Ministry fights US bag dumping claim

22/04/2009 12:00 - 663 Views

WASHINGTON — Viet Nam strongly denounces an anti-dumping action filed by two US companies against Vietnamese manufacturers of plastic bags exported to the US, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Le Danh Vinh told Vietnam News Agency last week.

The US firms Hilex Poly Co LLC and Superbag Corporation filed a petition in March against polyethylene bags imported from Viet Nam, Taiwan and Indonesia.

A US Department of Commerce (DOC) decision on whether to commence a dumping investigation pursuant to the claims was expected today.

Following a consultation with DOC representatives last Wednesday, Vinh reasserted that Viet Nam made no subsidies to its plastics industry and rejected all accusations of the US plaintiffs.

The dumping claims were "completely unreasonable", Vinh said, stressing that Viet Nam has been fully carrying out its duties and commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and observing WTO rules, including those on subsidies.

If the DOC decided to proceed with the dumping investigation, Vinh said his ministry would make every effort to protect the legitimate interests of Vietnamese companies, in line with international trade standards and WTO rules.

The US Department of Commerce (DOC) also had duties to ensure equality and fairness for Vietnamese businesses in trade disputes, said Vinh.

As the US government does not acknowledge that Viet Nam has a market economy, the US companies’ complaints were also contrary to the US policy not to impose countervailing duties on non-market economies, he added.

The plaintiffs’ petition alleges an anti-dumping margin for Vietnamese bags ranging from 30.74 to 75.13 per cent. For Taiwan, it allegedly fluctuated from 73.94 to 100.33 per cent, and for Indonesia, from 37.45 to 50.9 per cent. — VNS

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn