Washington, Nov 25: The US government has slapped dumping duties on colour televisions from China and Malaysia, saying makers in those countries were selling at less than fair market value. The case, the latest in a series of trade skirmishes with China, stemmed from a complaint by a Tennessee manufacturer of colour televisions and two labour unions.
The preliminary ruling by the Commerce Department imposes duties of 27.9 to 45.9 percent on Chinese-made televisions to offset the effects of "dumping" or selling at below cost or below market value.
For Malaysia, the duties were set at a symbolic 0.03 percent.
The agency is scheduled to make its final determinations in April 2004, which would be reviewed by the quasi-judicial international trade commission by may.
In the case of China, the department found "critical circumstances," which means duties may be assessed retroactively on goods imported up to 90 days prior to the preliminary determination.
Bureau Report