*EPF504 02/23/01
USITC Votes to Continue Case Against Large Diameter Pipe Imports
(Large pipe from Japan, Mexico may hurt U.S. industry) (270)

Washington -- The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) acted February 22 to continue antidumping cases against imports of certain kinds of welded large diameter line pipe from Japan and Mexico.

By a 6-0 vote, USITC commissioners determined that there is a reasonable indication that U.S. industry is being materially injured because the Japanese and Mexican pipe imports are being "dumped" -- sold at less than fair value.

Imports found to be "dumped" can be subject to additional duties.

As a result of the commissioners' affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its antidumping duty investigations of the particular kind of large pipe from Japan and Mexico. Commerce's preliminary determination should be announced around June 19.

The imposition of antidumping duties requires final determinations by Commerce that dumping occurred and from the USITC that the dumping has injured U.S. industry.

The imported product subject to the anti-dumping investigations is welded carbon and alloy line pipe, with an outside diameter greater than 16 inches, according to the USITC. In 2000, the total "apparent" U.S. consumption of this kind of pipe was 839,410 short tons, valued at about $443 million. Last year, imports of this kind of pipe from Japan totaled 219,430 short ton, valued at $102.4 million and from Mexico, 27,628 short tons, valued at $12.6 million, said the USITC.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Website: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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