ITC affirms Titan's OTR tyre dumping assertions

Washington DC - Tire International Inc.'s bid to get duties imposed on certain off-the-road (OTR) tyres imported from China moved one step closer to reality after the US International Trade Commission (ITC) supported in a preliminary vote Titan's assertions that US tyre makers are being harmed.

The ITC, in a 6-0 vote Aug. 20, determined there is a “reasonable indication” that US makers of off-the-road tyres are being harmed by imports of such tyres from China allegedly being sold here at less than fair value. Titan's petition is supported by the United Steelworkers (USW), which claims its members are being harmed.

As a result of the ITC's determination, the US Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations of imports of certain off-the-road tyres from China to determine the degree to which foreign subsidies are affecting the prices of tyres sold here.

The ITC decision is labeled as preliminary.

In order for anti-dumping duties to be instituted, both the Commerce Department and the ITC must make postive determinations separately, according to government regulations. Eventually there will be public hearings on the petition.

The ITC will publish its findings on Sept. 17 in a document called “Certain Off-the-Road Tires from China: Investigation Nos. 701- TA-450 and 731-TA-1122 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3943.”

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)

Official statement from ITC

Tyre maker pressures Chinese imports The Age (Australia)