Feds deny inquiry into paper 'dumping'
The U.S. Commerce Department has denied launching an investigation into whether China unfairly subsidizes coated paper it imports to the United States, disappointing papermakers here in Maine who say Chinese importers undercut the domestic paper market by selling the products for less than they cost to make.
The Commerce Department's International Trade Administration said in a release this week that allegations that China undervalues its currency in order to manipulate paper prices did not meet the standards for an investigation. The preliminary decision is in response to a petition filed last year by three U.S. paper companies -- NewPage Corp., Appleton Coated LLC and Sappi Fine Paper North America -- calling for tariffs to prevent "dumping," the practice of selling imported paper in the U.S. market for less than in its home country or less than the cost to manufacture it. The companies argued the practice hurt the domestic coated-paper industry and resulted in lost jobs.
Officials at Sappi Fine Paper, which operates mills in Skowhegan and Westbrook, told the Morning Sentinel they were disappointed with the department's decision. The Commerce Department must still issue a final ruling on the matter.
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