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Remember Our China Case?

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 With all the focus in recent months on a proposed new trade case, it is easy to forget that we have a trade case against China.  So, I wanted to update you this month on the latest matters.

Perhaps the most significant ruling was in the CCM Solar Mounting case.  We’ve recently reported this as a win in the appeals court, and it is.  The update is that the petitioners attempted to appeal this decision and it was thrown out by the appellant court in very harsh terms.  I‘m excited about this ruling because the decision being appealed contained language that confirmed that sub-assemblies are not final-finished products.  This is so important due to the number of cases we lost in the past on these grounds.  After a victory like this, it opens the door for us to look at previous losses on these grounds.  If we find such a decision, we could appeal it based on the latest court ruling.  A member might say, “So what, Jeff?  I don’t extrude solar mounting shapes.”  It doesn’t matter.  It is the precedent, not the product at issue that is the real payoff.  With a decision like this, we can look for new opportunities to win back lost end uses.

We’ve had two new scope challenges since last month.  One involves mopping heads and handles, and the other is an aluminum guardrail product.  In both cases their petitions were weak and basically rejected by the Department of Commerce (DOC).  We suspect each will refile and we will engage them at that time.  

The annual Administrative Review has been initiated in our CVD and AD cases against China.  While these have become quite routine in recent years, we will apply the same strategy.  We will look for companies that we can suggest to the DOC are worthy of review.  We leave the others, which will get the very high China-wide rate.  By identifying specific companies, we have a chance to get their tariffs increased.  More to come on this as the process unfolds in the coming months.

In trade enforcement, we have two matters.  The first is really good news.  Customs has FINALLY decided on interim tariffs on Fortress Fence Posts. These tariffs will apply until the end of Customs’ full investigation.  However, in the meantime, tariffs are in place.

Secondly, we are working with the appellate courts in the Kingtom EAPA appeal to combine all those cases.  We have our briefs ready, we just want the court to combine the cases because in each of them the same arguments, facts, etc. exist.  We will learn more about this in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, we continue to work with members pursuing a new trade case to find the support needed to get the case filed.  The formation of the coalition could happen any time.  So, stay tuned!  And thank you for your continued support!


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