The Ministry of Industry and Trade recently announced that on July 16, 2025, the European Commission (EC) issued an official notice to apply anti-dumping measures (AD) on some hot-rolled steel products imported from Egypt, Japan and Vietnam into the European Union (EU) market. This is the next step after a nearly year-long investigation to protect the domestic industry from unfair competition.

The investigation was initiated on 8 August 2024 following a complaint by the European Steel Association. The EC focused on hot-rolled steel products – including product codes in headings 7208, 7211, 7225 and 7226. However, some specific steels were excluded from the scope of the measures, including stainless steels, grain-oriented silicon electrical steels, special tool steels with high hardness and steels with thicknesses and widths exceeding certain thresholds.

The anti-dumping investigation period is determined from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, while the damage investigation period lasts from the beginning of 2021 to the end of the first quarter of 2024.

According to the EC's official conclusion, the dumping margin for imported goods from Vietnam ranges from 0% to 12.1%, unchanged from the preliminary conclusion announced in April 2025. These tax rates are determined based on data provided by Vietnamese enterprises, along with appropriate adjustments according to EU regulations.

In addition, the EC also determined that the EU hot-rolled steel industry has suffered significant damage due to the impact of low-priced imports, as shown by a decline in market share, profits, investment and the number of workers in the industry.

A notable point in the case is the plaintiff's allegation that the Vietnamese Government's export tax policy has indirectly helped lower the prices of input materials such as iron ore and coal, thereby creating an unfair competitive advantage for Vietnamese steel exporters.

However, the EC concluded that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate this allegation. According to the investigating agency, Vietnamese companies during the investigation period mainly imported iron ore and coking coal from many different countries, because domestic supplies were not guaranteed in terms of both quality and quantity. Therefore, raw material prices were not significantly affected by domestic policies.

The EU’s imposition of anti-dumping duties could affect the competitiveness of Vietnam’s hot-rolled steel industry in the European market – one of the key export markets. In the context of slowing global steel demand, Vietnamese enterprises will face increasing pressure in both consumption markets and costs of complying with international trade regulations.

It is expected that the anti-dumping tax rates will be effective for a period of 5 years and may be extended after review.

Vietnam's main steel exporting enterprises include Hoa Phat ( HPG ), Formosa Ha Tinh, Nam Kim ( NKG ), Ton Dong A, Pomina ( POM )... Of which, Hoa Phat and Formosa are the two largest hot rolled steel coil producers, accounting for the majority of export output to the EU.

The imposition of anti-dumping tax from 0% to 12.1% has made it difficult for many businesses to maintain orders and compete on price. Some units are proactively shifting their market to the US and ASEAN, while investing in technological improvements to meet stricter export standards from Europe.

(Source: Nguoiquansat)

--
Oristar – Leading Metal Supplier in Asia
⚡ Core product lines: Copper, Aluminum, Steel
⚡ Main product grades provided by Oristar: Aluminum alloys, Copper alloys, Aluminum alloy plates, Aluminum coil grades, Tool steel, Special steel: A5052, A6061, A7075, C1100, C2680, C3604, SUS303, SUS304, SKD11, SKD61,...
For product consultation, please contact:
⚡ Hotline: 0988 750 686
⚡ Email: info@oristar.vn
⚡ Zalo OA
⚡ ️Website E-commerce
⚡ Official Website