In the United States, the United Steelworkers union joined with a group of manufacturers in applauding U.S. Department of Commerce decisions to impose anti-dumping duties on certain types of nails imported from China and the United Arab Emirates.

The Commerce Department's rulings cover multiple types of steel nails up to 12 inches long, including those sold in bulk or collated for use in nail guns. The nails are widely used in commercial, residential and pallet construction. Roofing nails are among the nails not covered by the ruling.

"We must have a global marketplace that levels the playing field so that our manufacturers and our workers have a fair shot at being competitive. These rulings are a step in the right direction," said Leo W. Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers, in a press release.

The rulings mean that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will immediately require importers to post a bond or cash deposit, pending the final determination of the investigations and duty amounts. Duties will be applied 90 days retroactively to certain Chinese companies. The rulings stems from investigations that began in May 2007 at the request of the USW; Maze Nails; Mid Continent Nail Corp.; Davis Wire Corp.; Gerdau Ameristeel Corp.; and Treasure Coast Fasteners Inc.

The USW represents 850,000 workers in the U.S. and Canada employed in the industries of metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service sector.

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