ITC Vote Levels Playing Field in Biodiesel Trade Dispute

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. biodiesel interests have won the final procedural battle in the case of unfair dumping of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia, clearing the way for final antidumping orders to be issued later this month.

The International Trade Commission (ITC) Tuesday voted 4-0 in favor of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) Fair Trade Coalition’s position that the industry has suffered injury due to unfairly dumped imports of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia. “Foreign producers dumping product into American markets below cost has undermined the jobs and environmental benefits that U.S. biodiesel brings to the table,” said NBB CEO Donnell Rehagen. “Establishing a level playing field for true competition in the market will allow the domestic industry the opportunity to put to work substantial under-utilized production capacity.”

Last month, the Commerce Department calculated final dumping rates ranging from 60.44% to 86.41% for Argentine producers, and 92.52% to 276.65% for Indonesian producers. A final determination by the Commerce Department in the companion countervailing duty determination was announced in early November, resulting in duty deposit rates of 71.45% to 72.28% for Argentina and 34.45% to 64.73% for Indonesia.

Biodiesel, Trade