The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) determined the U.S. industry for ceramic tiles is materially injured by imports from China. The U.S. Department of Commerce previously determined Chinese imports of ceramic tiles are subsidized and sold in the U.S. at less than fair value.
The Department of Commerce determined that producers and exporters from China sold ceramic tile at less than fair value in the U.S. at rates ranging from 229.04% to 356.02%. Additionally, the investigation determined Chinese producers and exporters received countervailable subsidies at a rate of 358.81%, according to a news release. Imports of ceramic tile from China were valued at an estimated $481.3 million in 2018, according to the Department of Commerce.
The Coalition for Fair Trade in Ceramic Tile petitioned for the Department of Commerce Investigation. The Coalition's members include American Wonder Porcelain in Lebanon, Tenn., Crossville in Crossville, Tenn., Dal-Tile Corporation in Dallas, Texas, Del Conca USA in Loudon, Tenn., Florida Tile in Lexington, Ky., Florim USA in Clarksville, Tenn., Landmark Ceramics in Mount Pleasant, Tenn., and StonePeak Ceramics in Chicago, Ill.
As a result of the ITC's affirmative determinations, the Department of Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of Chinese ceramic tile. The ITC made a negative determination concerning critical circumstances with regard to Chinese ceramic tile imports. As a result, Chinese ceramic tile imports will not be subject to retroactive antidumping duties.
For the purposes of the investigation, ceramic tile was defined as flooring tile, wall tile, paving tile, hearth tile, porcelain tile, mosaic tile, flags, and finishing tile containing a mixture of clay and other minerals that is fired so the raw materials are fused together into a finished product. All ceramic tile is subject to the scope of the ITC's findings, regardless of end use, surface area, weight, and whether the products are glazed or unglazed.
