U.S. Stainless Producers Launch Trade Case Against China
02/12/2016 - Four U.S. stainless sheet and strip producers have filed a trade complaint against China, alleging that their overseas counterparts are dumping steel and undercutting domestic prices.
The producers, Outokumpu, AK Steel Corp. Allegheny Technologies Inc. and North American Stainless, announced the action on 12 February, and also alleged that Chinese producers are benefitting from government subsidies.
According to the producers, the volume of stainless sheet and strip imports have risen over the past three years, with much of it, 81.2 percent, coming from China. In 2013 alone, Chinese imports rose 133 percent, the producers said.
"Surging imports of unfairly low-priced stainless steel sheet and strip from China have devastated pricing in the U.S. market and caused severe injury to the domestic industry," said Kathleen W. Cannon, a partner in the law firm Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, which is representing the producers in the case.
The companies said that Chinese producers have tremendous sheet and strip production capacity and that price declines are likely to continue unless duties are imposed to level the playing field.
“We see this as a step forward in ensuring and promoting fair market practices and wish for a speedy resolution to this matter,” said Outokumpu’s Michael Williams, president and head of Coil Americas, in a statement.
According to the producers, the volume of stainless sheet and strip imports have risen over the past three years, with much of it, 81.2 percent, coming from China. In 2013 alone, Chinese imports rose 133 percent, the producers said.
"Surging imports of unfairly low-priced stainless steel sheet and strip from China have devastated pricing in the U.S. market and caused severe injury to the domestic industry," said Kathleen W. Cannon, a partner in the law firm Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, which is representing the producers in the case.
The companies said that Chinese producers have tremendous sheet and strip production capacity and that price declines are likely to continue unless duties are imposed to level the playing field.
“We see this as a step forward in ensuring and promoting fair market practices and wish for a speedy resolution to this matter,” said Outokumpu’s Michael Williams, president and head of Coil Americas, in a statement.
