WASHINGTON – The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a final negative determination in the unfair trade investigation of Hardwood and Decorative Plywood from China. Today’s vote brings the administrative investigation to an end.

The Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood (CFTHP), an organization composed of U.S. manufacturers which filed the unfair trade petition in September 2012, expressed its deep disappointment over the ITC vote. Jeff Levin, counsel for CFTHP, noted that the ITC’s vote came despite the fact that all Chinese imports of the product were found to be unfairly traded in the U.S. market by substantial margins. The ITC itself found that the Chinese imports undersold domestically-manufactured hardwood and decorative plywood by substantial margins.

Mr. Levin stated: “This industry, which has seen large portions of the U.S. market for hardwood plywood captured by unfairly traded imports to the pronounced detriment of this manufacturing industry, will face the continued threat posed by Chinese imports. We do not believe that the ITC’s determination is reflective of the facts presented in this investigation, or the realities of the marketplace.”

But, Mr. Levin noted, “this industry remains the global gold standard for the manufacture of these products, with a workforce of unparalled creativity and ingenuity, and with the highest degree of care for sustainable wood resources. As an American manufacturing industry, producers in this country will continue its fight for fair trade, even with a demonstrably unlevel playing field.”

The written determination by the ITC, explaining the reasoning behind today’s vote, will be issued in approximately two weeks. At that time, the CFTHP will evaluate whether there is cause to file a judicial appeal of the ITC determination.

For more information on the petition and investigation, visit www.hardwoodplywoodfairtrade.org.

Source Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood