COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2021/844

of 26 May 2021

terminating the anti-subsidy proceeding concerning imports of certain hot-rolled flat products of iron, non-alloy or other alloy steel originating in Turkey

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2016/1037 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Union (1), and in particular Article 14(1) thereof,

Whereas:

1. PROCEDURE

(1) On 12 June 2020, the European Commission (‘the Commission’) initiated an anti-subsidy investigation with regard to imports of certain hot-rolled flat products of iron, non-alloy or other alloy steel (‘the product under investigation’) originating in Turkey. The Commission published a Notice of Initiation in the Official Journal of the European Union (‘Notice of Initiation’) (2).

(2) The product under investigation is certain flat-rolled products of iron, non-alloy steel or other alloy steel, whether or not in coils (including ‘cut-to-length’ and ‘narrow strip’ products), not further worked than hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated, originating in Turkey. The following products are not covered by this investigation: — products of stainless steel and grain-oriented silicon electrical steel; — products of tool steel and high-speed steel; — products, not in coils, without patterns in relief, of a thickness exceeding 10 mm and of a width of 600 mm or more; and — products, not in coils, without patterns in relief, of a thickness of 4,75 mm or more but not exceeding 10 mm and of a width of 2 050 mm or more.

(3) The investigation was initiated following a complaint lodged by the European Steel Association (‘Eurofer’ or ‘the complainant’) on behalf of producers representing more than 25 % of the total Union production of the product under investigation. The complaint contained sufficient evidence of subsidisation and of a resulting injury to justify the initiation of the investigation.

(4) In the Notice of Initiation, the Commission invited interested parties to contact it in order to participate in the investigation. In addition, the Commission specifically informed the complainants, other known Union producers, the known exporting producers and the Turkish authorities, known importers, suppliers and users, traders, as well as associations known to be concerned about the initiation of the investigation and invited them to participate.

(5) All interested parties had an opportunity to comment on the initiation of the investigation and to request a hearing with the Commission and/or the Hearing Officer in trade proceedings within the time limit set in the Notice of Initiation.

2. WITHDRAWAL OF THE COMPLAINT AND TERMINATION OF THE PROCEEDING

(6) On 24 March 2021, the complainant informed the Commission that it withdrew the complaint.

(7) Under Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1037, proceedings may be terminated where the complaint is withdrawn, unless such termination would not be in the Union interest.

(8) The investigation had not brought to light any considerations showing that a continuation of the case would be in the Union interest.

(9) The Commission therefore concluded that anti-subsidy proceding concerning imports of certain hot-rolled flat products of iron, non-alloy or other alloy steel originating in Turkey should be terminated without the imposition of measures.

(10) Interested parties were informed accordingly and were given an opportunity to comment. No comments were received.

(11) The Decision is in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 15(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3),

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 The anti-subsidy proceding concerning imports of flat-rolled products of iron, non-alloy steel or other alloy steel, whether or not in coils (including ‘cut-to-length’ and ‘narrow strip’ products), not further worked than hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated, currently falling under CN codes 7208 10 00, 7208 25 00, 7208 26 00, 7208 27 00, 7208 36 00, 7208 37 00, 7208 38 00, 7208 39 00, 7208 40 00, 7208 52 10, 7208 52 99, 7208 53 10, 7208 53 90, 7208 54 00, 7211 13 00, 7211 14 00, 7211 19 00, ex 7225 19 10 (TARIC code 7225191090), 7225 30 90, ex 7225 40 60 (TARIC code 7225406090), 7225 40 90, ex 7226 19 10 (TARIC code 7226191090), 7226 91 91 and 7226 91 99, originating in Turkey, is terminated.

Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 26 May 2021. For the Commission The President Ursula VON DER LEYEN

(1) OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 55.

(2) Notice of initiation of an anti-subsidy proceeding concerning imports of certain hot-rolled flat products of iron, non-alloy or other alloy steel originating in Turkey (OJ C 197, 12.6.2020, p. 4).

(3) Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Union (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21).