Regarding the dossier requesting investigation to apply anti-dumping measures on imported hot-rolled steel (HRC), the Ministry of Industry and Trade is appraising and the handling of the case will be conducted publicly, transparently and objectively according to the provisions of the law on trade defense (PVTM) of Vietnam and the WTO. This is emphasized by Mr. Chu Thang Trung - Deputy Director of the Department of Trade Defense, Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The investigation and handling of the case will be conducted publicly, transparently, objectively and in accordance with the provisions of Vietnam's PVTM law and the WTO. Photo: HP

Sir, regarding the proposal to investigate anti-dumping of imported hot-rolled steel (HRC), some steel enterprises have conflicting opinions on the matter. Could you please elaborate on this issue?

Recently, the Trade Remedies Authority (Ministry of Industry and Trade) received a request for application of trade remedies (anti-dumping) from a number of domestic manufacturing enterprises on HRC steel products imported from India and China. Currently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is assessing the completeness and validity of the request documents. The results of the assessment will be notified to relevant parties according to regulations.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Law on Foreign Trade Management, in case an enterprise finds signs of dumping of imported goods into Vietnam causing damage to the domestic manufacturing industry, the representative of the domestic manufacturing industry can submit a request to apply anti-dumping measures.

Based on the opinions and evidence of all relevant parties and ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of businesses in this case, the Investigation Agency will conduct a detailed appraisal of the records in accordance with the provisions of law to report to the Minister of Industry and Trade to decide whether or not to investigate.

The investigation and handling process will be conducted publicly, transparently, objectively and in accordance with the provisions of Vietnam's SPS law and the WTO. The Ministry of Industry and Trade as well as the SPS Department will provide information to the press and businesses.

Mr. Chu Thang Trung - Deputy Director of the Department of Plant Protection

Could you please give more details about the process and time limit for investigating and applying PVTM measures?

According to the provisions of the Law on Trade Remedies of Vietnam, within 15 days from the date of receipt of the dossier requesting the application of anti-dumping measures, the Investigation Agency (Department of Trade Remedies, Ministry of Industry and Trade) will notify the requesting party of the completeness and validity of the request dossier. If the dossier is not complete and valid, the Investigation Agency will notify the requesting party to submit additional dossiers.

Within 45 days from the date of notification of complete and valid dossier, based on the recommendation of the Investigation Agency, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will decide whether to investigate or not. In addition, the time limit for applying anti-dumping measures is 12 months from the date of the decision to investigate and if necessary, the investigation period can be extended by 6 months.

During the investigation, the PVTM Department will request relevant parties to provide evidence for comprehensive and objective consideration. From there, this agency will make recommendations and the Ministry of Industry and Trade will make the final conclusion on whether to impose taxes or not and at what rate. Even if the Ministry of Industry and Trade decides to initiate an investigation, no measures will be applied to imported steel.

Through the case of requesting an anti-dumping investigation into HRC steel, how has the Department of Trade Remedies promoted the monitoring and protection of legitimate interests of domestic manufacturing industries in recent times, sir?

In recent times, along with increasing warnings about risks of trade remedy investigations into Vietnam's export goods, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has also promoted the application of reasonable trade remedy measures, in accordance with international commitments... against unfair competition, thereby creating conditions for domestic manufacturing industries to develop, creating more jobs and added value for the economy.

To date, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has initiated investigations into 27 PVTM cases. The items subject to investigation are relatively diverse, including metal products (aluminum, steel, welding materials), chemicals-plastics (sorbitol, BOPP film), construction materials (MDF boards, float glass), basic consumer goods (MSG, cane sugar, HFCS liquid sugar), many of which have a close relationship and are especially important to the lives of farmers.

From a consumer perspective, long-term trade remedies help the economy not to be completely dependent on imports, providing stability and better resilience to external impacts and shocks. In many cases, applying trade remedies to basic materials also helps increase the ability to take advantage of commitments in free trade agreements while reducing the risk of Vietnam being investigated by foreign countries for evading trade remedies because we have been proactive and protected the source of domestically produced raw materials.

However, the investigation process to apply trade remedies to any imported goods is always conducted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese law and WTO regulations. In the coming time, we will continue to strengthen monitoring and protect the legitimate interests of domestic manufacturing industries; carry out trade remedy investigation activities on goods imported into Vietnam in a fair, transparent manner, in compliance with domestic laws and in accordance with international commitments.

Thank you!