Global Geopolitical Series: U.S. slaps duties on steel flanges from India

Earlier this week, the U.S. Commerce Department concluded its final investigations into imports of Stainless steel flanges from India and it has found that exporters from India are receiving countervailable subsidies for the above-mentioned product at 4.92-256.16 percent. In addition to that, it has found that exporters from India are dumping the above-mentioned product at 19.16 to 145.25 percent less than fair value. As a result of the findings, the commerce department has asked the U.S. customs and border patrol (CBP) agency to collect cash deposits from importers of the item based on these preliminary rates.

The investigation was initiated based on a petition filed by Coalition of American Flange Producers and its individual members: Core Pipe Products, Inc. (Carol Stream, IL) and Maass Flange Corporation (Houston, TX).

According to the department’s calculations, the imports of stainless steel flanges were valued at an estimated $44 million in 2017.

Under President Trump, the U.S. Commerce Department has significantly stepped up its investigations into foreign malpractices in trade and the number of investigations initiated is 216 percent more than the previous administration.