The U.S. International Trade Commission gave final approval on Dec. 30 for imposition of penalty tariffs on imported Chinese steel pipes targeted for unfair subsidies.
The commission, "has made an affirmative determination in its final-phase countervailing duty investigation concerning" the "oil country tubular goods" from China.
The Commerce Department said last month it wanted to impose tariffs of between 10.36% and 15.78%, in addition to normal duties, following a probe on the imported steel pipes used to deliver oil and gas in the petroleum industry.
From 2006 to 2008, imports of such pipes from China increased 203% by volume, the department said. They were valued at $2.6 billion last year.
The Commerce Department pursued an investigation into the steel pipes case after complaints from various industry groups and unions, including the United States Steel Corp., and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union.
The steel pipes are also being investigated in a separate case for dumping, in which Washington alleges the Chinese imports are being sold at below market value. China also has called that move protectionist. In November, the Commerce Department in a "preliminary determination" said anti-dumping tariffs of up to 99% would be slapped on the pipes, saying they were sold in the U.S. at prices ranging from up to 99.14% less than normal value. The department said it would make a "final determination" on the dumping case in March.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2009
