The US Department of Commerce has imposed a countervailing duty of 73.33% on steel wire rod imports from Algeria, specifically targeting hot-rolled steel products with a quasi-circular section and diameter less than 19 millimeters. This measure, announced on September 15, 2026, and applicable from September 18, 2026, is detailed in the Federal Register. The tax rate was applied to Algerian Qatar Steel (AQS) and other Algerian producers and exporters not receiving individual examination.
The high tax rate was a result of the lack of cooperation from Algerian producers and exporters during the investigation, which covered the entire year of 2025. Algerian Qatar Steel was designated as the primary interlocutor, but no active participation was recorded. As a result, the US Department of Commerce relied on "facts available" with adverse inferences, in accordance with US legislation, to establish the 73.33% tax rate.
The US Department of Commerce's decision will have significant implications for Algerian steel exports to the US. The US Customs and Border Protection has been instructed to suspend liquidation of relevant shipments and require importers to pay cash deposits equal to 73.33% of the shipment's value upon arrival in the US. This move adds to existing trade tensions between the two countries.
Several categories of steel products are exempt from the surtax, including stainless steel, tool steels, high-nickel steels, bearing steel balls, and concrete reinforcement bars, which are already subject to a separate proceeding. The US Department of Commerce's investigation and subsequent tax imposition may impact the competitiveness of Algerian steel products in the US market.
The Algerian steel industry may face significant challenges due to this record tax imposition. The country's steel exports to the US will likely be severely impacted, and companies may need to reassess their export strategies. The tax rate of 73.33% is substantially high and may be seen as a significant barrier to Algerian steel products entering the US market.
This development is part of a broader trade context, with the US having imposed similar measures on Algerian steel products in March, including a 72.94% tax on Algerian rebar. The cumulative effect of these taxes may threaten the viability of Algerian steel exports to the US, potentially leading to a significant decline in trade between the two countries.
The impact of this tax imposition will be closely monitored by industry stakeholders and trade experts. The US Department of Commerce's decision may set a precedent for future trade actions against Algerian steel products, and potentially other countries. The situation may escalate into a broader trade dispute, with potential implications for the global steel market.
Key points
- The US has imposed a record 73.33% tax on Algerian steel wire rod imports.
- The tax rate was a result of the lack of cooperation from Algerian producers and exporters during the investigation.
- The tax imposition may significantly impact Algerian steel exports to the US and threaten the competitiveness of Algerian steel products.
