Trade War Escalates to Fancy Sandpaper From China
Published Date: 1/14/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce is starting an investigation into whether ceramic abrasive grains from China are being sold at unfairly low prices. This affects U.S. companies like Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, who want fair competition. If unfair pricing is found, import duties could be added starting January 6, 2025, which might change prices and trade rules.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Potential 82–88% Import Duties
Commerce opened an antidumping investigation of sol gel alumina-based ceramic abrasive grains from China effective January 6, 2025. The petition and Commerce's initiation cite estimated dumping margins ranging from 81.98 percent to 88.32 percent, and if Commerce and the ITC find dumping and injury, antidumping duties could be imposed.
Initiation Helps U.S. Producers Seek Relief
Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, a U.S. producer, filed the petition and Commerce determined that domestic producers supporting the petition account for at least 25 percent of total production and more than 50 percent of production among those expressing support. Commerce therefore initiated the investigation on behalf of the domestic industry on January 6, 2025.
Specific Grains, Sizes, and HTS Codes Targeted
The investigation scope covers sol gel alumina-based ceramic abrasive grains comprised of at least 94% aluminum oxide (Al2O3) with grain sizes from 0.85 mm to 0.0395 mm (ANSI grit sizes 20 to 280) and lists HTSUS subheadings including 2818.10.2020 and related codes. The scope covers the grains whether or not incorporated into downstream articles, but only the grains component is covered. Products that fall within this written scope could be subject to antidumping duties if the investigation results in affirmative findings.
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Next: 2025-00545 — Sol Gel Alumina-Based Ceramic Abrasive Grains From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation
The U.S. Department of Commerce is starting an investigation into whether China is unfairly helping its companies sell sol gel alumina-based ceramic abrasive grains in the U.S. This affects American producers like Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, who say Chinese imports might be hurting their business. If unfair help is found, extra taxes could be added to these imports starting January 6, 2025.