Officially, it’s considered an Antidumping and Countervailing Duty imposed in response to China’s unfair trade practices and pertains specifically to quartz surface products. That said, you are probably more interested in the implications to your business rather than the technical definition. But, it helps to understand why the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has proposed these duties as well as wide-ranging tariffs on Chinese goods—including quartz surface products.
For the duties, USITC was tasked to determine whether imports of the subject merchandise (quartz surface products) from China materially injure, or threaten material injury to, a U.S. industry. This inquiry began on April 17, 2018 when USITC received antidumping duty and countervailing duty petitions concerning imports of certain quartz surface products on behalf of Cambria Company LLC. A determination on the countervailing duty is expected no later than September 14, 2018 and the antidumping duty should be decided by September 24, 2018. The case has been thoroughly documented and can be easily accessed at: https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/quartz_surface_products_china/preliminary.htm. The proposed tariffs are in response to China’s practices regarding technology and intellectual property.
To be clear, the tariffs and duties are separate issues. The proposed Antidumping and Countervailing Duty applies only to quartz surface products. The proposed tariffs are on a wide range of Chinese goods, including quartz. The impact, in other words, is compounded—duties of up to 500% with tariffs of 10% to 25% on top of the duties.
So, what can you expect if these measures are initiated? Simply, don’t expect your suppliers to absorb the expense—they will undoubtedly pass any duties and tariffs along to you. The best defense you have to manage this situation is to keep informed. Check the USITC site often and speak with your vendors about their plans for price adjustments and alternative products. There are also publications, like Stone Update, that are following the story closely. You can access their string of stories on the countervailing and antidumping duties on their website: http://www.stoneupdate.com
For more information or to learn more about how the Grabinski Group can help you with your next hospitality, senior living or student housing project, please contact us.
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