China found guilty of dumping aluminium extrusion products in TT

According to the preliminary findings of an anti-dumping investigation by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Trinidad and Tobago, China is guilty of dumping metal products in the country. The action has been determined to have caused “injury” to local enterprise involved in the marketing of similar products, one particular trader having had to reduce prices by some 13 percent in order to compete with the Chinese products entering the local market.

The preliminary findings, handed down this month by Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon, relate to a 2014 complaint brought in relation to aluminium extrusions, namely aluminium bars, rods, tubes and pipes. “The Minister of Trade and Industry has, arising from the investigation into the allegation of the dumping described hereunder, made the preliminary determination that she has reasonable cause to believe that aluminium extrusions originating in the People’s Republic of China are goods in respect of which she may make an Order imposing duty,” a legal notice, published this month by the Minister, states.

China faces the imposition of anti-dumping duties by Trinidad and Tobago if the determination is upheld within four month’s time. However, a final ruling is subject to an appeal before the Tax Appeal Board. Duties may be retroactive, but up to August 2014 in this case.

A local producer, Cantrex, in June 2014 filed a complaint under the Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties Act in relation to China. Seven exporters were identified: Guangdong Xinhe Aluminium Company; Guandong Grandshire Construction Material Company Limited; Meiyuan Sanxing Aluminium Industry Company Limited; Nahai Hongjia Aluminium Company; Guangcheng Aluminium Company Limited; Shangdong Hylong Aluminium Company Limited; Shanghai Ruiy Metal Limited. The local industry alleged the metal products, “are being dumped on the local market and provided sufficient prima facie evidence of dumping and injury and a causal link between dumping and injury. By “injury” the complaint alleged injury to production in Trinidad and Tobago of like goods.

“For the investigation period, aluminium extrusions were imported at prices which undercut those of the complainant to such an extent that Cantrex was forced to decrease its prices by 13 percent in order to compete on the local market,” the Minister’s notice states.