The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has announced that it has started antidumping and countervailing duty investigations regarding imports of structural steel products from Canada, Mexico and China.
The ITC has stated that the investigation has been started upon the application by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).
The products subject to the investigation are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings: 7308.90.9590, 7308.90.3000, and 7308.90.6000.
The products subject to the investigation may also enter under the following HTSUS subheadings: 7216.91.0010, 7216.91.0090, 7216.99.0010, 7216.99.0090, 7228.70.6000, 7301.10.0000, 7301.20.1000, 7301.20.5000, 7308.40.0000, 7308.90.9530, and 9406.90.0030.
According to the ITC, while the investigated companies are required to return completed questionnaires by February 15, the commission is expected to make preliminary injury determination by March 23, 2019.
On the other hand, the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) strongly opposes the AISC’s claims. President and CEO of CISC, Ed Whalen stated, “The AISC’s allegations that these products from Canada are unfairly traded and cause injury to US producers of fabricated steel products are baseless. The negative effects of the Section 232 steel tariffs are the more likely cause of injury for the US downstream steel sector, not Canada. Canada and the US have been in each other’s markets for generations.”