April 17, 2012
News Release 12-041
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-478 and 731-TA-1182 (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 certain steel wheels from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the negative.

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

The Commission's public report Certain Steel Wheels from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA- 478 and 731-TA-1182 (Final), USITC Publication 4319, 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: These investigations cover steel wheels with a wheel diameter of 18 to 24.5 inches. Rims and discs for such wheels are included, whether imported as an assembly or separately. These products are used with both tubed and tubeless tires. Steel wheels, whether or not attached to tires or axles, are included. However, if the steel wheels are imported as an assembly attached to tires or axles, the tire or axle is not covered by the scope. The scope includes steel wheels, discs, and rims of carbon and/or alloy composition and clad wheels, discs, and rims when carbon or alloy steel represents more than fifty percent of the product by weight. The scope includes wheels, rims, and discs, whether coated or uncoated, regardless of the type of coating. Certain steel wheels are classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States under subheading 8708.70 (covering road wheels for motor vehicles and parts and accessories of such wheels). Subject wheels for tractors are provided for in subheadings 8708.70.05 (agricultural) and 8708.70.25 (other tractors); parts and accessories for such wheels are provided for in subheadings 8708.70.15 and 8708.70.35, respectively. Subject wheels for vehicles other than tractors are provided for in subheading 8708.70.45 and are imported under statistical reporting number 8708.70.4530. Parts and accessories for such wheels are provided for in subheading 8708.70.60 and are imported under statistical reporting numbers 8708.70.6030 (wheel rims), 8708.70.6045 (wheel covers), or 8708.70.6060 (other parts of road wheels).

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigations: Final antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: Accuride Corp., Evansville, IN; and Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.,
       Northville, MI.
3. Investigations instituted by USITC: March 30, 2011.
4. USITC hearing: March 8, 2012.
5. USITC vote: April 17, 2012.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: April 30, 2012.

U.S. Industry:

1. Number of U.S. producers: 5.
2. Location of producers' plants: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, and Missouri. 
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2010:  (1)
4. U.S. producers' U.S. shipments in 2010: (1)
5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2010: (1)  
6. Ratio of subject imports from China to apparent U.S. consumption in 2010: (1)

U.S. Imports in 2010:

1. Quantity of subject imports from China: (1)
2. Value of subject imports from China: (1)

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