US issues final determination in probe into molded fiber products from Vietnam

The US International Trade Commission will make its final determination as to whether the domestic industry in the US is materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by reason of imports of molded fiber products from Vietnam no later than 45 days after this final determination.

Hanoi (VNA) – The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has issued its final affirmative countervailing duty determination and final affirmative critical circumstances determination against thermoformed molded fiber products imported from Vietnam, according to the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam.

According to the US International Trade Commission (ITC), Vietnam exported about 23 million USD of these products in 2023. The anti-dumping investigation period is from April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024, while the countervailing duty investigation period covers the year 2023.

Accordingly, for the mandatory respondent company, the final anti-dumping duty rate, after deducting the export-related subsidy margin of 3.2%, is 1.38%. For two companies granted separate rates, the rate is also 1.38%. For all other Vietnamese exporters, the anti-dumping duty, based on adverse facts available (AFA), is 212.27%. In comparison, Chinese exporters are subject to anti-dumping duties ranging from 49.01% to 477.9%, significantly higher than the rates applied to Vietnamese companies. Regarding final countervailing duty (CVD) rates for Vietnam, the mandatory respondent is subject to a CVD rate of 5.06%. Two non-cooperative companies are assigned a CVD rate based on adverse facts available, at 200.7%. All other companies are subject to a CVD rate of 5.06%, equal to that of the mandatory respondent. In contrast, Chinese exporters face CVD rates ranging from 7.56% to 319.92%. The ITC will make its final determination as to whether the domestic industry in the US is materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by reason of imports of molded fiber products from Vietnam no later than 45 days after this final determination.

Only if the ITC concludes that the US domestic industry has suffered material injury due to imports of solar cells from Vietnam which were dumped or subsidised, will the imposition of duties become official, expected on November 15, 2025.

Therefore, the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam recommends that relevant Vietnamese producers and exporters continue to closely monitor developments related to the ITC’s final determination. Businesses are also advised to proactively seek new markets, enhance their competitiveness, and strictly comply with regulations of the importing country in the event that the imposition of duties becomes official./.

VNA