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News Release 18-147
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-598 and 731-TA-1408
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 rubber bands from China 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 Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns 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.
The Commission also made negative findings concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from China. As a result, imports of rubber bands from China will not be subject to retroactive antidumping or countervailing duties.
The Commission’s public report Rubber Bands from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-598 and 731-TA-1408 (Final), USITC Publication 4863, December 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by January 17, 2019; 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
Rubber Bands from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-598 and 731-TA-1408 (Final)
Product Description: Rubber bands are flexible circular bands produced from hollow cylindrical tubes of vulcanized natural and synthetic rubber, mineral additives, dyes and pigments. Scope band lengths range 1/2 inch to 10 inches, circular band flattened on its side, and a width from about 1/16 inch to 2 inches; wall thickness up to 0.125 inches. The physical properties of rubber bands' superior elasticity, stretch strength, grip, and tear resistance, make them ideal for binding items together. Major rubber band consumer and industrial end use applications include stationery (office), industrial packaging (manufacturing), agricultural and aquaculture (produce and shellfish), retail, government and post office, advertising specialty, and newspapers.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations.
2. Petitioners: Alliance Rubber Company, Hot Springs, Arkansas.
3. USITC Institution Date: Tuesday, January 30, 2018.
4. USITC Hearing Date: Tuesday, November 13, 2018.
5. USITC Vote Date: Friday, December 14, 2018.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Thursday, December 27, 2018.
U.S. Industry in 2017:
1. Number of U.S. producers: 1.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Arkansas and California.
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 2017:
1. Subject imports: 1
2. Nonsubject imports: 1
3. Leading import sources: Thailand and China.
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.