South Korea's trade watchdog on Thursday made a preliminary decision to impose up to 43.6 per cent anti-dumping tariffs on industrial robots from China and Japan after its initial investigation identified potential damage to the domestic industry.

Under the decision, the Korea Trade Commission (KTC) will recommend the Ministry of Economy and Finance to impose anti-dumping tariffs of between 21.17 and 43.6 percent on industrial robots with at least four axes imported from the two countries, according to its officials, reports Yonhap news agency.

The KTC said the decision was made to prevent damage by South Korean competitors while it conducts a formal investigation into the dumping allegations.

The commission launched the investigation into alleged dumping by the two Japanese firms -- Fanuc Corp. and Yaskawa Electric Corp. -- and the three Chinese producers -- Kuka Robotics Guangdong Co., ABB Engineering Shanghai Ltd. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. -- following a complaint filed by HD Hyundai Robotics, a robotics arm of manufacturing giant HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.

Separately, the commission made a preliminary decision to impose anti-dumping tariffs ranging between 11.92 and 19.43 percent on fiberboard imported from Thailand.

It also made a final decision to impose up to 33.97 percent anti-dumping tariffs on sodium dithionite imports from China and 15.18 percent tariffs on particleboard products from Thailand.

Source: Punjab News Express