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Earlier this week, the U.S. Commerce Department concluded its preliminary investigations into imports of quartz surface products from China and it has found that exporters are receiving countervailable subsidies ranging from 34.38 to 178.45 percent.
As a result of the findings, the Commerce Department has asked the U.S. customs and border patrol (CBP) agency to collect cash deposits from importers of the item based on these preliminary rates. The final decision will come by January next year.
The investigation was initiated based on petitions filed by Cambria Company LLC (Eden Prairie, MN).
According to the department’s calculations, the imports of quartz surface products from China were valued at an estimated $460 million in 2017.
Under President Trump, the U.S. Commerce Department has significantly stepped up its investigations into foreign malpractices in trade and the number of investigations initiated are 221 percent more than the previous administration.
