January 23, 2013
News Release 13-010
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-488 and 731-TA-1199-1200 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of certain large residential washers from Korea that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and from Korea and Mexico that Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the USITC's affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue a countervailing duty order on imports of these products from Korea and antidumping duty orders on imports of these products from Korea and Mexico.

The Commission's public report Certain Large Residential Washers from Korea and Mexico (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-488 and 731-TA-1199-1200 (Final), USITC Publication 4378, February 2013) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.

Copies may be obtained after March 1, 2013, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or by writing 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: Large residential washers (LRWs) are appliances that remove soil from fabric, using water and detergent as the principal cleaning agents. All units feature wash, rinse, and spin cycles; have a cabinet width of at least 24.5 inches (62.23 cm) and no more than 32.0 inches (81.28 cm); and feature a rotational axis that is either vertical or horizontal. Further, all LRWs feature a metal drum or basket into which laundry is loaded, a plastic tub that holds water, a motor, a pump, and a user interface and control unit to set wash cycles.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigation: Final antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI.
3. Investigation instituted by USITC: December 30, 2011.
4. USITC hearing: December 11, 2012.
5. USITC vote: January 23, 2013.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: February 8, 2013.


U.S. Industry:

1. Number of U.S. producers in 2011: 4.
2. Location of producers' plants: Ripon, Wisconsin; Louisville, Kentucky; Groveport and
       Clyde, Ohio.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2011: (1)        
4. U.S. producers' U.S. shipments in 2011:  (1)
5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2011:  (1) 
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2011: (1)


U.S. Imports in 2011:

1. From the subject countries during 2011: $1.0 billion.
2. From other countries during 2011:  $155 million.
3. Leading sources during 2011: Korea and Mexico (in terms of total value).

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.