Accordingly, the DOC stated that there was a duty circumvention of these two products from China through Vietnam for export to the United States. Earlier, in December 2017, the United States announced its findings of preliminary investigation.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade cooperated with the Vietnam Steel Association and related businesses to closely monitor the case from the beginning of the investigation period from November 2016. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has repeatedly expressed its official views on the case with the US and requested the DOC to conduct an objective investigation, in accordance with WTO rules and U.S. practice, not to apply this measure to the exporting enterprises of Vietnam. Vietnam Steel Association, steel manufacturers in Vietnam have also closely cooperated with the U.S. to clarify the origin of raw materials and processes of steel production in Vietnam.

Currently, the DOC has notified the exemption of measures if the Vietnamese steel export enterprises prove that the exported products are made from materials non-originating from China. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to cooperate with related businesses to process DOC procedures for exemptions as regulated.