republic of China.

On July 24, 2026, the two ministries announced that, after collecting evidence and carrying out procedures for interested parties, they had reached the presumption that dumped imports had occurred and that they had caused material injury and related effects to the Japanese industry.

The investigation will continue after the provisional determination, and the government is at the stage of determining whether antidumping duties should be imposed after receiving evidence and statements of views from interested parties.

The products covered are steel strip and sheet coated on the surface with hot-dip zinc for corrosion protection. They are mainly used as raw materials for building materials such as guardrails, housing, and fences, and for components of electrical appliances such as refrigerators. The Chinese region covered excludes Hong Kong and Macao.

The investigation provided interested parties with opportunities to submit evidence and express their views, and collected objective evidence from suppliers and others in Korea and China. Evidence and views concerning the provisional determination will continue to be accepted, and findings will be advanced under the WTO Agreement and relevant domestic laws. Ultimately, after determining whether dumping and material injury and related effects exist, the government will decide whether antidumping duties should be imposed.