The United States International Trade Commission (ITC or Commission) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of artists' canvas from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Stephen Koplan, Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, and Commissioners Jennifer A. Hillman, Charlotte R. Lane, and Shara L. Aranoff voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Daniel R. Pearson voted in the negative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the Department of Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of artists' canvas from China.

The Commission's public report Artists' Canvas from China (Investigation No. 731-TA-1091 (Final), USITC Publication 3853, May 2006) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies may be obtained after June 5, 2006, 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 artists' canvas, regardless of dimension and/or size, whether assembled or unassembled, that has been primed/coated, whether or not made from cotton, whether or not archival, whether bleached or unbleached, and whether or not containing an ink receptive top coat. The subject merchandise includes pre-stretched canvases, canvas panels, canvas pads, canvas rolls (bulk rolls), printable canvases, floor cloths, and placemats. Also included are stretcher strips (whether or not made of wood, and whether or not assembled) included within a kit or set. The merchandise subject to this investigation is provided for in subheadings 5901.90.20 and 5901.90.40 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).

Status of Proceedings:

1. Types of investigations:  Final antidumping.
2. Petitioner:  Tara Materials, Inc.
3. Investigation instituted by USITC:  April 1, 2005.
4. Hearing:  March 28, 2006.
5. USITC vote:  April 26, 2006.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce:  May 15, 2006.  

U.S. Industry:

1. Number of U.S. firms involved in production of artists' canvas in 2005:  10 (1).
2. Production during 2005: (2) 
3. Employment of production and related workers:  (2)
4. U.S. producers' shipments in 2005: (2)
5. U.S. apparent consumption in 2005:  (2)
6. Ratio of quantity of total imports to U.S. apparent consumption in 2005:  (2)

U.S. Imports:
1. Quantity of subject imports in 2005:  2,286,000 square meters.
2. Value of subject imports in 2005:  $15,079,000.

(1) Confirmed U.S. producers that responded to the Commission's questionnaire.
(2) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.