Trade Commission Finds Import Washers Hurting U.S. Industry Feb 13, 2012

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The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) determined on Friday that U.S. appliance industry is being hurt by imports of washing machines from South Korea and Mexico. The USITC voted to continue the investigation into the case, which came about after Whirlpool Corp. filed an anti-dumping petition ion December 30, 2011. The Whirlpool complain accused Korean appliance makers Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics of dumping their appliances on the U.S. market from plants in Korea and Mexico.

The USITC ruled on Feb. 10, 2012, that the appliance industry in the United States is "materially injured" by imports of washers from Korea that are allegedly subsidized and washers from Korea and Mexico that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Samsung issued a statement saying it was "disappointed" in the determination by the USITC.

"As demonstrated by Whirlpool's recent announcement of higher earnings and its continued dominant market share, we disagree that there is any material injury to the domestic washer industry," the Samsung statement said.

The U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to investigate and expects to issue a preliminary countervailing duty determination on Korea in late March 24 and a preliminary antidumping duty determination on Korea and Mexico due in June.

Samsung said it will cooperate with the ongoing investigation and believes it will determine that Samsung does comply with U.S. trade laws.

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