The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports of pure magnesium from China that the Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value. The Commission further determined that an industry in the United States is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of pure magnesium from Israel that the Department of Commerce has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Stephen Koplan, Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, and Commissioners Lynn M. Bragg and Dennis M. Devaney voted in the affirmative with respect to imports from China and in the negative with respect to imports from Israel. Commissioners Marcia E. Miller and Jennifer A. Hillman found two like products in these investigations; they voted in the negative with respect to imports of pure granular magnesium from China and pure magnesium ingot from Israel, and they found that imports of pure granular magnesium from Israel were negligible. Imports are generally deemed "negligible" if they amounted to less than 3 percent of all such merchandise imported into the United States in the most recent 12-month period for which data are available preceding the filing of the petition.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from China. As a result of the Commission's negative determination, no duties will be imposed on imports of this product from Israel.

The Commission's public report Pure Magnesium from China and Israel, Invs. Nos. 701-TA-403 and 731-TA-895-896 (Final), USITC Publication 3467, November 2001) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies may be obtained after November 30, 2001, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: The imported goods covered in the investigation concerning China and Israel include pure magnesium, regardless of chemistry, form, or size, including, without limitation, ingots, raspings, granules, turnings, chips, powder, and briquettes. The imported goods covered in the investigation concerning China include all of the foregoing pure magnesium products, except pure magnesium ingots (which are covered by an existing order and are classifiable under subheadings 8104.11.00 and 8104.19.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS)). The merchandise subject to the investigation concerning Israel is classifiable under subheadings 8104.11.00, 8104.19.00, and 8104.30.00 of the HTS. The merchandise subject to the investigation concerning China is classifiable under subheading 8104.30.00 of the HTS.

Status of Proceedings:
1.   Type of investigation: Final countervailing duty and antidumping.
2.   Petitioner: Magnesium Corporation of America (Magcorp), Salt Lake City, UT and the United
       Steel Workers of America (USW), Local 8319, Salt Lake City, UT, and the United 
       Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO-CLC (USWA International).
3.   Investigation instituted by USITC: Oct. 17, 2000.
4.   Public Hearing: Oct. 11, 2001
5.   USITC vote: Nov. 2, 2001.
6.   USITC notification of Commerce: Nov. 18, 2001.

U.S. Industry:
1.   Number of Producers, 2000:  two producers of pure ingot and six producers of pure granular.
2.   Location of producers' plants:  Utah, Washington, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio,
       and Colorado.
3.   Employment of production and related workers, 2000: (1)
4.   U.S. shipments, 2000: (1)
5.   U.S. consumption, 2000: (1)
6.   Ratio of U.S. imports to consumption, 2000: (1)

U. S. Imports:
Pure magnesium ingot:
1.   Quantity of imports in 2000 (metric tons): Israel, 6,317; China (nonsubject), 244; Other
       sources, 16,372; Total, 22,933.
2.   Value of imports in 2000 (1,000 dollars): Israel, 19,304; China (nonsubject), 345; Other
       sources, 42,896; Total, 62,545.
3.   Leading source of imports of pure magnesium ingot in 2000 (quantity): Russia, Israel, and
       Canada.

Pure Granular Magnesium:
4.   Quantity of imports in 2000 (metric tons): Israel, 0; China, 15,262; Other sources, 6,097;
       Total, 21,359
5.   Value of imports in 2000 (1,000 dollars): Israel, 0; China, 33,527; Other sources, 13, 031;
       Total, 46,558.
6.   Leading source of imports of pure granular magnesium in 2000 (quantity): China.