Global Geopolitical Series: U.S. Commerce department announces preliminary AD on cast iron soil pipe fittings from China

Yesterday, U.S. Commerce department announced affirmative preliminary determination in the AD investigations on imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China. The investigation, which was initiated based on petitions filed by Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (IL), the members of which are AB&I Foundry (CA), Charlotte Pipe & Foundry (NC), and Tyler Pipe (TX), has found that exporters from China of the above mentioned material have sold cast iron soil pipe fittings in the United States at 68.37 to 109.95 percent less than fair value. The Commerce department has instructed the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) to collect cash deposits from importers of these materials based on the above rates.

According to Commerce department’s calculations, in 2016, imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China were valued at an estimated $8.6 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 February 9, 2018, the Commerce department has initiated 94 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, an 81 percent increase from the previous year.

A statement on Commerce department quoted Secretary Wilbur Ross saying, “Though politics plays no role in antidumping investigations, President Trump made it clear that we will vigorously enforce our trade laws and provide U.S. industry relief from unfair trade practices……Today’s decision allows U.S. producers of cast iron soil pipe fittings to receive relief from the market-distorting effects of potential dumping while we continue our investigation.”