Interim Review: Large-Diameter Line Pipe

Summary#

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has started an interim review (Interim Review No. RD-2020-003) under the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) of its October 20, 2016 finding on dumped and subsidized welded large-diameter carbon and alloy steel line pipe from the People's Republic of China and Japan. The notice (published February 20, 2021) opens a short written-review process and sets deadlines for parties and counsel to join and to file submissions.

What it does#

• Opens an interim review of the Tribunal’s earlier finding in Inquiry No. NQ-2016-001 about dumping and subsidizing of welded large-diameter line pipe.
• Covers pipe with an outside diameter greater than 24 inches (609.6 mm) and less than or equal to 60 inches (1,524 mm), including pipe made to API specification 5L and related grades and unfinished or non-prime pipe described in the original inquiry.
• Invites persons or governments to participate by filing Form I, and invites counsel to file Form II and Form III.
• Key filing deadlines:
  • Forms for participation and representation due February 25, 2021.
  • Participant list distributed by March 3, 2021.
  • Public and confidential information distributed on March 5, 2021.
  • Written submissions due by March 19, 2021.
  • Written responses due by March 26, 2021.
• The Tribunal will conduct the review by written submissions only. Confidential evidence can be filed but must be accompanied by a public summary, and confidentiality claims must follow the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act rules (section 46).

Who's affected#

• Producers, exporters and suppliers of large-diameter welded carbon and alloy steel line pipe in the People's Republic of China and Japan.
• Canadian importers and distributors of this line pipe.
• Canadian companies that buy this pipe for pipeline, oil, gas, or other transmission projects.
• Legal counsel and governments that want to take part in the review.
• If unclear: the notice does not name specific companies, so some affected parties may not be obvious until they choose to participate.

Why it matters#

• The review could lead to a change in the Tribunal’s measures or recommendations related to dumping and subsidies for these pipes. That, in turn, could affect import rules, duties, and the price or availability of large-diameter line pipe in Canada.
• For industries that build or maintain pipelines (and their suppliers), any change could influence project costs and sourcing choices.
• The process is short and driven by written submissions with tight deadlines, so interested parties need to act quickly to participate.