Washington, D.C. – Following U.S. Senator Rob Portman’s (R-OH) recommendation, the International Trade Commission (ITC) voted to extend the antidumping order on tapered roller bearings (TRBs) from China and thereby to protect U.S. tapered roller bearing products, including three Ohio manufacturing facilities, from unfair dumping of Chinese products in U.S. markets. 

“Today’s ruling is an important step towards ensuring that domestic industries in Ohio and across the nation can compete and thrive in the global economy,” Senator Portman said.  “By holding those who violate U.S. and international trade laws accountable, we can better sustain fair competition.”  

In June, Portman, joined by three U.S. Senators, sent a letter to the ITC in advance of its “sunset review” hearing to review the current antidumping duty on Chinese imports, which has been in place for over two decades.

China has continued to disregard international trading rules in an attempt to increase its exports and grow its TRB industry by selling its products at unfairly low prices.  Many domestic TRB plants have been negatively impacted, forcing companies to close plants and reduce workers. Had this antidumping order been revoked, the ITC found that this trend would likely accelerate, resulting in more lost jobs for Ohioans and other domestic TRB producers.

The letter is included below.

Chairman Deanna Okun

U.S. International Trade Commission

500 E Street, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20436

Dear Chairman Okun,

On June 19, 2012, the International Trade Commission (ITC) will hold a full 5-year review hearing of the currently standing antidumping duty order related to imports of tapered roller bearings from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-344 (Third Review)).  We ask that this letter be included in the record of this sunset review. 

We understand that the ITC is seeking to determine whether revocation of the antidumping duty order would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury, as it has affirmatively found in two previous reviews.  We also understand that the Department of Commerce has already found that revocation of the Order would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping.  We are particularly concerned therefore about the negative impact that such a revocation may have on domestic producers of tapered roller bearings, including The Timken Company, which has facilities in each of our states. 

We greatly appreciate the critical role that ITC plays in ensuring that foreign producers are competing legally in the U.S. market, and consequently ask that you fully consider the Commission’s previous findings with regard to tapered roller bearing imports from China and all available evidence of potential injury to U.S. producers caused by the continuation or recurrence of dumping.

As advocates of robust international trade, we believe it is critical that those who violate U.S. and international trade laws are held accountable so that our domestic industry can thrive as it has always done in markets that sustain fair competition.  Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.

Sincerely,

Rob Portman