The United States International Trade Commission determined that there is a reasonable indication that a US industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of welded stainless steel pressure pipe from China that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the US Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations of imports of welded stainless steel pressure pipe from China, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about April 24th 2008, and its preliminary antidumping determination due on or about July 8th 2008.

The imported product subject to these investigations is welded stainless steel pressure pipe with an outside diameter not greater than 14 inches. The product includes, but is not limited to, the ASTM A-312 or ASTM A-778 specifications or comparable domestic or foreign specifications. ASTM A-358 products are only included when they are produced to meet ASTM A-312 or ASTM A-778 specifications or comparable domestic or foreign specifications. The product is typically used for conveying gases and liquids in corrosive environments or under high temperature and pressure conditions.

The petitioners to the case are Bristol Metals, Felker Brothers Corp, Marcegaglia USA Inc, Outokumpu Stainless Pipe Inc and the United Steel Workers. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC on January 30th 2008.

The details of imports of products under review in 2007 are as under

1. China - 30,574 short tons (USD 156 million)

2. From other countries - 29,314 short tons (USD 160 million). Other leading sources are Taiwan, South Korea and Malaysia.

March 15,2008

Source: steelguru.com