The letter dated November 27 was made public on December 3.”As the Department of Commerce continues its investigations, we urge them to properly assess the data and finalise robust duties on Indian ceramic tile imports,” said the letter co-signed by Representative Tim Burchet.”In order to solidify and stabilise domestic manufacturing, we must ensure American manufacturers have the upper hand in the market and prioritise their needs above all others,” it said.According to the letter, over the past decade, India’s tile sales in the US increased from 344,000 square feet in 2013 to approximately 405 million square feet by the end of 2023.In April 2024, US ceramic tile manufacturers sounded the alarm on Indian ceramic tile flooding the US market and requested the imposition of an antidumping and countervailing duty.The industry estimated reasonable tariffs between 408 per cent and 828 per cent would offset India’s ongoing unfair advantages.”However, Commerce’s preliminary determination in the anti-subsidy investigation failed to fully and adequately examine important issues, including natural gas subsidies and the undisclosed affiliations of Indian producers,” the letter said.”Meanwhile, domestic manufacturers continue struggling against cheaper imports, losing their market footprint.We trust the Department will devote sufficient attention to Indian dumping prior to its final determination,” it said.
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