The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today made an affirmative determination in its preliminary phase antidumping investigation involving bulk acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) from China.

The affirmative determination means that the ITC found that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of bulk acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) from China that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Lynn M. Bragg, Vice Chairman Marcia E. Miller, and Commissioners Jennifer A. Hillman, Stephen Koplan, and Thelma J. Askey found a reasonable indication that the domestic industry is threatened with material injury. Commissioner Carol T. Crawford found a reasonable indication that the domestic industry is materially injured.

As a result of the ITC's affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct an antidumping investigation of imports of bulk acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) from China, with its preliminary antidumping determination due on or about November 4, 1999.

The Commission's public report Bulk Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin) from China (Investigation No. 731-TA-828 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3211, July 1999) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after August 9, 1999, 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.

Product Description: The imported product subject to this investigation is bulk acetylsalicylic acid, commonly referred to as bulk aspirin, whether or not in pharmaceutical or compound form, not put up in dosage form (tablet, capsule, powders or similar form for direct human consumption). Bulk aspirin may be imported in two forms, as pure acetylsalicylic acid or as mixed acetylsalicylic acid. Pure acetylsalicylic acid can be either in crystal form or granulated into a fine powder (pharmaceutical form). This product has the chemical formula C9H8O4. It is defined by the official monograph of the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) 23. It is provided for in subheading 2918.22.10 of the HTS with a 1999 general duty rate of 8.4 percent ad valorem, applicable to imports from China. Mixed acetylsalicylic acid consists of acetylsalicylic acid combined with other inactive substances such as starch, lactose, cellulose, or coloring materials and/or other active substances. The presence of other active substances must be in concentrations less than that specified for particular nonprescription drug combinations of aspirin and active substances as published in the Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs, eighth edition, American Pharmaceutical Association. This product is provided for in subheading 3003.90.00 of the HTS with a general duty rate of free, applicable to imports from China.

Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation:  Preliminary antidumping.
2. Petitioner: Rhodia, Inc., Cranbury, NJ.
3. Preliminary investigation instituted by the USITC:  May 28, 1999
4. Commission's conference:  June 18, 1999.
5. USITC vote: July 9, 1999.
6. USITC determination to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  July 12, 1999.

U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers in 1998:  One.
2. Location of producer's plant: St. Louis, Missouri.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 1998:  (1).
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 1998:  (1).
5. Ratio of total U.S. shipments of imports to total U.S. consumption in  1998:  (1).

U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject country during 1998:  3.6 million pounds.
2. From other countries during 1998:  2.8 million pounds.
3. Leading source during 1998:  China (in terms of total value).

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of confidential business information.