On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the initiation of anti-dumping and countervailing investigations against several countries. The investigations involve two types of chemical products: epoxy resins and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, affecting imports from mainland China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Epoxy Resin Investigation

In response to the application from the U.S. Epoxy Resin Producers Ad Hoc Coalition, the U.S. Department of Commerce has decided to initiate anti-dumping and countervailing investigations on epoxy resins from mainland China, India, South Korea, and Taiwan, and an anti-dumping investigation on epoxy resins from Thailand. The relevant products are classified under U.S. Customs Tariff Code 3907.30.0000.

Import data for 2023 shows that the import values of epoxy resins from mainland China, India, South Korea, and Taiwan were $5.71 million, $7.64 million, $200 million, and $51.5 million, respectively. Imports from Thailand amounted to $19.77 million.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will make a preliminary determination on whether there is material injury or threat to the domestic industry, with results expected to be announced no later than May 20, 2024. If injury is confirmed, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue the investigations, with preliminary countervailing duty results expected by June 27, 2024, and preliminary anti-dumping results by September 10, 2024.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Investigation

On the other hand, at the request of Crowell & Moring LLP, the representative law firm of Corteva Agriscience LLC, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations on imports of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid from China and India. The product is classified under U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code 2918.99.2010.

According to 2023 statistics, the import values of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid from China and India were $22.92 million and $21.61 million, respectively. The ITC is also expected to make a preliminary injury determination by May 20, 2024. If the preliminary results confirm that the imports have caused material injury or threat to the U.S. industry, the anti-dumping and countervailing investigations will proceed, with preliminary countervailing duty results expected by June 27, 2024, and preliminary anti-dumping results by September 10, 2024.