The Seoul government is considering taking action to counter a recent decision from the United States to impose punitive duties on South Korean steel products, a ranking trade official here said Monday.

“The government plans to come up with appropriate measures based on a legal review of the decision and the impact it will have on the country’s exports of the same product to the U.S.” Deputy Trade Minister Choi Kyong-lim said at a press briefing.

The move follows the July 11 decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to impose punitive tariffs of 9.89 percent to 15.75 percent on South Korean steel pipes used in oil wells. Based on the outcome of a review here, the South Korean manufacturers may file a complaint with the United States’ Court of International Trade. Another option will be for the government to file a complaint with the WTO, Choi said.

(jyseo@heraldcorp.com)