ITC VOTES TO CONTINUE CASES ON COATED FREE SHEET PAPER FROM CHINA, INDONESIA, AND KOREA

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of coated free sheet paper from China, Indonesia, and Korea that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Vice Chairman Shara L. Aranoff and Commissioners Stephen Koplan, Deanna Tanner Okun, and Charlotte R. Lane voted in the affirmative. Chairman Daniel R. Pearson voted in the negative. Commissioner Jennifer A. Hillman did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations of imports of coated free sheet paper from China, Indonesia, and Korea, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about January 24, 2007, and its preliminary antidumping determinations due on or about April 9, 2007.

The Commission’s public report Coated Free Sheet Paper from China, Indonesia, and Korea (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-444-446 and 731-TA-1107-1109 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3900, December 2006) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after January 10, 2007, by calling 202-205-2000 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

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FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Coated Free Sheet Paper from China, Indonesia, and Korea
Investigations Nos. 701-TA-444-446 and 731-TA-1105-1107 (Preliminary)
Product Description: For purposes of these investigations, the product covered is coated free sheet paper, which is primarily used by commercial printers, publishers, and label manufacturers for printed items such as catalogues, books, magazines, and labels. The merchandise subject to these investigations is provided for in subheadings 4810.13.1900; 4810.13.2010; 4810.13.2090; 4810.13.5000; 4810.13.7040; 4810.14.1900; 4810.14.2010; 4810.14.2090; 4810.14.5000; 4810.14.7040; 4810.19.1900; 4810.19.2010; and 4810.19.2090 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

Status of Proceedings:
1. Types of investigations: Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioner: New Page Corp., Dayton, OH.
3. Investigations instituted by USITC: October 31, 2006.
4. Conference: November 21, 2006.
5. USITC vote: December 15, 2006.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: December 15, 2006.

U.S. Industry:
1. Number of U.S. firms in 2006: Ten.
2. Production during 2005 (tons): 4,597,794.
3. Employment of production and related workers: 7,464.
4. U.S. producers’ shipments during 2005: 4,553,569 tons.
5. U.S. apparent consumption during 2005: 1/
6. Ratio of quantity of total imports to U.S. apparent consumption
during 2005: 1/

U.S. Imports:
1. Quantity of subject imports during 2005: 1/
2. Value of subject imports during: 1/