April 17, 2012
News Release 12-040
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-477 and 731-TA-1180-1181 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of bottom mount refrigerator-freezers from Korea that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and from Korea and Mexico that Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

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

As a result of the USITC's negative determinations, no antidumping or countervailing duty orders will be issued on imports of these products from Korea and Mexico.

The Commission's public report Bottom Mount Refrigerator-Freezers from Korea and Mexico (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-477 and 731-TA-1180-1181 (Final), USITC Publication 4318, April 2012) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.

Copies may be obtained after May 21, 2012, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or by writing 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: This investigation covers bottom mount combination refrigerator-freezers from Korea and Mexico. A bottom mount combination refrigerator-freezer for the purpose of these investigation denotes freestanding or built-in cabinets that have an integral source of refrigeration using compression technology. A bottom mount combination refrigerator-freezer contains a compartment that is capable of storing food at temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), a freezer compartment capable of storing food at temperatures at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), and a convertible compartment that is capable of operating as either a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment, as defined above. The products subject to the investigation are currently classifiable under subheadings 8418.10.0010, 8418.10.0020, 8418.10.0030, and 8418.10.0040 of the Harmonized Tariff System of the United States ("HTS"). Products subject to the investigation may also enter under subheadings 8418.21.0010, 8418.21.0020, 8418.21.0030, 8418.21.0090, and 8418.99.4000, 8418.99.8050, 8418.99.8060.

Status of Proceedings:                            

1. Type of investigations: Final antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioner: Whirlpool Corp.
3. Investigations instituted by USITC: April 6, 2011.
4. USITC hearing: March 13, 2012.
5. USITC vote: April 17, 2012.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: May 9, 2012.

U.S. Industry:

1. Number of U.S. producers: 5.
2. Location of producers' plants: Iowa, Wisconsin, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee. 
3. Employment of production and related workers of bottom mount combination refrigerator-freezers in 2011: (1)
4. U.S. producers' U.S. shipments of bottom mount combination refrigerator-freezers in 2011: (1)   
5. Apparent U.S. consumption of bottom mount combination refrigerator-freezers in 2011: (1)
6. Ratio of subject imports from Korea and Mexico to apparent U.S. consumption in 2011: (1)

U.S. Imports in 2011:

1. Quantity of subject imports from Korea and Mexico: (1)
2. Value of subject imports from Korea and Mexico: (1)        

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