US initiates global safeguard investigation on polyester man-made staple fibers

Information from the Department of Trade Remedies, Ministry of Industry and Trade , on March 11, 2024, the Department of Trade Remedies (PVTM) received a notice from the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) initiated a global safeguard investigation on artificial staple fiber products from polyester (Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber) with HS code. 5503.20.0025.

Fiber production. Photo: VNA

The USITC initiated the investigation on February 28, 2024, following a petition from U.S. producers of polyester man-made staple fibers, including Fiber Industries LLC d/b/a Darling Fibers; Nan Ya Plastics Corp, America; and Sun Fiber LLC. The petitioners alleged that imports of polyester man-made staple fibers have increased significantly relative to domestic production and consumption, causing serious injury and affecting the domestic industry.

The USITC said that, according to the USITC's announcement, the parties have 21 days (from the date of publication in the Federal Register) to register to participate and receive information about the case. The USITC plans to hold 1 consultation session on injury and 1 consultation session on applicable measures.

For the consultation on damages (scheduled to take place on 4 June 2024), the deadline for registration is 24 May 2024, and the deadline for submission of substantive comments is 28 May 2024. For the consultation on measures to be applied (scheduled to take place on 23 July 2024), the deadline for registration is 17 July 2024, and the deadline for submission of substantive comments is 16 July 2024.

If not registered, parties may still submit comments on damages by June 11, 2024 and on measures before July 29, 2024.

For further information, the Trade Remedies Authority said that the USITC is expected to issue its injury determination on July 9, 2024 and will report to the President for consideration and decision within 180 days from the date of filing, expected on August 26, 2024.

According to USITC data, in the period 2021-2023, the export turnover of investigated products from Vietnam to the United States is approximately 5.9 million USD (in 2023 alone it is 5.2 million USD, ranking 8th among countries exporting to the United States and accounting for 3% of the total import market share to the United States).

Previously, according to the Department of Trade Defense, in 2017, this product was subject to anti-dumping investigations by the United States against Korea, India, China, Taiwan (China) and Vietnam; anti-subsidy investigations against China and India; but Vietnam was later excluded from the scope of the investigation at the request of the plaintiff. Currently, products from the above countries/territories (except Vietnam) are still subject to anti-dumping/anti-subsidy taxes.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/hoa-ky-khoi-xuong-dieu-tra-tu-ve-toan-cau-voi-xo-soi-staple-nhan-tao-tu-polyeste-308562.html