South Africa Sets 75% Tariff on Chinese Steel
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- South Africa imposed steep import duties on structural steel from China and Thailand after finding evidence of dumping, per a government notice dated March 19.
- China's structural steel imports face a tariff of 74.98%.
- Thailand's structural steel imports face a duty of 20.32%.
- International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa concluded that steel from China and Thailand was being imported at dumped prices, causing material injury to domestic producers.
- Trade minister approved the recommended tariffs, which replace provisional anti‑dumping duties of 52.81% (China) and 9.12% (Thailand) imposed in 2024.
- South African steel industry is battling weak local demand and an influx of imports, with imports accounting for about 36% of total steel consumption and China supplying 73% of those imports.
- ArcelorMittal South Africa has shut some of its mills in response to the challenges posed by cheap imports.
Why it matters: The tariffs protect South Africa’s steel makers by raising the cost of cheap Chinese and Thai imports, but they also increase material costs for construction firms and consumers, while the industry already faces weak demand, mill closures, and heightened competition.
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