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News Release 18-032
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 threatened with material injury by reason of imports of rubber bands from China and Thailand that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value. The Commission further found that imports of rubber bands from Sri Lanka are negligible.
Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson and Meredith M. Broadbent voted in the affirmative with respect to China and Thailand and made a finding of negligibility with respect to Sri Lanka.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue with its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning imports of this product from China and Thailand, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about April 26, 2018, and its antidumping duty determinations due on or about July 10, 2018. As a result of the Commission’s finding of negligibility, the investigation concerning Sri Lanka will be terminated.
The Commission’s public report Rubber Bands from China, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, Inv. Nos. 701-TA-598-600 and 731-TA-1408-1410 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4770, March 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available after April 16, 2018; 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
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Rubber Bands from China, Sri Lanka, and Thailand
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-598-600 and 731-TA-1408-1410 (Preliminary)
Product Description: Rubber bands are made of vulcanized rubber and are commonly used to hold multiple objects together, including papers, fruits and vegetables, pieces of equipment, and other items. Rubber bands are sold in many industry segments, including the following: stationery, paper and packaging, newspaper, agricultural, retail, government, post office, and advertising.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Preliminary phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations.
2. Petitioners: Alliance Rubber Co., Hot Springs, Arkansas.
3. USITC Institution Date: Tuesday, January 30, 2018.
4. USITC Conference Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2018.
5. USITC Vote Date: Thursday, March 15, 2018.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Monday, March 19, 2018.
U.S. Industry in 2017:
1. Number of U.S. producers: 1
2. Location of producers’ plants: Arkansas and California.
3. Production and related workers: [1]
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: 1
5. Apparent U.S. consumption: 1
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption: 1
U.S. Imports in 2017:
1. Subject imports: 1
2. Nonsubject imports: 1
3. Leading import sources: Thailand.