Taiwan’s cold-rolled steel imports surged to 102,000 tons in June, with shipments from China accounting for about 98,500 tons. Japan and South Korea supplied around 3,500 tons and 225 tons, respectively. Chinese 1B steel comprised approximately 87,800 tons, representing 89% of Chinese imports and 86% of Taiwan's total cold-rolled imports for the month.

These high-volume Chinese arrivals entered the Taiwanese market at exceptionally low prices. This influx disrupted the domestic market. Total cold-rolled imports for June nearly doubled the month's hot-rolled import volume of 52,000 tons. For the first half of the year, cold-rolled imports reached 280,000 tons, exceeding hot-rolled imports by 80,000 tons.

Market participants said that this atypical import pattern originates from Chinese 1B steel. They argue that restricting these specific imports is necessary to restore stability to the domestic market.