Chinese firms are retaliating against the US Department of Commerce's final determination in its anti-dumping investigation into wooden bedroom furniture from China. Fifteen firms in Zhongshan, a city in south China's Guangdong, and other firms within the same province have launched a lawsuit of their own, to fight the ruling.  

In June of this year, the US Department of Commerce announced its preliminary ruling with plans to impose 4.9 to 198 percent tariffs on China's furniture exports. Only 100 Chinese firms participated in the US investigation, in response to the charges. And earlier this month, the US Department of Commerce issued its final determination, levying duties of 8.6 percent on most firms who took part in the investigation. Meanwhile for the firms who did not respond, they will suffer a 198 percent tariff.

 

Zhongshan Fengheng Furniture Co. is one that did not respond, claiming ignorance to world trade rules.

 

Li Weiliang, general manager of the company, said, "This year we plan to sell 30 to 40 percent more furniture to the US market than last year. But because of anti-dumping dispute and tariffs imposed, we have to lower our exports. "

 

But 15 firms in Zhongshan and 50 firms from both Shenzhen and Dongguan are fighting back. They have jointly launched a lawsuit claiming no damages were inflicted on the US domestic industry.

 

The final decision will come from the US International Trade Commission on December 23.

 

(CCTV.com November 21, 2004)