The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of hardwood plywood from China that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.
All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on imports of this product from China, with its countervailing duty determination due on or about February 13, 2017, and its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about April 27, 2017.
The Commission’s public report Hardwood Plywood from China, Inv. Nos. 701-TA-565 and 731-TA-1341 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4661, January 2017) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Hardwood Plywood from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-565 and 731-TA-1341 (Preliminary)
Product Description: Hardwood plywood is a generally flat, multilayered plywood or other veneered panel, consisting of two or more layers or plies of wood veneers and a core, with the face and/or back veneer made of non-coniferous wood (hardwood) or bamboo, whether or not the face and/or back veneers are surface coated or otherwise covered or processed such that the grains, textures, or markings of the wood are obscured. Hardwood plywood specifically does not include certain structural plywood, products which have a face and back veneer of cork, multilayered wood flooring, plywood which has a shape or design other than a flat panel, and products made entirely from bamboo and adhesives. Hardwood plywood is generally used in the manufacturing of furniture, cabinetry, wall paneling, and similar products.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigations: Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: Columbia Forest Products, Greensboro, NC; Commonwealth Plywood Inc., Whitehall, NY; Murphy Plywood Co., Eugene, OR; Roseburg Forest Products Co., Roseburg, OR; States Industries Inc., Eugene, OR; and Timber Products Company, Springfield, OR.
3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: November 18, 2016.
4. Commission’s conference: December 9, 2016.
5. USITC vote: December 30, 2016.
6. USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: January 3, 2017.
7. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: January 10, 2017.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers in 2015: Nine.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Arkansas, Indiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2015: 2,391.
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2015: $2.0 billion.
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2015: 56.5 percent.
U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject country during 2015: $660.1 million.
2. From other countries during 2015: $465.7 million.
3. Leading sources during 2015: China, Indonesia, Russia, Canada, and Malaysia.