U.S. International Trade Commission vote to probe alleged dumping of biodiesel fuels from Argentina and Indonesia

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) voted last week to continue a U.S. Commerce Department investigation into alleged dumping and unfair subsidies of biodiesel fuels from Argentina and Indonesia.

“The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today [May 5] determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value,” the commission said in a press statement.

“As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on imports of this product from Argentina and Indonesia, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about June 16, 2017, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about August 30, 2017.”

Renewable Energy Group, Inc., a U.S.-based biodiesel producer, said, “Today’s unanimous vote by the ITC is a key step in stopping unfair biodiesel trade practices that significantly harm U.S. biodiesel producers and American jobs. While we welcome healthy and fair competition, we cannot ignore unfair trade practices that threaten the domestic biodiesel industry that supports tens of thousands of American jobs, promotes energy security and improves our environment.”