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Dept of Commerce Finds China's Electrode Dumping Unfair

The Department of Commerce announced a decision for the antidumping investigation of graphite electrode imports from China. The graphite electrodes are normally used in the metallurgical industry within foundry or steel refinery operation.

Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration Ronald K. Lorentzen, said “Foreign exporters unfairly undercut their American competitors by dumping imports of graphite electrodes ... The Department of Commerce is committed to aggressively enforcing America's trade remedy laws in order to help achieve a level playing field for American manufacturers and workers.”

The Dept of Commerce concluded that Chinese export companies distributed the electrodes throughout the US at below their normal value. According to the Dept of Commerce, Chinese mandatory respondents, Fushun Carbon Co., Ltd., Fangda Carbon New Material Co., Ltd., Beijing Fangda Carbon Tech Co., Ltd., and Chengdu Rongguang Carbon Co., Ltd. (all part of the Fangda Group), received a final dumping margin of 159.64 percent. In addition, 11 Chinese respondents qualified for a separate rate of 132.90 percent. All other Chinese exporters, including mandatory respondent Fushun Jinly Petrochemical Carbon Co., Ltd., are subject to the China-wide rate of 159.64 percent.

The petitioners for this investigation are SGL Carbon LLC (Charlotte, N.C.) and Superior Graphite Co. (Chicago, Ill.).

Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than normal value. As a result of this final determination, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to continue to suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise and to collect a cash deposit or bond based on the final rates.

If the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) makes a final determination that imports of graphite electrodes from China materially injure, or threaten material injury to, the domestic industry, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order.