To: From: Sent: Subject:
Jackson, Ryan[jackson.ryan@epa.gov] POLITICO Pro Tue 12/5/2017 3:15:52 PM ITC imposes duties on biodiesel imports from Argentina, Indonesia
By Doug Palmer
12/05/2017 10:12 AM EDT
The U.S. International Trade Commission today approved hefty double-digit duties on imports of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia, opening the door for a possible World Trade Organization challenge against the United States.
The trade panel voted 4-0 there was enough evidence of injury to U.S. producers to justify the restrictions.
The move clears the way for the Commerce Department to issue final countervailing duties in the range of 72 percent on imports from Argentina and 35 percent to 65 percent on imports from Indonesia.
Importers have already been required to post cash deposits based on those rates.
Biodiesel is made from a diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, and can be used in existing diesel engines without modification, according to the National Biodiesel Board, which brought the case along with 15 domestic producers.
Argentina exported about $1.2 billion worth of the energy product to the United States last year and Indonesia exported about $268 billion.
That was a combined increase of 464 percent from 2014 levels, taking 18.3 percentage points of market share from U.S. manufacturers, the biodiesel board said.
Argentina President Mauricio Macri told Reuters last month that Argentina would challenge the duties at the WTO if the Trump administration went through with the measures.
Argentina had hoped to settle the dispute by negotiating a minimum price for its exports, but no agreement was reached before the Commerce Department announced it final countervailing duty determinations last month.
Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita has also threatened to challenge the duties either through the U.S. court system or at the WTO.
To view online'. https://www.politicopro.com/agriculture/whiteboard/2017/12/itc-imposes-duties-on-biodieselimports-from-argentina-indonesia-195694
Was this Pro content helpful? Tell us what you think in one click.
Sierra Club v. EPA, 1:17-cv-01906
ED_001523_00000007-00001
Yes, very
Somewhat
Neutral
Not really
Not at all
You received this POLITICO Pro content because your customized settings include:
Energy: Renewables. To change your alert settings, please go to
https://www.politicopro.com/settings
This email was sent to jacksoii.ryan@epa.gov by: POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA
Sierra Club v. EPA, 1:17-cv-01906
ED_001523_00000007-00002