Wire-rod anti-dumping preliminary inquiry

Summary#

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has opened a preliminary injury inquiry under the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) into certain hot‑rolled wire rod from the People’s Republic of China, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Tribunal also decided to hold an inquiry into a procurement complaint by Kyndryl Canada Limited & ISM Information Systems Management Corporation (Kyndryl ISM) about a bid for work with the Department of Employment and Social Development (ESDC).

What it does#

• For the wire‑rod matter (Preliminary Injury Inquiry PI‑2023‑002):
  • Looks at whether dumped imports of certain hot‑rolled wire rod (coils up to 25.5 mm actual solid cross‑sectional diameter) from the three named countries have caused or threaten injury to Canadian industry.
  • Excludes several specific product types, including:
    • tire cord quality wire rod (rods 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm diameter; average partial decarburization no more than 70 micrometers in depth (maximum 200 micrometers); no non‑deformable inclusions thicker than 20 micrometers; and specified chemical composition, e.g. 0.68% or more carbon),
    • stainless steel wire rod (contains 10.5% or more chromium),
    • tool steel wire rod (various element thresholds),
    • high‑nickel steel wire rod (contains 24% or more nickel),
    • ball‑bearing steel wire rod (specific element ranges listed),
    • concrete reinforcing bar (rebar), which is already covered by existing measures.
  • Will be carried out by written submissions. Key dates include:
    • deadline to file participation forms: March 22, 2024,
    • Tribunal will issue a list of participants: March 27, 2024,
    • submissions by parties opposed to the complaint due by April 9, 2024 (noon ET),
    • responses from the complainant and supporters due by April 17, 2024 (noon ET).
  • Parties can file public and confidential versions following Tribunal rules; a non‑confidential summary is needed if information is marked confidential.
• For the procurement matter (File PR‑2023‑063):
  • The Tribunal decided on March 8, 2024 to hold an inquiry after a complaint from Kyndryl ISM.
  • The complaint challenges the disqualification of its bid on Solicitation 100021966, for Level 1 and Level 2 system administrator resources under Supply Arrangement EN578‑170432 for ESDC.

Who's affected#

• Producers, importers, distributors and buyers of the specific hot‑rolled wire rod types in Canada — for example, companies in steelmaking, metal fabrication, construction and tire cord manufacturing.
• Exporters and shippers of the covered wire rod from the People’s Republic of China, Arab Republic of Egypt and Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
• Companies that bid on the ESDC solicitation, especially Kyndryl ISM, other competitors, and ESDC as the contracting department.
• Other parties with an interest or confidential information about either matter who may want to participate in the Tribunal processes.

Why it matters#

• The wire‑rod inquiry could lead to anti‑dumping measures if the Tribunal finds evidence of injury. That could change prices, availability, or competitiveness for Canadian buyers and domestic producers.
• The procurement inquiry could affect who wins the ESDC contract and touches on fairness in federal contracting. If the Tribunal finds the disqualification was improper, the procurement outcome could be reconsidered.
• Deadlines are imminent, so affected companies or interested parties will need to act quickly to take part or submit information.