February 10, 2012
News Release 12-015
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-488 and 731-TA-1199-1200 (P)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of certain large residential washers from Korea that are allegedly subsidized and from Korea and Mexico that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Vice Chairman Irving A. Williamson and Commissioners Shara L. Aranoff, Dean A. Pinkert, and David S. Johanson voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Daniel R. Pearson voted in the negative. Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations on imports of these products, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination regarding Korea due on or about March 24, 2012, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations regarding Korea and Mexico due on or about June 7, 2012.

The Commission's public report Certain Large Residential Washers from Korea and Mexico (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-488 and 731-TA-1199-1200 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4306, February 2012) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after March 13, 2012, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or writing to the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: The product covered by these investigations is large residential washers. Large residential washers include all automatic clothes washing machines, regardless of the orientation of the rotational axis, with a cabinet width (measured from its widest point) of at least 24.5 inches (62.23 cm) and no more than 32.0 inches (81.28 cm). These investigations also cover certain subassemblies used in large residential washers. Large residential washers are typically purchased by households for use in a single family dwelling.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2.  Petitioner: Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI.
3.  Petition filed with USITC: December 30, 2011.
4.  Commission's conference:  January 20, 2012.
5.  USITC vote: February 10, 2012.
6.  USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: February 13, 2012.
7.  USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: February 20, 2012.


U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of producers in 2010:  Six.
2.  Location of producers' plants: Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2010: (1)
4.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2010: (1)
5.  Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2010: (1)


U.S. Imports:

1.  From the subject countries during 2010: (1)
2.  From other countries during 2010: (1)
3.  Leading sources during 2010: Korea, Mexico, Germany, and China (in terms of total value, estimated).

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