S Korea appeals to WTO over U.S. duties on steel pipe imports

SEOUL, Dec 23 (Reuters): The South Korean government said on Monday it has lodged an appeal with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against a U.S. move to slap anti-dumping duties on imports of steel pipes from the Asian nation.

South Korea's trade ministry said in a statement that the high U.S. tariffs on Korean steel pipes - over $100 million annually - put them at a price disadvantage compared with imports from India and other countries. A ministry official said the appeal has sought a withdrawal of the duties.

The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled in August that "oil country tubular goods" (OCTG) imports from South Korea, India, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine and Vietnam would be subject to duties.