On October 10, 2018, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) was directed to inquire into and report on the importation of certain steel goods in relation to Global Safeguards. The CITT was directed to submit a report including CITT’s determinations, reasons and any recommendations to the Governor in Council, by April 3, 2019.
On April 3, 2019, the CITT published its findings and recommendations following the inquiry into safeguard measures on certain steel goods.
This inquiry was one of the most complex inquiries ever conducted by the CITT, with 119 participants, including Canadian and foreign steel producers, steel importers, trade unions and governments. Over 38,000 pages of documents were submitted. The CITT conducted hearing sessions for each class of steel goods and heard submissions on both injury and remedy together.
As a result of the CITT’s findings, provisional safeguards on imports of concrete reinforcing bar, energy tubular products, hot-rolled sheet, pre-painted steel and wire rod will cease to apply beginning April 29, 2019. Until then, the provisional safeguards still apply and importers must continue to obtain shipment-specific import permits or pay surtaxes for the importation of those products.
The Government intends to refund any provisional safeguard surtaxes paid by importers of those products up to and including April 28, 2019. It is anticipated that importers of these products will not be required to submit a B2 as the CBSA will identify importers who are eligible for such refunds.
The Government of Canada is still reviewing the CITT’s findings and recommendations regarding imports of heavy plate and stainless steel wire and will provide additional communications and information on imports of these two steel products. However, the provisional safeguards on imports of heavy plate and stainless steel wire will remain in force until May 12, 2019, inclusively.
Information and links to the recent Global Safeguards containing the initial orders and individual reports is found on the CITT Global Safeguards site.
Questions from the industry can be directed to Global Affairs Canada by e-mail to: steel-acier@international.gc.ca.
The CITT’s determinations and recommendations as well as additional details on the report are found in the Safeguard Inquiry into the Importation of Certain Steel Goods on the CITT’s website.
Please contact your Livingston account representative should you have any questions.