The US Department of Commerce has initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on stainless sheet and narrow strip from China in response to a petition from four US producers, Commerce announced Friday.
Alleged dumping margins are 51.07%-76.64%, according to a Commerce fact sheet.
The International Trade Commission will determine on March 28 whether there is reasonable indication that the domestic industry has been injured or threatened with injury by the imports. If the ITC makes an affirmative determination, Commerce and the ITC will continue their investigations.
Commerce is scheduled to make its preliminary determination in the subsidy investigation on May 9 and its preliminary finding in the antidumping investigation on July 21, though both deadlines may be extended. At the earliest, the countervailing duties may be issued September 13 and antidumping duties could take effect November 25.
In 2015, the US imported 133,500 mt of stainless sheet and strip from China, up 11.4% from 119,800 mt in 2014, Commerce said. By comparison, the US imported 57,300 mt in 2013.
AK Steel, ATI Flat Rolled Products, North American Stainless and Outokumpu Stainless USA submitted the trade case petitions on February 12.
