UNITED STATES: U.S. industry pursues anti-dumping duties on synthetic rubber

South Korean synthetic rubber became the next target with the American industry capitalizing on the recent wave of protective anti-dumping actions from the U.S. government.

According to sources on Sunday, the U.S. chemical industry led by Lion Elastomers and East West Copolymers filed anti-dumping petitions with the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) and the Department of Commerce against Korean, Brazilian, Polish and Mexican producers of emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR).

ESBR is a type of synthetic rubber and is mainly used for tire production. LG Chem and Kumho Petrochemical export ESBR to the U.S.

The American companies demanded anti-dumping penalties of 22.4 to 44.2 percent on Korean exports, 59.3-69.4 percent duties for Brazil, 40.4-44.8 percent for Poland and 23.2 percent for Mexico.

Generally, the DOC announces whether it will begin investigations within 20 days after the petition is accepted. After the investigations begin, the ITC makes a preliminary decision within 45 days after the petition. U.S. media forecasts the final ruling will be made within this year.

ESBR exports of the two Korean companies stood at USD 137.9 million last year. The companies exported ESBR worth USD 42.7 million for the first four months of this year.

Source: Daily “Pulse”, Seoul, South Korea; 25 July 2016

(Syed Rashid Ali, Karachi, Pakistan)