US sets preliminary duty of 120% on Indian steel threaded rods

Washington: The US Commerce Department said on Tuesday it had set preliminary duties of up to 120 percent on imports of steel threaded rods from India. The department said the rods, which have threaded grooves, had been “dumped” in the U.S. market at prices 8.63 percent to 119.87 percent below fair market value. In 2013, imports of steel threaded rods from India were valued at an estimated $19 million, the department said. [caption id=“attachment_1385117” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Labourers load iron rods onto a vehicle at a steel factory on the outskirts of Agartala, in Tripura. Reuters[/caption] A final decision on duties is expected by July and is also subject to a ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission on whether the imports injure, or threaten injury to, domestic producers. The United States on Monday launched a challenge to domestic content requirements in India’s solar program, saying they discriminated against U.S. companies. Reuters