The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of ball bearings from China that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Stephen Koplan and Commissioners Lynn M. Bragg and Jennifer A. Hillman voted in the affirmative. Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun and Commissioner Marcia E. Miller voted in the negative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping duty investigation of imports of ball bearings from China, with its preliminary determination due on or about August 21, 2002.

The Commission's public report Ball Bearings from China (Investigation No. 731-TA-989 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3504, May 2002) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after May 27, 2002, 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 products subject to this investigation are ball bearings and parts thereof. Ball bearings are antifriction bearings that employ balls as the rolling element. They are frequently used in friction-reducing applications where speed is a more important factor than load-carrying capacity. Such applications range from highly precise aerospace and automotive designs to low-end skateboards and toys. All finished parts manufactured in China are included within the scope of the investigation. However, unfinished parts are included only if they have been heat-treated prior to importation, or if heat treatment is not required to be performed on the part.

Status of Proceedings:
1.  Type of investigation:  Preliminary antidumping.
2.  Petitioner:  American Bearings Manufacturers Association (ABMA).
3.  Preliminary investigation instituted by the USITC:  February 13, 2002.
4.  Commission's conference:  March 6, 2002.
5.  USITC vote:  April 29, 2002.
6.  USITC determination to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  April 29, 2002.


U.S. Industry:
1.  Number of producers in 2001:  Forty-five. (1)
2.  Location of producers' plants:  Throughout the United States, including Connecticut,
       Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2001:  9,919.
4.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2001:  $2,682,012,000.
5.  Ratio of the value of total U.S. shipments of imports to the value of total U.S. consumption
       in 2001:  33 percent.


U.S. Imports:
1.  From the subject country during 2001:  $127,957,000.
2.  From other countries during 2001:  $756,829,000.
3.  Leading sources during 2001 (in terms of total value):  Japan, Canada, and China.

(1) The petition listed 45 U.S. producers of ball bearings and parts thereof. However, alternate sources indicate as many as 88 total domestic producers.