The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of circular welded non-alloy steel pipe from China, but not Indonesia, Malaysia, Romania, and South Africa, that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative with respect to China. With respect to Indonesia, Malaysia, Romania, and South Africa, Chairman Stephen Koplan, Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, and Commissioners Marcia E. Miller and Jennifer A. Hillman voted in the negative, and Commissioners Lynn M. Bragg and Dennis M. Devaney voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination concerning China, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping investigation of imports of circular welded non-alloy steel pipe from that country, with its preliminary determination due on or about October 31, 2001. As a result of the Commission's negative determinations concerning Indonesia, Malaysia, Romania, and South Africa, those cases will end.

The Commission's public report Circular Welded Non-Alloy Steel Pipe from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Romania, and South Africa (Investigations Nos. 731-TA-943-947 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3439, July 2001) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after August 6, 2001, by calling 202-205-1809 or from 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 these investigations are welded carbon quality steel pipes and tubes, of circular cross section, with an outside diameter ranging from 0.372 inch (9.45mm) to 16 inches (406.40mm) inclusive, regardless of wall thickness, surface finish, and finish, or industry specification.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Type of investigations: Preliminary antidumping.
2.  Petitioners: Allied Tube & Conduit Corp., Harvey, IL; IPSCO Tubulars, Inc., Camanche, IA;
    LTV Copperweld, Youngstown, OH; Northwest Pipe Co., Portland, OR; Western Tube &
    Conduit Corp., Long Beach, CA; Century Tube Corp., Pine Bluff, AR; Laclede Steel, St.
    Louis, MO; Maverick Tube Corp., Chesterfield, MO; Sharon Tube Co., Sharon, PA;
    Wheatland Tube Co., Wheatland, PA; and the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO.
3.  Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: May 24, 2001.  
4.  Preliminary conference: June 14, 2001.
5.  USITC vote: July 9, 2001.
6.  USITC determination to the U.S. Department of Commerce: July 9, 2001.

U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of producers: 25.
2.  Location of producers' plants: Throughout the United States. 
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2000: 2937.
4.  U.S. producers' U.S. shipments (excluding exports)  in 2000: 1.4 million short tons, 
    valued at $822 million.
5.  U.S. apparent consumption in 2000:  2.5 million short tons, valued at $1.4 billion.
6.  Ratio of subject imports from subject countries to  U.S. apparent consumption in 2000:
    by quantity, 10.8 percent; by value, 8.1 percent.
              
U.S. Imports in 2000:

1.  From the subject countries listed above:  268,869 short tons, valued at $109 million.
2.  From other countries: 820,987 short tons, valued at $424 million.
3.  Leading source during 2000: Canada.