US to probe alleged dumping of Chinese trailer chassis and sub-assemblies
- The US Commerce Department has started an investigation into alleged dumping of Chinese-built chassis and sub-assemblies for trailers and truck semi-trailers
- It could result in hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Chinese imports facing anti-dumping and countervailing duties
The US Commerce Department on Thursday said it had initiated an investigation into alleged dumping of Chinese-built chassis and sub-assemblies for trailers and truck semi-trailers into the United States market, and whether Chinese producers were receiving unfair subsidies.
In a statement, the US Commerce Department said it was seeking anti-dumping duties of 188.05 per cent on the imported Chinese trailer assemblies, while it will investigate 30 Chinese subsidy programmes, including grant programmes, tax programmes and government loans.
The petition was brought by the Coalition of American Chassis Manufacturers, whose members are Cheetah Chassis Corporation, Hercules Enterprises, Pitts Enterprises, Pratt Industries and Stoughton Trailers.
The companies estimate US$250 million worth of Chinese chassis and sub assemblies were imported into the United States in 2018. US Census Bureau data showed imports of US$460 million in 2019.
Truck semi-trailer chassis are widely used to haul intermodal shipping containers.
If the probe is allowed by the US International Trade Commission to continue in a vote scheduled for September 14, the US Commerce Department said it expects to issue preliminary anti-subsidy determinations on October 23, and anti-dumping determinations on January 6.
