Brazil Opens Anti-Dumping Case on Chinese and Russian Wire Rod
Brazil has launched a majorย Brazil anti-dumping investigation into Chinese and Russian steel wire rod, targeting imports of carbon and alloy wire rod from both countries. Authorities view this as one of the most prominent recent trade actions against Chinese wire rod and a rare case that also includes Russia.
Authorities initiated the investigation throughย SECEX Ordinance No. 44/2025ย onย June 17, 2025. The measure covers specified wire rod imports from China and Russia over a defined reference period.
Claims, Period Covered, and Dumping Margins
Leading Brazilian steelmakersโArcelorMittal Brasil S.A., Gerdau Aรงo Longos, Gerdau Aรงominas, and Gerdau S.A.โfiled the petition that triggered the case. They allege that dumped imports have caused material injury to Brazilโs domestic steel industry.
The dumping investigation covers imports from July 2023 to June 2024, while the injury assessment spans July 2019 to June 2024, allowing authorities to evaluate the longer-term impact on production, pricing, and profitability.
Initial findings citeย dumping marginsย ofย $534.22/ton for Chinaย andย $600.70/ton for Russia. Relative dumping margins reachย 88.7%ย for China andย 106.5%ย for Russia, suggesting significant underpricing.
For company background, see:
- ArcelorMittal:ย https://corporate.arcelormittal.com
- Gerdau:ย https://www2.gerdau.com
Trade Flows: Russia, China, and Other Suppliers
Industry data show that Russia exported 1,000 metric tons (mt) of wire rod to Brazil in November 2024 at about $571/mt. That volume made Russia Brazilโs third-largest supplier for the month, behind China (6,900 mt) and Egypt (5,000 mt).
Total Brazilian wire rod imports in November 2024 reached 13,400 mt, so Russian shipments accounted for roughly 7.5% of that monthly total. These figures help frame the scale of the alleged dumping.
Other Countriesโ Anti-Dumping Actions on Chinese Wire Rod and Steel
Brazilโs move comes amid a wider global trend in which multiple jurisdictions have imposed or renewed AD duties on Chinese steel products, including wire rod in several cases.
Key examples include:
- Thailandย imposed AD duties on Chinese wire rod inย 2014ย ranging fromย 12.26% to 36.79%. Aย 2020 sunset reviewย extended these duties. A new fiveโyear review now covers wire rod withย 0.76โ0.92% carbonย and diameter belowย 14 mm. Authorities expect the process to take up toย one year, with current duties maintained asย cash deposits.
- Malaysia: Opened an AD investigation inย October 2024ย on wire rod fromย China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
- Peru: Launched an AD investigation intoย Chinese wire rodย inย January 2025.
- Canada: Theย Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)ย started an investigation onย April 22, 2025ย into carbon and alloy steel wire fromย China and nine other countries. Official site:ย https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
- European Union: Imposed duties on selectedย Chinese steel products, including certain wire rod categories, inย early 2025ย as part of a broader response to excess capacity and pricing pressure.
- Turkey: Implementedย anti-dumping and safeguard measuresย on Chinese wire rod and other steel products beginning inย 2024.
Other jurisdictionsโincluding India, Australia, Egypt, South Africa, Colombia, South Korea, and Vietnamโhave also introduced recent AD cases or duties against Chinese steel, though many of these target other flat or long products rather than wire rod specifically.
Timeline and Outlook for Brazil, Thailand, Canada, and Peru
Brazil must conclude its AD investigation into Chinese and Russian wire rod by April 2026. Authorities may extend the deadline to December 2026 if the case requires more time.
Thailandโs current sunset review should finish by May 2026. Until then, the country will maintain its existing duties as cash deposits.
In Canada, the CBSA investigation that began on April 22, 2025 will continue through this year. Officials plan to release preliminary findings later in the year.
In Peru, the wire rod investigation launched in January 2025 remains ongoing. Authorities could introduce final measures, including AD duties, by late 2025.
Together, these actions show an intensifying global focus on Chineseโand now Russianโsteel wire rod exports. Governments aim to counter alleged unfair pricing and protect domestic producers from sustained market distortions.
