The tariffs are effective with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after March 23, 2018. Countries with temporary exclusions to the tariffs include Canada, Mexico, Australia, Argentina, South Korea, Brazil and  member countries of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom).

Customs and Border Protection noted that exclusions are based on the country of origin, not the country of export. The merchandise covered by the additional duties may also be subject to pre-existing antidumping and countervailing duties.

September 26th, Monday

09:00 – 09:25                        Welcome address by Chairman of IREPAS

09:25 – 10:25                         SESSION ONE
- Global economic developments and expectations

Lutz Karpowitz, Commerzbank AG / Director of FX Strategy

• Where is the European economy heading?
• China’s new normal
• Prospects and challenges for the U.S. economy
• GCC economies in a low oil price environment

10:25 – 10:55                              Networking Break

10:55 – 12:30                      SESSION TWO – Critical changes expected in global long steel markets
- Long product market outlook

Kim Marti, Celsa Group / International Sales Director

• Overview of global construction sector
• Steel and long products consumption
• Rebar markets
• International price situation

- Focus on China: What we can expect next?

Li Xinchuang, China Metallurgical Industry Planning and Research Institute (MPI) / President – China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) / Vice Secretary General

• Outlook for Chinese steel market – raw materials and long products
• Overcapacity and environmental pollution
• Will Chinese steel exports still increase despite trade cases?
• New normal for Chinese steel

Keynote Speaker:
Becky E. Hites, Steel-Insights / President

Developed World Empty Nest Syndrome: The “Chicks” (Developing World) Have Flown The Coop & Now Are Flooding The Market With Steel

• Declining global steel demand and continued substantial global steel overcapacity resulting in more market protection trade actions.
• Chinese “campaign promises” (5-year plan) of increased environmental protection and lower steel production can deliver swift results once implemented.
• Consolidation through M&A likely as steel producers maneuver to adjust to the new slower growth market reality.
• Continued expected infrastructure investment in the Developing Worlds is a favorable driver for long product production.
• Energy volatility to continue as new players are re-introduced on the supply side and historic power balances are in flux, somewhat a negative for steel demand to that industry.
• Semis product substitution for liquid steel production (and traditional raw materials use) also continuing to disrupt and impact mill production schedules.
• 2017 stacking up as a year of continued re-alignment both on the supply side, but also the demand side, rather than a return to predictability and solid profitability.

12:30 – 14:30        Networking Lunch

14:30 – 17:00        IREPAS Committee Meetings

• 14:30 – 17:00 Producers Committee (by invitation only)
• 14:30 – 17:00 Raw Material Suppliers Committee (by invitation only)
• 14:30 – 17:00 Traders Committee (open to all attendees)

20:00 – 23:00 Gala Dinner

September 27th, Tuesday

09:30 – 11:00             SESSION THREE – Panel with Committee Chairmen

• Producers Committee
• Raw Material Suppliers Committee
• Traders Committee