Recently, the international stainless steel market has ushered in a highly anticipated news: the Ministry of Planning and Finance of South Korea issued Announcement No. 2025-10 on March 25, 2025, deciding to impose a temporary anti-dumping duty of 21.62% for a period of four months on hot-rolled stainless steel plates with a thickness of not less than 4.75 mm and a width of not less than 600 mm originating in China from that day.

South Korea's move this time was not without signs. On September 6, 2024, South Korea launched an anti-dumping investigation on hot-rolled stainless steel plates originating in China. After months of investigation and evaluation, on January 16, 2025, the Korea Trade Commission made an affirmative preliminary ruling and recommended the imposition of temporary anti-dumping duties on the products involved. Finally, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance of South Korea officially announced the implementation of this measure on March 25, which will take effect from the date of the announcement and will be valid until July 24, 2025.

The products involved in the case are covered under the Korean tax numbers 7219.21.1010, 7219.21.1090, 7219.21.9000, 7219.22.1010, 7219.22.1090 and 7219.22.9000, but hot-rolled coils, black plates produced by hot-rolling of stainless steel thick slabs, and products with a thickness of no more than 8 mm and a width of less than 2000 mm under the tax numbers 7219.22.1010, 7219.22.1090 and 7219.22.9000 are clearly excluded.

The impact of this policy on relevant Chinese companies cannot be underestimated. Chinese manufacturers/exporters, led by Sichuang International Development Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Dageng Stainless Steel Co., Ltd., will see a significant increase in export costs. In the short term, the export volume of related companies to South Korea may decline significantly. If companies want to maintain their market share in South Korea, they need to work hard on product prices, quality and services to improve product competitiveness. Some companies may try to expand other overseas markets to reduce their dependence on the South Korean market. Regions such as Southeast Asia and Europe that have demand for hot-rolled stainless steel plates may become new focus points for companies.

From a more macro perspective, this incident is also a microcosm of the changes in the global stainless steel trade pattern. In recent years, the global stainless steel market has become increasingly competitive, and countries have frequently adjusted their trade policies. On the one hand, with the rise of emerging economies, the production capacity of stainless steel has continued to expand, and the pressure of oversupply in the market has gradually increased; on the other hand, the rise of trade protectionism has led countries to protect their own industries by setting up trade barriers. In such an environment, China's stainless steel industry faces unprecedented challenges.

However, challenges are often accompanied by opportunities. Chinese stainless steel companies can take this opportunity to accelerate the pace of industrial upgrading and technological innovation. Increase R&D investment, improve the technical content and added value of products, and develop more competitive high-end stainless steel products to meet the international market's demand for high-quality products. Strengthen cooperation and communication with international customers, deeply understand the needs of the international market, optimize product structure, improve product quality and service level, and establish a good brand image.

At the trade policy level, the Chinese government may also take corresponding measures to conduct trade consultations with South Korea, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, and promote the construction of a fair and free international trade environment. At the same time, Chinese companies also need to pay close attention to changes in international trade policies, make preparations in advance, and move forward steadily in the complex and changing international market.