US pipe probe could lead to tariff hike

A US investigation into Chinese-made steel pipes could lead to 100% duty on Chinese pipe imports, state media reported. The US Commerce Department has launched anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into the production of Chinese pipes, following a petition by four companies who claim Chinese manufacturers are selling their products at unfarily low prices. The US companies are asking for a 98.37% anti-dumping duty, as well as tariffs to offset Chinese government subsidies. But critics in China claim that the US government is under pressure from labor unions, and are skeptical that Chinese prices are too low. Mi Yunji, an analyst at Mysteel, a consultancy, said: "Prices are higher for exports than for the domestic market. Overseas demand is also not good right now."