Trade Commission: "Dumped Thai Fiberboard Is Harming Korean Industry... Anti-Dumping Duties Are Needed"

MOTIE Reviews and Approves Trade Remedy Measures at the 469th Trade Commission Meeting

The Trade Commission under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has determined that fiberboard imported from Thailand at prices lower than normal is harming domestic industry, and has decided to recommend to the Minister of Strategy and Finance the imposition of anti-dumping duties.

On the 12th, the Trade Commission announced that it had deliberated and resolved to take trade remedy measures on a total of three cases: fiberboard from Thailand, butyl glycol ether from Saudi Arabia, and butyl acrylate from China.

The anti-dumping investigation into Thai fiberboard has reached a final determination. This fiberboard is manufactured in board form by separating and extracting fiber from wood and then applying adhesive and other substances. The Trade Commission issued a final ruling that the dumping imports of this product have caused material injury to the domestic industry. Accordingly, it resolved to recommend to the Minister of Strategy and Finance the imposition of anti-dumping duties of 15.29% to 22.44% for the next five years. Since November 28 last year, this product has been subject to provisional anti-dumping duties of 11.92% to 19.43%. The final anti-dumping duty rates were determined through the main investigation, including on-site verification.

The anti-dumping investigation into butyl glycol ether from Saudi Arabia has reached a final determination in the first sunset review. Butyl glycol ether is a colorless, transparent liquid with high solvency and low toxicity, and is used in paints, dyes, natural resins, inks, cleaners, and antifreeze agents. The Trade Commission judged that if the anti-dumping duties on this case were to be terminated, dumping and injury to the domestic industry would recur. It therefore decided to recommend to the Minister of Strategy and Finance the imposition of anti-dumping duties of 43.58% for the next five years. In the case of Saudi butyl glycol ether, following the original measure on September 5, 2022 (imposition of a 43.58% anti-dumping duty), there were effects such as a reduction in dumping imports and an increase in the domestic industry’s market share. However, considering Saudi production capacity and global market trends, the Trade Commission concluded that there is a risk of recurrence of dumping and injury to the domestic industry, and that it is necessary to maintain the anti-dumping measures.

The anti-dumping investigation into butyl acrylate from China has reached a preliminary determination, and the Trade Commission preliminarily found that there is sufficient evidence to presume both the existence of dumping and injury to the domestic industry. Butyl acrylate is an organic compound produced by the esterification reaction of acrylic acid and butanol, and is used as a material for adhesives, acrylic paints, and special plastics (ASA). To prevent injury that could occur during the period of the main investigation, the Trade Commission resolved to recommend to the Minister of Strategy and Finance the imposition of provisional anti-dumping duties of 9.53% to 19.17%. The Trade Commission plans to hold a public hearing in April this year and issue its final determination in July.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.