【SMM Steel】On May 26, 2026, Ukraine's Ministry of Economy initiated an anti-dumping investigation on hot-rolled bars in coils from China under Resolution No. AD-602/2026/441-01. Products covered include carbon steel bars 5-14mm and alloy steel bars 5-32mm (excluding high-speed steel and welding wire). The investigation period runs from 2022 to October 2025. Affected Ukrainian customs codes: 7213.91.10.00, 7213.91.41.00, 7213.91.49.00, 7213.91.70.00, 7213.91.90.00, 7227.20.00.00, 7227.90.10.00, 7227.90.50.00, 7227.90.95.00. This is Ukraine's sixth AD probe on Chinese products since April 2024.

According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, in April 2026, China exported 5.46 million mt of steel sheets & plates, down 17.5% YoY; cumulative exports from January to April totaled 20.06 million mt, down 16.6% YoY. In April, China exported 1.81 million mt of steel bars, up 14.3% YoY; cumulative exports from January to April totaled 6.05 million mt, up 5.9% YoY. In April, China exported 640,000 mt of angle steel and sections, up 7.1% YoY; cumulative exports from January to April totaled 2.55 million mt, up 14.9% YoY.

[SMM Steel] South Korea’s Korea Trade Commission initiated an anti-dumping investigation into specialty steel bar and rod imports from China following complaints from local producers SeAH Besteel and SeAH Changwon Special Steel. The investigation covers imports from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025, and will assess whether low-priced Chinese imports caused injury to the domestic industry. Authorities may impose provisional AD duties if preliminary findings confirm dumping and material injury.

Turkish exporter Nikel Paslanmaz has unveiled a $150 million investment plan to enhance its production and global reach. The company will spend $100 million on an integrated stainless steel bar facility in Sakarya, set for a late 2028 launch, and another $50 million on a 50,000-ton cold-rolling sheet plant in Kocaeli by late 2027. Internationally, it plans to establish a 50,000-ton stainless service center in the UK with a $4 million investment. Board member Kemal Yalgın emphasized that with Turkey importing nearly 700,000 tons of stainless steel annually, shifting toward integrated domestic production is a strategic necessity for the nation's industry.

【SMM Steel】South Korea's KTC launched an AD investigation into alloy steel bars and rods from China following petitions by SeAH Besteel and SeAH Changwon Special Steel. The authority will examine injury from Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2025, focusing on 2025 pricing. Products are rolled/forged alloy steel bars/rods, excluding iron, carbon, and stainless steel, under HS codes 7214.10.0000, etc. A preliminary ruling is expected within three months, extendable by up to two months if necessary.

According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, in March 2026, China exported 5.28 million mt of steel sheets & plates, down 19.1% YoY; cumulative exports from January to March totaled 14.6 million mt, down 16.3% YoY. In March, China exported 1.92 million mt of steel bars, up 15.5% YoY; cumulative exports from January to March totaled 4.23 million mt, up 2.7% YoY.