The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that it is launching an investigation into whether or not certain cold-rolled steel in coils or cut lengths originating in or exported from China, South Korea and Vietnam is being sold at unfair prices in Canada.

• These investigations will examine cold-rolled steel commonly used in the production and manufacture of a range of goods including household appliances, drums, tubing, furniture and strapping. These investigations do not cover cold-rolled steel used for automobile production.  

• The CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) both play a role in investigations. The CITT will begin a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the imports are harming Canadian producers and will issue a decision by July 24, 2018. 

• Concurrently, the CBSA will investigate whether the imports are being sold in Canada at unfair and/or subsidized prices, and will make preliminary decisions by August 23, 2018.

• A copy of the Statement of Reasons, which provides more details about these investigations, will be available on the CBSA’s website at www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi within 15 days.

• To address the evolving nature of trade and to ensure the well-being of industries like steel that are essential to the Canadian economy, Canada is modernizing its trade remedy system. As part of our commitment, the CBSA is working with its trading partners, the United States and Mexico, to strengthen our trade remedy systems, improve transparency and coordinate our efforts against unfair trade practices.

• In 2017, the Canadian steel industry employed more than 23,000 Canadians and contributed $4.2 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP). The Canadian aluminum industry employed 10,500 workers while contributing $4.7 billion to Canada’s GDP. These industries are vital suppliers to the Canadian manufacturing, energy, automotive and construction industries. 

Associated links

• Canada further strengthens trade enforcement to protect steel and aluminum workers and industries
• Canada acts to further prevent transshipment and diversion of steel and aluminum to protect North American workers against unfair trade
• Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) Investigative Process and Timeframes
• Overview of Canada's Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Investigative Processes
• Canada Border Services Agency, Anti-dumping and Countervailing
• Canadian International Trade Tribunal

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