Global Geopolitical Series: U.S. slaps duties on rubber bands from China and Thailand

Yesterday, the U.S. Commerce Department concluded its preliminary investigations into imports of rubber bands from Thailand and China and it has found that exporters are dumping the product in the United States at a lower rate below the fair value at the following rates,

• China – 27.27 percent
• Thailand – 0.00-5.86 percent

As a result of the findings, the commerce department has asked the U.S. customs and border patrol (CBP) agency to collect cash deposits from importers of the item based on these preliminary rates. The final decision will come by January next year for Thailand and in the coming November for China.

The investigation was initiated based on petitions filed by Alliance Rubber Company of Arizona.

According to the department’s calculations, the imports of rubber bands from China and Thailand were valued at an estimated $4.9 million, and $12.1 million respectively in 2017.

Under President Trump, the U.S. Commerce Department has significantly stepped up its investigations into foreign malpractices in trade and the number of investigations initiated is 221 percent more than the previous administration.