6 Countries Are Dumping Steel, U.S. Finds

The Clinton administration moved a step closer to slapping punitive tariffs on Japan, Spain and four other countries with a ruling that they illegally price some stainless steel in the United States. Shipments of stainless round wire from those countries would be subject to tariffs of as much as 36% if the U.S. International Trade Commission determines by mid-May that their pricing practices have injured or could injure U.S. producers. The Commerce Department ruling represents the latest victory for the U.S. steel industry, which has yet to lose a key ruling in trade complaints filed to combat low-priced imports. Ten U.S. manufacturers sought tariffs a year ago, accusing Canada, India, Japan, South Korea, Spain and Taiwan of dumping round wire in the U.S. market at prices below production costs or home-market prices.