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

Last week, the U.S. Commerce Department announced affirmative final determination in the CVD investigations on imports of stainless steel flanges from China. The investigation, which was initiated based on petitions filed by a 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 of the above-mentioned material received countervailable subsidies of 174.73 percent. 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 stainless steel flanges from China were valued at an estimated $16.3 million.

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 April 4, 2018, the Commerce Department has initiated 102 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, a 96 percent increase from the previous year.

A statement on Commerce department quoted Secretary Wilbur Ross saying, “President Trump made it clear from the beginning that we will vigorously administer our trade laws to provide U.S. industry with relief from unfair trade practices……..Today’s decision follows an open and transparent investigation in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations, and administrative practices that ensured a full and fair review of the facts.”