New Delhi (PTI): India, along with 14 other countries, has been given a chance to present its case in the US against anti-dumping duty, which has acted as a major trade barrier for export of Indian steel products to the American market since 2002.
Though the review of the anti-dumping duty by the US on its steel imports would be "routine" in nature, India's engineering exporters are hoping that the trade irritant would be removed.
The Federal Register Notice of the US Department of Commerce is giving an opportunity to New Delhi to ask Indian exporters of silico manganese, welded carbon steel pipes and tubes exporters to seek a review of the anti-dumping duties levied on these products.
The Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), which has put up the notice on its website, has taken up the issue with the Government and its (EEPC's) members.
"The Department of Commerce has informed us that the Federal Register Notice dated May 1, 2009 from (the) US Department of Commerce gives an opportunity to request for an Administrative Review for Antidumping, Countervailing Duty Orders, Findings or Suspended Investigations," the circular read.
The US has imposed since 2002 an anti-dumping duty of 15.32-20.42 per cent on the import of silico manganese, used as an alloying element in steel, stating it wants to protect its domestic industry.
This year, the US has invited 15 countries, including India, Brazil, China, the UK and Korea, for reviewing at least 23 anti-dumping cases.
"This is a routine process and based on the review antidumping and countervailing duties could be removed by the US Government. Every country does it. It gives countries a fair chance to present their cases," an EEPC official said.
According to official figures, India exported about half-a-billion dollars worth iron and steel to the US in 2007-08.
Source : The Hindu