June 11, 2019
News Release 19-048
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-606 and 731-TA-1416 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Quartz Surface Products from China Injure 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 quartz surface products 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 a negative finding concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of these products from China.  As a result, imports of quartz surface products from China will not be subject to retroactive antidumping or countervailing duties.

The Commission’s public report Quartz Surface Products from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-606 and 731-TA-1416 (Final), USITC Publication 4913, June 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by July 18, 2019; 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

Quartz Surface Products from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-606 and 731-TA-1416 (Final)

Product Description:  Quartz surface products consist of slabs and other surfaces created from a mixture of materials that includes predominately silica (e.g., quartz, quartz powder, cristobalite), resin binder (e.g., an unsaturated polyester), and other materials, including, but not limited to, pigments, cement, or other additives. In addition to slabs, the scope of these investigations includes, but is not limited to, other surfaces such as countertops, backsplashes, vanity tops, bar tops, work tops, tabletops, flooring, wall facing, shower surrounds, fire place surrounds, mantels, and tiles. Quartz surface products are covered by these investigations whether or not polished, cut, fabricated, cured, edged, finished, thermalformed, packaged, and regardless of the type of surface finish.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Final phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations.
2.   Petitioners:  Cambria Company LLC, Eden Prairie, MN.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Tuesday, April 17, 2018.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  Thursday, May 9, 2019.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Tuesday, June 11, 2019.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, July 8, 2019.

U.S. Industry in 2017:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  3.[1]
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee.1
3.   Production and related workers:  [2]
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  2
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption:  2
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  2

U.S. Imports in 2017:

1.   Subject imports:  $547.6 million.
2.   Nonsubject imports:  $553.1 million.
3.   Leading import sources:  China, Spain, Israel, and Canada.

 

 

[1] The information pertains only to quartz slab producers.  The domestic industry also includes a large number of fabricators of varying sizes.

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

# # #