The US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced the affirmative preliminary determination of the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of steel wheels 12 to 16.5 inches in diameter (certain steel wheels) from China.
The DOC assigned a preliminary subsidy rate of 58.30 percent for the sole participating mandatory respondent Zhejiang Jingu Company Limited. The DOC assigned a preliminary subsidy rate of 293.27 percent, based entirely upon adverse facts available, for mandatory respondent Xingmin Intelligent Transportation Systems (Group), which withdrew its participation from this investigation. The preliminary subsidy rate for all other Chinese producers and exporters is 58.30 percent, which is based entirely on the preliminary subsidy rate assigned to Zhejiang Jingu Company Limited.
In the AD and CVD investigations, the domestic interested party alleged critical circumstances with regard to imports of certain steel wheels from China. For the CVD investigation, the DOC found that critical circumstances exist for Xingmin Intelligent Transportation Systems (Group), Zhejiang Jingu Company Limited, as well as all other Chinese exporters and producers.
Certain on-the-road steel wheels subject to this investigation are properly classifiable under the following category of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS): 8716.90.5035 which covers the exact product covered by the scope whether entered as an assembled wheel or in components. Certain on-the-road steel wheels entered with a tire mounted on them may be entered under HTSUS 8716.90.5059 (Trailers and semi-trailers; other vehicles, not mechanically propelled, parts, wheels, other, wheels with other tires).
The petitioner is Dexstar Wheel, a division of Americana Development, Inc. In 2017, US imports of certain steel wheels 12 to 16.5 inches in diameter from China were valued at an estimated $73.8 million.
The DOC is scheduled to announce its final determination on or about July 1, 2019.