While at an International Trade Commission hearing in Washington, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky urged federal officials to place duties on drill pipe from China in response to unfair trade practices.

Visclosky, D-Ind., who often testifies before the commission on steel industry matters, said Wednesday the success of the steel industry in Northwest Indiana and the nation is correlated to the trade law enforcement. Visclosky also is the head of the Congressional Steel Caucus, a bipartisan panel of legislators interested in the health of the domestic steel industry.

"If U.S. trade laws are not enforced, and if China's leaders believe that they can ignore these laws by providing illegal subsidies or dumping their products in the United States, then we all lose," Visclosky said in prepared remarks.
The hearing gathers comments from supporters and those opposing the placement of duties on certain types of Chinese drill pipe.

Domestic producers of pipe used in oil and drilling applications and the United Steelworkers union filed petitions Dec. 31, 2009, claiming products were being sold at less than fair market value and unfairly benefited from Chinese government subsidies.

Imports of drill pipe and drill pipe with tool joints attached were valued at an estimated $119.2 million in 2009, down from nearly $193.8 million in 2008.
The Commerce Department ruled Tuesday that some Chinese producers and exporters should face anti-dumping duties of 69 percent. The department also ordered duties of 18 percent on goods from certain producers and exporters to counter subsidies they may have received.

The International Trade Commission is scheduled to issue its final injury determination by Feb. 17. If the ITC decides the imported drill pipe materially injures or threatens material injury to the domestic industry, the Commerce Department will issue anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders.