US sets import duties on Chinese steel trailer wheels

The U.S. Department of Commerce has levied stiff countervailing duties and more moderate antidumping duties in a final determination on steel trailer wheels imported from China.

Commerce found a subsidy rate of 388.31% against Zhejiang Jingu Co. Ltd., 386.45% against Xingmin Intelligent Transportation Systems Group, and 387.38% against all other Chinese importers of trailer wheels ranging from 12 to 16.5 inches in rim diameter, according to the agency determination issued July 2.

The agency also founding dumping margins of 38.27% against Changzhou Chungang Machinery Co. Ltd., with a cash deposit rate of 16.57%. Against all other importers, it found a dumping margin of 44.35%, with a cash deposit rate of 22.65%.

Elkhart, Ind.-based Dexstar Wheel Co., a division of American Development Inc./Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd., petitioned the International Trade Commission in August 2018 requesting relief against Chinese trailer wheel imports under Sections 701 and 731 of the Trade Act.Once these final determinations are published in the Federal Register, Commerce will instruct Customs and Border Protection (CPB) to collect cash deposits applicable to the antidumping duties.

If the ITC makes a final determination of material injury, Commerce will also ask CBP to collect cash deposits for the countervailing duties as well, according to the Commerce fact sheet on the investigation.The ITC has scheduled a hearing on the final phase of the investigation July 9 at its headquarters. Its final determination on material injury is due on or about Aug. 15.

Imports of steel trailer wheels from China nearly doubled from 2015 to 2017 to 4 million from 2.2 million, according to figures issued by Commerce. The value of Chinese trailer wheel imports grew to $89.8 million in 2017 from $60.4 million in 2015, the agency said.

In April, the ITC made a final

determination of material injury in the case of steel commercial wheels imported from China, rim diameters 22.5 to 24.5 inches.

Commerce levied antidumping duties of 231.7% and countervailing duties of 457.1% against those imports, in a notice published in the May 24 Federal Register.