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U.S. Launches Countervailing Duty Investigations on Steel Rebar from Algeria, Egypt, and Vietnam

Estimated reading time: 5–7 minutes

On 2025-06-24, the U.S. Department of Commerce began investigations into steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) imports from Algeria, Egypt, and Vietnam. These are called countervailing duty (CVD) investigations. The investigations will look at whether the governments in these countries gave unfair subsidies to their rebar producers, which could hurt American companies.

Background

The Rebar Trade Action Coalition, a group of U.S. rebar makers, filed the petitions for these investigations on 2025-06-04. This group said that the governments of Algeria, Egypt, and Vietnam were giving unfair help to rebar companies in their countries.

The U.S. Department of Commerce also received other petitions asking for antidumping investigations into rebar from Algeria, Bulgaria, Egypt, and Vietnam.

Who Is Involved

The governments named are:

  • Government of Algeria (GOA)
  • Government of Egypt (GOE)
  • Government of Vietnam (GOV)

The U.S. companies who support the case are producers of rebar.

Investigation Period

The period being investigated is from 2024-01-01, through 2024-12-31.

What Products Are Included

The investigations cover steel rebar used in concrete. Rebar can be straight or in coils. It does not matter how long, wide, or thick it is, or what type of metal it is made from.

Rebar that has been further processed (like being cut, painted, or coated) is still covered. “Plain rounds” (smooth, non-bumpy rebar) are not covered.

The U.S. government uses Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) numbers to track imports. Most rebar comes in under numbers: 7213.10.0000, 7214.20.0000, and 7228.30.8010, but other numbers may also be used.

Scope Comments

Commerce asked for comments about exactly what should be covered in these investigations. Interested parties can submit comments by 2025-07-14. Rebuttal comments are due by 2025-07-24. All comments must be filed electronically.

Industry Support

The government checked whether enough U.S. producers support the petition. The law says the petitioners must make at least 25% of all U.S. rebar, and more than 50% of rebar made by companies supporting or opposing the petition. The petition met both requirements, so the investigation moves forward.

Injury Allegation

The U.S. petitioners say rebar from Algeria, Egypt, and Vietnam is being sold in the U.S. at unfair prices because of government help and is hurting the U.S. rebar industry. They say imports are high, local companies are losing sales, prices are being pushed down, and American companies are doing worse financially.

Programs Under Investigation

There are 24 programs being looked at in Algeria, 25 in Egypt, and 39 in Vietnam. Each program may involve different types of government support, such as loans or grants.

Respondents

Commerce plans to select certain companies in each country as “mandatory respondents.” They will likely use U.S. import data to pick which companies to examine most closely.

  • Four companies are identified in Algeria.
  • Thirteen companies are identified in Egypt.
  • Ten companies are identified in Vietnam.

Process and Timeline

  • Commerce started the investigations on 2025-06-24.
  • The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will decide within 45 days from 2025-06-04, if U.S. industry is hurt by these imports.
  • If the ITC finds no injury for a country, the investigation ends for that country.

Submissions and Deadlines

All filings must be electronic. There are rules for submitting information. If anyone needs more time to file, they must ask before the deadline. All information submitted must be accurate.

Notification

The governments of Algeria, Egypt, and Vietnam have been notified about these actions. Parties interested in these cases must follow special procedures if they want to see confidential information.

Next Steps

Commerce and the ITC will continue the investigations. If unfair subsidies are found and there is injury to the U.S. industry, extra duties could be placed on rebar from these countries.

Appendix—Product Definition

The investigations are for steel rebar, in straight form or coils, used in concrete, except for smooth (plain round) bars. The scope is based on the written description, not just the HTSUS numbers.

This notice was published in the Federal Register, Volume 90, Issue 123 on 2025-06-30. The notice was signed by Abdelali Elouaradia, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.


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