U.S. Probes Cheap Chemical Imports from Asia and Taiwan
Published Date: 5/5/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce is starting investigations to see if polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) from China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam is being sold in the U.S. at unfairly low prices. This move could lead to extra duties on these imports, helping American producers like BASF compete fairly. The investigation began April 28, 2026, so importers and exporters should watch for updates that might affect costs soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Possible Big Duties on PTMEG Imports
On April 28, 2026, Commerce began investigations into whether polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) from China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam is being sold in the U.S. at unfairly low prices. Commerce’s initiation estimates dumping margin ranges for these countries (examples include China: 174.95%–339.69% depending on surrogate, Korea: 49.79%–137.64%, Taiwan: 6.17%–206.12%, Vietnam: 100.61%–212.32%), and if duties are imposed importers could face additional charges within those ranges that would raise their costs.
Domestic Producer Could Gain Protection
BASF Corporation filed the April 8, 2026 petitions and identified itself as the only U.S. producer of PTMEG, supporting 100 percent of the U.S. industry; Commerce found the petitions filed on behalf of the domestic industry. If the investigations lead to duties, U.S. producers like BASF could face less low-priced import competition.
Deadlines for China/Vietnam Exporters
For China and Vietnam, Commerce will solicit quantity-and-value (Q&V) responses and set respondent selection; exporters/producers that received Q&V questionnaires must submit Q&V responses by 5:00 p.m. ET on May 12, 2026, and separate-rate applications in the NME investigations are due 21 days after publication of this notice (May 26, 2026). Companies that do not timely file a Q&V response or separate-rate application will not receive separate rate consideration and may be subject to NME (country-wide) treatment.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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