WASHINGTON—Chinese passenger and light truck tire importers are dumping their products in the U.S. at margins ranging from 14.35 to 87.99 percent, the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration has ruled.
Also, the same importers are obtaining Chinese government subsidies ranging from 20.33 to 100.77 percent, according to the decision issued by Commerce June 12.
The United Steelworkers union filed petitions with the International Trade Commission in June 2014, asking for relief against Chinese tire imports under Sections 701 and 731 of the Trade Act.
Earlier, from September 2009 to September 2012, the Obama administration placed high tariffs on Chinese tire imports under Section 421 of the Trade Act. Chinese imports skyrocketed to pre-tariff levels immediately after the tariffs lapsed, the USW said.
The case now goes to the ITC, which is scheduled to make a final decision July 27 on whether Chinese tire imports caused material injury to the U.S. tire industry.
If the ITC makes an affirmative determination, Commerce will issue final antidumping and countervailing duty orders, Commerce said in its press release. If the ITC's determination is negative, the investigation will be terminated, Commerce said.