Visclosky Testifies at ITC Hearing on Heavy Walled Rectangular Welded Carbon Steel Pipe and Tube Products

Washington, DC - Below are the prepared remarks of Congressman Pete Visclosky from today’s International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing on heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipe and tube products. 

        I want to thank Chairman Broadbent, Vice Chairman Pinkert, all other members of the Commission, and the dedicated staff for the opportunity to testify today in the case involving heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes from Korea, Mexico, and Turkey. 

        American steel is the backbone of our infrastructure.  We construct bridges, skyscrapers, and transportation systems with steel produced by hardworking American steelworkers and steel companies.  The product we are discussing today, heavy walled rectangular pipes and tubes, are used to construct building frames, support columns, and protective barriers.  They are used to build truck beds, trailers, and agricultural implements.  We cannot continue to allow illegal imports of products that are the foundation of the economy and transportation infrastructure of our communities.  American steelworkers and steel companies make the best steel in the world, more efficiently than anyone else.  We should be using that steel in our infrastructure and transportations systems.  We should be using that steel to build our nation.

        While the entire steel industry is facing a constant onslaught of illegal imports, the pipe and tube market has been hit particularly hard.  In 2015, imports captured 65 percent of the pipe and tube market share, an 11 percent increase from 2014, while domestic shipments decreased by 38 percent.  This is absolutely unacceptable.  I appreciate that the ITC has previously ruled in favor of the domestic pipe and tube industry, with 42 existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on steel pipe, tube, and fittings products currently in place, but it is clear that more must be done to ensure that this dangerous trend does not continue.   

        I also would point out that the countries cited in this case are exporting more pipe and tube products into the American market than almost all of our other foreign competitors.  For example, this past June, the U.S. imported 316,882 metric tons of pipe and tube products.  Of those imports, 69,285 metric tons came from Korea, 22,008 metric tons came from Turkey, and 53,057 metric tons came from Mexico.  This Commission has consistently issued antidumping and countervailing duty orders against these countries for pipe and tube products.  In total, Korea, Turkey, and Mexico each have roughly half a dozen standing countervailing and antidumping orders for pipe and tube products, including standing orders for light walled rectangular pipe and tube.  It is evident that the countries we are discussing today are repeat offenders who have demonstrated that they have no regard for our trade laws.  They have shown that they will continually dump steel into our markets and threaten American steelworkers. We must put a stop to their actions.

        I urge the Commission to recognize the material injury caused by these imports and to fully enforce out trade laws in an expedient and effective manner.  Our foreign competitors in the pipe and tube industry have demonstrated time and time again that they are unwilling to adhere to our trade laws.  American steelworkers and steel companies deserve a fair playing field. 

        I thank you all for the opportunity to testify here today and appreciate your thorough investigation of the facts of this case.

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