US extends antidumping duties on Chinese iron pipe fittings

WASHINGTON - A US trade panel voted on Thursday to extend antidumping duties on iron pipe fittings and sodium nitrite from China.

The US International Trade Commission (USITC) voted against revoking the existing duty orders on non-malleable cast iron pipe fittings and sodium nitrite from China, saying it "would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time."

The US Commerce Department is required to remove an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the department and the USITC vote against it, according to the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.

The United States initially issued antidumping duty orders on non-malleable cast iron pipe fittings from China in 2003 and agreed to keep antidumping duties on the products in 2008. Last July, the Commerce Department decided to institute the second five-year review of the measures.

The US also imposed antidumping and countervailing duties on sodium nitrite from China in August, 2008 and instituted the first five-year review of these punitive duties in July, 2013.

The USITC voted to conduct expedited reviews of the existing duties on non-malleable cast iron pipe fittings and sodium nitrite on October 21, 2013.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has repeatedly urged Washington to abide by its commitment against protectionism and help maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.