Mining News Pro - According to the recent reports, Canada has launched a probe on whether carbon steel welded pipes are being sold into the country from Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam at unfair prices.
The investigation has been launched by Canada on the complaint filed by Novamerican Steel Inc. of Montreal, Quebec. In its complaint, the company has alleged that as a result of price undercutting from Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam, Canadian industry is facing price suppression, lost sales, reduced profitability, decreased production and under-utilization of capacity.
The product covered under investigation
The subject goods on which investigation is being launched are described as ‘carbon steel welded pipe, commonly identified as standard pipe, in the nominal size ranging from half inch up to and including 6 inches (12.7 mm to 168.3 mm in outside diameter) inclusive, in various forms and finishes, usually supplied to meet ASTM A53, ASTM A135, ASTM A252, ASTM A589, ASTM A795, ASTM F1083 or Commercial Quality, or AWWA C200-97 or equivalent specifications, including water well casing, piling pipe, sprinkler pipe and fencing pipe, but excluding oil and gas line pipe made to API specifications.’
The investigation process
The CITT (Canadian International Trade Tribunal) will begin a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the imports are harming Canadian producers and will issue a decision by September 18, 2018. Subsequently, CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) will investigate whether the imports are being sold in Canada at unfair prices, and will make a preliminary decision by October 18, 2018.
The U.S. government’s announcement of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports have made all the major economies across the globe to tighten up their protectionism measures. In line with this in order to address the evolving nature of trade and to ensure the well-being of industries like steel that are essential to the Canadian economy, Canada is modernizing its trade remedy system. CBSA is also working with its trading partners, to strengthen the country’s trade remedy systems, improve transparency and coordinate our efforts against unfair trade practices.