Japan finalized anti-dumping (AD) duties on nickel-based cold-rolled stainless steel products from China and Taiwan, imposing rates of 27.7% to 42.1% and 3.6% to 20.1%, respectively. The measure covers stainless steel cold-rolled flat products containing over 0.6% nickel following findings of dumping and material injury to Japan's domestic industry.

Trade barriers continue expanding across Asia, as Taiwan initiated an AD probe on Vietnamese cold-rolled stainless steel in August, and Malaysia launched an AD investigation into Indonesian imports in September.

High regulatory risks prompted traders to favor hot-rolled stainless steel over cold-rolled products. Meanwhile, persistent weak domestic demand in China, sluggish export trading, and an absence of verified nickel pig iron production cuts in Indonesia maintain downward pressure on regional stainless steel prices.