Panel Says Subsidized Steel Imports Harmful

Subsidized imports of steel reinforcing bars from five countries are harming American manufacturers, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled.

The six-member panel’s decision allows the Commerce Department to decide whether to impose tariffs on the rebar, used in making reinforced concrete.

The disputed rebar is manufactured in Belarus, China, Korea, Latvia and Moldova.

Eleven American companies filed the complaint.

The commission had previously ruled that imports of steel bars from Indonesia, Poland and Ukraine harm U.S. industry.

If the ITC finds serious injury, it could make recommendations to the Bush administration on what types of punitive tariffs or quotas should be imposed to restrict imports.