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News Release 15-059
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-522 and 731-TA-1258 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of certain passenger vehicle and light truck tires from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value. The Commission also made negative findings with respect to critical circumstances.
Vice Chairman Dean A. Pinkert and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative. Chairman Meredith M. Broadbent and Commissioners David S. Johanson and F. Scott Kieff voted in the negative.
As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, the Department of Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of these products from China.
The Commission’s public report Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-522 and 731-TA-1258 (Final), USITC Publication 4545, August 2015) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by August 24, 2015; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Office of Industries
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-522 and 731-TA-1258 (Final)
Product Description: Passenger vehicle and light truck tires (PVLT tires), are new pneumatic tires, of rubber, with tire size designations designed for use on standard passenger cars and associated multipurpose vehicles, and light trucks. Subject tires typically range from 13 to 26 inches in rim diameter and may be tubeless or tube-type, radial or non-radial in construction, intended for sale to original equipment manufacturers or to the replacement market. PVLT tires must carry the symbol “DOT” on the sidewall, certifying applicable motor vehicle standards. Subject tire sidewalls may or may not be marked with a “P” for passenger cars and associated vehicles, or an “LT” for light trucks; however, all subject product tires must conform to Tire and Rim Association Year Book chapter specifications, and to all Commerce scope definitions. Excluded from the scope are tires absent the DOT symbol, certain off-the-road, spare, and trailer tires, used or retreaded tires, or non-pneumatic tires such as solid rubber tires.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (“USW”), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
3. Investigation instituted by USITC: June 3, 2014.
4. USITC hearing: June 9, 2015.
5. USITC vote: July 14, 2015.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: August 3, 2015.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of U.S. producers in 2014: Nine.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2014: 25,026.
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments in 2014: $11.7 billion.
5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2014: $22.2 billion.
6. Ratio of Chinese imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2014: 11.6 percent.
U.S. Imports in 2014:
1. From China during 2014: $2.6 billion.
2. From other countries during 2014: $7.9 billion.
3. Leading sources during 2014: China, Canada, Korea, and Japan (in terms of total value).