It is reported that Japan’s carbon steel welded tube export quantity to the US, such as line pipe, may decrease in the fourth quarter and Japan’s pipe producers are cautious to enter into negotiations over the export price to the US.

As per report Japan’s welded pipe exported to US in the first quarter was USD 900 per ton FOB; USD 1,000 per ton FOB in the second quarter and the delivered price in September was USD 1,500 to USD 1,600 per ton. As US welded tube used in energy sources request increased, Japan’s pipe export price rose accordingly.

Besides, there is a good chance for Japanese producers to increase sales as China’s welded pipe exits from the US market due to China products facing an anti-dumping investigation in the second half of last year. Japan’s export price in the fourth quarter is expected to reach FOB USD 1,800 per ton.

Japan exported 97,207 tons of welded pipe to the US from January to May 2008. As the quantity exported to the US has risen greatly, Japanese producers worry about complaints from local manufacturer and may take some remedial measures, so Japanese producers could drop the quantity exported.

According to Japan’s steel industry, Japan’s welded pipe prices are USD 200 per ton higher than South Korean and Chinese prices due to disparities of quality and usage.