*EPF108 12/15/2003
USITC Rules Imports of Fittings from China Disrupt U.S. Market
(Commission to recommend remedy to President Bush by December 24) (260)

Washington -- The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has determined that imports of certain ductile iron waterworks fittings from China are causing market disruptions affecting U.S. producers.

Ductile iron waterworks fittings are used in water transmission and distribution lines.

The commission will recommend to President Bush and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick by December 24 potential remedies under which domestic producers can obtain relief.

The USITC voted December 15 unanimously to make an affirmative determination in the case filed under Section 421 of U.S. trade law. Section 421 was added by the U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000, the legislation implementing the bilateral agreement related to China's accession to the World Trade Organization. Under this provision domestic producers can receive import relief if the USITC finds that Chinese products are being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such conditions as to cause, or threaten to cause, market disruption to the domestic producers of similar or directly competitive products. According to the statute, market disruption occurs when a rapid increase in imports is a significant cause of injury, or threat of injury, to a domestic industry.

President Bush will make the final decision concerning whether to provide relief to U.S. producers of ductile iron waterworks fittings and the type and duration of any such relief.

In another development, the Commerce Department initiated December 11 an antidumping investigation on imports of wooden bedroom furniture from China.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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