U.S. Clad Steel Plate Producers Obtain Favorable Sunset Review Determination In ITC Antidumping Case

Domestic producers of clad steel plate are applauding the U.S. International Trade Commission’s determination today that revoking the antidumping duty order on imports of clad plate from Japan would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of injury to the U.S. industry.  The ITC’s determination comes on the heels of a Commerce Department finding that the foreign producers subject to the order were likely to resume dumping at a margin of 118.53 percent if the order was revoked.

“This is a very positive result for the domestic clad steel plate industry,” said Kathleen Cannon, a partner at Kelley Drye & Warren and counsel to the domestic clad plate industry in this matter.  ​“The significant volume of dumped imports from Japan likely to enter the United States absent this order would decimate the U.S. industry.  The vote is an important step in preserving these U.S. manufacturing operations and the jobs of workers in this industry.” 

The existing trade order has been in place since 1996.  The five-year review of this order was initiated on February 1, 2012.  As a result of today’s vote, the order will remain in place for an additional five years before another sunset review is undertaken. 

Clad steel plate is a flat-rolled, corrosion-resistant steel plate product.  It is used to manufacture vessels or structures for heavy industry projects where corrosion-resistant qualities are essential.  The domestic producers of clad steel plate who participated in this review are ArcelorMittal USA and Dynamic Materials Corp.  ArcelorMittal USA’s clad plate manufacturing operations are located in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and Dynamic Material Corporation’s operations are located in Mt. Braddock, Pennsylvania. 

The domestic industry was represented by Kathleen W. Cannon, Paul C. Rosenthal and R. Alan Luberda of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP. 

About Kelley Drye’s International Trade Group

As one of the largest and most highly regarded international trade practices in the country, Kelley Drye assists clients with a full range of importing and exporting activities. We are experts in protecting domestic manufacturers against unfairly traded goods and helping companies overcome barriers to entry in foreign markets. We have worked with every significant U.S. trade and customs statute, including antidumping, countervailing duty, export control and economic sanctions laws, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Customs Modernization Act, section 201 (escape clause), section 301 (violations of U.S. trade rights), and section 337 (unfair trade practices).