Steel prices surge ahead of tariffs
The domestic steel market has seen a price surge and hoarding before temporary safeguard measures recently imposed on two types of steel imports into the Southeast Asian country, experts said.
Domestic steel prices have reported an increase by VND250,000 (US$12) per metric tonne. Currently, the steel price is at VND8.9 - 9 million a tonne.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on March 8 announced additional tariffs on imported steel products as a temporary safeguard against inexpensive imports that were allegedly threatening the domestic industry.
As per the Decision No 862/QD-BCT issued by the ministry, it will impose temporary safeguard duties of 23.3% on steel billets and 14.2% on long steel products for a maximum of 200 days.
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The four domestic steelmakers, who collectively account for 34.2% of the country's total supply, said their production had been affected by cheaper imports.
Vietnam Steel Association (VSA) has asked its member producers to have suitable production plans in place as well as keeping selling prices stable.
VSA added that the temporary safeguard measures on steel billets and long steel products has been useful under international regulations to prevent flooding of imported steel into Vietnam.
The association statistics showed that in February, the steel output of its members rose by 69% to 1.16 million tonnes as compared with the same period last year. Steel consumption last month was more than 918,000 tonnes or 70% year-on-year increase. Steel exports reached 178,000 tonnes, posting 15% rise from last year.
Nguyen Van Sua, VSA's deputy chairman told Tuoitre (Youth) newspaper that it was unreasonable for the safeguard to affect market-driven steel prices as Vietnam's steel supply is exceeding demand.
Sua said steel businesses could only increase their price if the raw materials are imported in the time of the safeguard takes effect.
