본고는 중국을 중심으로 중국, 한국 및 일본을 대상으로 하여 철강산업의 무역구조를 분석하였다. 분석 결과, 중국 철강산업은 한국에 대해서는 스테인리스강과 같은 일부 품목을 제외하고는 전체적으로 경쟁적이거나 경쟁력 우위에 있다. 그러나 일본에 대해서는 여전히 경쟁력 열위에 놓여있다는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 다시 말해서, 중국 철강산업의 경쟁력 수준은 이미 한국 철강산업을 따라잡았으며, 일본 철강산업은 여전히 한국과 중국 철강산업에 비하여 높은 경쟁력 수준을 유지하고 있다. 이러한 결과, 한국이 일본과 중국 사이에 끼인 넛크랙커(nutcracker) 상태가 아니라 오히려 중국이 對한 경쟁력 우위와 對일 경쟁력 열위 사이에 끼인 넛크랙커 상태를 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서 이러한 현실을 바탕으로 한국 철강산업이 중국과 일본의 철강산업을 따라잡고 경쟁력을 획득하기 위해서는 다음과 같은 전략이 바람직하다고 생각된다. 첫째, M&A 등의 구조조정을 통한 생산체제의 효율성 향상, 둘째, 공정기술 혁신과 제품의 고부가가치와 차별화, 셋째, M&A 등의 구조조정을 통한 국내 철강유통산업의 대형화와 서비스 고도화 등이다.

This paper analyses the trade structure of Chinese steel industry with Korea and Japan. The results show that China gains an advantage over Korea in competitiveness of steel industry except a few items including stainless steel. But, we verify that China is still less competitive than Japan in steel industry. In other words, the level of competitiveness of China already lies over Korea's level of competitiveness, and Japan is keeping the high level of competitiveness to Korea and China. Finally, the fact is found from this study, that Korea is not a nutcracker any more between China and Japan, but China is now the nutcracker between Korea and Japan. Hence, three strategies for improving competitiveness in korea's steel industry and helping it catch up Chinese and Japanese steel industry are as follows: The first strategy is solving the disproportion among the production processes and increasing efficiency in production through structural reform like as M&As between firms. The second is developing new technology in production process and more high value-added products. Finally the third is scaling up the size of steel-distribution industry and improving its service.

This paper analyses the trade structure of Chinese steel industry with Korea and Japan. The results show that China gains an advantage over Korea in competitiveness of steel industry except a few items including stainless steel. But, we verify that China is still less competitive than Japan in steel industry. In other words, the level of competitiveness of China already lies over Korea's level of competitiveness, and Japan is keeping the high level of competitiveness to Korea and China. Finally, the fact is found from this study, that Korea is not a nutcracker any more between China and Japan, but China is now the nutcracker between Korea and Japan. Hence, three strategies for improving competitiveness in korea's steel industry and helping it catch up Chinese and Japanese steel industry are as follows: The first strategy is solving the disproportion among the production processes and increasing efficiency in production through structural reform like as M&As between firms. The second is developing new technology in production process and more high value-added products. Finally the third is scaling up the size of steel-distribution industry and improving its service.

Steel Industry, Nutcracker, Competitiveness, TSI, RCA