Subsidy
Tool Chests and Cabinets from China Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of tool chests and cabinets from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized by the government of China.
Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson and Meredith M. Broadbent voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue a countervailing duty order on imports of this product from China.
The Commission’s public report Tool Chests and Cabinets from China. (Investigation No. 701-TA-575 (Final), USITC Publication 4753, January 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.
The report will be available by February 6, 2018; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Tool Chests and Cabinets from China
Investigation No. 701-TA-575 (Final)
Product Description: Tool chests and cabinets are designed for the storage of tools and equipment. They have bodies that are generally made from carbon, alloy, or stainless steel, but can be produced from other metals. The subject merchandise includes top chests, intermediate chests, tool cabinets, side cabinets, mobile work benches and work stations, and metal storage units that have two or more drawers, meet specified physical dimensions, and are prepackaged for retail sale. Tool chests and cabinets can be sold individually or in sets that include a cabinet and one or more chests that stack on top on the cabinet. Tool chests and cabinets can be differentiated by size, color, number and load rating of drawers, type of drawer slides, type of latching system, type and thickness of primary construction material, lock type, type and load rating of casters or wheels, and total load rating and storage capacity. Not covered by the scope of these investigations are tool boxes, chests and cabinets with bodies made entirely of plastic, carbon fiber, wood, or other non-metallic substances; portable tool boxes; and industrial grade tool chests and cabinets.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final countervailing duty investigation.
2. Petitioner: Waterloo Industries Inc., Sedalia, Missouri.
3. USITC Institution Date: April 11, 2017.
4. USITC Hearing Date: November 28, 2017.
5. USITC Vote Date: January 3, 2018.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: January 16, 2018.
U.S. Industry in 2016:
1. Number of U.S. producers: Two.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Illinois and Missouri.
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 2016:
1. Subject imports: 1
2. Nonsubject imports: 1
3. Leading import sources: China and Vietnam.
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
Supercalendered Paper from Canada Injures U.S. Industry, Says USITC
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of supercalendered paper from Canada that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are subsidized.
Chairman Meredith M. Broadbent, Vice Chairman Dean A. Pinkert, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, David S. Johanson, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative. Commissioner F. Scott Kieff did not participate in this investigation.
As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, the Department of Commerce will issue a countervailing duty order on imports of this product from Canada.
The Commission’s public report Supercalendered Paper from Canada (Investigation No. 701-TA-530 (Final), USITC Publication 4583, December 2015) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.
The report will be available by December 24, 2015; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Office of Industries
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Supercalendered Paper from Canada
Investigation No. 701-TA-530 (Final)
Product Description: Supercalendered paper (SC paper) is uncoated paper that has undergone a calendering process in which the base sheet, made of pulp and filler (typically, but not limited to, clay, talc, or other mineral additive), is processed through a set of supercalenders, a supercalender, or a soft nip calender operation. The scope of this investigation covers all SC paper regardless of basis weight, brightness, opacity, smoothness, or grade, and whether in rolls or in sheets. Further, the scope covers all SC paper that meets the scope definition regardless of the type of pulp fiber or filler material used to produce the paper. Specifically excluded from the scope are imports of paper printed with final content of printed text or graphics.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: Coalition for Fair Paper Imports, an ad hoc association of U.S. producers that includes Madison Paper Industries, Inc. and Verso Corp.
3. Investigation instituted by USITC: February 26, 2015.
4. USITC hearing: October 22, 2015.
5. USITC vote: November 18, 2015.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: December 3, 2015.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of U.S. producers in 2014: Three.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Maine, Minnesota, and South Carolina.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2014: [1]
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments in 2014: 1
5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2014: 1
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2014: 1
U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject country during 2014: 1
2. From other countries during 2014: 1
3. Leading sources during 2014: Canada, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, and Germany (in terms of total value).
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
USITC Votes to Continue Investigations on Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman
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 polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of China, India, and Oman.
Chairman Meredith M. Broadbent, Vice Chairman Dean A. Pinkert, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, David S. Johanson, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative. Commissioner F. Scott Kieff did not participate in these investigations.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations on imports of this product from Canada, China, India, and Oman, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about June 3, 2015, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about August 17, 2015.
The Commission’s public report Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-531-533 and 731-TA-1270-1273 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4531, May 2015) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available after May 21, 2015. After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Office of Industries
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Certain Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-531-533 and 731-TA-1270-1273 (Preliminary)
Product Description: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin is a large-volume, commodity-grade thermoplastic polyester polymer. PET resin is primarily sold in bulk form as chips or pellets to downstream end users/converters. Converters use PET resin to manufacture bottles and other sterile containers that house liquid and solid products for human consumption or contact. Major end-use applications for bottle-grade PET resin include carbonated soft drink bottles, water bottles, and other containers such as for juices, peanut butter, jams and jellies, salad dressings, cooking oils, household cleaners, and cosmetics. Articles manufactured with PET resin are clear, transparent, sterile, lightweight, and thermally stable. The product scope defines packaging-grade PET resin having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.70, but not more than 0.88, deciliters per gram. Based upon the scope set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce, information available to the Commission indicates that the merchandise subject to these investigations is imported under statistical reporting number 3907.60.0030 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigations: Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: DAK Americas, LLC, Charlotte, NC; M&G Chemicals, Houston, TX; and Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America, Lake City, SC.
3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: March 10, 2015.
4. Commission’s conference: March 31, 2015.
5. USITC vote: April 23, 2015.
6. USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: April 24, 2015.
7. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: May 1, 2015.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers in 2014: Four.
2. Location of producers’ plants: North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2014: 1
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2014: 1
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2014: 1
U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject countries during 2014: 1
2. From other countries during 2014: $409 million.
3. Leading sources during 2014: Mexico, Canada, China, and India.
1 Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
USITC Votes to Continue Investigation on Supercalendered Paper from Canada
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 supercalendered paper from Canada that are allegedly subsidized by the government of Canada.
Chairman Meredith M. Broadbent, Vice Chairman Dean A. Pinkert, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, David S. Johanson, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative. Commissioner F. Scott Kieff did not participate in this investigation.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigation on imports of this product from Canada, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about May 22, 2015.
The Commission’s public report Supercalendered Paper from Canada (Investigation No. 701-TA-530 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4529, April 2015) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.
The report will be available after May 11, 2015. After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Office of Industries
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Supercalendered Paper from Canada
Investigation No. 701-TA-530 (Preliminary)
Product Description: Supercalendered paper is an uncoated printing paper made from mechanical pulp, chemical pulp, fillers, and additives. The finish (surface) of supercalendered paper is produced by the movement of the paper web through a supercalender, a vertical stack of alternating steel rolls and cotton rolls. The rolls apply heat and pressure to the paper, imparting a gloss to the surface and increasing its smoothness and density. Supercalendered paper is used to make a variety of printed materials which require high quality color printing and photographic images, such as magazines, retail inserts, flyers, directories, catalogs, direct mail inserts, corporate brochures, and coupons.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Preliminary countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: Coalition for Fair Paper Imports, an ad hoc association of U.S. producers that includes Madison Paper Industries, Inc. and Verso Corp.
3. Commission’s conference: March 19, 2015.
4. USITC vote: April 10, 2015.
5. USITC determination: April 14, 2015.
6. USITC views: April 21, 2015.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers in 2014: Three.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Maine, Minnesota, and South Carolina.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2014: [1]
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2014: 1
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2014: 1
U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject country during 2014: 1
2. From other countries during 2014: 1
3. Leading sources during 2014: Canada, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Belgium (in terms of total value).
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
USITC Will Conduct Full Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews on Hot-Rolled Steel Products from China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Ukraine
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) has voted to conduct full five-year ("sunset") reviews concerning the countervailing duty orders on hot-rolled steel products from India, Indonesia, and Thailand and the antidumping duty orders on hot-rolled steel products from China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Ukraine (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-405, 406, & 408 and 731-TA-899-901 & 906-908 (Second Review)).
As a result of these votes, the Commission will conduct full reviews to determine whether revocation of these orders would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
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 notice of institution in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file with the Commission responses that discuss the likely effects of revoking the order under review and provide other pertinent 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.
With regard to imports from Taiwan and Thailand, all six Commissioners concluded that both the domestic group responses and the respondent group responses were adequate and voted for full reviews.
With regard to imports from China, India, Indonesia, and Ukraine, all six Commissioners concluded that the domestic group responses were adequate and that the respondent group responses were inadequate, but that circumstances warranted full reviews.
A record of the Commission's votes on these matters 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 record of the Commission's votes is also posted on the USITC's Internet site at http://pubapps2.usitc.gov/sunset/caseProf/list?sort=caseTitle&order=asc. From this page, search on "hot-rolled steel" using the search box in the upper right corner.
The Federal Register notice will indicate whether any further information or statements will be available. The Commission will issue a report after it completes its reviews.
USITC Votes to Continue Cases on Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam
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 frozen warmwater shrimp from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam that are allegedly subsidized.
Chairman Irving A. Williamson and Commissioners Shara L. Aranoff, Dean A. Pinkert, David S. Johanson, and Meredith Broadbent voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Daniel R. Pearson voted in the negative.
As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations on imports of these products, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about March 25, 2013.
The Commission's public report Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-491-497 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4380, February 2013) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
Copies of the report are expected to be available after March 11, 2013, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or writing to the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Office of Industries
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-491-497 (Preliminary)
Product Description: Certain frozen warmwater shrimp and prawns, whether wild-caught (ocean harvested) or farm-raised (produced by aquaculture), head-on or head-off, shell-on or peeled, tail-on or tail-off, deveined or not deveined, cooked or raw, or otherwise processed in frozen form, regardless of size. The products described may be processed from any species of warmwater shrimp and prawns. Frozen shrimp and prawns that are packed with marinade, spices or sauce are included in the scope. In addition, food preparations (including dusted shrimp), which are not "prepared meals," that contain more than 20 percent by weight of shrimp or prawn are also included in the scope. Excluded from the scope are: (1) breaded shrimp and prawns; (2) shrimp and prawns generally classified in the Pandalidae family and commonly referred to as coldwater shrimp, in any state of processing; (3) fresh shrimp and prawns whether shell-on or peeled; (4) shrimp and prawns in prepared meals; (5) dried shrimp and prawns; (6) canned warmwater shrimp and prawns; and (7) certain "battered shrimp." The predominant end-use for warmwater shrimp and prawns is human consumption.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigations: Preliminary countervailing duty.
2. Petitioner: Coalition of Gulf Shrimp Industries, Biloxi, MS.
3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: December 28, 2012.
4. Commission's conference: January 18, 2013.
5. USITC vote: February 7, 2013.
6. USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: February 11, 2013.
7. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: February 19, 2013.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers (processors) in 2011: 58.
2. Location of producers' plants: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana,
Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2011: 1,922.
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2011: 1.3 billion pounds.
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2011: 87.6 percent.
U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject countries during 2011: $4.3 billion (86 percent of total U.S. import
value).
2. From other countries during 2011: $681.6 million (14 percent of total U.S. import value).
3. Leading sources during 2011: Thailand, Indonesia, Ecuador, India, Vietnam, Mexico,
Malaysia, China (in terms of total value).