August 10, 2001
News Release 01-103
Invs. Nos. 731-TA-951-952 (P)

ITC VOTES TO END CASES ON BLAST FURNACE COKE FROM CHINA AND JAPAN

 The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is not a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of blast furnace coke from China and Japan that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Stephen Koplan and Commissioners Jennifer A. Hillman and Dennis M. Devany voted in the negative. Commissioners Lynn M. Bragg and Marcia E. Miller voted in the affirmative. Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the Commission's negative determinations, the cases will end.

The Commission's public report Blast Furnace Coke from China and Japan (Investigations Nos. 731-TA-951-952 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3444, August 2001) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after September 10, 2001, by calling 202-205- 1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Blast Furnace Coke from China and Japan
Investigations Nos. 731-TA-951 and 952 (Preliminary)

Product Description:
The imported product subject to these investigations is blast furnace coke made from coal or mostly coal, and other carbon materials, with a majority of individual pieces less than 100 mm (4 inches) of a kind capable of being used in blast furnace operations, whether or not mixed with coke breeze. The subject blast furnace coke is classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) statistical reporting number 2704.00.0025.

Status of Proceedings:
     1.   Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping
     2.   Petitioners: Committee for Fair Coke Trade 1/ and the United Steelworkers of America,
          AFL-CIO, Pittsburgh, PA
     3.   Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: June 29, 2001
     4.   Commission's conference: July 20, 2001
     5.   USITC vote: August 10, 2001
     6.   USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: August 20, 2001

U.S. Industry:
     1.   Number of producers in 2001: 16
     2.   Location of producers' plants: Ann Arbor, MI; Bethlehem, PA; Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL,
          Indianapolis, IN; Knoxville, TN; Middletown, OH; Mishawaka, OH; New Boston, OH;
          Pittsburgh, PA; Vineyard, UT; and Wheeling, WV
     3.   Employment of production and related workers in 2000: 5,138 
     4.   Apparent U.S. consumption in 2000: 19.0 million metric tons ($2.2 billion)
     5.   Ratio of the value of total U.S. shipments of imports to total U.S. 
                    consumption in 2000: Quantity -- 16.5% (Value -- 13.9%)

U.S. Imports:
     1.   From the subject countries during 2000: 3.2 million metric tons ($280.0 million)
     2.   From other countries during 2000: None
     3.   Leading sources during 2000: China and Japan

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1/ Members of the Committee are: Acme Steel Co., Chicago, IL; DTE Energy Services, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI;
Koppers Industries, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA; and Shenango, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA.