The U.S. International Trade Commission has received a petition to investigate exports of steel propane cylinders from three countries including China. The petition alleges dumping at rates of up to 109.2%. It is notable in not being part of the section 232 review of steel and aluminum products – as outlined in Panjiva research of March 21 – and makes for the 18th petition on individual metals products since January 2016. It is possible that steel (and aluminum) product manufacturers may now resume their filings for investigations given the section 232 review is (more or less) complete.

Panjiva data shows there was a surge in shipments from all destinations of 50.9% on a year earlier in the first quarter of 2018. That included a 49.8% increase in shipments from the three countries being investigated (which accounted for 88.9% of the total) led by a 63.6% rise in exports from China. Yet, seaborne data suggests that surge has already dissipated, with imports in April having fallen by 24.1% vs. the 1Q average.

Chart segments U.S. imports of steel propane cylinders by country of origin on a monthly (dotted) and quarterly (solid) basis. “Investigated” includes China, Taiwan and Thailand. Most recent month based on seaborne shipments. Source: Panjiva