Commerce Department Finds No Evidence Of Vietnamese Apparel Dumping

By James A. Morrissey, Washington Correspondent

After analyzing trade data for the first six months of this year, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) has concluded there is no basis at this time to warrant self-initiation of an anti-dumping investigation. The Vietnam import monitoring program was created in 2006 when Congress was considering granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam, a necessary step toward Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organization. Sens. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., blocked the legislation until the administration could come up with a plan to protect US textile interests.

Under the program, the DOC examined import and price data for five particularly sensitive textile product categories — trousers, shirts, underwear, swimwear and sweaters — from January through July 2007. Value of the imports was compared to imports from several comparable countries. The DOC said it will continue to monitor imports in the selected product categories during the next six month review period that will begin in March 2008 after receipt of the January 2008 data. Data will be published on the department’s website, www.commerce.gov.

While importers of textiles and apparel welcomed the conclusion that there is no present need to initiate anti-dumping proceedings, Laura Jones, executive director of the US Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel, called for cancellation of the monitoring program, calling it “ both unjustified and unfair.” Importers contend that the very existence of the monitoring program has had a chilling effect on trade in textiles and apparel with Vietnam and that it results in fewer choices and higher prices.

Unless the program is cancelled, and that is not likely, it will run until Jan. 19, 2009, when President George W. Bush leaves office.

October 30, 2007