WASHINGTON — A go or no-go decision by the federal government about taking action against China regarding possible illegal HFC-134a refrigerant coming into the United States has been set for Dec. 13.

That decision is in regards to a petition that has been filed with the U.S. Department of Commerce in which Louisiana-based Mexichem Fluor has asked the government to impose sanctions on the imports.

As part of the process, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will determine whether the U.S. industry is being materially injured or threatened with material injury. A preliminary determination in this regard is now set for Dec. 13. If it is ascertained that proceedings should continue, final determination may not come until October 2014.

“The massive Chinese overcapacity, Chinese government subsidies and Chinese underselling, combined with the U.S. industry’s need to operate at high utilization levels makes the domestic industry quite vulnerable to a real and imminent threat of injury,” said Mexichem in its petition.

Publication date: 12/2/2013

Want more HVAC industry news and information? Join The NEWS on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn today!