US probing S. Korean steel pipes for unfair price-cutting practices

The US is probing steel pipe products by Korean firms Iljin Steel, Hanse Steel, and Husteel for the imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties after Texas-based steelmaker Vallourec Star requested a review.

The US International Trade Commission is carrying out the investigation and would make its recommendations to the commerce department by around March 2021.

The allegedly unfairly-priced imports are the seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipes widely used in chemical plants, nuclear power generation facilities, airplanes, and vehicles.

Vallourec Star claimed that the cheap imports were damaging local industries and requested authorities to check if South Korean and Russian steel products were state-subsidized and also review those from Ukraine and the Czech Republic.

Vallourec Star also demanded the imposition of 119.07 to 132.16 percent dumping margins on imported steel pipes.

Governments impose anti-dumping duties on products sold below their manufacturing price and countervailing duties on government-subsidized goods.