ITC continues probe of steel trailer wheel imports from China

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to continue its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations into imports of steel trailer wheels from China.

The investigation is in response to a petition filed in early August by Dexstar Wheel Co. Ltd., an Elkhart, Ind.-based manufacturer of steel wheels owned by Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd.

The complaint covers steel tubeless tire wheels with rim diameters of 12 to 16.5 inches, used road and highway trailers and other towable equipment, including utility trailers, cargo trailers, horse trailers, boat trailers, recreational trailers, and towable mobile homes.

Chairman David Johanson and Commissioners Irving Williamson, Rhonda Schmidtlein and Jason Kearns voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Meredith Broadbent did not participate in this vote.The commissioners determined there is a reasonable indication that the U.S. steel trailer wheel industry is materially injured by reason of imports of products that allegedly are sold in the U.S. at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.

The ITC voted to move ahead with the investigation despite considerable testimony from other producers and users arguing against possible tariffs.

As a result of the ITC's affirmative determinations, the department will continue its investigation. The ITC plans to release its preliminary countervailing duty determination on or about Nov. 1 and its preliminary antidumping duty determination on or about Jan. 15.

The commission plans to publish its public report on Steel Trailer Wheels from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-609 and 731-TA-1421 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4830 after Oct. 22. It can be accessed thereafter on the ITC website.