February 4, 2020
News Release 20-010
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1022 (Third Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Makes Determination in Five-Year (Sunset) Review Concerning Refined Brown Aluminum Oxide from China

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty order on imports of refined brown aluminum oxide 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 antidumping duty order on imports of this product from China will remain in place. 

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randoph J. Stayin, 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 this five-year (sunset) review.

The Commission’s public report Refined Brown Aluminum Oxide from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1022 (Third Review), USITC Publication 5020, February 2020) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.

The report will be available by March 12, 2020; 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 Refined Brown Aluminum Oxide from China was instituted on September 3, 2019.

On December 9, 2019, the Commission voted to conduct an expedited review. Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate and voted for an expedited review.  Chairman David S. Johanson concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate but that circumstances warranted a full review.

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct an expedited review 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.

# # #
January 31, 2020
News Release 20-008
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-632-635 and 731-TA-1466-1468 (Preliminary)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Votes to Continue Investigations Concerning Fluid End Blocks from China, Germany, India, and Italy

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 fluid end blocks from Germany, India, and Italy that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of China, Germany, India, and Italy. 

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 determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue with its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning imports of this product from China, Germany, India, and Italy, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about March 13, 2020, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about May 27, 2020.

The Commission’s public report Fluid End Blocks from China, Germany, India, and Italy (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-632-635 and 731-TA-1466-1468 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5017, February 2020) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after March 12, 2020; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  httsps://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.


UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Fluid End Blocks from China, Germany, India, and Italy
Investigation Nos. 701-632-635 and 731-TA-1466-1468 (Preliminary)

Product Description:  Fluid end blocks are steel forgings of a particular chemistry and certain dimensional ranges that are an essential part of a well service pump. Fluid end blocks are incorporated into a fluid end module, which is used in well stimulation processes and are responsible for pressurizing the pumped fluid into the well. Pumps incorporating fluid end blocks are primarily used for drilling or hydraulic fracturing in the oil and gas industry. Some fluid end blocks are incorporated into mud pumps, which use lower pressures and primarily pump water or a mud mixture. Most fluid end blocks are made from stainless steel or non-stainless alloy steel, and many fluid end block producers experiment with different steel chemistries in an effort to improve fluid end block hardness, toughness, strength, and machinability. 

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Preliminary phase antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.
2.   Petitioner:  Ellwood City Forge Company, Ellwood Quality Steels Company, and Ellwood National Steel Company, Ellwood City, PA; A. Finkl & Sons, Chicago, IL; and FEB Fair Trade Coalition, Cleveland, OH.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Thursday, December 19, 2019.
4.   USITC Conference Date:  Thursday, January 9, 2020.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Friday, January 31, 2020.
6.   USITC Views to Commerce Date:  Monday, February 10, 2020.

U.S. Industry in 2018:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  10.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, 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 2018:

1.   Subject imports:  $256.4 million.
2.   Nonsubject imports:  1 
3.   Leading import sources:  China, Germany, India, and Italy.

 

[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

# # #
January 31, 2020
News Release 20-007
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1465 (Preliminary)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Votes to Continue Investigation Concerning 4th Tier Cigarettes from Korea

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is threatened with material injury by reason of imports of 4th tier cigarettes from Korea that are allegedly 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, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue with its antidumping duty investigation concerning imports of this product from Korea, with its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about February 10, 2020.

The Commission’s public report 4th Tier Cigarettes from Korea (Inv. No. 731-TA-1465 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5016, February 2020) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

The report will be available after March 3, 2020; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.


UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

4th Tier Cigarettes from Korea
Investigation No. 731-TA-1465 (Preliminary)

Product Description:  Cigarettes are combustible tobacco products rolled in paper and delivering nicotine. They may or may not have a filter and are sold in packs of 20 cigarettes in either 100's (100mm) or King's (85mm) lengths. The packaging and lengths are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"). While there is no single definition for a fourth tier cigarette, there is a consensus that fourth tier cigarettes are deeply discounted products. Fourth tier cigarettes may contain a higher percentage of tobacco stems, consisting of 10 to 40 percent tobacco stems compared with non-fourth tier cigarettes which typically contain less than 10 percent stems. Additionally, fourth tier cigarettes typically use a single-component filter while non-fourth tier cigarettes may use multi-segmented filters.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Preliminary phase antidumping duty investigation.
2.   Petitioners:  Xcaliber, Pryor, OK; Cheyenne International, Grover, NC.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Wednesday, December 18, 2019.
4.   USITC Conference Date:  Wednesday, January 8, 2020.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Friday, January 31, 2020.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, February 3, 2020.

U.S. Industry in 2018:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  4.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Florida, New York, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.
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 2018:

1.   Subject imports:  1
2.   Nonsubject imports:  1
3.   Leading import sources:  Canada, Korea.

 

[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

# # #
January 27, 2020
News Release 20-006
Inv. No(s). 332-575
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC to Investigate Extent of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Seafood Imports and Impact on U.S. Commercial Fishermen

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for an investigation of the extent to which seafood products obtained from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing are imported into the United States and the potential economic effects on U.S. fishermen of competition with such imports.  IUU seafood includes products obtained in contravention of fisheries management regulations or in violation of labor laws.

The investigation, Seafood Obtained via Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing: U.S. Imports and Economic Impact on U.S. Commercial Fisheries, was requested by the House Committee on Ways and Means in a letter received on December 19, 2019.

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will:

  • provide a review of the existing data and literature on the prevalence of IUU products in the U.S. import market, and an overview of international mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement to address IUU fishing;

  • provide a description of the size and structure of the U.S. commercial fishing industry;

  • provide a description of the major global producers of IUU products, including but not limited to China, and country practices related to IUU production and exports;

  • provide an analysis of the extent to which IUU product is imported into the United States, as well as major U.S. import sources and the global supply chains of such products; and

  • provide a quantitative analysis of the economic impact of IUU imports on U.S. commercial fishermen and U.S. commercial fishing production, trade, and prices.

The USITC expects to deliver the report to the Committee by December 21, 2020.

The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on May 12, 2020. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on April 21, 2020, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20436.

The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practicable date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 26, 2020. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.

Further information on the scope of this investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated January 27, 2020, which can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at the above address or at 202-205-2000.

USITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding investigation reports are subsequently released to the public unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

# # #
January 14, 2020
News Release 20-005
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-622 , 731-TA-1448
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Dried Tart Cherries from Turkey Do Not Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of dried tart cherries from Turkey that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and 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 negative.

As a result of the USITC’s negative determinations, no antidumping and countervailing duty orders will be issued.

The Commission’s public report Dried Tart Cherries from Turkey (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-622 and 731-TA-1448 (Final), USITC Publication 5014, January 2020) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by February 18, 2020; 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

Dried Tart Cherries from Turkey
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-622 and 731-TA-1448 (Final)

Product Description: Dried tart cherries are a type of processed tart cherry that is consumed directly or used in nut or dried fruit mixtures, cereals, baked goods, and other processed foods. Dried tart cherries have a tender, chewy texture, and the full flavor profile comes from the high acidity of the fresh tart cherry. Before they are dried, tart cherries are usually pitted, and can be infused with a sweetener or flavoring juice. They can be sold whole or diced, chopped, or further reduced in size.

Status of Proceedings:

  1. Type of investigation: Final phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations.
  2. Petitioners: Cherry Central Cooperative, Traverse City, MI; Graceland Fruit, Inc., Frankfort, MI; Oceana Foods, Shelby, MI; Payson Fruit Growers Coop, Payson, UT; Shoreline Fruit, LLC, Traverse City, MI; Smeltzer Orchard Co., Frankfort, MI.
  3. USITC Institution Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2019.
  4. USITC Hearing Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2019.
  5. USITC Vote Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2020.
  6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Monday, January 27, 2020.

U.S. Industry in 2018:

  1. Number of U.S. producers: 5.
  2. Location of producers’ plants: Michigan and Utah.
  3. Production and related workers: 336.
  4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: $70.6 million.
  5. Apparent U.S. consumption:
  6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:   1

U.S. Imports in 2018:

  1. 1. Subject imports:   1
  2. 2. Nonsubject imports:   1
  3. 3. Leading import sources: Turkey, Serbia, and Uzbekistan.   1
 

[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

# # #
January 10, 2020
News Release 20-004
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1190
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Wearable Monitoring Devices, Systems, and Components Thereof

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain wearable monitoring devices, systems, and components thereof.  The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Philips North America, LLC, of Andover, MA, and Koninklijke Philips N.V. of Eindhoven, Netherlands, on December 10, 2019.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain wearable monitoring devices, systems, and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainants.  The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Fitbit, Inc., of San Francisco, CA;
Garmin International, Inc., of Olathe, KS;
Garmin USA, Inc., of Olathe, KS;
Garmin Ltd. d/b/a Garmin Switzerland of Schaffhausen, Switzerland;
Ingram Micro Inc. of Irvine, CA;
Maintek Computer (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. of Suzhou New District, Jiangsu Province, China; and
Inventec Appliances (Pudong) of Shanghai, China.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1190), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case.  The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.  The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time.  Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.  USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.

# # #
December 20, 2019
News Release 19-127
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1188
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Pick-up Truck Folding Bed Cover Systems and Components Thereof

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain pick-up truck folding bed cover systems and components thereof.  The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Extang Corporation and Laurmark Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a BAK Industries, both of Ann Arbor, MI, on November 26, 2019.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain pick-up truck folding bed cover systems and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainants.  The complainants request that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative, a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.

The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Tyger Auto Inc. of Rialto, CA;
Cixi City Liyuan Auto Parts Co. Ltd. of Cixi City, Zhejiang Province, China; and
Hong Kong Car Start Industries Co. of Haishu District, Zhejian Province, China.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1188), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case.  The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.  The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time.  Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.  USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.

# # #
December 19, 2019
News Release 19-126
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1187
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Certain Electronic Devices with Optical Filters and Optical Sensor Systems and Components Thereof

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain electronic devices with optical filters and optical sensor systems and components thereof.  The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Viavi Solutions Inc. of San Jose, CA, on November 18, 2019.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain electronic devices with optical filters and optical sensor systems and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainant.  The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Optrontec Inc. of Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea;
LG Electronics, Inc., of Seoul, Republic of Korea;
LG Innotek Co., Ltd., of Seoul, Republic of Korea; and
LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc., of Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1187), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case.  The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.  The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time.  Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.  USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.

# # #
December 18, 2019
News Release 19-125
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-614 and 731-TA-1431 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Magnesium from Israel Does Not Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of magnesium from Israel that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and 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 negative.

As a result of the USITC’s negative determinations, no antidumping or countervailing duty orders will be issued.

The Commission’s public report Magnesium from Israel (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-614 and 731-TA-1431 (Final), USITC Publication 5009, January 2020) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by January 27, 2020; 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

Magnesium from Israel
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-614 and 731-TA-1431 (Final)

Product Description:  Primary and secondary pure and alloy magnesium metal, regardless of chemistry, raw material source, form, shape, or size. Magnesium is a metal or alloy containing by weight primarily the element magnesium. Primary magnesium is produced by decomposing raw materials into magnesium metal. Secondary magnesium is produced by recycling magnesium-based scrap into magnesium metal. The magnesium covered by this investigation also includes blends of primary magnesium, scrap, and secondary magnesium.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Final phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations.
2.   Petitioner:  US Magnesium, Salt Lake City, UT.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Wednesday, October 24, 2018.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  Thursday, November 21, 2019.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Wednesday, December 18, 2019.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, January 13, 2020.

U.S. Industry in 2018:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  7
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Utah.
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 2018:

1.   Subject imports:  1
2.   Nonsubject imports:  1
3.   Leading import sources:  Israel, Russia, Turkey, and Taiwan.

 

[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

# # #
December 12, 2019
News Release 19-124
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-612-613 and 731-TA-1429-1430 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Polyester Textured Yarn from China and India 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 polyester textured yarn from China and India that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and 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 USITC’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China and India.

The Commission also made negative findings concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from China.  As a result, imports of polyester textured yarn from China will not be subject to retroactive antidumping and countervailing duties.

The Commission’s public report Polyester Textured Yarn from China and India (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-612-613 and 731-TA-1429-1430 (Final), USITC Publication 5007, January 2020) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by January 20, 2020; 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

Polyester Textured Yarn from China and India
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-612-613 and 731-TA-1429-1430 (Final)

Product Description: Polyester textured yarn is synthetic multifilament yarn that is manufactured from polyester (polyethylene terephthalate). It is produced through a texturing process, which imparts special properties to the filaments of the yarn, including stretch, bulk, strength, moisture absorption, insulation, and the appearance of a natural fiber.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation: Final phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations.
2.   Petitioners: Unifi Manufacturing, Inc., Greensboro, NC; Nan Ya Plastics Corp. America, Lake City, SC.
3.   USITC Institution Date: Friday, October 18, 2018.
4.   USITC Hearing Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2019.
5.   USITC Vote Date: Thursday, December 12, 2019.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Friday, January 3, 2020.

U.S. Industry in 2018:

1.   Number of U.S. producers: 8.
2.   Location of producers’ plants: North Carolina and South Carolina.
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 2018:

1.   Subject imports:  $78.1 million.
2.   Nonsubject imports:  $78.8 million.
3.   Leading import sources:  China, Mexico, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan.

 

[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

 

# # #