The U.S. Department of Commerce has issued an affirmative preliminary determination in the anti-dumping duty (AD) investigation of imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China, according to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.
“Though politics plays no role in antidumping investigations, President Trump made it clear that we will vigorously enforce our trade laws and provide U.S. industry relief from unfair trade practices,” said Ross in an official statement released February 14.
“Today’s decision allows U.S. producers of cast iron soil pipe fittings to receive relief from the market-distorting effects of potential dumping while we continue our investigation,” he added.
The commerce department preliminarily determined that exporters from China have sold cast iron soil pipe fittings in the United States at 68.37% to 109.95% less than fair value.
It calculated a preliminary dumping rate of 68.37% for Shanxi Xuanshi Industrial Group Co., Ltd., 78.86% for Wor-Biz Trading Co., Ltd.(Anhui), and 109.95% for Sibo International Limited. Commerce determined a preliminary dumping rate of 88.47% for all other exporters of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China that Commerce found to be eligible for a separate rate.
Following the decision, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from importers of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China based on these preliminary rates.
The petitioner is the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, the members of which are AB&I Foundry, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, and Tyler Pipe.
Cast iron soil pipe fittings are nonmalleable iron castings of various designs and sizes, including bends, tees, wyes, traps, drains, and other common or special fittings.
In 2016, imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China were valued at an estimated US$8.6 million, said the statement.
From January 20, 2017 through February 9, 2018, the Commerce Department has initiated 94 anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations—an 81% increase from previous period.
The AD law provides U.S. businesses and workers with a mechanism to seek relief from the harmful effects of unfair pricing of imports into the United States, said the statement. Commerce currently maintains 424 anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders which provide relief to American companies and industries impacted by unfair trade.
Commerce is scheduled to announce the final determination in this investigation on June 28, 2018.
Photo: Simon Speed
