HÀ NỘI — The US Department of Commerce (DOC) last week announced the initiation of anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations on the import of fine denier polyester staple fibre from China, India, Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Việt Nam.

These investigations are based on petitions filed by DAK Americas LLC; Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America; and Auriga Polymers on May 31, 2017.

They allege that polyester staple fibre products are being shipped to the United States at prices lower than their normal value. In addition, dumping has caused significant damage to the domestic industry due to price depression.

The scope of these investigations covers fine denier polyester staple fibre, not carded or combed, measuring less than 3.3 decitex in diameter, coded HS: 5503.20.0025.

The alleged dumping margin for Việt Nam’s product is 64.73 per cent.

In 2016, imports of fine denier polyester staple fibre from Việt Nam were valued at an estimated US$12.4 million, ranking third behind China (US$79.4 million) and India (US$14.7 million).

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determinations on or before July 17, 2017.

If the ITC determines that there is reasonable indication that imports of fine denier polyester staple fibre from mainland China, India, South Korea, Taiwan and Việt Nam materially injure or threaten material injury to the domestic industry in the United States, the investigations will continue, and the DOC will announce its preliminary countervailing determination in August and its preliminary anti-dumping determination in November this year. — VNS