February 12, 2013

The anti-dumping investigations on imports of frozen warm-water shrimp from seven countries will continue as the US International Trade Commission (USITC) on Thursday (Feb 7) cleared the way for the government to proceed.

The USITC voted five to one in determining that there is a reasonable indication that a US industry is materially hurt by imports of frozen warm-water shrimp from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. It also alleged these shrimp were subsidised.

As a result, the US Commerce Department will continue its countervailing probe that began on January 18 and is expected to make its preliminary decision in late March.

In 2011, the US imported frozen warm-water shrimp from China at an estimated US$153.7 million, 8.4% less than in 2010, according to the US government's data. In addition, the US government has already slapped antidumping duty orders on frozen warm-water shrimp from Brazil, China, India, Thailand and Vietnam.

As the US economy is undergoing a slow recovery, Washington has increasingly resorted to protectionist practices. As of November 6, 2012, it has imposed anti-dumping or anti-subsidy duties on more than 120 products from 36 countries on the excuse that the imports had materially harmed related US industries.

Chinese products including consumer goods, chemical, iron and steel products, farm produce and seafood are heavily targeted by such punitive duties. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has repeatedly urged Washington to abide by its commitment against protectionism and help maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.