The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing countervailing duty order on imports of narrow woven ribbons with woven selvedge (“narrow woven ribbons”) from China and antidumping duty orders on narrow woven ribbons from China and Taiwan would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China and Taiwan will remain in place. 

Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative. 

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.  See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.

The Commission’s public report Narrow Woven Ribbons with Woven Selvedge from China and Taiwan (Inv. Nos.  701-TA-467 and 731-TA-1164-1165 (Second Review), USITC Publication 5292, March 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by March 28, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

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BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information.  Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review.  If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews.  Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

The five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Narrow Woven Ribbons with Woven Selvedge from China and Taiwan were instituted on August 2, 2021.

On November 5, 2021, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. Commissioners Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews. 

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited reviews is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.  Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of granular polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin from India and Russia that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of India and Russia.

Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.  

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue countervailing duty and antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from India and Russia.

The Commission made a negative finding concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from India that are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of India.  As a result, these imports will not be subject to retroactive antidumping and countervailing duties.

The Commission’s public report Granular Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Resin from India and Russia (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-663-664 and 731-TA-1555-1556 (Final), USITC Publication 5285, March 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by March 25, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Granular Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin from India and Russia
Investigation Nos.: 701-TA-663-664 and 731-TA-1555-1556 (Final)

Product Description: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a crystalline polymer consisting of repeating units of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), or C₂F₄. Granular PTFE, often referred to as molding powder, is typically processed to form stock shapes, which can then be machined into products such as gaskets, diaphragms, corrosion‐resistant lining, piping components, and lab equipment. Producers of PTFE use specific trade names for their PTFE products, including Polyflon™, a registered trademark of Daikin, and Teflon®, a registered trademark of Chemours. Granular PTFE resin is included in these investigations whether filled or unfilled, whether or not modified, and whether or not containing co‐polymer, additives, pigments, or other materials. Also included is PTFE wet raw polymer. Subject merchandise includes material matching the above description that has been finished, packaged, or otherwise processed in a third country, including by filling, modifying, compounding, packaging with another product, or performing any other finishing, packaging, or processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigations if performed in the country of manufacture of the granular PTFE resin. The product covered by these investigations does not include dispersion or coagulated dispersion (also known as fine powder) PTFE. PTFE further processed into micropowder, having particle size typically ranging from 1 to 25 microns, and a melt‐flow rate no less than 0.1 gram/10 minutes, is excluded.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigation:  Final countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioner:  Daikin, Orangeburg, NY.
3. USITC Institution Date:  Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
4. USITC Hearing Date:  Wednesday, January 19, 2022.
5. USITC Vote Date:  Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Tuesday, March 8, 2022.

U.S. Industry in 2020:

1. Number of U.S. producers: 5.
2. Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
3. Production and related workers:  [1]
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  ¹
5. Apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

U.S. Imports in 2020:

1. Subject imports:  $25.2 million
2. Nonsubject imports:  $24.9 million
3. Leading import sources:  India, Russia, China, the Netherlands.

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1. Type of investigation:  Preliminary countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioners:  Mid Continent Nail Corporation, Poplar Bluff, Missouri
3. USITC Institution Date:  Thursday, December 30, 2021.
4. USITC Conference Date:  Thursday, January 20, 2022.
5. USITC Vote Date:  Friday, February 11, 2022.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, February 14, 2022.

1. Number of U.S. producers:  9
2. Location of producers’ plants:  Arkansas, California, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee
3. Production and related workers:  ^[1]
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  ¹
5. Apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

1. Type of investigation:  Preliminary antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioners:  Ventura Coastal LLC, Ventura, California
3. USITC Institution Date:  Thursday, December 30, 2021.
4. USITC Conference Date:  Thursday, January 20, 2022.
5. USITC Vote Date:  Friday, February 11, 2022.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, February 14, 2022.

1. Number of U.S. producers:  2.
2. Location of producers’ plants:  Arizona, California, and Florida
3. Production and related workers:  ^[1]
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  ¹
5. Apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

U.S. Imports in 2020:

1. Subject imports:  $24 million.
2. Nonsubject imports:  $135 million.
3. Leading import sources:  Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa.

 

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of pentafluoroethane (R-125) from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.

Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.  Commissioner David S. Johanson voted in the negative.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue countervailing and antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from China.

The Commission made a negative finding concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from China that are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the Government of China.  As a result, these imports will not be subject to retroactive antidumping and countervailing duties.

The Commission’s public report Pentafluoroethane (R-125) from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-662 and 731-TA-1554 (Final), USITC Publication 5281, February 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by March 7, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436<

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Pentafluoroethane (R-125) from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-662 and 731-TA-1554 (Final)

Product Description:  Pentafluoroethane (R-125) is a hydrofluorocarbon ("HFC"), a class of man-made chemicals that contain fluorine, carbon, and hydrogen atoms. The chemical formula for R-125 is C2HF5 (also written as CF₃CHF₂). It is typically sold in bulk. R-125 is a colorless, odorless gas that is used primarily as a component in HFC blends, which are used in refrigerant applications such as air conditioning and refrigeration. R-125 is also used as a fire extinguishing agent.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigation:  Final countervailing and antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioner:  Honeywell International, Inc., Charlotte, NC.
3. USITC Institution Date:  Tuesday, January 12, 2021.
4. USITC Hearing Date:  Tuesday, December 14, 2021.
5. USITC Vote Date:  Wednesday, February 02, 2022.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Tuesday, February 22, 2022.

U.S. Industry in 2020:

1. Number of U.S. producers:  1.
2. Location of producer’s plants:  Louisiana and North Carolina.
3. Production and related workers:   ^[1] 
4. U.S. producer’s U.S. shipments:   ^[1]
5. Apparent U.S. consumption:   ^[1]
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:   ^[1]

U.S. Shipments of Imports in 2020:

1. Subject sources:  $42 million.
2. Nonsubject sources:   ^[1]
3. Leading import sources:  China.

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BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information.  Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review.  If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews.  Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

The five-year (sunset) review concerning Stainless Steel Wire Rod from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan was instituted on July 1, 2021.

On October 4, 2021, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. Commissioners Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews. 

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited reviews is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.  Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

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BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information.  Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review.  If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews.  Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

The five-year (sunset) review concerning Hydrofluorocarbon blends from China was instituted on July 1, 2021.

On October 4, 2021, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. Commissioners Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews. 

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited reviews is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.  Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

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BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information.  Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review.  If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews.  Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

The five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Carbon Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from Brazil, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand were instituted on July 1, 2021.

On October 4, 2021, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. Commissioners Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews.  Commissioner David S. Johanson concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group responses wereas inadequate and voted for full reviews. 

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited reviews is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.  Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber from Czechia, Italy, and Russia that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chair Jason E. Kearns, Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.  Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigations of imports of emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber from Czechia, Italy, and Russia, with its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about April 25, 2022.

The Commission’s public report Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from Czechia, Italy, and Russia (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1575-1577 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5274, January 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after January 28, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (ESBR) from Czechia, Italy, and Russia
Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1575-1577 (Preliminary)

Product Description:  Emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber ("ESBR") elastomers are large volume synthetic rubber copolymer derivatives of the petrochemical feedstocks styrene and butadiene produced by cold emulsion polymerization at 41-55 degrees Fahrenheit and typically compressed into salable rectangular bales of 80 pounds, but also sold in granules, crumbs, pellets, powders, plates, sheets, strip, etc. Scope products resulting from the production process consist of the 1500 and 1700 series grades of ESBR synthetic rubber elastomers defined by the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP). The 1500 series products are light-colored solid grades of ESBR popularly sold for tire and other applications, while the 1700 series products contain petroleum extender oil, darker in color but more easily processed and typically used for specialty compounding in tire manufacture and other applications. Some 70 percent or more of ESBR is used in tire tread compound formulations designed for new passenger vehicle and light truck replacement tires and heavier truck tire retreads, where its superior durability and extended tire wear characteristics excel. ESBR is also employed in a large variety of other applications including conveyor belting, hoses, other mechanical goods, and footwear. Scope exclusions include IISRP carbon black master batch 1600 and 1800 series, high styrene resin master batch 1900 series, and latex intermediate products.

Status of Proceedings:

1.          Type of investigation:  Preliminary antidumping duty investigations.
2.          Petitioner:  Lion Elastomers LLC, Port Neches, Texas.
3.          USITC Effective Institution Date:  Monday, November 15, 2021.
4.          USITC Conference Date:  Monday, December 6, 2021.
5.          USITC Vote Date:  Wednesday, December 29, 2021.
6.          USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Thursday, December 30, 2021.

U.S. Industry in 2020:

1.          Number of U.S. producers:  2.
2.          Location of producers’ plants:  Texas.
3.          Production and related workers:  ^[1]
4.          U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  ¹
5.          Apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹
6.          Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

U.S. Imports in 2020:

1.          Subject imports:  ¹
2.          Nonsubject imports:  ¹
3.          Leading import sources:  Russia, Taiwan, and Mexico (by volume).

he United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of superabsorbent polymers from South Korea that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigation of imports of superabsorbent polymers from South Korea, with its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about April 11, 2022.

The Commission’s public report Superabsorbent Polymers from South Korea (Inv. No. 731-TA-1574 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5273, December 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

The report will be available after January 18, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Superabsorbent Polymers from South Korea
Investigation No. 731-TA-1574 (Preliminary)

Product Description:  The merchandise covered by this investigation is superabsorbent polymers (SAP), which is cross-linked sodium polyacrylate most commonly conforming to Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number 9003-04-7, where at least 90 percent of the dry matter, by weight on a nominal basis, corrected for moisture content, is comprised of a polymer with a chemical formula of (C₃H₃O₂Na_xH_1-x)_n, where x is within a range of 0.00-1.00 and there is no limit to n. The subject merchandise also includes merchandise with a chemical formula of {(C₂H₃)COONa_yH_(1-y)}_n, where y is within a range of 0.00-1.00 and there is no limit to n. The subject merchandise includes SAP which is fully neutralized as well as SAP that is not fully neutralized. The subject merchandise may also conform to other CAS numbers. All forms and sizes of SAP, regardless of packaging type, including but not limited to granules, pellets, powder, fibers, flakes, liquid, or gel are within this investigation. It also includes SAP whether or not it incorporates additives for anticaking, anti-odor, anti-yellowing, or similar functions. The investigation also includes SAP that is combined, commingled, or mixed with other products after final sieving. For such combined products, only the SAP component is covered in this investigation. 

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Preliminary antidumping duty investigation.
2.   Petitioners:  Ad Hoc Coalition of American SAP Producers, whose members include BASF Corporation, Florham Park, NJ; Evonik Superabsorber LLC, Greensboro, NC; and Nippon Shokubai America Industries, Inc., Pasadena, TX.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
4.   USITC Conference Date:  Tuesday, November 23, 2021.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Wednesday, December 15, 2021.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Friday, December 17, 2021.

U.S. Industry in 2020:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  3.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas.
3.   Production and related workers:  368.
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  $462 million.
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

U.S. Imports in 2020:

1.   Subject imports:  ^[1]
2.   Nonsubject imports:  ¹
3.   Leading import sources:  South Korea, the European Union, and Japan.

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