US ups Chinese tyre import tariffs

On Friday 12 June, the US Department of Commerce (Commerce) gave its final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations relating to the importation of Chinese produced passenger vehicle and light truck tyres. While many analysts and observers had expected the tariff percentages to be reduced – based on previous experience of similar cases – in fact they were increased. In some cases the combined anti-dumping and countervailing duties are north of 188 per cent. While this is at the top end of the range, and notwithstanding one or two exceptions, most tyre companies manufacturer in China or importing Chinese tyres into the US, will now have to pay significantly more than was first thought.