The Vietnam Trade Remedies Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade announced that the UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has proposed adjustments to the list of developing countries eligible for exemptions and changes to tariff rate quotas on steel products.
This development follows a review of data, which indicated changed circumstances since the application of quotas on certain steel products, including altered import volumes from specific developing countries. As a result, TRA self-initiated a review of the safeguard measures imposed on various steel product categories to consider quota modifications.
The investigation scrutinized 14 groups of steel products. Following this process, TRA proposed adjustments to the list of developing countries granted exemptions.
Specifically, TRA suggested removing six developing countries from the exclusion list for safeguard measures: Vietnam, China, India, the UAE, Greece, and Turkey. This proposal is based on each country surpassing a 3% import market share threshold during the investigation period (January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024) compared to the representative period for assessing traditional trade flows from 2017 to 2019.
TRA concluded that the remaining quotas for steel groups 5, 16, 17, and 21 were fully utilized in at least one quarter during the investigation period, with many other groups recording high quota utilization.
Additionally, TRA acknowledged significant changes in global and UK steel demand, deeming these altered circumstances as a justification for quota adjustments to alleviate pressure on the UK steel industry.
Consequently, TRA recommended the following quota modifications: Unused quotas will not be carried over to the subsequent quarter; countries allocated individual quotas will not be permitted to utilize residual quotas in the final quarter; and from October 1, 2025, a ceiling will be imposed on residual quotas for groups 4, 7, and 13, set at 40%.
Regarding Vietnam, the UK plans to modify quota allocations for the following groups:
Along with these proposals, TRA invited concerned parties to submit comments on the final conclusion report by 11:59 PM (UK time) on May 26, 2025, via the Trade Remedies Service system or by emailing Trade Remedies. Comments should be accompanied by a public version or summary of the submission.
WTO member countries affected by these adjustments who wish to consult with the UK can send requests to the UK Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, and agree on a suitable time for consultations.
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