The antidumping case has blocked the import of stainless pipe and tube from China to the US, and the prices of stainless pipe and tube are expected to rise again in the future.

Another main factor blocking the import from China is the weaker US dollar. According to US census data, the import in January fell 35 percent compared with the same time in 2007.

The lack of imports is expected to lower domestic supply and the lack of supply will push prices up.