1:43:52 PM | 14/10/2008
The U.S. International Trade Committee (ITC) has voted for a five-year administrative review of its antidumping duty imposed on Vietnam’s tra and basa catfish, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
The vote on October 7, 2008 has given the ITC mandate to review all aspects of the tariff policy to ascertain whether the lifting of antidumping duties would cause further damage to the U.S. catfish industry over certain timeframes.
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) officially imposed the antidumping tariffs on catfish products imported from Vietnam in 2003. The rates for different enterprises vary and are reviewed annually.
Under the DOC’s commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the application of antidumping tariffs or any agreed delay would expire after five years of imposition unless the DOC and ITC find evidence of further or repeated dumping of products or subsidization of products, leading to a negative impact on the domestic U.S. market.
Regarding the five-year administrative review, the ITC has asked interested parties to contribute feedback containing accurate information to help them consider any effects that may emerge if the policy is lifted.
Feedback is usually considered within 95 days from the day the committee begins the review process to help determine whether the information received is sufficient to necessitate the launch of a comprehensive administrative review.
Currently, only 3 Vietnamese catfish companies, including the East Sea Seafoods Joint Venture Co Ltd (ESS), QVD Dong Thap Food Limited Company (QVD Food Co) and Anvifish Co Ltd, are exempted from the tax.
The rate on other Vietnamese catfish exporters is 63.88 per cent. (VNA, Vasep)
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