South Korea urges WTO to oppose US tariffs on steel pipe imports

The South Korean government announces an appeal to the WTO against the US anti-dumping duties on imports of steel pipes from the country.

South Korea's Commerce Department says high US tariffs on Korean steel pipes of more than $ 100 million a year put their products at a disadvantage compared to imports from other countries, including India. The ministry calls on the WTO to fulfill its responsibilities.
The US International Trade Commission ruled in August 2014 that imports of oil country tubular goods (OCTG) from South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam would carry additional responsibilities.

Manufacturers of steel pipes used in the energy sector are trying to capitalize on the rapid development of the US shale oil and gas industry.
The South Korean Department of Commerce believes the US Department of Commerce has potentially violated WTO rules when investigating cases and calculating dumping margins. "If our government wins the case, then the US is obliged to correct its antidumping duties," a South Korean spokesman said.

Despite appealing to the WTO, the United States and South Korea may still negotiate a settlement to the dispute. If this does not happen, South Korea may insist on the creation of a WTO collegium to consider this issue.

South Korea's OCTG exports to the United States totaled $ 818 million last year, more than total imports from other countries involved in the case. South Korea came under the second-highest duty (up 15.75 percent) after Vietnam, which was drawn to duty in the range of 24.22 - 111.47 percent.