U.S. to continue with Anti-dumping Duty on Small-Sized GE Imports from China

According to the latest updates, U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has determined that revoking the existing anti-dumping duty on the imports of small diameter graphite electrodes from China would likely lead to recurrence of material injury within a foreseeable time. As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the existing anti-dumping duty order on the imports of small-sized GE imports from China will remain in place.

On 26 Feb, 2009, DoC issued an AD order on small diameter graphite electrodes from China. From 2005 to 2007, imports of graphite electrodes from China increased 81% by volume and were valued at an estimated $45 million in 2007. On June 23, 2014, DoC published the notice of continuation of the Order.

On May 1, 2019, Doc published the notice of initiation of the second sunset review of the Order. The scope of this investigation included all small diameter graphite electrodes of any length, whether or not finished, of a kind used in furnaces, with a nominal or actual diameter of 400 millimeters (16 inches) or less, and whether or not attached to a graphite pin joining system or any other type of joining system or hardware. Also covered by this investigation are graphite pin joining systems, whether or not the graphite pin joining system is attached to, sold with, or sold separately from, the small diameter graphite electrode. On receiving no substantiate response from the interested parties the U.S. DoC announced the continuation of the duty on small-sized GE imports from China on 6 Jan'2020 and the anti-dumping duty announced stands to be at 132.9%.

China's GE price overview

China's GE prices have turned stable since past few weeks amid light transactions due to Wuhan virus outbreak in the country. The current prices for 450mm HP grade electrodes are being heard in the range of RMB 11,000-12,000/MT and that of 600mm are in the range of RMB 27,000 -29,000/MT.

According to the market sources, the current downstream steel mills have relatively weak demand for electrodes, there is no significant change in the prices of electrode manufacturers, and the market is stable. In the short-term graphite electrode market with remain stable with light fluctuations.