WASHINGTON — President Barack Obamas administration has sided with American steel producers in an international trade dispute, ruling imported steel reinforcing bar from Mexico and Turkey unfairly undercuts U.S. prices.

Mondays preliminary decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce means companies in Mexico and Turkey will be subject to immediate duties.

A final determination wont be made until summer. But within a week the U.S. government will stop distribution at the nations borders until a cash bond or deposit is posted.

Steel reinforcing bar is known as steel rebar and is used to reinforce concrete. Steel producers in Mexico and Turkey have denied theyre violating trade laws.

The investigation by Commerces International Trade Administration was launched last fall at the request of U.S. steel producers. Companies from Ohio, Oregon, North Carolina, Florida and Texas filed complaints.