March 14, 2014
News Release 14-024
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-512 and 731-TA-1248 (P)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

USITC VOTES TO CONTINUE CASES ON CARBON AND CERTAIN ALLOY STEEL WIRE ROD FROM CHINA

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from China that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Irving A. Williamson and Commissioners Dean A. Pinkert, David S. Johanson, Meredith M. Broadbent, and F. Scott Kieff voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Shara L. Aranoff did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations on imports of these products, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about April 28, 2014, and its antidumping duty determinations due on or about July 10, 2014.

The Commission's public report Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-512 and 731-TA-1248 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4458, March 2014) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after April 14, 2014, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or writing to the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.


UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Office of Industries
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-512 and 731-TA-1248 (Preliminary)

Product Description: Steel wire rod is an intermediate product, hot-rolled from carbon steel and alloy steel, in irregularly wound coils, of approximately round cross section, less than 19.00 mm in cross-sectional diameter. Specifically excluded are products of the above-noted physical characteristics but meet the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) definitions for (a) stainless steel; (b) tool steel; (c) high nickel steel; (d) ball bearing steel; or (e) concrete reinforcing bars and rods. Also excluded are free cutting steel (free machining steel) products. All products meeting the physical description of subject merchandise that are not specifically excluded are included in this scope. Steel wire rod is sold primarily to wire drawers for subsequent drawing and finishing into steel wire.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2.   Petitioners:  ArcelorMittal USA LLC, Chicago, IL; Charter Steel, Saukville, WI; Evraz
          Pueblo, Pueblo, CO; Gerdau Ameristeel US Inc., Tampa, FL; Keystone
          Consolidated Industries, Inc., Dallas, TX; and Nucor Corporation, Charlotte, NC. 
3.   Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC:  January 31, 2014.
4.   Commission's conference:  February 21, 2014.
5.   USITC vote:  March 14, 2014.
6.   USITC determinations issued:  March 19, 2014.
7.   USITC views issued:  March 26, 2014.

U.S. Industry:

1.   Number of producers in 2013:  Ten.
2.   Location of producers' plants:  Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana,
          Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and
          Wisconsin.
3.   Employment of production and related workers in 2013:  2,192.
4.   Apparent U.S. consumption in 2013:  $3.8 billion.
5.   Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2013:  32.7 percent.

U.S. Imports:

1.   From the subject countries during 2013:  $335.9 million.
2.   From other countries during 2013:  $895.8 million.
3.   Leading sources during 2013: China, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Germany, and the United
          Kingdom.

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