ITC Issues Affirmative Final Ruling, Signaling High Tariffs on Dumped and Subsidized Chinese Hardwood Plywood Imports

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the International Trade Commission (ITC) issued its final determination, activating significant tariffs on the imports of Chinese hardwood plywood, voting 4-0 that the domestic industry is materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by reason of these dumped and subsidized imports. The Coalition for the Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood commends the unanimous decision by the ITC, praising it as meaningful relief for the U.S. hardwood plywood industry.

"We greatly appreciate today's affirmative injury determination, which confirms that illegal trade practices from China will not be tolerated," said Tim Brightbill, trade counsel to the coalition. "This vote reflects years of hard work and commitment from coalition members, congressional allies, and partners to address the challenges faced by the U.S. industry."

"Today's decision demonstrates that the U.S. Government will not tolerate unfair trade practices and will support American manufacturing and workers," said Kip Howlett, president of the Hardwood Plywood Veneer Association. "This puts American interests first by standing up to the illegal imports of Chinese hardwood plywood.  We are thankful for the hard work of the Commission and the Department of Commerce in recognizing the significant unfair trade practices of the Chinese hardwood plywood industry and the injury it has caused U.S. producers."

The ITC's results are the product of years of urging by the Coalition to take action against unfairly traded Chinese imports. In October, the ITC held a hearing on these illegal imports of Chinese hardwood plywood and listened to the testimony of numerous U.S. producers, company executives, and members of Congress. Earlier this month, the Department of Commerce also made final determinations against Chinese hardwood plywood and set an antidumping duty of 183.6 percent, as well as countervailing duties ranging up to 194.9 percent.

In addition to the testimony provided at the ITC, the Coalition received a letter of support from more than 40 members of Congress - led by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Reps. Greg Walden (R-OR) and Pete DeFazio (D-OR) - urging the ITC to issue meaningful relief for the U.S. industry. The letter of support recognized the ways in which the U.S. industry has been harmed by illegal trade practices, forcing many producers to operate at less than 50 percent capacity. Imports of Chinese hardwood plywood increased 22 percent from 2014 to 2016, and another 26 percent in the first half of 2017, injuring the U.S. industry.

The antidumping and countervailing duty cases were filed on behalf of the Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood, a group of six producers and manufacturers that are committed to safeguarding the U.S. hardwood plywood industry and its thousands of workers. The law firm of Wiley Rein LLP is representing the Coalition in these investigations.

ABOUT US: The Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood is committed to standing up for American workers and supporting U.S. manufacturers. The administration must take steps to preserve the U.S. production of hardwood plywood by combating the rising tide of unfairly traded imports into the U.S. from China. To learn more, visit www.hardwoodplywoodfairtrade.com 

SOURCE Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood