The U.S. International Trade Administration has received requests from the petitioners to delay determinations on two dumping cases where there are accusations of state subsidies. Both cases have already deterred imports of the products concerned. They may therefore represent an effort to take advantage of (likely) more hawkish stance to be taken by the administration of President Donald Trump after broader trade reviews are completed.

In the first the deadline for determinations of countervailing duty determinations on exports of steel wire rod from Italy and Turkey have been delayed to August 25 from June 21. That will put the decision beyond the completion of the “section 232” review of the steel industry, as outlined in Panjiva research of May 25.

Panjiva data shows that U.S. imports of the products from the countries being investigated have fallen 67.8% in April after rising 24.5% on a year earlier in March. Unfortunately exports from other countries not being investigated have continued to climb.

Chart segments U.S. imports of products cited in ITC case between the 10 countries being newly investigated and others Source: Panjiva

In the second imports of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia were due for a decision on June 16 but will now be determined by August 21. U.S. imports in April fell 28.2% in total, with shipments from Argentina rising just 3% (after 1615 in March) while those from Indonesia fell to zero.

Chart shows U.S. imports of B-100 and B-99 biodiesel segmented by country of origin. Right hand axis shows trailing 12 month total Source: Panjiva