Global Geopolitical Series: U.S. imposes high duties on welded pipes from China and India

In a continuation of the toughened stance against trade practices, even after the Mid-term outcome, the U.S.  Commerce Department slapped additional duties on certain Chinese and Indian goods. Yesterday, the Commerce Department concluded its final investigations into imports of welded pipes from China &India, and it has found that the exporters are dumping the product in the United States and selling the product at a much lower rate to the U.S. customers compared to the fair value. According to the statement released, Chinese exporters are dumping products at a margin of 132.63 percent and Indians at 50.55 percent. In addition to that, the department has found that exporters from China and India are receiving countervailing subsidies at rates of 198.49 percent and 541.15 percent, respectively.
 

As a result of the findings, the commerce department has asked the U.S. customs and border patrol (CBP) agency to collect cash deposits from importers of the item based on these preliminary rates.
 

The investigation was initiated based on petitions filed a group of companies; Cast Iron Pipe Company (Birmingham, AL), Berg Steel Pipe Corp. (Panama City, FL), Berg Spiral Pipe Corp., Dura-Bond Industries (Steelton, PA), Skyline Steel (Parsippany, NJ), and Stupp Corporation (Baton Rouge, LA).

According to the department’s calculations, the imports of welded pipes from China and India were valued at an estimated $29.2 million and $294.7 million respectively, in 2017.

Under President Trump, the U.S. Commerce Department has significantly stepped up its investigations into foreign malpractices in trade and the number of investigations initiated is 245 percent more than the previous administration.