US hikes duties on biodiesel from Argentina, Indonesia

WASHINGTON: The United States Commerce Department on Wednesday piled on more import duties on biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia, adding anti-dumping duties of 60.44 to 276.65 per cent to already steep anti-subsidy duties on the fuels.

The final determination is subject to a second ruling by the US International Trade Commission on April 6 on whether US biodiesel producers were injured by dumped imports from the two countries.

But the independent panel has already found in the subsidy cases that the imports caused such injuries.

The latest duties make it virtually certain that biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia will not be sold in the US market, with combined rates of up to 159 per cent on the Argentine fuel and up to 341 per cent on Indonesian variety.

The Commerce Department set final dumping duties for Argentine biodiesel at 60.44 to 86.41 per cent, and for Indonesian biodiesel at 92.52 to 276.65 per cent.

“Today’s decision allows US producers of biodiesel to receive relief from the market-distorting effects of foreign producers dumping into the domestic market,” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in a statement.

“While the United States values its relationship with Argentina and Indonesia, even our closest friends must play by the rules.”