US Imposes Anti-Dumping Duty Up to 44% on Synthetic Rubber from Korea

The United States will begin collecting anti-dumping duties on a common synthetic rubber product imported from Brazil, Korea, Mexico and Poland, Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced in a press release on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Following an anti-dumping investigation, the Commerce Department set duties on imports from Brazil at 19.61 percent, Mexico19.52 at percent and Poland at 25.43 percent, and duties ranging from 9.66-44.30 percent on imports from South Korea.

"The Commerce Department will instruct Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from importers of emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber from Brazil, Korea, Mexico, and Poland based on these final rates," the release stated.

Emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber is widely used in car and truck tires.

US anti-dumping laws penalize nations that sell products at less than the cost of production. Ross said in the release the new measures would protect US companies and workers by assuring that trade remains free but fair.

The release explained that anti-dumping investigations have increased 40 percent since President Donald Trump took office, following a campaign that featured frequent pledges to enforce trade laws that protect US manufacturers.