Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • ITEC
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • War in Ukraine
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • 2022 Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference
    • 2022 International Silicone Conference
    • 2022 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
August 07, 2014 02:00 AM

Editorial: This time around, stakes are different in China trade war

Rubber & Plastics News Report
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Round 2 of the trade debate over whether antidumping and countervailing duties should be placed on passenger and light truck tire imports from China is well underway.

    At first glance, the issues seem very much the same as five years ago when President Obama approved three years of elevated tariffs on such imports, a measure that ended in September 2012. Since those duties ended, the United Steelworkers union said Chinese imports of these tires more than doubled from 24.5 million in 2011 to 50.8 million tires in 2013.

    Just as in 2009, the USW—which started the process anew with its petitions submitted to the International Trade Commission in early June—still insists duties are necessary to level the playing field and neutralize what it sees as a threat to its members' jobs.

    The Chinese tire makers stand by their position that these imports do not compete directly with premium tires made in the U.S., and that recent positive financial results for U.S. tire makers suggest Chinese imports do not threaten them.

    And the Tire Industry Association, representing independent tire dealers, says that duties on Chinese tires will only create shortages in the low end of the tire market, causing prices to rise for low-income tire buyers. The group contends that jobs will be lost among tire dealers, importers and distributors should the USW prevail.

    But the stakes actually are a bit different in this case. In 2009, the USW sought action under a provision of the trade act designed specifically to help U.S. industries hurt by surging Chinese imports.

    This time, however, the union has filed for relief under the antidumping and countervailing duties section of trade law. While the 2009 tariffs were meant to be temporary, if duties are enacted again, the fix will be more permanent, with automatic reviews coming only every five years.

    It is no secret that politics plays a large role in such matters, but the ITC needs to follow certain guidelines in its decision: Are the actions of the Chinese government making for an unfair playing field, and are parties being injured by it?

    In its initial analysis to forge ahead with the investigation, the Department of Commerce found dumping margins on Chinese tire imports into the U.S. ranging from 45.8 to nearly 90 percent.

    If that is found to be accurate, it is clear that China is trying to tip the scales in its favor. So the ITC then will need to focus on whether anyone is being injured and—if so—what should the remedy be.

    Related Articles
    ITC to make preliminary ruling on Chinese tires by July 18
    USW to fight Chinese tire imports; Union files antidumping duty petition with I…
    USW, Chinese tire makers make case before ITC
    USW's Gerard urges tough trade enforcement
    Commerce Department to investigate antidumping duties on Chinese tires
    China: Investigating antidumping duties 'breaches rules'
    ITC to proceed with Chinese antidumping investigation
    VMI: Chinese raid factory accused of patent infringement
    New tire plant in China begins production
    China appears to be boosting its efforts on IP theft
    Market demand doesn't match new factory plans
    Efforts to boost tires a proposition that never will end
    Double Coin, CMA vow to fight antidumping duty
    Firestone officials excel in handling of Ebola crisis
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Michelin worker dies at Nova Scotia tire plant
    2
    Triangle Tire scraps plans for North Carolina tire plant
    3
    Mitsubishi Chemical closes compounding plant in Michigan
    4
    Morgan Polymer Seals adds MAGIC to gasket manufacturing
    5
    Shell Polymers' PE facility in Pa. nearly complete
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • ITEC
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • War in Ukraine
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • 2022 Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference
        • 2022 International Silicone Conference
        • 2022 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION