BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission said on Thursday it had set anti-dumping duties on hot-rolled flat steel products from China at a higher rate than those already in place.
The Commission, acting on behalf of the 28 EU member states, said it had set final duties of between 18.1 and 35.9 percent for producers including Bengang Steel Plates Co , Handan Iron & Steel Co [TANGCB.UL] and Hesteel Co .
This compared with provisional rates imposed from October of 13.2 to 22.6 percent following a complaint lodged by European steel association Eurofer on behalf of EU producers ArcelorMittal (AS:ISPA), Tata Steel (NS:TISC) and ThyssenKrupp (DE:TKAG)
The Commission said in a statement that the measures should shield EU steel makers from the effects of Chinese dumping.
The Commission also said that it had decided not to impose provisional duties on the same product from Brazil, Iran, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine, although the investigation of imports from these countries would continue for another six months.
"The decision not to impose provisional measures for imports from Brazil, Iran, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine does not prejudge the final outcome of that investigation," a Commission spokesman said.