U.S. Steelmakers Seek Import Duties

U.S. steelmakers and workers accused producers in Russia, Japan and Brazil of dumping steel in the U.S. market and asked the government to impose hefty duties on the imports. The United Steelworkers of America union joined 12 U.S. steel companies in filing what they said was the first of a number of cases in protest of surging steel imports that are forcing domestic production cutbacks and layoffs. The case, filed with the Commerce Department, targets hot-rolled steel, which is used in everything from construction to appliances. The foreign share of the U.S. hot-rolled steel market has risen from 4.3% in 1995 to more than 28% now. At the same time, prices have dropped sharply, from $480 a ton early last year to $320 in July, the group said.