The National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA) urged the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) to call off all protectionist duties on long steel products immediately.

ITAC imposed a 9% safeguard duty on long steel products in June 2024 with an additional 52% anti-dumping duty on structural steel in November 2024.

This request followed the closure of two steel manufacturing sites and a rail production plant of ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa), which resulted in a loss of 3,500 jobs.

NEASA mentioned that Amsa is the only producer who asked ITAC to impose protectionist duties. However, since Amsa is no longer to be competitive in the market, the duties will not effective for the protective purpose. It believed that the cancellation of the duties would give the steel manufacturing sector more chances to buy more affordable imported raw materials.

However, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) also showed concern after Asma’s announcement. The dtic will still commit to working with Amsa to find the solutions.