China Diamond Sawblades: Commerce Begins Anti-Circumvention Inquiry on Thai Sawblades From Diamond Tools

The Commerce Department is beginning an anti-circumvention inquiry based on allegations that Diamond Tools and its affiliates are importing diamond sawblades of Chinese origin that have undergone minor processing in Thailand and declaring them not subject to antidumping duties, in circumvention of the antidumping duty order of diamond sawblades from China (A-570-900). The Diamond Sawblades Manufacturers' Coalition alleges Diamond Tools is importing cores and segments made in China into Thailand, then joining them in a minor welding operation before exporting them to the U.S. CBP recently found a “reasonable suspicion” that the same sawblades are evading AD duties in an ongoing Enforce and Protect Act investigation (see 1709250035). If Commerce finds circumvention in its preliminary results, it will impose cash deposits under the AD duty order on diamond sawblades from China on Bosun Tools Co., Ltd., Hebei Jikai Group and Wuhan Wanbang Laser Diamond Tools Co., Ltd. Commerce said it could expand to other Thai companies as well. The agency intends to issue the final results of this inquiry by October 2018.