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Wuhan Iron & Steel Co., China's third-biggest steelmaker by market value, said allegations Chinese companies dumped products in the US are "unfair".

Six North American steelmakers including Ipsco Inc. yesterday filed a petition with US regulators asking for import duties on welded standard pipe from China, alleging the Asian nation is unfairly subsidizing exports and dumping products.

"Chinese steel exports have soared because of higher global prices and demand," Company Secretary Zhao Hao said by phone from the company's headquarters in central Hubei Province.

The allegations, made by US steelmakers, may exacerbate trade tensions between the two countries as China's record trade surplus widens. The US imposed tariffs of 99.65 percent on some Chinese exporters of coated paper in March.

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"China has cut tax rebates and imposed taxes on steel exports this year, as part of measures to curb the trade surplus," said Luo Wei, an analyst at China International Capital Corp., the nation's biggest investment bank.

"Most of the Chinese steel products were sold in China, and only a small proportion are sold overseas, so it's unfair for the US to say China is dumping steel products," Wuhan's Zhao said.

China's deputy commerce minister Jiang Zengwei declined to comment, saying the ministry will respond to the allegations at a press briefing on June 13 in Beijing.

Welded pipe is used in scaffolds, and water and gas pipes. More than 80 steelmakers in China produce it, including Handan Iron & Steel Co., Kunming Iron & Steel Group Co. and Guanzhou Iron & Steel Co., according to Beijing Antaike Information Development Co.

"Welded standard pipe is a specialized product, made by many small and medium-sized steelmakers, so it won't have a big impact for the Chinese market," said China International's Luo.

Wuhan Steel won't be affected by the dumping allegations because it has reduced exports to the US and increased shipments to regions such as South East Asia, Wuhan's Zhao said.

Baoshan Steel spokeswoman Chen Ying said the company's exports won't be affected its production of welded pipe is "small", and a new plant hasn't started yet.

US imports of circular standard and structural pipe from China rose to 690,000 metric tons in 2006 from 10,000 tons in 2002, according to the complaint by six producers. Last year, total US steel imports soared to a record 45 million tons as shipments from China more than doubled.

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