Determining that the wheels are being dumped, or sold at less than normal value, in the U.S., the Commerce Department plans to impose duties of up to 193.54% on the imports. Citing unfair government subsidies, countervailing duties of up to 38.32% were also set on the wheels, typically used on commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses.
Before either duty can take effect, the International Trade Commission would have to find that U.S. producers are being harmed by the imports, with a decision expected April 30.
U.S. wheel makers Accuride Corp. (ACW) and Hayes Lemmerz International Inc. (HAYL) filed for relief in 2011, after imports of steel wheels grew by a third the previous year. The imports rose to $84.2 million last year from $80.4 million in 2010.
Product Model | Inside Diameter | Outside Diameter | Thickness |
33275/33462 NACHI | 69.85 | 117.475 | 30.163 |
29675/29620 NACHI | 69.85 | 112.712 | 25.4 |