Standard pipe, as a steel industry segment, usually maintains a profile as low-key as one of its common uses - fence posts. However, imports of standard pipe have become the latest concern in a growing list of sore trade subjects between China and the United States. And it's no wonder, as imports of Chinese standard pipe to U.S. shores rose from 10,114 tons in 2002 to 267,468 tons in 2004, an increase of 2,545 percent, according to data collected by the U.S. International Trade Commission. Imports of standard pipe from China totaled more than 185,000 tons in the first six months of this year and may reach 350,000 tons, according to some within the industry. This mercurial increase prompted seven steel tube and pipe producers to join the United Steel workers of America union in filing a surge petition under Section 421 of the Trade Act of 1974 with the ITC on Aug. 2: Allied Tube & Conduit, Ipsco Tubulars Inc., Maruichi American Corp., Maverick Tube Corp., Sharon Tube Co., Western Tube & Conduit Corp. and Wheatland Tube Co.
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