Timing looms large in Japan's AD probe into Chinese, Korean HDG

The Japanese government's announcement Wednesday that it has begun an anti-dumping investigation into imports of hot-dipped galvanized (HDG) flat products from China and South Korea could have far-reaching implications for all future steel trade cases Japan's steelmakers may initiate by narrowing the window that targeted exporters have had between Tokyo's warning and any penalties being applied.

In a joint statement issued on August 13, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ministry of Finance announced that the AD targets imports of HDG coil, sheet and strip from the two countries, as Mysteel Global reported, and is being launched in response to a petition lodged