U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determination

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative preliminary determination in the antidumping duty (AD) investigation of imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China.

“Though politics plays no role in antidumping investigations, President Trump made it clear that we will vigorously enforce our trade laws and provide U.S. industry relief from unfair trade practices,” said Secretary Ross. “Today’s decision allows U.S. producers of cast iron soil pipe fittings to receive relief from the market-distorting effects of potential dumping while we continue our investigation.”

The Commerce Department preliminarily determined that exporters from China have sold cast iron soil pipe fittings in the United States at 68.37 to 109.95 percent less than fair value.

As a result of this decision, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect cash deposits from importers of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China based on these preliminary rates.

In 2016, imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China were valued at an estimated $8.6 million.

The petitioner is the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (IL), the members of which are AB&I Foundry (CA), Charlotte Pipe & Foundry (NC), and Tyler Pipe (TX).

Enforcement of U.S. trade law is a prime focus of the Trump administration.  From January 20, 2017, through February 9, 2018, the Commerce Department has initiated 94 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations – an 81 percent increase from previous period.

The AD law provides U.S. businesses and workers with a mechanism to seek relief from the harmful effects of unfair pricing of imports into the United States. Commerce currently maintains 424 antidumping and countervailing duty orders which provide relief to American companies and industries impacted by unfair trade.

Commerce is scheduled to announce the final determination in this investigation on or about June 28, 2018.  If Commerce makes an affirmative final determination of dumping and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) makes affirmative final injury determination, Commerce will issue an AD order.  If Commerce makes a negative final determination of dumping or the ITC makes a negative final determination of injury, the investigation will be terminated and no order will be issued.

Click HERE for a fact sheet on this decision.