Residential washers dumped on U.S. market

   The Commerce Department on Wednesday determined that large residential washers from South Korea and Mexico are dumped on the U.S. market.
   Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than its fair value.
   Commerce determined that producers/exporters from South Korea and Mexico have sold large residential washers in the United States at dumping margins of 9.29 percent to 82.41 percent, and 36.52 percent to 72.41 percent, respectively.
   In addition, the department found that producers/exporters from South Korea have received countervailable subsidies of 0.01 percent (de minimis) to 72.30 percent.
   Countervailable subsidies are financial assistance from overseas governments that benefit domestic manufacturing and exports.
   In the South Korea antidumping investigation, Daewoo Electronics Corp., LG Electronics, and Samsung Electronics Co. were determined to have final dumping margins of 82.41 percent, 13.02 percent, and 9.29 percent, respectively. All other producers/exporters from the country received a final dumping margin of 11.86 percent.
   During the South Korea countervailing duty investigation, Daewoo, LG, and Samsung were determined to have final subsidy rates of 72.3 percent, 0.01 percent (de minimis) and 1.85 percent, respectively. All other producers/exporters from South Korea received a final subsidy rate of 1.85 percent.
   In the Mexico antidumping investigation, Electrolux Home Products, Corp. NV/Electrolux Home Products De Mexico, S.A. de C.V., Samsung Electronics Mexico S.A. de C.V., and Whirlpool International S. de R.L. de C.V. were determined to have final dumping margins of 36.52 percent, 72.41 percent, and 72.41 percent, respectively. All other producers/exporters from Mexico received a final dumping margin of 36.52 percent.
   Commerce will now instruct Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits equal to the applicable weighted-average dumping margins. As a result of the affirmative final countervailing duty determination, Commerce will order the resumption of the suspension of liquidation and require a cash deposit equal to the final net subsidy rates, with the exception of shipments by LG Electronics, if the U.S. International Trade Commission issues final affirmative injury determinations.
   Imports of the subject merchandise are covered by U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule numbers 8450.11.0040, 8450.11.0080, 8450.20.0090, 8450.90.2000, and 8450.90.6000.
   Commerce reported that in 2011 that imports of large residential washers from South Korea and Mexico were valued at $569 million and $434 million, respectively.
   The ITC is scheduled to make its final determination for the investigation by Feb. 1. If the ITC makes affirmative final determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders for the washers. If the ITC makes a negative determination of injury for either the South Korea or Mexico washer imports, then that investigation will be terminated.
   The petitioner for these investigations is Whirlpool Corp., based in Benton Harbor, Mich., which has washing machine production in Clyde, Ohio.