ITC Finalizes Anti-Dumping Ruling Against Chinese

The International Trade Commission affirmed a previous ruling by the Commerce Department, voting 5-1 to place anti-dumping and countervailing duties on certain OTR tyres imported from China. It was the final step in a year-long investigation by the U.S. into complaints filed by Titan International and the United Steelworkers. The final duty and penalty amounts will be posted by the Commerce Department later this year but are expected to follow its previous schedule.

The USW union cheered the result. “Today’s decision proves China cheats and that U.S. trade law enforcement is an important tool that will help level the playing field for U.S. workers by requiring Chinese tire imports to be priced fairly,” said USW President Leo Gerard. “This case shows the importance of vigorous enforcement of our trade laws as a first line of defense against unfair trade practices that harm American industries and jobs.”

For its part, Titan applauded the ruling. “Today’s decision is an exciting outcome for working men and women across the country,” said Titan chairman and CEO Morry Taylor. “It proves that many people are hurt by unfair trade practices, and shows that our trade remedy laws are effective in combating unfair foreign trade practices for U.S. industry and its workers. Our industry had been losing market share to imports from dumped and subsidized Chinese exports, which undermined jobs, profits and competitiveness of U.S. producers.”

GPX International, though, disagrees. GPX is among the U.S.-based importers that will impacted by the ITC and Commerce ruling. “We are deeply disappointed in this decision. We have not yet seen the ITC effort to explain its decision. We will be carefully reviewing that explanation and exploring our options for seeking judicial review of this deeply flawed decision.”

GPX officials said the company may pursue an appeal in the federal court system. “Over the past 12 months we have incurred punishing duties and spent millions of dollars (and thousands of man hours) fighting this unfair and blatantly unjustified trade case. Unfortunately, our fight is not yet over.

“It will take more time, but we are confident that eventually we will prevail and put this nightmare behind us.” (Tire Review/Akron)