ITC says turbine tower imports injure U.S. makers

   The U.S. International Trade Commission on Friday determined that domestic wind turbine tower manufacturers are “materially injured” by similar imports from China and Vietnam.
   The Commerce Department previously determined that these large utility-scale towers are subsidized by the Chinese government. It was also determined that both Chinese- and Vietnamese-made towers are sold in the United States at less than fair value, a dumping violation.
   ITC Chairman Irving A. Williamson and Commissioner Shara L. Aranoff found the domestic industry is materially injured, while Commissioner Dean A. Pinkert found the domestic industry is threatened with material injury. Commissioners Daniel R. Pearson, David S. Johanson, and Meredith Broadbent voted in the negative.
   As a result of the ITC’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of these products from China and an antidumping duty order on imports of these products from Vietnam.
   The U.S. government’s investigation was initiated by a petition from U.S. wind turbine tower makers Broadwind Towers, Manitowoc, Wis.; DMI Industries, Fargo, N.D.; Katana Summit, Columbus, Neb.; and Trinity Structural Towers, Dallas. According to the ITC, there are 13 U.S. producers of these towers, with plants in California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
   In 2011, imports of these towers from China and Vietnam were estimated at $265.9 million, and $155.9 million from other countries. Leading sources of these tower imports are located in Canada, China, Indonesia, South Korea, Mexico, and Vietnam.