Taiwan: Stainless steel sector renews anti-dumping push as Vietnamese cold-rolled imports accelerate

• Imports from Vietnam surge in H1CY;26, with Jun volumes rising 11-fold from Feb’26
• Vietnamese material reportedly landing at $80-100/t below Taiwanese domestic prices

Taiwan’s stainless steel industry has renewed its efforts to seek anti-dumping measures against imports of Vietnamese cold-rolled stainless steel, reflecting mounting concerns over rising import volumes and increasing price pressure on domestic producers. The latest petition, submitted by Yusco and Tang Eng in July 2026, follows the withdrawal of an earlier application filed in October 2025 after customs authorities sought additional supporting evidence, delaying the investigation process.

The renewed filing comes as imports from Vietnam have accelerated significantly during 2026. According to the applicants, Taiwanese imports of Vietnamese stainless steel exceeded 17,000 tonnes (t) in the first half of the year, while June imports reached 6,196 t, representing an approximately eleven-fold increase compared with February. The sharp rise in import volumes has intensified competitive pressure in Taiwan’s domestic market.

From a supply perspective, Vietnamese material has continued to gain market share by offering substantially lower prices than domestically produced stainless steel. Industry participants estimate that Vietnamese cold-rolled stainless steel has been entering Taiwan at prices around $80-100/t below prevailing domestic market levels. Producers argue that the sustained inflow of lower-priced imports has disrupted domestic pricing discipline and eroded the profitability of Taiwanese stainless steel manufacturers.

Market conditions further strengthened the competitiveness of Vietnamese suppliers during the second quarter of 2026. Rising global stainless steel prices, combined with the appreciation of the Taiwanese dollar, improved the relative pricing advantage of imported material, encouraging higher import volumes and increasing procurement by local buyers.

Trade flows have therefore become the central issue behind the renewed petition. Domestic producers contend that imports have expanded continuously since 2023 and 2024, resulting in material injury to Taiwan’s stainless steel industry. Following the withdrawal of the previous application, manufacturers have supplemented their supporting documentation and resubmitted the case in an effort to facilitate the formal initiation of an anti-dumping investigation.

If the investigation proceeds, it could have broader implications for regional stainless steel trade. Any anti-dumping measures imposed on Vietnamese cold-rolled stainless steel would likely alter procurement strategies among Taiwanese buyers, reshape regional trade flows, and influence pricing dynamics across the East Asian stainless steel market.

The outcome of Taiwan’s review will be closely monitored by stainless steel producers, traders and downstream consumers, as it could affect future import competitiveness and market balance in the region.

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