May 16, 2011
News Release 11-049
Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1185 (P)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of certain steel nails from the United Arab Emirates that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Vice Chairman Irving A. Williamson and Commissioners Charlotte R. Lane, Shara L. Aranoff, and Dean A. Pinkert voted in the affirmative. Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun and Commissioner Daniel R. Pearson voted in the negative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping duty investigation on imports of these products from the United Arab Emirates, with its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about September 7, 2011.

The Commission's public report Certain Steel Nails from the United Arab Emirates (Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1185 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4235, May 2011) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after June 13, 2011, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or writing to the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: The imported products subject to this investigation are certain steel nails having a shaft length up to 12 inches. Certain steel nails include, but are not limited to, nails made of round wire and nails that are cut. Certain steel nails may be of one piece construction or constructed of two or more pieces. Certain steel nails may be produced from any type of steel, and have a variety of finishes, heads, shanks, point types, shaft lengths and shaft diameters. Certain steel nails may be sold in bulk, or they may be collated into strips or coils using materials such as plastic, paper, or wire.

Status of Proceedings:

  1.   Type of investigation: Preliminary antidumping.
  2.   Petitioner: Mid Continent Nail Corporation, Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
  3.   Petition filed: March 31, 2011. 
  4.   USITC staff conference: April 21, 2011.
  5.   USITC vote: May 16, 2011.
  6.   USITC notification of the U.S. Department of Commerce: May 23, 2011.


U.S. Industry:          
  
  1.   Number of producers of certain steel nails: 13.
  2.   Location of producers' plants: Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Rhode Island, Colorado,
         Massachusetts, Texas, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, California, and West Virginia.
  3.   Employment of production and related workers in 2010: 590.
  4.   U.S. producers' U.S. shipments (excluding exports) in 2010:
       93,613 short tons, valued at $151 million.
  5.   U.S. apparent consumption in 2010:  526,467 short tons, valued at $658 million.
  6.   Ratio of subject imports to U.S. production in 2010:  127.0 percent.


U.S. Imports:

  1.   From the subject country during 2010:  118,558 short tons, valued at $112 million.
  2.   From other countries during 2010:  314,296 short tons, valued at $395 million.
  3.   Total imports during 2010:  432,854 short tons, valued at $507 million. 
  4.   Leading sources during 2010: China, United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan.