On February 6, the six members of the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) unanimously decided to maintain an anti-dumping duty on steel wire garment hangers imported from China. According to a statement issued by the USITC, a revocation of the duty would generate “material injury” to some competing U.S. industries.
As a result of the decision, the duty margin on Chinese hangers entering U.S. markets will maintain its current level between 15.83% and 187.25%. The Chinese government protested the duty strenuously, and has consistently opposed the duty since its imposition in 2008. According to Chinese authorities, the duty is a violation of the U.S.’s stated commitment to free and fair international trade.
This is the first time the USITC has revisited the duty since its passage, as required by a “sunset” review clause contained within the Uruguay Round Agreements Act of 2008. The sunset review clause requires that the U.S. Department of Commerce revoke all anti-dumping legislation after five years unless it is determined that such a move would cause undue harm to U.S. businesses.