Anti-dumping Duties
The United States will slap anti-dumping duties up to 3.82 percent on steel pipes manufactured by South Korean companies.
According to Washington Center of the Korea International Trade Association on July 16, the U.S. commerce department has decided on the 14th (local time) to impose anti-dumping duties ranging from 2.34 percent (Dong-a Steel) to 3.82 percent (Hi Steel) on heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes made in South Korea.
A heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipe is usually used in construction and made by small companies, and thus the move will not affect major firms like POSCO and SeAH Steel. Also, South Korea shipped 48 billion won (US$42.29 million) worth of such goods to the U.S. last year, implying the decision will have only a limited impact on local steelmakers.
The U.S. commerce department has been investigating possible unfair undercutting of prices since July last year with the complaint of the U.S. steel producers, including Atlas Tube. The decision of the U.S. commerce department will be confirmed after the final decision of the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) responsible for the probe on August 29.