Supply Chain Research

The U.S. Commerce Department has determined that imports of silicon metal from four countries including Brazil had been dumped at rates of up to 135%. Duties are due by April 20, and had been delayed possibly due to the ongoing section 232 review of aluminum (a downstream user of silicon metal). The case also illustrates two common facets of trade flows during such cases. Imports had increased by 6% in the fourth quarter vs. the first as shipments are maintained to “beat the tariffs”. Second is that the costs for consumers have increased, by 13% over the same period, representing a risk ...