On April 24,2024,the U.S.Department of Commerce announced the launch of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations against several countries.The investigations involve two chemical products,epoxy resin and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid,and affect imports from mainland China,India,South Korea,Taiwan,and Thailand.

Epoxy Resin Investigation

In response to the application from the U.S.Epoxy Resin Producers Ad Hoc Coalition,the U.S.Department of Commerce has decided to initiate anti-dumping and countervailing investigations on epoxy resins from mainland China,India,South Korea,and Taiwan,and an anti-dumping investigation on epoxy resins from Thailand.The relevant products are classified under U.S.Customs Tariff Code 3907.30.0000.

Import data for 2023 shows that the import values of epoxy resins from mainland China,India,South Korea,and Taiwan were $5.71 million,$7.64 million,$200 million,and $51.5 million,respectively.Imports from Thailand amounted to $19.77 million.

The U.S.International Trade Commission (ITC) will conduct a preliminary determination on whether there is substantial damage or a threat to the U.S.domestic industry,and the results are expected to be announced no later than May 20,2024.If it is determined that there is damage,the U.S.Department of Commerce will continue the investigation and is expected to announce the preliminary anti-subsidy results on June 27,2024,and the preliminary anti-dumping results on September 10,2024.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Investigation

On the other hand,at the request of Crowell & Moring LLP,the representative law firm of Corteva Agriscience LLC,the U.S.Department of Commerce initiated anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations on imports of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid from China and India.The product is classified under U.S.Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code 2918.99.2010.

According to the 2023 statistics,the import volumes of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid from China and India amounted to $22.92 million and $21.61 million respectively.The ITC also expects to make a preliminary ruling on industry harm by May 20,2024.If the preliminary ruling confirms that imported products pose a substantial harm or threat to the U.S.industry,the countervailing and anti-dumping investigations will continue.The countervailing preliminary ruling is expected to be announced on June 27,2024,and the anti-dumping preliminary ruling will be announced on September 10,2024.