Al-Armouti News Bulletin - September 2025

TURKEY

South Korean Flat-Rolled Products Hit with Anti-Dumping Duties

On 30 August 2025, Turkey’s Ministry of Trade (“the Authority”) has imposed definitive anti-dumping duties for 5 years on certain steel products originating in South Korea. The Authority found that the surge in imports is what caused injury to domestic manufacturers.

Duties imposed vary from 4.34% to 9.4%. The measure covers the following HS codes 7208, 7225, 7211 (including 7208.51, 7208.52, 7225.99, 7208.90.80, 7211.13.00.11.00, 7211.13.00.19.00, 7211.14.00.21.11, 7211.14.00.21.12, 7211.14.00.29.11, 7211.14.00.29.12, 7211.14.00. 31.00, 7211.14.00.39.00, 7211.19.00.21.00, 7211.19.00.29.00, 7225.40.40.00.00, and 7225.40.60.00.00).

Turkey Opens Anti-Dumping Probe into Pipe Fittings of Egyptian Origin

On 30 August 2025, Turkey’s Ministry of Trade launched an anti-dumping investigation against pipe fittings. The probe was initiated following a petition filed by local manufacturers alleging that imports of fittings consigned from Egypt have harmed the domestic industry. The product under investigation is classified under HS Code 7307.19. Interested parties who wish to participate in the investigation shall submit their responses within 37 days of the initiation of the investigation.

Are Chinese Exporters Avoiding Anti-Dumping Duties?

Turkey’s Ministry of Trade concluded an anti-circumvention investigation on bike chains from China via the European Union (“EU”). It found that Chinese manufacturers are evading the existing anti-dumping duties by channelling their products via the EU. Therefore, the Ministry decided to extend anti-dumping duties to imports from the EU except for Spain.

Syria Trade Volume is Expected to Grow: New Customs Agreement

In a bid to streamline customs systems and procedures, Syria and Turkey concluded customs cooperation agreement allowing 24/7 transit of goods through Bab Al-Hawa and Bab Al-Salama crossings. This agreement is the cornerstone to enhancing bilateral trade, simplifying customs clearance, combating smuggling and counterfeit products. Also, simplified customs procedures are not exclusive to inland transport, they include streamlining maritime transport by reactivating Latakia-Mersin route.

Trade Barriers between Turkey and Qatar Eased 

As of August first 2025, Turkey implemented preferential tariff treatment towards Qatari goods under the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (“TEOA”). Customs duties on a wide array of imported Qatari products including dates, tobacco, cement, certain stainless steel, and pumice stone are reduced to 0% or even exempt from duties. This measure marks the first step toward broader economic cooperation and streamlined trade between the two countries.

SAUDI ARABIA

Syria Revives its Commercial and Economic Partnerships

Following months of persistent negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Syria, in mid-August 2025, they signed an agreement in Riyadh aimed at enhancing investments and economic ties between the two countries. The deal sets out a bilateral framework for 47 investment projects and paves the way for new projects in various sectors including real estate, trade, tourism, information technology and infrastructure.

Syrian Saudi Relations Continue to Grow: New Energy Cooperation

Syria and Saudi continue to boost their relations in various fields of energy. In August 2025, Saudi concluded an Energy Cooperation Agreement and 6 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Syrian Ministry of Energy. Together the Agreement and the MoUs are intended to expand cooperation between the two countries in oil & gas, petrochemicals, electricity generation and renewables.

The agreement is set to develop power plants, carry out studies and assessments on solar and wind projects up to 1000 and 1500 megawatts respectively. As for the MoUs, they cover exploring, developing, managing and drilling oil & gas fields in addition to generating and distributing electricity from gas and providing technical support.

EGYPT

Unlocking New Investment Opportunities by the End of 2026

Aligning with "Investment for Export" Plan, the General Authority for Investment & Free Zones (GAFI) has approved the establishment of 4 new trade zones in 10th of Ramadan, New October, New Borg El-Arab, and New Alamein. This is consistent with GAFI’s vision to expand Egypt’s access to global markets, as the existing trade zones are almost fully occupied. To level the playing field and expedite export growth, the newly established trade zones will be exclusively dedicated to production for export not to affect local manufacturers within the domestic market. Moreover, the new trade zones shall comply with environmental standards.

Asia and Africa are Becoming Closer: Egypt and Japan Ink 12 Deals

The Egypt-Japan Investment Forum resulted in 12 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Egyptian and Japanese public and private entities. The concluded agreements span several sectors, and are aimed at fostering investment and trade. Beyond trade, the 12 agreements advance education, cultural cooperation, industrial development, and green-energy initiatives.

 WORLD

Extension Under Review: Will the US Keep Anti-Dumping Duties on UAE PET Film?

The United States (“US”) launched the third sunset review of anti-dumping measures imposed on polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet, and strip (“PET film”) classified under HS Code 3920.62.0090, covering imports from China the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”). The review assesses whether terminating anti-dumping measures would lead to recurrence of dumping and material injury to the US domestic industry.

US Slaps several Countries with Duties Including Turkey and UAE

After a year-long investigation into corrosion-resistant steel imports from 10 countries, the US Department of Commerce found that the subject products are being sold in the US below fair market value causing injury to the US market. Final duty rates imposed are 6.48% – 10.49% for Turkey and 7.20% – 16.38% for the UAE.