Brazil Opens Anti-Dumping Case on Chinese and Russian Wire Rod
Brazil has launched a major 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 through SECEX Ordinance No. 44/2025 on 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 steelmakers—ArcelorMittal Brasil S.A., Gerdau Aço Longos, Gerdau Açominas, and Gerdau S.A.—filed the petition that triggered the case. They allege that dumped imports have caused material injury to Brazil’s 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 cite dumping margins of $534.22/ton for China and $600.70/ton for Russia. Relative dumping margins reach 88.7% for China and 106.5% for Russia, suggesting significant underpricing.
For company background, see:
- ArcelorMittal: https://corporate.arcelormittal.com
- Gerdau: 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 Brazil’s 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 Countries’ Anti-Dumping Actions on Chinese Wire Rod and Steel
Brazil’s 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:
- Thailand imposed AD duties on Chinese wire rod in 2014 ranging from 12.26% to 36.79%. A 2020 sunset review extended these duties. A new five‑year review now covers wire rod with 0.76–0.92% carbon and diameter below 14 mm. Authorities expect the process to take up to one year, with current duties maintained as cash deposits.
- Malaysia: Opened an AD investigation in October 2024 on wire rod from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
- Peru: Launched an AD investigation into Chinese wire rod in January 2025.
- Canada: The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) started an investigation on April 22, 2025 into carbon and alloy steel wire from China and nine other countries. Official site: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
- European Union: Imposed duties on selected Chinese steel products, including certain wire rod categories, in early 2025 as part of a broader response to excess capacity and pricing pressure.
- Turkey: Implemented anti-dumping and safeguard measures on Chinese wire rod and other steel products beginning in 2024.
Other jurisdictions—including India, Australia, Egypt, South Africa, Colombia, South Korea, and Vietnam—have 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.
Thailand’s 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 Chinese—and now Russian—steel wire rod exports. Governments aim to counter alleged unfair pricing and protect domestic producers from sustained market distortions.