US affirms anti-dumping duties on tires from Asian countries

Washington – The US Department of Commerce has affirmed anti-dumping duties on passenger car and light truck tires imported from South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

In its final decision announced 24 May, Commerce said it had determined that exporters had dumped passenger car ties in the US at the following rates:

•    14.72% to 27.05% for South Korea;

•    20.04% to 101.84% for Taiwan;

•    14.62% to 21.09% for Thailand, and;

•    0.00% to 22.30% for Vietnam

Additionally, the investigation determined that exporters from Vietnam received countervailable subsides ranging between 6.23% to 7.89%. 

This is the first time the US government has made an affirmative determination in a countervailing duty case based on a foreign currency with a "unitary" exchange rate.

The determination involves the “currency rule”, which proposes that an undervalued foreign currency provides a countervailable subsidy to foreign producers and exporters.

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its final injury determinations on 5 July. 

Once final injury determinations are affirmed by the ITC, Commerce will issue orders for the relevant duties by 12 July. 

According to Commerce, in 2020, US imports of passenger car and light vehicle tires were valued at approximately $1.2 billion (€981 million), $373 million, $2 billion, and $470 million, from South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, respectively.