|
 |
 |
|
Federal trade officials side with Whirlpool in trade dispute
-
05/30/12 06:33 PM ET
The Commerce Department announced Wednesday that it believed Whirlpool was being hurt by Korean subsidies to washing machine manufacturers, and proposed duties on certain foreign producers.
Commerce says it could impose duties as high as 70.6 percent on Daewoo, which declined to participate in the government’s investigation. Samsung and LG received smaller proposed duties – which are used to offset government subsidies – of 1.2 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.
Whirlpool had filed a complaint about rivals in washing machine manufacturing late last year, saying those companies were selling washers made in South Korea and Mexico for below market value in the U.S. and receiving subsidies from South Korea. The Michigan-headquartered manufacturer applauded the Commerce ruling on Wednesday, and said they were optimistic about the Commerce Department’s final decision in the case, which is expected later this year.
“Whirlpool Corporation is pleased with this favorable preliminary decision, given the proven record that South Korean appliance producers have benefitted from their government’s subsidies that violate trade law,” Kristine Vernier, a Whirlpool spokeswoman, said in a statement.
In all, the U.S. imported some $568.6 million in washing machines from Korea last year.
Federal officials last month declined to take action against Samsung and LG for refrigerators imported from South Korea and Mexico, after Whirlpool had filed a complaint that the two companies were selling the items for less than fair value in the U.S.
The government is still looking into whether washing machines from South Korea and Mexico are being dumped in the U.S.
Commerce says it could impose duties as high as 70.6 percent on Daewoo, which declined to participate in the government’s investigation. Samsung and LG received smaller proposed duties – which are used to offset government subsidies – of 1.2 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.
Whirlpool had filed a complaint about rivals in washing machine manufacturing late last year, saying those companies were selling washers made in South Korea and Mexico for below market value in the U.S. and receiving subsidies from South Korea. The Michigan-headquartered manufacturer applauded the Commerce ruling on Wednesday, and said they were optimistic about the Commerce Department’s final decision in the case, which is expected later this year.
In all, the U.S. imported some $568.6 million in washing machines from Korea last year.
Federal officials last month declined to take action against Samsung and LG for refrigerators imported from South Korea and Mexico, after Whirlpool had filed a complaint that the two companies were selling the items for less than fair value in the U.S.
The government is still looking into whether washing machines from South Korea and Mexico are being dumped in the U.S.
Most Viewed RSS Feed »
