TRADE CASES HEADLINESTrade Cases
Commerce Preliminarily Finds Dumping of PC Wire Strand from China
Dec. 21, 2009 The Department of Commerce announced on December 18 its preliminary determination in the antidumping duty investigation on imports of prestressed concrete (PC) steel wire strand from P.R. China.
Merchandise covered by this investigation consists of PC steel wire strand that is a collection of wire rod bars, typically covered with an epoxy material and primarily used in concrete construction applications. The wire strand is currently classifiable under the subheadings 7312.10.3010 and 7312.10.3012 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
Commerce preliminarily determined that Chinese producers/exporters have sold PC strand in the United States at 37.72 to193.55% less than normal value.
The mandatory respondent, Xinhua Metal Products Co., Ltd., received a preliminary dumping rate of 151.44%. The voluntary respondent, Wuxi Jinyang Metal Products Co., received a rate of 37.72%. Fasten Group Import & Export has qualified for a separate rate of 151.44%. All other Chinese producers/exporters will receive a preliminary dumping rate of 193.55%.
As a result of this preliminary determination, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect a cash deposit or bond based on these preliminary rates.
From 2007 to 2008, imports of PC strand from China increased 7.83% by volume and were valued at an estimated $178 million in 2008.
Commerce is currently scheduled to issue its final determination in March 2010. If it makes an affirmative final determination, and the U.S. International Trade Commission makes an affirmative final determination that imports of such wire strand from China materially injure, or threaten material injury to, the domestic industry, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order.
Petitioners for this investigation are American Spring Wire Corp., Insteel Wire Products Co., and Sumiden Wire Products Corp.