News Release 18-040
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1347-1348 (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 biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson and Meredith M. Broadbent voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Jason E. Kearns did not participate in these investigations.
As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from Argentina and Indonesia.
The Commission also made a negative finding concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from Argentina. As a result, imports of biodiesel from Argentina will not be subject to retroactive antidumping duties.
The Commission’s public report Biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia, (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1347-1348 (Final), USITC Publication 4775, April 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by May 7, 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
Biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia
Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1347-1348 (Final)
Product Description: Biodiesel is a fuel made from many types of vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, palm oil, and canola oil; animal fats; and used cooking oils. It is used most frequently as a substitute for petroleum-based diesel (diesel) in the transportation sector, usually in blends of 2 to 20 percent biodiesel. Biodiesel is also used as a heating fuel (fuel oil), primarily in the northeastern United States.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final phase antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioners: National Biodiesel Board Fair Trade Coalition, Washington, DC, and its individual members.
3. USITC institution: March 23, 2017.
4. USITC hearing: November 9, 2017.
5. USITC vote (antidumping duty): April 3, 2018.
6. USITC notification to Commerce (antidumping duty): April 16, 2018.
U.S. Industry in 2016:
1. Number of U.S. producers: 25
2. Location of producers’ plants: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas.
3. Production and related workers: 1,215.
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: $3.6 billion.
5. Apparent U.S. consumption: $5.7 billion.
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption: 28.4 percent.
U.S. Imports in 2016:
1. Subject imports: $1.6 billion.
2. Nonsubject imports: $496.3 million.
3. Leading import sources: Argentina, Canada, and Indonesia.