The U.S. Commerce Department has announced the imposition of preliminary anti-dumping duties on tin-plated steel imports from Canada, Germany, and China. This decision, aimed at addressing alleged foreign dumping in the tin-plate sector, comes as a relief for food can manufacturers who were concerned about potentially higher tariffs.
The Commerce Department will apply the highest preliminary anti-dumping duty of 122.5% on tin mill steel imported from China, including its largest producer, Baoshan Iron and Steel. Germany-based producers, including Thyssenkrupp, will face preliminary duties of 7.02%, while Canadian producers like ArcelorMittal will face 5.29% preliminary duties on their imports.
Notably, imports from Britain, the Netherlands, South Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey will not face any duties. This decision was prompted by findings that Canada, Germany, and China were selling tin mill steel below domestic market prices. China’s higher rates were due to a lack of cooperation during the investigation, and other respondents couldn’t prove independence from the Chinese government.
While these duties are less onerous than initially feared, concerns about rising material costs and food prices due to tariffs remain. The Can Manufacturers Institute expressed gratitude that the Commerce Department did not impose the high duties requested by Cleveland-Cliffs, the petitioner. The group hopes that the final determination will eliminate proposed duties on Canadian and German tin mill steel.
Around half of U.S. tin mill steel imports come from the five countries not facing duties, with China accounting for about 14%, and Canada and Germany for approximately 30%.
The tariff decision coincides with Cleveland-Cliffs’ buyout offer to major competitor U.S. Steel, a move to consolidate American steel producers. Cleveland-Cliffs’ Chairman has consistently advocated maintaining the 25% “Section 232” national security tariffs on imported steel, initially imposed by the Trump administration.