More China steel product duties

Additional duties of 43 to 289% on imports of more than $300 million worth of a steel product from China on the basis that Chinese-made wire decking is being sold at unfairly low prices is probably the start of another year of trade friction between the United States and China.

 

The preliminary anti-dumping duties imposed are in addition to duties ranging from 2 to 438% announced by the Commerce Department in November to offset government subsidies given to Chinese wire decking producers.

 

Last week, the US International Trade Commission approved duties ranging from 10 to 16% on some $2.74 billion worth of Chinese-made oil well tubing and casing in the biggest US trade case against China.

 

The same day, the United Steelworkers union and four US companies filed a new petition asking for duties of at least 109 to 274% on Chinese-made drill pipe.

 

Reuters reported Chinese producers and exporters could still escape the duties if the US International Trade Commission determines US producers have not been materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by the imports. That will not be decided until July.