AK Steel Supports WTO Case against China
09/17/2010 - AK Steel applauds the United States' filing of a complaint against China for violating the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in imposing antidumping and countervailing duties against imports of grain-oriented electrical steel from the United States.
AK Steel applauds the United States' filing of a complaint against China for violating the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in imposing antidumping and countervailing duties against imports of grain-oriented electrical steel from the United States.
"The Chinese authorities conducted the investigation contrary to WTO rules," said James L. Wainscott, Chairman, President and CEO of AK Steel. "The resulting duties are unjustified, and we are pleased that they will be reviewed by a WTO dispute settlement panel if the matter cannot be resolved through government-to-government consultations."
"We appreciate the decision by United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk to pursue this WTO remedy. AK Steel will be fully supportive," Wainscott added.
In December 2009, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) imposed duties on imported electrical steel products. The tariffs total approximately 19.5% against AK Steel.
AK Steel is one of the largest and most technologically advanced global producers of grain-oriented electrical steels. The company produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels, primarily for automotive, appliance, construction and electrical power generation and distribution markets. The company employs about 6200 people in Middletown, Mansfield, Coshocton, and Zanesville, Ohio; Butler, Pa.; Ashland, Ky.; Rockport, Ind.; and its corporate headquarters in West Chester, Ohio.
AK Tube LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AK Steel, employs about 300 men and women in plants in Walbridge, Ohio, and Columbus, Ind. It produces carbon and stainless electric resistance welded (ERW) tubular steel products for truck, automotive, and other markets.
