Southern West Virginia News

Congresswoman Carol Miller, alongside Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin, have expressed concerns over a recent decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce. They addressed their apprehensions in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo regarding changes in the calculation of antidumping duty rates on chlorinated isocyanurates (isos), which could affect manufacturers in West Virginia.

The lawmakers are particularly concerned about Solenis, a producer of chlorinated isos based in South Charleston, West Virginia. The company employs over 100 workers whose jobs might be at risk due to this change.

The issue stems from Commerce's preliminary determination issued on July 9, 2024, which proposes an over 80% reduction in antidumping duty rates on isos from China. This proposal replaces Mexico with Romania as the surrogate country for calculating dumping margins.

"We are writing to express our concern over a preliminary determination by the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) that threatens the future of domestic manufacturers in our state and across the nation," said Miller and her colleagues in their letter.

Mexico has traditionally been used as the surrogate country because it produces a product similar to chlorinated isos. However, Romania does not produce these chemicals but rather bleach, which differs significantly from chlorinated isos despite both being chlorine-based disinfectants.

"Romania does not produce chlorinated isos but rather bleach," noted the lawmakers while explaining why they believe Romania is unsuitable for this role compared to Mexico.

They further highlighted that using Romania could undermine American trade remedy laws and disadvantage U.S. manufacturers by allowing Chinese products to flood the market at lower prices.

"In South Charleston, West Virginia, over 100 direct jobs at Solenis...are at stake," they warned about potential job losses if Commerce's decision remains unchanged.

The legislators urged Secretary Raimondo to reconsider using Romania as a surrogate country before finalizing any decisions: "We urge Commerce to carefully reconsider the surrogate country selection."

Their request aims at ensuring fair competition and protecting American industries from what they consider unfair trade practices by China: "Your leadership is critical to ensuring that the Department upholds its mission."

For two decades now, anti-dumping duties have been imposed on Chinese imports due to such practices. Traditionally calculated using Mexico as an example country for duty rates because it manufactures nearly identical products; however recently switched towards Romanian benchmarks without producing similar goods themselves resulting significant drop rate anticipated against competing firms located within states like WV facing economic repercussions thereafter potentially devastating impact seen nationwide affecting thousands others employed related sectors elsewhere domestically overall too consequently thereby urging reversal sought upon part officials involved reviewing case thoroughly reconsideration basis given current circumstances surrounding matter present situation encountered lately observed thus far analyzed accordingly deemed necessary action taken promptly ensure stability fairness maintained going forward foreseeable future ahead safeguarding interests concerned parties alike equally important factors considered comprehensively altogether altogether collectively 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