US panel approves duties on China steel product

US approves antidumping measures against China steel grating imports.

The US International Trade Commission Thursday approved antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of steel grating from China, in spite of strong objections from China. The ITC said that US producers were "materially injured" by imports of certain steel grating from China, which were determined to be subsidized and sold in the US at less than fair value. On June 2, the US Department of Commerce slapped antidumping duty of 136.76% on three Chinese manufacturers -- Sinosteel Yantai Steel Grating, Ningbo Lihong Steel Grating and Yantai Xinke Steel Structure. All other producers/exporters are to be taxed 145.18% to offset below-market pricing. A countervailing duty of 62.46% has also been imposed, according to the statement. China's Ministry of Commerce objected against the measures, accusing the US of being discriminatory in its antidumping and anti-subsidy investigations. The ministry added that it would not accept such a move, urging the US to correct what it called a mistake. In 2009, the US imposed a series of trade remedy measures on Chinese products, and the value was eight times that imposed in 2008, China's Ministry of Commerce said. "Such action not only hurts the interests of China, but also has an adverse impact on bilateral economic and trade ties," the statement said. It added that China hoped the US would show restraint in using trade remedy measures and fight trade protectionism. The domestic petitioners for the steel grating investigations are Alabama Metal Industries and Fisher & Ludlow, with domestic production facilities located in Alabama, Pennsylvania and Illinois, among other locations. The DOC initiated its antidumping investigation in June 2009.
Steel grating consists of two or more cross-bracing members and is used in industrial floors, docks, ramps, drainage covers, staircases and other applications.