US issues final anti-subsidy duties on biodiesel from Argentina, Indonesia

The US Department of Commerce on Thursday said it has determined final anti-subsidy duties on imports of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia.

For Argentina the rates are set at between 71.45% and 72.28%, which is higher than the range of 50.29% to 64.17% in the preliminary decision from August. For Indonesia the final rates are from 34.45% to 64.73%, compared to a preliminary range of 41.06% to 68.28%.

The final subsidy rates are in the table:

Commerce's final decision confirms its preliminary finding that biodiesel producers in Argentina and Indonesia benefit from unfair subsidies. The cash deposits collected from importers from the two countries will now be updated in line with the final determinations. Final countervailing duty orders will be issued only if the US International Trade Commission (ITC) makes affirmative final determinations that the imports injure the domestic industry.

The ITC's final determinations are expected on or about December 26.

Commerce launched anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations of biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia in April in response to a petition by the National Biodiesel Board and 15 domestic biodiesel producers. It is due to issue final anti-dumping determinations in early January. The preliminary rates, unveiled last month, vary from 54.36% to 70.05% for Argentina, while for Indonesia they have been set at 50.71%.

According to Commerce, biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia were worth an estimated USD 1.2 billion (EUR 1bn) and USD 268 million, respectively, in 2016.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.858)

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