The United Steelworkers union filed a formal petition seeking relief from medium and heavy truck tires imported from China on Jan. 29, 2016. The petition asks the United States International Trade Commission to “conduct an investigation under sections 701 and 731 of the Tariff Act of 1930 regarding the imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of truck and bus Tires from China.”
“Once again we are taking action to stop the unfair trade practices of China from damaging our members’ good jobs and the U.S. manufacturing base. In a period of strong demand, American industry has seen all the growth in demand go offshore, with China being the biggest problem,” said Leo W. Gerard, USW International president.
According to the petition, imports from China have grown by 33% between 2012 and 2014. Imports went from 6.3 million truck and bus tires in 2012 to 8.4 million tires in 2014. Additionally, the first 11 months of 2015 saw a further increase of 7%, according to the USW.
On the flip side, American truck and bus tire producer shipments declined by 7.8%, despite demand for those tires expanding during the 2012-2015 period, the USW claimed.
The anti-dumping petition alleges significant dumping margins of 19.78%, with certain customs districts having alleged margins as high as 58%. While the countervailing duty petition alleges 39 programs provide subsidies.
A preliminary injury determination for the truck and bus tires trade case has been scheduled for March 11.
Tire Review reported earlier in the day Friday that the petition against Chinese-made truck tires was imminent.
