22 July 2021 - The US Department of Commerce (DoC) announced its affirmative final determination in the anti-dumping duty (ADD) investigation into methionine from Spain and Japan on Tuesday 20 July.
Potential duties for methionine imports from Japan have been lowered to 76.50% from the initial ruling of 135.10%, which was set in February.
Potential duties for methionine imports from Spain have been increased to 36.53% from 31.98%.
The case now moves from the DoC to the US International Trade Commission (ITC), which will continue its assessment as to whether Japanese and Spanish methionine imports are economically harming US manufacturers. The ITC is expected to report the results of its investigation in September.
If an ITC panel finds economic injury, then the DoC's tariffs will go into effect.
In 2020, US businesses imported 28 million kilograms of Japanese methionine valued at $52 million, and 39 million kilograms of Spanish methionine valued at $57 million, according to the DoC.
The DoC and the ITC opened their investigations into methionine imported from the two countries plus France in 2020 at the request of Novus International.
Novus filed the ADD petitions on methionine from France, Japan, and Spain on 29 July 2020. According to the producer, imports of methionine from the three countries were priced substantially lower than domestic producers’ shipments.
Novus alleged that methionine manufacturers in France, Japan and Spain were dumping their products and undermining the US industry. The producer stressed that dumping can result in the reduction or elimination of domestic production.
Following an investigation, the DoC announced preliminary anti-dumping duties against all three countries in February. Three months later, the DoC finalised a 16.17% levy against French methionine imports.
Referring to the outcome of the DoC's investigation into methionine imports from Japan and Spain, a Sumitomo Chemical spokesperson commented: "Despite the decision, our position continues to be that our methionine supplies do not harm the US market, and thus we are concerned that this decision will inevitably harm the interests of our valued customers in the US who are underserved by the domestic manufacturers. Nevertheless, we stay committed to serving our customers and competing in the global market in a fair and transparent manner."
Ed Galo, vice president and chief commercial officer for Americas & EMEA at Novus, said: "This final determination from Commerce confirms that methionine imported from Spain and Japan is being illegally dumped in the U.S. and sold at less than fair value. This is certainly a win in Novus's efforts to promote a fair and sustainable methionine market in the United States."
