Global Geopolitical Series: U.S. Commerce department announces preliminary CVD on stainless steel flanges from China and India

Earlier this week, U.S. Commerce Department announced affirmative preliminary determination in the CVD investigations on imports of stainless steel flanges from China and India. The investigation, which was initiated based on petitions filed by coalition of American Flange Producers and its individual members: Core Pipe Products, Inc. (Carol Stream, IL) and Maass Flange Corporation (Houston, TX), has found that exporters from China and India of the above-mentioned material received countervailable subsidies of 174.73 percent, and from 5.00 to 239.61 percent, respectively. The Commerce Department has instructed the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) to collect cash deposits from importers of these materials.

According to Commerce department’s calculations, in 2016, imports of fine denier polyester staple fiber from China and India were valued at an estimated $16.3 million and $32.1 million, respectively.

Under the leadership of Secretary Wilbur Ross, the U.S. Commerce Department has followed through President Trump’s promise to cut down malpractices that tend to rob the United States of manufacturing jobs. From January 20, 2017, through January 17, 2018, the Commerce Department has initiated 84 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, a 62 percent increase from the previous year.

A statement on Commerce department quoted Secretary Wilbur Ross saying, “With a 58 percent increase in trade cases initiated since President Trump took office, this Administration has made it a clear priority to defend domestic businesses from unfair trade practices…..Today’s preliminary decision allows U.S. producers to receive relief from the market-distorting effects of potential government subsidies while we continue our investigation.”