The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said it will levy anti-dumping tariffs of 2 percent to 49 percent on acrylates imports from the four countries.

The anti-dumping duty, which was imposed yesterday will last for five years.

The MOC judged that the dumping did take place and the imports did cause substantial damage to China's domestic industry.

Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical Acrylic Acid Works, Beijing Eastern Chemical Works of Beijing Chemical Industry Group Co and Jilian (Jilin) Petrochemicals Ltd filed the anti-dumping investigation on September 11, 2001. The three firms are the major producers of acrylates in China.

The investigation was launched on October 10, 2001, and temporary anti-dumping measures against these imports began on December 5 last year.

The final investigation said imports from the four countries occupied market shares of 15 percent, 21.8 percent and 31.9 percent in 1999, 2000 and the first half of 2001.

Meanwhile, prices of acrylates imports from the countries have been falling, keeping domestic prices at a low level.

As a result, the investigation concluded that huge imports from the four countries have slowed down growth in domestic industries' production, production capacity and sales. They have also driven down local industries' market shares, prices, pre-tax profits, and pushed up unemployment and stock levels.

In another development, Chinese ball bearing manufacturers won an dumping case filed by the American Bearings Manufacturers Association in the United States.

A MOC official said related parties had received notices on Wednesday that a US trade panel denied the US ball bearing industry's request for anti-dumping duties on imports from China.

The US International Trade Commission voted 4-0 that low-priced imports from China did not harm or threaten to harm domestic ball bearing producers.

Ball bearings are widely-used parts in making machinery and electrical products.

China exported US$200 million worth of ball bearings and ball bearing parts to the United States in 2002.

The US Department of Commerce started the anti-dumping investigation into Chinese-made ball bearings on April 29 last year, the first anti-dumping case raised by US after China's entry into the World Trade Organization.

(China Daily April 11, 2003)