According to US government official data, China leads in the export of fine denier polyester staple fibre to the United States, followed by India, South Korea, and Taiwan. Reliance Industries Limited and Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Company Limited are the two Indian companies primarily responsible for exporting fine denier polyester staple fibre to the US.

New Delhi (ABC Live); On March 8, 2024, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) initiated a global safeguard investigation into fine denier polyester staple fiber under Article 12.1(a) of the WTO Agreement on Safeguards.

This investigation, launched on February 28, 2024, arose from a petition by U.S. polyester staple fiber producers, including Fiber Industries LLC operating as Darling Fibers, Nan Ya Plastics Corp, America, and Sun Fiber LLC. The petition contends that the surge in imports of polyester staple fibre from countries with significant exports to the U.S. market has caused severe harm and disrupted domestic production.

According to USITC data spanning 2021-2023, exports of the scrutinized product from Vietnam to the United States remained approximately $5.9 million, with $5.2 million in 2023 alone. Vietnam ranked eighth among exporting nations, representing 3% of the total U.S. import market share.

In 2017, the United States initiated anti-dumping investigations against fine denier polyester staple fibre from South Korea, India, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, alongside countervailing duty investigations against China and India. Vietnam was subsequently exempted from the investigation at the petitioner's request.

Currently, South Korea, India, China, and Taiwan remain subject to anti-dumping/countervailing duties. Nevertheless, Vietnam's previous exemption does not grant immunity from involvement in dumping/subsidy practices in this global safeguard investigation.

The USITC characterizes this investigation as "extremely complex" and aims to reach an injury determination by July 9, 2024. A report mandated under section 202(f) of the Trade Act will be submitted to the President within 180 days from the filing date, anticipated by August 26, 2024.

Interested parties have a 21-day window from the issuance date of the notice to register for participation and access case information. The USITC plans to conduct one injury hearing and one remedy hearing.

For the injury hearing (scheduled for June 4, 2024), the registration deadline is May 24, 2024, with injury comments due by May 28, 2024.

For the remedy hearing (scheduled for July 23, 2024), the registration deadline is July 17, 2024, with remedy comments due by July 16, 2024.

Even without registration, parties may submit injury comments by June 11, 2024, and remedy comments by July 29, 2024.

The USITC anticipates issuing injury determinations on July 9, 2024, and presenting a report to the President for consideration, with a decision expected within 180 days from the filing date, by August 26, 2024.

According to US government official data, China leads in the export of fine denier polyester staple fibre to the United States, followed by India, South Korea, and Taiwan. Reliance Industries Limited and Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Company Limited are the two Indian companies primarily responsible for exporting fine denier polyester staple fibre to the US.