MUSCAT, DEC 3
Dealing a blow to Oman’s thriving pipe manufacturing industry, US authorities have decided to keep in place existing anti-dumping duties on imports of circular-welded carbon quality steel pipes from the Sultanate of Oman, among other countries.
The decision came in a ruling issued by the US International Trade Commission (USITC) – part of the US Department of Commerce – during a review of anti-dumping measures adopted by the US government against imports of circular-welded steel pipes from Oman, as well as Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Announcing its latest determination on the issue, the USITC said, “The US International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty orders on imports of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe from Oman, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
“As a result off the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from Oman, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates will remain in place.”
Exports of circular welded pipes into the United States represent a lucrative market for Omani pipe manufacturers. They are typically used in plumbing and heating, air conditioning, automatic sprinkler and fencing systems.
However, over the last several years, American manufacturers of these products have petitioned the USITC claiming that such pipes from Oman, and the two other countries, are imported and distributed at less than fair market value, thereby causing material injury to their business.
A representative grouping of these manufacturers have also argued that the pipes actually originate in India in the form of hot-rolled steel. The latter product is exported into Oman, among other Gulf states, where it is processed into circular welded pipes and shipped out into the US.
This rerouting enables Indian companies to circumvent existing antidumping duties on circular welded pipes manufactured in India, they claim.
Under the Uruguay Round of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), countries imposing an antidumping or countervailing duty order must revoke or terminate the decision after five years unless they conclude that the revocation would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies and of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
Earlier this year, the USITC voted for a full review (also known as sunset review) to take place in November 2022. The review took place last week with the Commission voting to keep the existing anti-dumping duty order in place.
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