China’s cabinet makers lose US anti-dumping case as trade tensions remain despite phase one deal

Chinese producers and exporters of wooden cabinets and vanities will have to pay additional duties on imports to the United States after losing an anti-dumping case lodged by their American competitors in a sign of ongoing trade tensions despite the signing of the phase one trade deal in January.

The US Department of Commerce said it had determined that Chinese firms had sold wooden cabinets and vanities at “less than fair value in the United States at rates ranging from 4.37 per cent to 262.18 per cent”, according to a notice published on the website of International Trade Institution on Monday.

Anti-dumping rates of 269.91 per cent on Dalian Meisen Woodworking, 122.1 per cent on Rizhao Foremost Woodwork Manufacturing and 13.33 per cent on Ancientree Cabinet will now apply, while all other Chinese exporters will pay a rate of 58.89 per cent.

The initial petition had been filed by the American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance in March 2019, alleging that Chinese companies were exporting cheap goods to the US market.

A final hearing is scheduled for March 24 at the International Trade Commission to determine whether US producers have suffered or been harmed as a result of Chinese subsidies.

“We are very thankful to the US Department of Commerce for the anti-dumping and countervailing duty final determinations. We’re hopeful that on March 24, the International Trade Commission will affirm that the domestic cabinet industry has been injured as a result of unfair trade practices by China. This will help to keep jobs in America and also allow domestic manufacturers to reinvest in their facilities,” said Paul Wellborn, president and CEO of Wellborn Cabinet.