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News Release 17-067
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-571-572 and 731-TA-1347-1348 (Preliminary)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
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 biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, and F. Scott Kieff voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on imports of this product from Argentina and Indonesia, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about June 16, 2017, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about August 30, 2017.
The Commission’s public report Biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia, Inv. Nos. 701-TA-571-572 and 731-TA-1347-1348 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4690, May 2017) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available after June 5, 2017. 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
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-571-572 and 731-TA-1347-1348 (Preliminary)
Product Description: Biodiesel is a fuel made from many types of vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, palm oil, and canola oil; animal fats; and used cooking oils. It is used most frequently as a substitute for petroleum-based diesel (diesel) in the transportation sector, usually in blends of 2 to 20 percent biodiesel. Biodiesel is also used as a heating fuel (fuel oil), primarily in the northeastern United States, and for stationary electricity generation in diesel generators.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigations: Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: National Biodiesel Board Fair Trade Coalition, Washington, DC, and its individual members.
3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: March 23, 2017.
4. Commission’s conference: April 13, 2017.
5. USITC vote: May 5, 2017.
6. USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: May 8, 2017.
7. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: May 15, 2017.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers in 2016: 25.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2016: 1,336
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2016: $5.8 billion.
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2016: 36.6 percent.
U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject countries during 2016: $1.6 billion.
2. From other countries during 2016: $499 million.
3. Leading sources during 2016: Argentina, Canada, and Indonesia (in terms of total value).