US not to impose punitive duties on silica bricks, shapes from China

The United States will not impose punitive duties on silica bricks and shapes from China, said the U.S. trade authority in a final ruling Thursday.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) said in a statement that the U.S. industry is "neither materially injured nor threatened with material injury" by reason of imports of silica bricks and shapes from China that "the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value."

All six Commissioners voted in the negative. "As a result of the USITC's negative determination, an anti-dumping duty order will not be issued," the bipartisan trade panel said.

Utah Refractories Corporation, a refractory manufacturer based in the state of Utah, last November filed a petition to the U.S. Commerce Department to seek protection. The U.S. Commerce Department then instituted the investigations and set final anti-dumping duty order on Nov. 21, 2013.

However, according to the procedure of the U.S. trade protection, the U.S. Commerce Department's final decision came into effect only if the USITC make affirmative final rulings.

In 2012, imports of silica bricks and shapes from China were estimated at 25.7 million U.S. dollars, according to the Commerce Department.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has repeatedly urged the United States to abide by its commitment against protectionism and work with China and other countries to maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.