Global Geopolitical Series: U.S. slaps duties on plastic ribbons from China

Yesterday, the U.S. Commerce Department concluded its preliminary investigations into imports of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China and it has found that exporters from China are selling the above-mentioned product in the United States at 45.16 to 370.04 percent less than fair value. 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 this item.

The investigation was initiated based on a petition filed by Berwick Offray, LLC (Berwick, PA). The final announcement on the investigation will come by 16th October.

According to the department’s calculations, the imports of forged steel fittings from Taiwan were valued at $22.5 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 is 216 percent more than the previous administration.