NEWS FROM WASHINGTON – Hardwood plywood imported from China does not injure the U.S. Plywood industry and will not be subjected to any antidumping duties, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) ruled on November 5th, 2013. The USITC’s determination ran contrary to the Sept. 17 final determination by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) that hardwood plywood imported from China is subsidized and imported at less than fair value.
This ruling also represented a reversal from the ITC’s preliminary determination one year ago “that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of hardwood plywood from China that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.” Now USITC instead ruled that there is not enough evidence to show that the U.S. wood industry is actually injured nor threatened with material injury by imported Chinese hardwood plywood.
Cindy Squires, executive director of the International Wood Products Association, praised the AAHP for fighting the antidumping action. “This vote was a win for American businesses, jobs, and consumers,” Squires said. “The industry has been uncertain for months over the outcome of this case and with today’s vote can turn their attention back to their businesses. We look forward to returning to industry growth in both domestic and Chinese wood products.”
The ITC will soon issue a public report, Hardwood Plywood from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA- 490 and 731-TA-1204 (Final), USITC Publication 4434, November 2013). It will contain the opinions of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.
