Canada Says Chinese Laminate Imports Harming Domes
Beijing, China, December 9--The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has made an initial ruling on an investigation into alleged dumping and unfair subsidization of Chinese laminate flooring imports, the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) said on its website.
The Ministry of Commerce said the CITT ruled that laminate flooring imports from China have harmed Canada's domestic industry.
The ministry said the ruling came after the CITT launched an investigation into laminate floor imports on October 4 at the behest of the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA).
The CBSA issued questionnaires to the Chinese government and relevant Chinese exporters on laminate flooring export subsidies, which were required to be completed and returned by November 10.
The CBSA will make an initial ruling on its findings by January 4, and a final ruling in July next year.
The Ministry of Commerce said the Chinese exporters involved in the anti-dumping and anti-subsidization case are mainly based in the eastern province of Zhejiang, and the southwestern province of Sichuan.
A deputy secretary-general with the China National Forest Product Industry Association, surnamed Sun, told XFN-Asia in October that the Canadian anti-dumping probe could damage China's laminate flooring exporters, which are at a crucial stage of development.
Sun said there are many laminate flooring producers in China, but only a few have an annual capacity of more than 100,000 sq m.
He said few of these producers will be able to file counter complaints against Canada, and will be forced to close export operations.
According to the MoC, 12 countries and regions launched a total of 46 anti-dumping and anti-subsidization probes into Chinese exports in the first nine months this year, up 4.5 pct year-on-year.
The Ministry of Commerce said such investigations may increase in the future.
