The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has launched preliminary antidumping (AD) investigations into imports of welded stainless steel line and pressure pipe from Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India, while parallel countervailing duty (CVD) investigations have also been initiated against imports from Turkey and India.
The investigations follow petitions filed on July 15 by U.S. producers Bristol Pipe and Tube, Felker Brothers Corporation, and Primus Pipe and Tube, alleging that imports are being sold in the U.S. market at less than fair value and that producers in Turkey and India benefit from government subsidies.
The products under investigation include welded stainless steel line and pressure pipe classified under U.S. tariff subheadings 7305.31.60, 7306.11.00, 7306.40.50, and in some cases 7306.40.10.
The USITC will determine whether there is a reasonable indication that the U.S. industry has suffered material injury or faces the threat of injury due to the subject imports. Unless the U.S. Department of Commerce extends the schedule, the Commission is expected to issue its preliminary injury determination by August 31, with its findings to be transmitted to Commerce by September 8.
For Turkish exporters, the case exposes welded stainless steel pipe shipments to both antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, increasing the risk of additional trade barriers in the U.S. market if preliminary findings support the allegations.
The UAE is subject only to the antidumping investigation, with the outcome determining whether U.S. authorities proceed with a full investigation and the possible imposition of antidumping duties on welded stainless steel pipe imports from the country.