WRITTEN QUESTION P-1606/98

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(11 May 1998)

Subject: Anti-dumping tariffs for steel producers

While anti-dumping measures are an important protectionist regulatory instrument, they may also give rise to economic problems for intra-Community enterprises.

It is understood that the Commission intends to impose anti-dumping tariffs on steel screws from Asia.

1. Is the Commission planning to take such measures? If so, how high will these tariffs be per tonne?

2. When is an anti-dumping tariff on the products referred to above likely to be introduced?

3. Does the measure concern only steel screws, or will other steel products also be affected?

4. Will all steel producers in the Far East be affected by the tariff policy? If not, to which producers is this anti-dumping arrangement to apply?

5. If the Commission sets different tariff rates, how will it calculate them?

6. How long is the Commission planning to maintain any such arrangement?

7. Through what channel and when at the earliest can the enterprises affected by the measure obtain information on the Commission's thoughts in this matter?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(11 June 1998)

The Honourable Member has raised a number of questions concerning anti-dumping tariffs on steel screws from Asia.

1. By Council Regulation (EC) 393/98 of 16 February 1998 the European Union imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of stainless steel fasteners and parts thereof originating in several Asian countries(1). The level of the duties varies depending on the country and company involved, ranging from 2,7 % to 74,70 % (duties are applicable to the net, free at Community frontier price).

2. The measures are applicable as from the day following their publication in the Official Journal that is 17 February 1998.

3. The measures are imposed on stainless steel fasteners and parts thereof, i.e. stainless steel screws, bolts and nuts falling under customs codes CN 7318 12 10, 7318 14 10, 7318 15 30, 7318 15 51, 7318 15 61, 7318 15 70 and 7318 16 30.

4. Only the products mentioned in the preceding point originating from the People's Republic of China, India, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand are covered by the anti-dumping measures.

5. These measures were calculated in accordance with the relevant anti-dumping legislation, i.e. Council Regulation (EC) 384/96 of 22 December 1995 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community(2). Accordingly, it was investigated whether the above mentioned imports were made at dumped prices, whether the dumped imports caused a material injury to the Community industry and whether it was in the Community interest to impose anti-dumping measures in order to redress this situation. In order to do so, all relevant information was requested to the parties concerned and investigations were conducted at their premises.

6. The measures are applicable for a period of five years. However the possibility of an interim review is foreseen in Article 11(3) of Council Regulation (EC) 384/96.

7. In line with the relevant anti-dumping legislation, the parties were informed at different stages of the proceedings that lead to the imposition of definitive anti-dumping measures. All companies concerned received exhaustive information and explanations concerning the way the duties applicable to them had been calculated. This was done immediately after the imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures by Commission Regulation (EC) 1732/97 of 4 September 1997. The parties concerned had the opportunity to comment on and discuss with the Commission's services the information disclosed to them. Their comments were duly taken into account before the Commission and the Council adopted their final decision.

(1) OJ L 50, 20.2.1998.

(2) OJ L 317, 6.12.1996; OJ L 128, 30.4.1998.