ITC Announces Remedy Proposals in Safeguard Proceeding Involving Standard Pipe From China
On October 11, 2005, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) announced the remedy proposals it will forward to the President and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in its China safeguard investigation concerning circular welded non-alloy steel pipe (standard pipe) from China.
Chairman Koplan and Commissioner Lane announced that they will propose that the President impose an annual quota of 160,000 short tons on imports of circular welded non-alloy steel pipe from China for a period of three years. They further announced that they will recommend that, if applications are filed, the President direct the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Commerce to provide expedited consideration of Trade Adjustment Assistance for firms and/or workers that are affected by subject imports.
Commissioners Hillman and Aranoff announced that they will propose the imposition of a tariff-rate quota for a three-year period on imports of the subject welded non-alloy steel pipe from China. They will propose that such imports be subject to a tariff-rate quota with the within-quota quantity set at a level of 267,468 short tons in the first year of relief, and increasing by a rate of 5 percent in the second and 10 percent in the third year of relief. The proposed tariff-rate quota is based on 2004 imports from China. Imports over these quota levels will be subject to an ad valorem tariff of 25 percent. They further announced that they will recommend that, if applications are filed, the President direct the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Labor to provide expedited consideration of any petitions for trade adjustment assistance filed by firms or workers affected by the subject imports.
Vice Chairman Okun and Commissioner Pearson announced that, while they did not find market disruption to exist, they will submit their views on remedy to the President and the USTR, as provided for in the law and as has been done previously in section 421 investigations.
The ITC will submit its report to the President and the USTR by October 21, 2005. The report will include the Commissioners' determination, views, and remedy proposals. The President will make the final decision whether to provide relief to the U.S. industry and the type and amount of relief.
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