Commerce Ministry, Steel Groups Agree Four Measures Against Import Surge

The Ministry of Commerce convened talks with 10 Thai steel industry associations to urgently define four approaches for handling trade competition, covering enhanced efficiency, anti-dumping (AD) countermeasures, prevention of measure circumvention via finished products, and promotion of domestic scrap steel as raw material. This comes after the first-half 2026 capacity utilization rate climbed to 34 percent, yet the industry still confronts pressure from steel imports.

On October 30, 2026, Deputy Commerce Minister Poonpong Nayanaphakorn revealed details following the joint meeting with representatives of the 10 Thai steel associations on October 29, 2026, at the Ministry's Kittiyakarn Room. He stated the Ministry prioritizes strengthening the Thai steel industry, a key basic industry, and is ready to coordinate closely with the private sector to hear conditions, problems, and operator suggestions, jointly setting guidelines to address trade challenges and foster a fair competitive environment. Department of Foreign Trade Director-General Arada Fuengthong also attended. The private sector was led by Bundit Juyjaroen, Chairman of the Steel Industry Group at the Federation of Thai Industries, alongside representatives of the 10 associations comprising over 510 member companies and more than 51,000 direct jobs.

The meeting reviewed an overall picture of the Thai steel industry showing signs of recovery, reflected in the first-half 2026 capacity utilization rising to 34 percent from 31 percent in the same period last year. However, trade issues require close monitoring, particularly imports of finished structural steel. From January to August 2026, total imports reached 798,584 tonnes. The Ministry therefore values industry input to consider appropriate measures to safeguard Thai operators under fair competition principles and in line with international obligations.

"The Ministry of Commerce stands ready to work alongside operators to enhance the competitiveness of the Thai steel industry, aiming to balance domestic producer protection, fair competition maintenance, and long-term stable industrial growth," Deputy Minister Poonpong said.

He added that the joint session identified four key issues for further consideration and action:

1. Improve trade measure efficiency by refining mechanisms to prevent circumvention of anti-dumping measures, making them more effective to address increasingly complex and evolving trade patterns. 2. Prevent circumvention through finished products by collaborating with the private sector to assess suitable approaches and product scopes, ensuring enforcement measures effectively and comprehensively address trade situations. 3. Consider management approaches for finished structural steel imports, emphasizing stakeholder input across the supply chain — producers, users, and related operators — to ensure comprehensive, data-driven measures that respect fair competition and international commitments. 4. Promote domestic scrap steel management as a raw material by discussing cooperation between producers and exporters to ensure the Thai industry has sufficient raw materials, while also considering...