June 21, 2005

JAPANESE STEEL INDUSTRY CRITICIZES U.S. REFUSAL
TO REPEAL HOT-ROLLED STEEL ANTIDUMPING ORDER

New York - "The Japanese steel industry believes that the U. S. International Trade Commission decision not to terminate the anti-dumping duty order on stainless steel sheet and strip is inconsistent with international law," Hidenori Tazawa, Chairman, Japan Steel Information Center, said today.

"Japanese producers believe that the case for terminating the antidumping order was clear, and that this decision is inconsistent with the facts of the case and the standard for repeal dictated by international law. We hope that in forthcoming sunset reviews involving Japan, the ITC will more carefully consider the facts and the appropriate standards."

In a "sunset" investigation required under U.S. law and WTO rules, the ITC determined that the 1999 order should remain, noting that injury from the dumping of these products was likely to recur if the order was repealed.

"This decision was not justified," Mr. Tazawa continued. "Japanese exports to the U.S. declined sharply over the period reviewed. The Japanese industry has been focusing on its home market and nearby markets in Asia which are experiencing rapid growth. That growth, and the regional focus, are expected to continue. Japanese producers serve only a small end-user market in the United States that the U.S. industry either cannot or will not supply. The public record from this sunset review showed that the U.S. industry placed customers on allocation or even denied supply during the period examined by the ITC. Such a record does not support continuation of the dumping order. "

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