House, Senate countervailing duty bills praised

   The U.S. House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees last week introduced legislation clarifying the Commerce Department’s ability to apply countervailing duties (CVDs) on subsidized imports from non-market economies, including China.
   The legislation was praised by the Obama administration.
   “This bill would ensure the 24 existing CVD orders on imports from China and Vietnam remain in place and that ongoing CVD investigations involving imports from these countries can continue,” said Commerce Secretary John Bryson, in statement. “If Congress does not take up this bill, the Commerce Department may lose a critical tool to level the playing field for American workers and companies in the future.”
   “This has been a major focus and priority for the Obama Administration, which has been working closely with Congress to produce this legislation as quickly as possible,” added U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. 
   In December 2011, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit found, in GPX vs. United States, that U.S. law prohibits the Commerce Department from applying CVDs to non-market economies, including China. “This legislation overturns that deeply flawed decision,” Commerce and USTR said.