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News Release 20-037
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-621 and 731-TA-1447 (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 ceramic tile 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.
Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative. Chairman David S. Johanson voted in the negative. Commissioner Randolph J. Stayin did not participate in these investigations.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China.
The Commission also made a negative finding concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from China. As a result, imports of ceramic tile from China will not be subject to retroactive antidumping duties.
The Commission’s public report Ceramic Tile from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-621 and 731-TA-1447 (Final), USITC Publication 5053, May 2020) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by June 2, 2020; 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
Ceramic Tile from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-621 and 731-TA-1447 (Final)
Product Description: Ceramic tile (e.g., flooring tile, wall tile, paving tile, hearth tile, porcelain tile, mosaic tile, flags, finishing tile, etc.) contains a mixture of clay and other minerals that is fired so that the raw materials are fused together into a finished product that is less than 3.2 cm (1.3 inches) thick. All ceramic tile is subject to the scope regardless of end use, surface area, and weight; whether glazed or unglazed; water absorption coefficient; extent of vitrification; and whether or not on a backing. Ceramic tile may also include decorative features that may in spots exceed 3.2 cm (1.3 inches) in thickness. Ceramic tile “slabs” or “panels” are larger than 1 square meter (11 square feet). Subject merchandise also includes ceramic tile that undergoes minor processing (e.g., beveling, cutting, trimming, staining, painting, polishing, finishing, additional firing, etc.) in a third country prior to importation into the United States, or undergoes minor processing after importation into the United States.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigations: Final-phase countervailing duty and antidumping investigations.
2. Petitioners: American Wonder Porcelain, Lebanon, TN; Crossville Inc., Crossville, TN; Dal‐Tile Corp., Dallas, TX; Del Conca USA Inc., Loudon, TN; Florida Tile Inc., Lexington, KY; Florim USA, Clarksville, TN; Landmark Ceramics, Mount Pleasant, TN; and StonePeak Ceramics, Chicago, IL.
3. USITC Institution Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2019.
4. USITC Hearing Date: Tuesday, March 30 – Thursday, April 10, 2020 (conducted through written statements, testimony, questions and responses, and oral closing arguments).
5. USITC Vote Date: Thursday, April 30, 2020.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2020.
U.S. Industry in 2018:
1. Number of U.S. producers: 13.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Alabama, California, Kentucky, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas.
3. Production and related workers: 3,399.
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: $1.3 billion.
5. Apparent U.S. consumption: $3.5 billion.
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption: 17.6 percent.
U.S. Imports in 2018:
1. Subject imports: $624.4 million.
2. Nonsubject imports: $1.7 billion.
3. Leading import sources: Brazil, China, Italy, Mexico, and Spain.