China hints at extending duties on S. Korean rubber chemical

BEIJING, March 11 (Yonhap) -- China has advised its domestic companies to file applications for a renewal of anti-dumping investigation into a type of synthetic rubber imported from South Korea, Japan and Russia, a step that could lead to extension of five-year duties against the rubber chemical.

Unless no applications were received for 60 days from March 7, the anti-dumping duties against styrene-butadiene rubber imported from the three nations would be terminated on Sept. 8 this year, China's commerce ministry said in a statement.

China has levied anti-dumping duties on the rubber chemical, a material used for producing tires and a range of consumer goods, imported from the three nations since Sept. 7, 2009.

After reviewing the situation of the domestic industry over the past five years, the Chinese ministry said, "The termination of anti-dumping duties is likely to lead to continuation of dumping and harm to the industry or an extension of the anti-dumping duties."

If the Chinese ministry does not receive any applications to review the scheduled expiration of the anti-dumping duties, "The anti-dumping measures will be suspended from Sept. 8, 2014," the statement said.

Source: Yonhap