The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that an industry in the United States is threatened with material injury by reason of imports of bulk acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) from China that the Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will direct the U.S. Customs Service to impose antidumping duties on imports of bulk acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) from China.

Chairman Stephen Koplan, Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, and Commissioners Lynn M. Bragg, Marcia E. Miller, Jennifer A. Hillman, and Thelma J. Askey voted in the affirmative.

The Commission's public report Bulk Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin) from China (Investigation No. 731-TA-828 (Final), USITC Publication 3314, June 2000) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies may be obtained after July 21, 2000, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202-205-2104.

Product Description:

The product covered by 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 or mixed bulk aspirin. Pure bulk aspirin, either crystal form or granulated into a fine powder, is provided for in subheading 2918.22.10 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS). Mixed bulk aspirin consists of bulk aspirin combined with other inactive substances such as starch, lactose, cellulose, or coloring materials and/or other active substances and is provided for in subheading 3003.90.00 of the HTS.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigation:  Final antidumping.
2. Petitioner:  Rhodia Inc., Cranbury NJ.
3. Investigation instituted by USITC:  January 3, 2000.
4. Hearing: May 18, 2000.
5. USITC vote:  June 22, 2000.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce:  June 30, 2000.

U.S. Industry:

1. Number of U.S. bulk aspirin operations in 1999:  One.
2. Production volume is located in St. Louis, MO.
3. Employment of production and related workers:  (1).
4. U.S. producers' shipments in 1998:  (1).
5. U.S. apparent consumption in 1998:  (1).
6. Ratio of quantity of total imports to U.S. apparent consumption in 1998:  (1).

U.S. Imports:
1. Quantity of subject imports in 1999:  China:  4.0 million pounds.
2. Value of subject imports in 1999:  China:  $5.2 million.

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