Government plans to relax rules for Chinese-made steel

The government plans to further relax trade policy with China, allowing the import of 125 Chinese steel products, a government official and an industry source said Tuesday.

The move follows a request from a local industry group, which hopes the change will help Taiwanese steelmakers in an ongoing investigation by China into possible steel dumping.

At present, Taiwan only imports raw material and semifinished steel products from China. The proposed policy, which requires approval by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, would allow the nation to import finished steel items, including cold- and hot-rolled steel and stainless steel, according to a Board of Foreign Trade official.

The easing on steel products from China was requested by the Taiwan Steel and Iron Industries Association, which represents most of the nation's steelmakers, the official said.

Association Secretary General Wu Sheng-feng (吳聖峰) said the import relaxation is part of Taiwan's efforts to fulfill its commitments as a WTO member.