US Department of Commerce has announced its affirmative final determination in the antidumping duty investigation of imports of graphite electrodes from China.

Mr Ronald K Lorentzen acting assistant secretary for import administration said that "Foreign exporters unfairly undercut their American competitors by dumping imports of graphite electrodes. The Department of Commerce is committed to aggressively enforcing America's trade remedy laws in order to help achieve a level playing field for American manufacturers and workers."

It may be noted that commerce determined that Chinese exporters sold small diameter graphite electrodes in the United States at less than normal value. Chinese mandatory respondents, Fushun Carbon Co Limited, Fangda Carbon New Material Co Limited, Beijing Fangda Carbon Tech Co Limited and Chengdu Rongguang Carbon Co Limited received a final dumping margin of 159.64%. In addition, 11 Chinese respondents qualified for a separate rate of 132.9%. All other Chinese exporters, including mandatory respondent Fushun Jinly Petrochemical Carbon Co Limited are subject to the China wide rate of 159.64%.

If the US International Trade Commission makes a final determination that imports of graphite electrodes from China materially injure, or threaten material injury to, the domestic industry, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order. The ITC is scheduled to issue its final determination on or before February 19th 2009.