U.S. to Impose Duty on Japanese Steel Pipe

The U.S. Commerce Department imposed a 31% import duty on welded pipe made by Kawasaki Steel Corp., Nippon Steel Corp. and other Japanese companies, fanning concern about the potential for broad U.S. controls on foreign steel.

The ruling, which is preliminary, comes in response to a complaint in February by American Cast Iron Pipe Co. and other U.S. producers, accusing the Japanese of selling the steel at unfairly low prices.

The order, which could become final in October, comes as President Bush is expected to seek an investigation to determine whether steel from countries such as China and Brazil is threatening U.S. manufacturers.

The U.S. bought $83 million in welded large-diameter line pipe from Japan between January and November of 2000, about 5.5% of the $14.9 billion the country spent on imported steel last year.