Argo, Illinois-based Weldbend Corp. recently applauded the newest tariff ruling that has a direct impact on the industrial PVF industry.

The United States recently announced effective Sept. 24, it would impose an additional ad valorem tariff of 10% on imports of butt-weld pipe fittings and carbon-steel flanges from China.

If resolution of this matter with China is not reached by the end of the year, the tariffs will increase to 25% on Jan. 1, 2019.

“As a family-owned and -operated business that manufactures these products here in the United States, it is gratifying to see the United States finally take direct and decisive action against these Chinese imports,” said James Coulas Jr., president and CEO of Argo, Illinois-based Weldbend. “For generations Weldbend and its employees have manufactured great products and we are extremely pleased with the administration’s decision to address China’s unfair trade practices. This action, along with the recent preliminary decision on Malaysian circumvention, and the inclusion of welded outlets/shaped nipples under the Chinese antidumping order, give us great hope that the United States government finally recognizes the threat of China’s cheating.”

Weldbend added the additional tariffs are being imposed pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which is on top of the already-existing antidumping duty orders on carbon steel butt-weld pipe fittings from China (with antidumping duties from 35.06% to 182.90%), and is in response to China’s failure to change its policies that coerce American companies into transferring their technology and intellectual property to domestic Chinese enterprises (policies aimed at bolstering China’s stated intention of seizing economic leadership in advanced technology).