The United States International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of polypropylene corrugated boxes from China and Vietnam that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value by China and Vietnam and subsidized by the government of China.

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigations of imports of polypropylene corrugated boxes from China and Vietnam, with its preliminary antidumping duty determinations for China and Vietnam due on or about August 25, 2025, and its preliminary countervailing duty determination for China due on or about June 11, 2025.

The Commission’s public report, Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes from China and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-757 and 731-TA-1737-1738 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5622, May 2025), will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by May 30, 2025; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty order on steel wire garment hangers from China 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 determination, the existing order on imports of these products from China will remain in place. 

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Rhonda K. Schmidtlein did not participate in the vote.

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 on Steel Wire Garment Hangers from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1123 (Third Review), USITC Publication 5580, January 2025) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by February 24, 2025; 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 reviews, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

The five-year (sunset) review concerning Steel Wire Garment Hangers from China was instituted on July 1, 2024.

On October 4, 2024, the Commission determined to conduct expedited five-year reviews. Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein and Jason E. Kearns concluded that the domestic interested party group response was adequate, and the respondent interested party group response was inadequate and voted for an expedited review. Commissioner David S. Johanson concluded that the domestic interested party group response was adequate, and the respondent interested party group response was inadequate and voted for a full review. 

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited review is available on the investigations page for Steel Wire Garment Hangers from China; Inv. No.731-TA-1123 (Review 3). 

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of paper shopping bags from Cambodia, China, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Taiwan, and Vietnam that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and imports of paper shopping bags that Commerce has determined are subsidized by the governments of China and India.

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

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, Commerce will issue countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China and India and antidumping duty orders on products imported from Cambodia, China, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

The Commission also made negative findings concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of these products from Cambodia, China, India, Taiwan, and Vietnam.  As a result, imports of paper shopping bags from these countries will not be subject to retroactive antidumping or countervailing duties.

The Commission’s public report Paper Shopping Bags from Cambodia, China, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Taiwan, and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-690-691 and 731-TA-1619-1625 and 731-TA-1627 (Final), USITC Publication 5522, July 2024) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

The report will be available by July 19, 2024; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

Status of proceedings, links to relevant documents, and additional information for these investigations can be found at the Commission’s Investigations Database System (IDS).

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 alkyl phosphate esters from China that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, 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 investigations of imports of alkyl phosphate esters from China, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about July 17, 2024, and its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about September 30, 2024.

The Commission’s public report Alkyl Phosphate Esters from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-721 and 731-TA-1689 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5516, June 2024) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by July 5, 2024; 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

Alkyl Phosphate Esters from China 
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-721 and 731-TA-1689 (Preliminary)

Product Description: Alkyl phosphate esters covered in these investigations are clear, colorless liquids that are primarily used as flame retardants in rigid and flexible polyurethane foam applications. These certain alkyl phosphate esters (“CAPEs”), specifically TCPP, TDCP, and TEP, have at their core a phosphate ion in which three of the oxygen atoms are bonded with either a chlorinated hydrocarbon in the case of TCPP and TDCP or a hydrocarbon in the case of TEP. CAPEs are primarily used as flame retardants in foam insulation in commercial and residential construction. One of the largest applications for CAPEs is commercial roofing. The fastest growing application in the U.S. market is the replacement of fiberglass insulation with low-density, open cell insulation in residential housing. TCPP is the most used CAPE in the U.S. market, largely due to its cost effectiveness. 

 Status of Proceedings:

1. Types of investigations:  Preliminary countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioner: ICL-IP America, St. Louis, Missouri.
3. USITC Institution Date:  Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
4. USITC Conference Date:  Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
5. USITC Vote Date:  Thursday, June 6, 2024.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Friday, June 7, 2024.

 U.S. Industry in 2023:

1. Number of U.S. producers:  2.
2. Location of producers’ plants:  South Carolina 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 2023:

1. Subject imports:  ¹
2. Nonsubject imports:  ¹

3. Leading import sources:  China.

    

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Paper Plates from China, Thailand, and Vietnam
Investigation Nos: 701-TA-704-705 and 731-TA-1664-1666 (Preliminary)

Product Description:  Certain paper plates, which may be cut from rolls, sheets, or other pieces of paper and/or paper board; have a depth up to and including two inches, as measured vertically from the base to the top of the lip, or the edge if the plate has no lip; uncolored, white, colored, or printed; may have any type of surface finish; and printed by any means with images, text and/or colors on one or both surfaces. Paper plates may be produced from paper of any type; have any caliper or basis weight; have any shape or size; have one or more than one section; be embossed; have foil or other substances adhered to their surface; and/or be uncoated or coated with any type of coating.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigation:  Preliminary countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioners:  American Paper Plate Coalition ("APPC"), which comprises AJM Packaging Corporation, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Aspen Products, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri; Dart Container Corporation, Mason, Michigan; Hoffmaster Group, Inc., Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Huhtamaki Americas, Inc., De Soto, Kansas; and Unique Industries, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
3. USITC Institution Date:  Thursday, January 25, 2024.
4. USITC Conference Date:  Thursday, February 15, 2024.
5. USITC Vote Date:  Friday, March 8, 2024.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, March 11, 2024.

U.S. Industry in 2022:

1. Number of U.S. producers:  7.
2. Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
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 2022:

1. Subject imports:  ¹
2. Nonsubject imports:  ¹
3. Leading import sources:  China.

_______________________________

  ¹ Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

 

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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 reviews, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

These five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Drawn Stainless Steel Sinks from China were instituted on July 3, 2023.

On October 6, 2023, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic interested party group response was adequate and the respondent interested party group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews. Commissioner Randolph J. Stayin did not participate.

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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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION 
Washington, DC 20436 

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS 

Gas Powered Pressure Washers from China  

Product Description:  The products covered by these investigations are cold-water gas powered pressure washers ("GPPW"). These machines have three main components: an internal combustion engine, a power take-off shaft, and a positive displacement pump. Together, these components are known as the "power unit." GPPW include both finished and unfinished gas powered pressure washers, which include, at a minimum, the power unit, or components of the components of the power unit, packaged or imported together. Additional components, including, but not limited to, spray guns, nozzles, and hoses, may accompany the power unit.  

Status of Proceedings: 

1. Type of investigation:  Final antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. 
2. Petitioners:  FNA Group, Inc. 
3. USITC Institution Date:  Friday, December 30, 2022. 
4. USITC Hearing Date:  Thursday, August 24, 2023. 
5. USITC Vote Date:  Wednesday, January 24, 2024.¹
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Monday, February 5, 2024.  

U.S. Industry in 2022: 

1. Number of U.S. producers:  4. 
2. Location of producers’ plants:  Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. 
3. Production and related workers: ²
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  ²
5. Apparent U.S. consumption:  ² 
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ²  

U.S. Imports in 2022: 

1. Subject imports:  ² 
2. Nonsubject imports:  ² 
3. Leading import sources:  China, Vietnam. 

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revocation of the existing countervailing duty order on steel concrete reinforcing bar (‘‘rebar’’) from Turkey and revocation of the antidumping duty orders on rebar from Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey 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 Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey will remain in place.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative for the reviews involving Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey.

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 Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-564 and 731-TA-1338-1340 (Review), USITC Publication 5400, January 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.

The report will be available by February 21, 2023; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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 Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey (Review) was instituted on June 1, 2022.

On September 6, 2022, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that for Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey the domestic group responses were 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 superabsorbent polymers from South Korea that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

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

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from South Korea.

The Commission’s public report Superabsorbent Polymers from South Korea (Inv. No. 731-TA-1574 (Final), USITC Publication 5388, December 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

The report will be available by January 2, 2023; 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 (Final)

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.  

1. Type of investigation:  Final 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 02, 2021.
4. USITC Hearing Date:  Tuesday, October 18, 2022.
5. USITC Vote Date:  Thursday, November 17, 2022.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Thursday, December 08, 2022.

1. Number of U.S. producers:  3.
2. Location of producers’ plants:  Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas.
3. Production and related workers:   ¹
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  $580 million.
5. Apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

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

_______________________________

  ¹ Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

 

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