U.S. finds Mexico, Turkey rebar steel imports dumped

The United Steelworkers (USW), Pittsburgh, has affirmed the preliminary determination by the U.S. Department of Commerce that rebar steel imports from Mexico and Turkey are unfairly being dumped into the U.S. market, threatening the jobs of U.S. workers.

USW International President Leo W. Gerard said, "We are satisfied that the level of duties on Mexican producers will level the playing field to stop more job losses in domestic rebar, but we are disappointed with the government's findings on Turkish producers and are expectant that further verifications will show the proposed duties need to be increased."

The Commerce Department announced companies in Mexico and Turkey will be subject to immediate duties on steel rebar, requiring a cash bond or deposit posted in the amount of the newly imposed duties. The duties will be from 10 percent to 66 percent for Mexican companies. For Turkish companies, the duties will be 2.6 percent.

U.S. petitioner companies include Gerdau Ameristeel of Tampa, Fla.; Cascade Steel Rolling Mills of McMinnville, Ore.; and Commercial Metals of Irving, Texas. The Commerce Department is scheduled to announce its final determinations in July.

According to congressional lawmakers, rebar is one of the largest-volume steel products produced in the U.S., employing more than 10,000 workers in over 30 states. Rebar imports from Turkey and Mexico have been surging into the U.S., nearly doubling from 2011 to 2013.