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Trade probe implicates foreign paper: Panel finds harm from thermal imports(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Nov. 17--An investigation into possible dumping of lightweight thermal paper moved forward Friday when the U.S. International Trade Commission determined that there is a "reasonable indication" American firms are being hurt by such imports. The investigation began in September at the request of Appleton, a Wisconsin maker of such products that was formerly known as Appleton Papers Inc. It makes about 60% of the nation's lightweight thermal paper. On Nov. 1, the commission agreed to look into the matter. Friday it took the next step, finding that "there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of certain lightweight thermal paper from China that are allegedly subsidized and from China and Germany that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value." The commission declined to go ahead with an investigation of such imports from Korea, saying they were "negligible" at less than 3% of the U.S. market. The finding means the U.S. Commerce Department may make a preliminary decision on possible countervailing duties on German and Chinese imports by Dec. 13 and a preliminary decision on whether the Germans are dumping by Feb. 26. Dumping means selling goods in an export market at less than fair value, usually at below cost. Appleton has asked that such duties be imposed. In a statement Friday, Appleton applauded the commission's action. "We asked the appropriate government agencies to examine certain trade practices that we consider to be unfair and injurious to U.S. producers and U.S. workers," said Mark Richards, Appleton's chief executive officer. "We are pleased that the ITC has made a preliminary ruling that the imports from China and Germany are causing harm. We believe this decision is another important step in restoring a level playing field on which to compete." Thermal paper is commonly used in point-of-purchase printing for such things as lottery tickets, cash register receipts and airline baggage tags. To see more of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.jsonline.com. Copyright (c) 2007, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |