U.S. Silicon Metal Producers Seek Trade Protection Against Foreign Imports
TL;DR
Ferroglobe and Mississippi Silicon LLC seek investigations into unfairly traded silicon metal imports, ensuring fair competition and protecting American industry's viability.
Detailed petitions filed with Commerce and ITC allege dumping and subsidies, outlining steps to investigate and potential imposition of special duties on imports.
Enforcing trade laws against unfairly traded imports from multiple countries protects U.S. industry, workers, and promotes fair competition, safeguarding domestic production.
Silicon metal, critical for national security-related products, faces unfair trade practices, invoking trade laws to maintain industry viability and ensure fair competition in the market.
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Two leading U.S. silicon metal producers, Ferroglobe USA, Inc. and Mississippi Silicon LLC, have filed comprehensive trade petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission challenging imports from Angola, Australia, Laos, Norway, and Thailand.
The petitions allege these countries are selling silicon metal at artificially low prices and receiving substantial government subsidies, causing material harm to American manufacturers. The companies claim dumping margins as high as 337.84% and argue these practices threaten domestic production of a critical material used in national security-related industries.
Silicon metal, a highly refined material containing at least 85% silicon, is essential in manufacturing aluminum, silicones, polysilicon, and components for semiconductor, solar, and electronics sectors. The producers argue that these unfairly traded imports are undercutting U.S. industry, reducing domestic production volumes and pricing.
The trade investigation process will formally begin with Commerce initiating antidumping and countervailing duty investigations by May 14, 2025, with a preliminary International Trade Commission determination expected by June 9, 2025.
Marco Levi, CEO of Ferroglobe PLC, emphasized the importance of addressing these trade practices, stating that dumped and subsidized imports are undermining the U.S. industry and its workforce. Eddie Boardwine, CEO of Mississippi Silicon, echoed this sentiment, asserting that while American producers can compete globally, the current import practices are unsustainable.
The petitions cover all silicon metal forms containing between 85.00% and 99.99% silicon, with less than 4.00% iron by weight. If successful, the action could result in special duties on imports, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape for silicon metal in the United States.
Curated from News Direct
