US ITC to Conduct Full 'Sunset' Review on Silicon Imports from China

The US International Trade Commission has voted to conduct a full five-year "sunset" review on the antidumping duty order on silicon metal from China, the agency said Monday.

ITC Vice Chairman David Johanson and two other commissioners determined that the responses from both the domestic industry and affected Chinese silicon exporters were sufficient to warrant a full review as opposed to an expedited process, the ITC said in a statement. Previous reviews have been expedited.

The full review will include a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires to affected parties, after which, the ITC will vote to determine whether revocation of the antidumping order would cause a continuation or recurrence of material injury to the domestic silicon metal industry.

Under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, the Department of Commerce is required to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years, unless it determines that revocation would cause a recurrence of subsidized exports, or the ITC determines it would cause a recurrence of material injury.

Monday's vote by the ITC follows its notice of institution of the five-year review, in which it requested interested parties to make responses within 95 days on the likely effects of revoking the antidumping order.

Only parties which made responses within the 95-day limit will be allowed to participate in the review, the ITC said.

This is the fourth sunset review of the antidumping order on silicon metal imports from China.