Experience

ITC Revokes Anti-dumping Duties on Oil Extraction Tubes

Clients · SeAH Steel Co. and Husteel Co., Korean suppliers of oil extraction tubes.

Challenge · Persuading the U.S. International Trade Commission to revoke anti-dumping orders on steel pipe and tube products - something the ITC rarely does, particularly when the case involves a major supplier such as Korea.

Background · In 1995, U.S. steel companies filed a petition with the ITC requesting that tariffs be levied on cheap steel imports from Argentina, Italy, Japan, Korea and Mexico. As a result, the ITC invoked anti-dumping orders against the five countries relative to importing steel pipe and tube products used in the extraction and transmission of oil and natural gas.

Our Approach · Troutman Sanders presented legal arguments and economic analysis to the ITC showing that the domestic steel products industry would not be adversely affected by the lifting of the duties given the strength of the U.S. market for these products.

Result · Despite strong opposition from major U.S. steel companies, the ITC voted to revoke the anti-dumping orders. The victory ends more than 10 years of litigation before the ITC, the Commerce Department and the Court of International Trade concerning alleged dumping of this product by Korea. Husteel and SeAH Steel can now import oil extraction tubes without incurring the costs of paying and fighting the duties, or shouldering the risk that the duty rates will increase upon annual evaluation.