U.S. TO IMPOSE TARIFFS ON CHINESE PLYWOOD AFTER TRADE COMMISSION RULING

The United States International Trade Commission on Friday issued a final ruling that hardwood plywood from China being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value is harming the domestic plywood industry.

The ruling follows a U.S. Commerce Department determination that subsidies from the Chinese government were allowing Chinese companies to sell hardwood plywood in the U.S. at less than fair value.

The Commerce Department has set an anti-dumping tariff of 183.6 percent on Chinese plywood and anti-subsidy duties ranging up to 194.9 percent for five years. No retroactive duties will be imposed.

The antidumping and countervailing duty cases were filed on behalf of the Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood, a group of six producers and manufacturers that are committed to safeguarding the U.S. hardwood plywood industry and its thousands of workers. 

Timber Products Co., a member of the Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood, is pleased with the ruling.

“This strong ruling publicly reinforces what we have known for years about unfair Chinese subsidies and dumping of inferior products into the U.S. market,” said Joe Gonyea III, co-chairman of the board for Timber Products. “Our domestic producers can finally compete on an even playing field.” 

The Department of Commerce's determination is a result of a full-year investigation into China's unfair trade practices.

The commission’s public report, “Hardwood Plywood from China,” will contain the views of the commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by Jan. 10. When available, it may be accessed on the USITC website  at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.