For Immediate Release: September 26, 2008
Contact: Brittany Eck (202) 482-3809
Commerce Finds Unfair Dumping and Subsidization of Lightweight Thermal Paper
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced its affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of lightweight thermal paper (LWTP) from the People’s Republic of China (AD/CVD) and Germany (AD). LWTP is commonly used for printing receipts. The petitioner for these investigations is Appleton Papers, Inc., from Appleton, Wis.
“Foreign competitors that undervalue their goods in the United States and receive government subsidies undercut American competitiveness in the global marketplace,” said Assistant Secretary for Import Administration David Spooner. “Commerce commonly investigates both dumping and subsidy claims on a case-by-case basis, and will continue to take appropriate remedies based on the facts presented to enforce America’s trade remedy laws.”
Commerce determined that Chinese exporters have sold LWTP in the United States at 19.77 and 115.29 percent less than normal value, and receive countervailable subsidies of 0.57 (de minimis) to 137.25 percent.
The final AD rates for the participating Chinese respondents, Guangdong Guanhao High-Tech Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Hanhong Paper Co., Ltd., are 19.77 and 115.29 percent, respectively. All other Chinese exporters received the China-wide rate of 115.29 percent.
The final CVD rates for the same participating respondents are 13.17 and 0.57 (de minimis) percent, respectively. Three other Chinese companies failed to participate in the CVD investigation and received adverse rates ranging from 123.65 to 137.25 percent. All other Chinese exporters of LWTP received a final CVD rate of 13.17 percent.
Commerce also determined that Papierfabrik August Koehler AG and all other German exporters have sold LWTP in the United States at 6.50 percent less than normal value.
As a result of these final determinations, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to continue to collect a cash deposit or bond based on the final rates. The amount of the export subsidies found in the CVD investigation will be deducted from Guangdong Guanhao High-Tech’s AD cash deposit rate.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to issue its final injury determination in these investigations on or before Nov. 10, 2008. If the ITC determines that imports from China or Germany are injuring, or threaten injury to, the domestic industry, Commerce will issue AD and CVD orders. If the ITC makes negative injury determinations, these investigations will be terminated.
Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than normal value. Subsidies are financial assistance from foreign governments that benefit the production, manufacture, or exportation of goods.
For more information about Import Administration or for the fact sheet on today’s decisions, please visit www.trade.gov/ia.
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