The WTO ruled that the EU’s stainless steel tariffs are in violation of trade rules; Indonesia urges the removal of trade restrictions

A World Trade Organization (WTO) expert panel recently ruled on a trade dispute between Indonesia and the European Union regarding stainless steel, supporting Indonesia's claims and requiring the EU to adjust its non-compliant tariff measures. X100M steel, Indonesia subsequently called on the EU to lift the anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed on Indonesian stainless steel products.

According to the WTO panel's ruling, the tariff measures imposed by the European Union on Indonesian cold-rolled stainless steel flat products violate relevant WTO regulations. X100M steel, The panel urged the EU to rectify the situation in accordance with the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.

Looking back at this case, the EU imposed anti-dumping duties of 10.2%-20.2% on Indonesian stainless steel products starting in November 2021, followed by additional countervailing duties of up to 21.4% in 2022. Indonesia filed a complaint with the WTO in 2023, arguing that the EU tariffs had led to a significant reduction in its steel exports.

It is worth noting that, despite the EU and Indonesia having just completed negotiations on a free trade agreement in September, trade friction between the two sides continues to escalate. X100M steel, The EU has clearly stated that it will appeal the expert panel's ruling.

Meanwhile, the European Commission has launched an expiry review of the existing anti-dumping measures on hot-rolled stainless steel sheets and coils from Indonesia, China, and Taiwan. X100M steel, This review was requested by the European Steel Association (EUROFER) in July of this year. The original tariff measures were implemented in 2020, adjusted in the same year, and expanded to include products from Turkey in 2023. The investigation is expected to continue until mid-2026.

This case is consistent with recent trends in EU trade policy. In September of this year, the European Commission announced the initiation of anti-dumping investigations into certain cold-rolled flat steel products from India, Japan, Taiwan, Turkey, and Vietnam, demonstrating the EU's continued strengthening of trade remedy measures.