ITC Begins Look at Possible Exclusion Order on All Steel Imports From China
The International Trade Commission has voted to begin a Section 337 investigation into carbon and alloy steel products from China, it said on May 26 (here). The ITC will determine whether to issue a general exclusion order banning imports of all unfairly treated Chinese steel. U.S. Steel had requested the investigation on April 26 (see 1604270008), alleging China’s steel industry has engaged in unfair trading practices including price fixing and other collusion, the hacking of U.S. Steel’s computers to steal trade secrets, and the false designation of origin and manufacturer to evade antidumping and countervailing duties on steel products.
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Lawmakers had joined steel industry associations in urging the International Trade Commission to move forward with the Section 337 investigation (see 1605240040). On the other hand, downstream users of steel from one of China’s largest exporters, Baosteel, warned of the effects of an exclusion order, arguing the products they source from China aren’t available from downstream producers.
The ITC will also consider whether to issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders against Chinese steel industry respondents specifically identified in U.S. Steel’s complaint, specifically banning importation and sale of their steel if unfairly traded. The commission will set a target date for completing the investigation within the next 45 days. Any exclusion orders issued by the ITC would be vetted by the U.S. Trade Representative, and wouldn’t become final until 60 days after they are issued. Respondents to the Section 337 investigation are as follows:
- Hebei Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd., of Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, China;
- Hebei Iron & Steel Group Hengshui Strip Rolling Co., Ltd., of Hengshui City, Hebei Province, China;
- Hebei Iron & Steel (Hong Kong) International Trade Co., Ltd., of Hong Kong, China;
- Shanghai Baosteel Group Corporation of Shanghai, China;
- Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., of Shanghai, China;
- Baosteel America Inc. of Montvale, NJ;
- Jiangsu Shagang Group of Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, China;
- Jiangsu Shagang International Trade Co., Ltd., of Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, China;
- Anshan Iron and Steel Group of Anshan City, Liaoning Province, China;
- Angang Group International Trade Corporation of Anshan, Liaoning Province, China;
- Angang Group Hong Kong Co. Ltd. of Wanchai, Hong Kong, China;
- Wuhan Iron and Steel Group Corp. of Hubei Province, China;
- Wuhan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China;
- WISCO America Co., Ltd., Newport Beach, CA;
- Shougang Group of Beijing, China;
- China Shougang International Trade & Engineering Corporation of Beijing, China;
- Shandong Iron and Steel Group Co. Ltd. of Jinan City, Shandong Province, China;
- Shandong Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., Jinan City, Shandong Province, China;
- Jigang Hong Kong Holdings Co., Ltd., of Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China;
- Jinan Steel International Trade Co., Ltd., of Jinan City, Shandong Province, China;
- Magang Group Holding Co. Ltd. of Maanshan City, Anhui Province, China;
- Maanshan Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. of Maanshan City, Anhui Province, China;
- Bohai Iron and Steel Group of Tianjin, China;
- Tianjin Pipe (Group) Corporation of Tianjin Province, China;
- Tianjin Pipe International Economic & Trading Corporation of Tianjin Province, China;
- TPCO Enterprise, Inc., Houston, TX;
- TPCO America Corporation of Gregory, TX;
- Benxi Steel (Group) Co. Ltd. of Benxi City, Liaoning Province, China;
- Benxi Iron and Steel (Group) International Economic and Trading Co. Ltd. of Benxi City, Liaoning Province, China;
- Hunan Valin Steel Co. Ltd. of Changsha City, Hunan Province, China;
- Hunan Valin Xiangtan Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. of Xiangtan City, Hunan Province, China;
- Tianjin Tiangang Guanye Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China;
- Wuxi Sunny Xin Rui Science and Technology Co., Ltd., of Wuxi Province, China;
- Taian JNC Industrial Co., Ltd., Tai’an City, Shandong Province, China;
- EQ Metal (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China;
- Kunshan Xinbei International Trade Co., Ltd., Jiangsu, China;
- Tianjin Xinhai Trade Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China;
- Tianjin Xinlianxin Steel Pipe Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China;
- Tianjin Xinyue Industrial and Trade Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China; and
- Xian Linkun Materials (Steel Pipe Supplies) Co., Ltd., Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China.
(ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1002)