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Industry body, the National Employers Association of South Africa (Neasa) has launched a South African Steel Lobby that will advocate for the shelving of the antidumping application by primary steel producers and will look to negotiate an improved model for downstream manufacturers, it said on Monday.
“The recent unequal introduction of protective duties to protect primary steel producers blatantly disregarding the interests of downstream manufacturers and the pending antidumping application, also by primary steel producers, has caused huge discontent among downstream manufacturers.
“The duties already introduced, as well as the looming introduction of antidumping measures, will serve only to accelerate the demise of this sector and are ill-considered, shortsighted and self-serving,” Neasa said in a statement.
The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) had imposed 10% duties on zinc-coated, aluminium-zinc-coated and colour-coated steel and was fast-tracking applications for other steel grades.
Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa CEO Paul O’Flaherty on Friday said it expected Itac to approve protection across all domestically produced steel grades by the end of November.
Work was also under way on various antidumping and safeguard applications, in a bid to raise protection on certain products by upwards of 40%.
Neasa further undertook that the Steel Lobby, would, in dealings with the Itac and the Department of Trade and Industry, ensure that the interests of downstream manufacturers were sufficiently represented.
“We shall keep you informed as matters unfold and constantly canvas your views,” the association said in an email to members.