ITC to continue China truck/bus tire probe (updated)

WASHINGTON (March 11, 2016) — The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to continue its investigation of truck and bus tires imported from China past the preliminary stage.

The 4-2 vote on March 11 clears the way for the investigation initiated by the United Steelworkers' Jan. 29 petition to advance to the fact-finding stage.

The Commerce Department will now make a preliminary determination on countervailing duties for Chinese truck-bus tires on or about April 25, and a preliminary determination on antidumping duties on or about July 7.

In deciding to begin an investigation of Chinese truck-bus tires Feb. 19, Commerce said it found dumping margins ranging from 19.91 to 22.57 percent on the tires, and subsidies above the de minimis level.

Truck and bus tire imports from China grew to 8.9 million units last year from 8.4 million in 2014 and 6.3 million in 2013, Commerce said.

The ITC is scheduled to complete and file its determinations in the Chinese truck-bus tire case on March 14, and its views on the investigation March 21, according to the commission.

The United Steelworkers union, whose petition in January prompted the duties investigation, applauded the ITC's decision, saying unfairly priced tires threaten the continued existence of thousands of family-supportive American jobs.

"China is stealing our jobs, and we have to stop its unfair trade practices," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. “China's ongoing attack on our members' jobs and the U.S. manufacturing base is unacceptable.

“In a period of strong domestic demand in this sector, the American industry has seen all the new opportunities go offshore, with China causing the most problems.”

USW International Secretary-Treasurer Stan Johnson added: “This case, which is yet another segment of the tire industry targeted by China, will benefit all workers making truck and bus tires in the United States, whether or not they are members of the USW.  These are good-paying, family sustaining jobs that are vital to communities around the country."

The USW claims that shipments of U.S.-made truck and bus tires declined 7.8 percent during the 2012-15 period under review, despite overall demand expanding.