On 06 November the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) announced a preliminary determination of the investigation for remedial action in the form of safeguard measure against the increased imports of U, I, H, L and T sections of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, of a height of 80mm or more and other angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded steel products, classifiable in tariff subheadings 7004.90.90, 7005.29.17, 7005.29.23, 7005.29.25 and 7005.29.35, on which comment is due by 22 December 2020.
ITAC initiated the investigation in the Government Gazette of 19 June. Upon initiation, interested parties were invited to submit comments. On the basis of the information at ITAC’s disposal, it made a preliminary determination that the events cited by the Applicant (PFG Building Glass (Pty) Ltd, the only producer of the product in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) could be regarded as unforeseen developments.
ITAC made a preliminary determination that a reversal in the trend of import volumes had taken place, with the volume of imports decreasing significantly in recent years. The requirements set out by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Amended Safeguard Regulations (SGR) with regard to a surge in imports are therefore not met.
ITAC made a preliminary determination that although the SACU industry had experienced serious injury during the period of investigation, the injury experienced by the applicant could be attributed to factors other than the increase in imports and these factors sufficiently detracted from the causal link between the imports and the injury experienced by the industry.
ITAC therefore made a preliminary determination to recommend to the Trade, Industry and Competition Minister that the investigation be terminated.
The basis and reasons for ITAC’s findings are set out in ITAC’s Preliminary Report.
The Notices are accessible at:
https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202011/43872gen632.pdf
https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202006/43447gen335.pdf
Story by: Riaan de Lange
