The United States International Trade Commission (US ITC) determined that there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports from China of welded stainless steel pressure pipe, provided for in subheading 7306.40 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that are alleged to be subsidized by the Government of China and sold in the US at less than fair value. US ITC also gave notice of the commencement of the final phase of its investigations and will issue a final phase notice of scheduling, which will be published in the Federal Register. On 30th January 2008, a petition was filed with the Commission and Commerce by Bristol Metals, Felker Brothers Corp., Marcegaglia USA Inc., Outoukumpu Stainless Pipe Inc. and the United Steel Workers of America alleging that an industry in the USA is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of subsidized and LTFV imports of welded stainless steel pressure pipe from China. Accordingly, effective 30 January 2008, the Commission instituted countervailing duty investigation No. 701-TA-454 (Preliminary) and antidumping duty investigation No. 731-TA- 1144 (Preliminary).
