South Africa Initiates Safeguard Investigation on Certain Flat-Rolled Steel Products
Geneva – The World Trade Organization (WTO) announced today, July 30, 2025, that South Africa has formally launched a safeguard investigation into imports of certain flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel. This development marks a significant step in South Africa’s efforts to assess the potential impact of these imports on its domestic industry.
The investigation, initiated by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC), will examine whether a surge in imports of these specific steel products has caused or threatens to cause serious injury to South Africa’s like or directly competitive domestic production. Safeguard measures are permitted under the WTO Agreement on Safeguards and are designed to be applied temporarily to address situations where a domestic industry is experiencing serious injury or the threat thereof due to a sudden and significant increase in imports.
While the specific product categories under investigation are not detailed in the initial WTO notification, the focus on “certain flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel” typically encompasses a range of steel sheets, plates, and coils used in various manufacturing sectors, including automotive, construction, and appliance production.
The initiation of a safeguard investigation allows South Africa to gather comprehensive data and evidence. This will involve consultations with domestic producers, importers, and other interested parties to understand the market dynamics and the extent to which import levels may be contributing to difficulties faced by local steel manufacturers. The investigation process is designed to be transparent and to ensure that any potential measures are based on objective assessments.
The WTO’s role in this context is primarily to be informed of the initiation of such investigations and to facilitate any necessary consultations or dispute settlement proceedings that may arise. South Africa, as a member of the WTO, is entitled to utilize the provisions of the Agreement on Safeguards to protect its domestic industry when faced with import surges that meet the established criteria.
The outcome of the investigation will determine whether South Africa proceeds with the imposition of any safeguard measures. If such measures are deemed necessary, they would typically involve applying increased tariffs or quantitative restrictions on the imports of the specified steel products. Any measures implemented must be consistent with WTO rules and are subject to review and potential challenge by other WTO members.
This announcement underscores the ongoing global discussions surrounding trade measures aimed at supporting domestic industries in the face of evolving international trade landscapes. South Africa’s action highlights the importance of domestic industrial capacity and the tools available to governments under the multilateral trading system to address perceived challenges. Further details regarding the specific products and the timeline of the investigation are expected to be made available through official South African government channels.
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