Is the US import HDG market about to get a shake up?

It’s been several months since the rumors of a HDG trade case started to make their way through the US domestic flats market, but in light of the ITC’s affirmative final determinations announcement against six different countries in the recent OCTG trade case, domestic mills seem to be feeling much more confident in their ability win should they choose to file.  Trader sources feel last week’s announcement may have “just opened the door to a lot more cases being filed,” citing a renewed belief that it’s just a matter of time before US HDG producers hop on the wagon. But for now, order activity and inquiries remain on par with where they were last week, with traders saying they will continue to do business with Chinese and Indian mills, as long as cancellation clauses remain in place. Although futures prices from these two countries have held neutral since our last report a week ago, it’s rumored that India may soon increase offer prices due to an uptick in zinc costs.