Speaking at the SteelOrbis 2016 Fall Conference & 75th IREPAS Meeting being held in Vienna on September 25-27, Wilhelm Alff from Duferco, the chairman of the traders committee, affirmed that traders are also concerned by the recent antidumping filing by the US-based rebar producers, pointing out that the quantities of imports are higher compared to the previous filings. The traders committee expressed the view that Turkey has to make an arrangement with the US to continue rebar exports, otherwise “they need to find a new home which will increase pressure on market pricing”, said Mr. Alff.
Commenting on China, the traders committee chairman said that capacity is not everything; the bigger problem is the excess production which is creating a huge disturbance in the market. He stated that closing the mills is a very political issue; the potential loss of employment as a result of the closures will create a headache for the administration. The committee chairman also indicated that, even if China is granted market economy status, it will not change their behavior. “They will continue to behave as they behave,” he stated.
Answering a question on whether the failed coup attempt in Turkey has had any effect on business, Mr. Alff said that he has not experienced any doubts on the customers’ side regarding Turkish supply, other than concerns about deliveries within a few days of the coup attempt; otherwise, it has been business as usual.
Mr. Alff stated that the reason the US rebar importers choose Turkey as a supply source is not only price; he said that, besides being competitive in pricing, Turkey is also capable of providing every specific type of product the US market requires.