Global Geopolitical Series: U.S. slaps duties on cast iron soil pipes from China

Yesterday, the U.S. Commerce Department announced that it has concluded its investigation into cast iron soil pipe imports from China and the department has found that exporters from China received countervailable subsidies ranging from 13.11 to 111.20 percent. The department has asked the U.S. customs and border protection agency (CBP) to collect cash deposits from importers based on the above preliminary rates. The final result of the investigation will be announced on 8th November 2018. However, the final outcome is unlikely to change by much.

The investigation was initiated based on a petition filed by Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute of Illinois. According to the department’s calculation, the imports of cast iron soil pipe from China were valued at $11.5 million in 2017.

The Commerce Department has significantly stepped up AD & CVD (Countervailing duties) investigations and actions under the Trump administration. The number of investigations initiated and settled is 59 percent more than the previous administration.