EU to Tax More Imports of Chinese Steel Pipes

The European Union has threatened to expand tariffs on steel pipes from China to curb import competition for EU producers.

The EU opened an inquiry into whether Chinese makers of seamless pipes and tubes that have an external diameter exceeding 406.4 millimeters and that aren't made of stainless steel sell them in the 27-nation bloc below cost, a practice known as dumping.

The EU already imposes anti-dumping duties on imports of Chinese seamless pipes and tubes with an external diameter not exceeding 406.4 millimeters and of stainless steel seamless pipes and tubes.