US ITC ends AD case on steel fasteners from China and Taiwan

Saturday, 07 Nov 2009

The United States International Trade Commission determined that there is not a reasonable indication that a US industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of certain standard steel fasteners from China that are allegedly subsidized and from China and Taiwan that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the negative. As a result of the Commission's negative determinations, the investigations will end.

The merchandise covered by the investigations consists of certain standard nuts, standard bolts, and standard cap screws, of steel other than stainless steel. Standard nuts, standard bolts, and standard cap screws covered by the investigations may have a variety of finishes, including but not limited to coating in paint, phosphates, and zinc. Standard bolts and standard cap screws covered by the investigations have a shank or thread with an actual and/or nominal diameter between 6 millimeters and 32 millimeters (inclusive). Standard bolts and standard cap screws covered by the investigations have a circular or hexagonal head, the surface of which may be flat or rounded (also known as "dome-shaped" or "button-headed"). Standard nuts are covered by the investigations if they are suitable for attachment to bolts and/or cap screws covered by the investigations.

Status of Proceedings
1. Type of investigations: Preliminary countervailing duty and preliminary antidumping
2. Petitioner: Nucor Fastener Division, St Joe
3. Investigations instituted by USITC: September 23rd 2009
4. USITC staff conference: October 14th 2009
5. USITC vote: November 6th 2009
6. USITC determinations to the US Department of Commerce: November 9th 2009
7. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: November 17th 2009

US Industry:
1. Number of producers in 2008: 9
2. Location of producers' plants: Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2008: 468
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2008: USD 674 million
5. Ratio of the value of total US shipments of imports to total US consumption in 2008: 72.9%

US Imports
1. From the subject countries during 2008: USD 261 million
2. From other countries during 2008: USD 180 million
3. Leading source during 2008: Taiwan