[ferro-alloys.com]Globe Specialty Metals and Mississippi Silicon have petitioned the US Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission to impose duties on silicon metal imports from four countries, alleging that producers in the countries have sold dumped and unfairly subsidized silicon metal in the US, according to a joint statement released by the companies June 30.

"Over the past three years, unfairly priced and subsidized imports have harmed American producers and taken jobs away from hard-working Americans," Ferroglobe CEO Marco Levi said. Ferroglobe is the parent company of Globe. "This is precisely what the ITC found in May when it continued anti-dumping duties on silicon metal imports from Russia," he added.

In May, the ITC voted to maintain an existing antidumping duty order on imports of silicon from Russia.

The current antidumping and countervailing duty petitions target producers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Malaysia and Kazakhstan.

Globe and Mississippi Silicon said the duties on producers from these countries have been requested to provide relief from subsidized silicon imports that have been dumped in the US at margins ranging from 54% to 85%.

"Our companies can compete with anyone in the world, as long as we're all playing by the same rules," Mississippi Silicon Chief Operations Officer Eddie Boardwine said. "Fortunately, our trade laws are set up to support fair trade. On behalf of our employees, customers, and colleagues, we look forward to seeing those laws enforced and those who violate our laws held accountable."

Commerce will initiate antidumping and countervailing duty investigations by July 20, with a subsequent preliminary ITC determination expected by Aug. 14.

(S&P Global Platts)

• [Editor:王可]