Posted on 06/19/2004 8:30:52 PM PDT by take
Chinese exporters of furniture face tariffs from U.S.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Commerce Department slapped tariffs of as much as 198 percent on imported bedroom furniture from China, a decision that could cut the $1 billion a year of those imports and may raise prices for consumers.
Most of the largest exporters of furniture, representing 80 percent of U.S. imports, will pay tariffs of 24 percent or less, with 82 of the companies paying an 11 percent tariff, according to the Commerce Department.
"The duties could have been a whole lot worse," Mike Veitenheimer, a vice president for furniture retailer Bombay Co., which opposed the duties, said in an interview. Still, the thousands of companies not singled out will pay the 198 percent, and they "are going to be put out of business."
The tariffs begin next week. Yesterday's decision is preliminary and there are still two more rulings needed to formalize the tax, which would last for five years or more.
"The illegal dumping by the Chinese has devastated the U.S. bedroom industry," said John Bassett, chief executive of Vaughan-Bassett Furniture.
Since President Bush took office three years ago, some 35,000 wood-furniture workers, or 28 percent of the work force, have lost their jobs, the U.S. companies say.
Opponents of the protection, including nearly half the U.S. furniture industry, say that the tariffs won't restore U.S. workers' jobs, although they might help shift production from China to Vietnam or other Asian nations.
The Bush administration said that yesterday's ruling shows that it's cracking down on trade it labels illegal.
"We've had a lot of Chinese cases and we expect to have more," said James Jochum, assistant secretary of commerce for import administration.
China has denied unfairly selling its goods.
"We sold furniture to the U.S. based on fair market practices," Cao Yingchao, secretary general of China National Furniture Association in Beijing, said before the decision. "We deny any charge that we sold our wooden furniture in the U.S. at below cost."
He said he would urge Chinese producers to appeal.
Bedroom-furniture imports from China increased 121 percent from 2000 to 2002, and another 54 percent in the first six months of last year from 2002. Furniture makers such as Bassett, Stanley and Hooker Furniture say that increase threatens to put them out of business.
Imports of furniture from China and other low-wage countries rose to 33 percent in 2001 from 1 percent in 1972, according to a study by Andrew Bernard, an economist at Dartmouth University. They are likely to increase to 57 percent by 2011, he said.
this tell us that the internal polls show the race is close in north carolina, and with Edwards as the likely VP, Bush needs to do something - he cannot win without NC.
China for "violating just about every agreement they've ever signed."
N.C furniture industry is now China
Did someone said Ohio JOBS JOBS JOBS
Last year when we got transferred to Guam from Japan we needed to replace our bedroom set. All the NEX had was furniture from China. I just figured it was because of the shipping distances. I didn't realize the ChiComs have been allowed to corner another market. Semper Fidelis.
Aw so, look like we going to back into chopstick business Whang.
It's about time.
It is not 'illegal' in a free market economy. Tariffs don't work. Leftist barf alert.
Tariffs DO WORK
Well it's a start. The Free Traitors are probably going nuts. Good. At least some American jobs will be saved.
I have seen it go from 99% American to 95% china
I didn't realize the ChiComs have been allowed to corner another market. Semper Fidelis.
They're cornering all US industry, thanks to the Free Traitor politicians. I'll be voting accordingly.
Watching India overtaking China
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1156695/posts?page=24
China is a government not a business.
No way
Affirmative action hits India Inc http://atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FF18Df02.html
No it won't. The retail prices charged in the U.S. hardly reflect the difference in cost between U.S. goods and Chinese. There's a small difference, just enough to undercut the U.S. goods. Why should they pass on the savings? They know people will buy just because they save 5%. They pocket the difference, and it's a big difference. The dumping isn't showing up in furniture store showrooms - it's on the bills to the wholesalers, who are cleaning up.
Shanghai group aims to keep US in check
http://atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/FF19Ag01.html
They don't, ask Bush why the steel tariffs were rescinded. They cost jobs in the long run. Tariffs represent protectionism, ask Gephart if you don't believe me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.