SOUTH Africa approved new import taxes to protect its steel industry after a probe found that cheap imports of some products from China and Thailand unfairly undercut local manufacturers.
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau authorised the tariffs recommended by the country’s International Trade Administration Commission, which first initiated its probe in 2024, according to a government notice issued Wednesday.
South Africa imposed a duty of 74.98% on Chinese imports and 20.32% on shipments from Thailand, Business Day newspaper earlier reported.
ITAC’s investigation found that structural-steel products from China and Thailand entered the southern African market at dumped — or below fair value — prices, “causing material injury” to the southern African industry.
Steel producers and ore processors in Africa’s most industrialized economy — including ArcelorMittal SA’s local unit — are idling operations and laying off thousands of workers, blaming high power prices and stiff competition from China.
