U.S. International Trade Commission Vote Will Impose Antidumping Duties on Imports of R-134a from China

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The American HFC Coalition is pleased to announce that The U.S. International Trade Commission today found that imports of R-134a are causing or threatening to cause material injury to the U.S. industry producing R-134a. Today's decision follows a year-long investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which found that imports of R-134a from China were being dumped in the U.S. market at prices below fair value. On February 22, 2017, Commerce announced that Chinese R-134a imports were being dumped and prescribed antidumping duties ranging from 148.79 percent to 167.02 percent.

Today's vote by the Commission means that antidumping duties ranging from 148.79 percent to 167.02 percent of the value will be imposed on all imports of R-134a from China. 

The American HFC Coalition believes that this decision is fully supported by the facts. The industry developed R-134a to succeed earlier-generation refrigerants without any negative impact on the ozone layer. The industry invested substantial sums to manufacture R-134a in the United States for automotive air-conditioning, stationary air-conditioning, and other applications. Yet, imports from China, sold at prices far below fair value, increased by an astonishing 100 percent from 2015 to 2016, and continued to increase even after the antidumping petition was filed. As a result of the dumped imports, the U.S. industry has suffered persistently low price levels and poor operating results.

The imposition of antidumping duties is a positive step to restore conditions of fair trade in this market. With these duties in place, the R-134a U.S. manufacturers believe they can earn an adequate return on investment and continue to supply the market.

Contact: 
James Cannon
202-567-2318
[email protected]

SOURCE The American HFC Coalition