China faces 66 steel trade cases in 2025-2026

24 March 2026: China's finished steel exports fell 8.1% year-on-year during January-February 2026, reaching 15.6 million tonnes (around 7.8 million tonnes each month). This decline is primarily driven by trade measures against China and is expected to continue in the coming months, with flat products facing the highest number of trade restrictions.

The largest decline in shipments was recorded to Vietnam and Korea amid implemented trade measures and ongoing investigations, to 876 thousand tonnes and 709 thousand tonnes, respectively. 

Saudi Arabia and Indonesia were the only major markets that slightly raised finished steel imports from China, although implemented trade restrictions on certain steel products in the first half of 2025. Exports to these destinations totalled 842 thousand tonnes and 671 thousand tonnes.

Just this month, the United Kingdom imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on tin mill from China, with several trade restrictions put in place in the Americas.