July 20, 2007
News Release 07-076
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-447 and 731-TA-1116 (P)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC or Commission) 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 carbon-quality steel pipe from China that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Vice Chairman Shara L. Aranoff and Commissioners Charlotte R. Lane and Irving A. Williamson voted in the affirmative. Chairman Daniel R. Pearson and Commissioner Deanna Tanner Okun made affirmative threat determinations. Commissioner Dean A. Pinkert did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations of imports of this product from China, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about August 31, 2007, and its preliminary antidumping determination due on or about November 14, 2007.

The Commission's public report Circular Welded Carbon Quality Steel Pipe from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-447 and 731-TA-1116 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3938, July 2007) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after August 20, 2007, by calling 202-205-2000 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 (9.45 mm) to 16 inches (406.40 mm) inclusive, whether or not stenciled, regardless of wall thickness, surface finish, end finish, or industry specification, generally known as standard pipe and structural pipe.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Type of investigations:  Preliminary countervailing and antidumping.
2.  Petitioners:  Allied Tube & Conduit Corp., Harvey, IL; IPSCO Tubulars, Inc. Camanche, IA;
    Northwest Pipe Co., Portland, OR; Sharon Tube Co., Sharon, PA; Western Tube & Conduit
    Corp., Long Beach, CA; Wheatland Tube Co., Collingswood, NJ; and the United
    Steelworkers of America, Pittsburgh, PA.
3.  Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC:  June 7, 2007.
4.  Commission's conference:  June 28, 2007.
5.  USITC vote:  July 20, 2007.
6.  USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  July 23, 2007.

U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of producers:  20 firms reported U.S. production.
2.  Location of producers' plants:  Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas,
    Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2006:  2,084.
4.  U.S. producers' U.S. shipments (excluding exports) in 2006:  
    1.4 million short tons, valued at $1.3 billion.
5.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2006:
    2.7 million short tons, valued at $2.2 billion.
6.  Ratio of subject imports from subject country (China) to apparent U.S. consumption in 2006:
    By quantity, 26.7 percent; by value, 19.0 percent.
              
U.S. Imports in 2006:

1.  From China:  716,184 short tons, valued at $420 million.
2.  From other countries:  616,007 short tons, valued at $467 million.
3.  Leading sources during 2006:  China, followed by Thailand, Mexico, and Canada.