Hardwood Plywood from China Does Not Injure U.S. Industry: ITC

WASHINGTON - The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is neither materially injured nor threatened with material injury by reason of imports of hardwood plywood from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Irving A. Williamson and Commissioners Shara L. Aranoff, Dean A. Pinkert, David S. Johanson, and Meredith M. Broadbent voted in the negative. Commissioner F. Scott Kieff did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the USITC's negative determinations, no antidumping or countervailing duty orders will be issued.

The Commission's public report Hardwood Plywood from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA- 490 and 731-TA-1204 (Final), USITC Publication 4434, November 2013) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.

Copies may be obtained after December 16, 2013, by emailing [email protected], calling 202-205-2000, or by writing the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202-205-2104.


UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Office of Industries
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Hardwood and Decorative Plywood from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-490 and 731-TA-1204 (Final)

Product Description: Hardwood and decorative plywood (hardwood plywood) is a wood panel product made from gluing two or more layers of wood veneer to a core. The core is composed of veneers or other type of wood material such as medium density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, lumber, or oriented strand board (OSB). The outer ply or face veneer is typically the identifying species for the hardwood plywood product and is the side of the product that will be visible in most uses. The subject product is typically made using hardwood species (e.g., oak, birch, maple, and poplar), but may also be made from softwood species or bamboo. Hardwood plywood is generally used in the manufacturing of furniture, cabinetry, wall paneling, and similar products. The product is typically used in interior applications, although some hardwood plywood is made specifically for marine applications. Specifically excluded from the subject product scope is structural plywood, plywood made with cork faces or backs, multilayered wood flooring manufactured subject to a CVD/AD order, plywood with a shape or design other than a flat panel, and plywood made entirely from bamboo and adhesives.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigation: Final antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners:  The Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood and its individual
       members: Columbia Forest Products, Greensboro, NC; Commonwealth Plywood Co.,
       Ltd., Whitehall, NY; Murphy Plywood, Eugene, OR; Roseburg Forest Products Co.,
       Roseburg, OR; States Industries LLC, Eugene, OR; and Timber Products Company,
       Springfield, OR.
3. Investigation instituted by USITC:  September 27, 2012.
4. USITC hearing: September 19, 2013.
5. USITC vote: November 5, 2013.
6. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: November 25, 2013.


U.S. Industry:

1. Number of U.S. producers in 2013: 8 responding.
2. Location of producers' plants: Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina,
       Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. 
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2012: 1,868.       
4. U.S. producers' U.S. shipments in 2012: 642.2 million square feet.
5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2012: 3,489.8 million square feet.
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2012: 47.9 percent


U.S. Imports in 2012:

1. From the subject country during 2012: $829.0 million.
2. From other countries during 2012: $677.2 million.
3. Leading sources during 2012: China, Russia, Indonesia, and Canada (in terms of total value).

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