DOC Begins Investigation of TBR Tires From China

The Department of Commerce (DOC) has begun its antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of truck and bus tires from China.

With the DOC's announcement that it has initiated the investigations, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will take the next step. The ITC is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determination on or before March 14, 2016.

If the ITC determines that there is a reasonable indication that imports of truck and bus tires from China materially injure, or threaten material injury to, the domestic truck and bus tire industry, the investigations will continue. The DOC will be scheduled to make its preliminary CVD determination in April 2016 and its preliminary AD determination in July 2016, unless the statutory deadlines are extended.

Truck and bus tires, whether or not mounted on wheels or rims, are included in the scope of the investigation.

The DOC is excluding from the investigation: (1) pneumatic tires, of rubber, that are not new, including recycled and retreaded tires; and (2) non-pneumatic tires, such as solid rubber tires.

The petitioner for these investigations is the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO, CLC.

In 2015, imports of truck and bus tires from China were valued at an estimated $1.07 billion, according to the DOC.

The government’s investigation of TBR tires was initiated by a Jan. 29 petition filed by the United Steelworkers (USW), who allege the Chinese government is unfairly promoting tire manufacturing and exports to the U.S.

The TBR investigation began just weeks after the USW initiated an investigation on off-the-road tires made in China, India and Sri Lanka. The investigation on OTR tires from China ended today in a unanimous vote by the ITC. The ITC, however, voted to continue to investigate OTR tires from Sri Lanka and India.