Classic Brands Responds to U.S. Department of Commerce Initiation of Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations
COLUMBIA, Md., April 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Classic Brands, ("Classic" or the "Company"), a leading designer, distributor, and manufacturer of sleep products, sleep accessories, and furniture, today issued the following statement in response to the decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce ("Department") to initiate antidumping ("AD") and countervailing duty ("CVD") investigations related to the importation of mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam:
"We are disappointed that the Department has elected to initiate these investigations without first polling the domestic industry, as required by law. Because the Petitioners have failed to demonstrate that more than 50% of the domestic industry supports the petition, it is Classic's position that the Department should have determined whether the statutory thresholds for industry support were met by polling the industry, prior to initiating the investigations. As Classic argued before the Department prior to initiation, the Petitioners' methodology for calculating industry support, which relied on production figures for only 29 U.S. producers – significantly less than the 347 producers identified in the Petition – was flawed, and an inappropriate basis for gauging the level of support of the domestic industry.
While we strongly disagree with the initiation of these investigations, the Company will continue to avail itself of all legal options to vigorously defend its position as the Department and the U.S. International Trade Commission ("ITC") move forward with their investigations.
Importantly, mounting a successful defense against the import duties sought by the Petitioners is critical at a time when raising costs for hospitals and healthcare providers could significantly hamper efforts to respond effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We also believe that a vigorous defense is entirely consistent with the Administration's trade policy, which has promoted economic and national security cooperation with traditional U.S. allies in East Asia, several of which have been targeted by the Petitioners. The Administration has worked hard to encourage American companies to diversify their supply chains in the region, and these investigations undermine the growing commercial partnerships between companies like Classic and suppliers in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and other countries in the region."
Classic Brands is represented by Steptoe & Johnson LLP.
ABOUT CLASSIC BRANDS
Founded in 1971 with headquarters in Columbia, Maryland and distribution capabilities nationwide, Classic Brands is a leading designer, distributor and manufacturer of sleep products, sleep accessories and furniture, with a focus on the finest quality mattresses. The company has a long history of providing product development, sourcing, and logistics services to a diverse set of leading retail customers throughout the U.S. Classic Brands is constantly seeking to deliver quality and comfort at an affordable price. The company uses the finest materials from around the world including all-natural and high-performance covers, Talalay and Dunlop latex, memory foam, gel-infused memory foam, innerspring and wrapped coil hybrids. Classic Brands is committed to being on the cutting edge of designing and producing innovative products for people to sleep healthier. Its sleep systems are designed to help achieve the maximum benefit from each night of sleep. For more information, visit www.ClassicBrands.com.
CONTACT
Gaffney Bennett
[email protected]
SOURCE Classic Brands
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