Korea files complaint on U.S. pipe tariff

The Korean government has decided to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the U.S. restriction on steel pipe imports.

On the grounds that the surging imports of steel pipes have been threatening domestic manufacturers, the United States announced its intention to restrict imports over the next three years as an emergency measure. In this connection, Washington intends to impose a 19% ad valorem duty in the first year for imports over 9,000 tons, which will be followed by 15% and 11% tariffs in the second and third years.

Korea has been suffering troubles in exports of steel pipes to the United States, which accounts for nearly half of the nation¡¯s overseas shipments, in the wake of the emergency measure taken by the U.S. government. The Korean government says that the measure is not only a problem in procedure but also violates the WTO agreement.

Earlier, Korea filed a complaint with the WTO about the U.S. anti-dumping ruling against Korean-made stainless steel plates. The WTO's dispute settlement committee is expected to rule on this question in mid-November.