The United States Department of Commerce opened an investigation into Chinese hardwood plywood and decorative plywood imported between 2013–2015, according to the Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood.
The decision to open the case follows a petition from the CFTHP on Nov. 17 that argued those Chinese plywood imports were dumped into the U.S. below cost to gain a competitive advantage.
This is the second investigation into Chinese hardwood and decorative plywood in recent years. The CFTHP initiated the first investigation in 2012, alleging imports between 2009–2012 injured U.S. industry. The International Trade Commission determined no injury occurred.
About $1.1 billion worth of Chinese hardwood and decorative plywood was imported in 2015, approximately 50 percent of the market, according to CFTHP, which is asking for a 105.94 anti-dumping duty.
“Chinese imports have increased 35-40 percent over the past two years,” said Kip Howlett, president of the Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association, in a statement. “The Commerce department’s decision is a step in the right direction as we work to help protect thousands of American workers who are employed in the hardwood plywood industry.”
The American Alliance for Hardwood Plywood, an organization consisting of American companies who buy and sell Chinese and domestic plywood, said in a statement that the CFTHP’s campaign is “dubious.”
"These same six petitioners brought this case in 2012 and lost unanimously at the International Trade Commission,” said AAHP Chairman Greg Simon in a statement. “Then they appealed to federal court and lost again. Now their solution is to use the same playbook and bring another case in the hopes of disrupting proven fair trade that is fostering the production of U.S.-made goods employing tens of thousands of U.S. workers.”
A preliminary determination on the case is expected on or before Jan. 3.
