The decision, which was 5-0 in favour of scrapping the 74% duties, effectively means the ITC has ruled that the US domestic plywood manufacturing sector has suffered no material injury as a result of imports from China.
The decision has been welcomed by the Virginia-based International Wood Products Association (IWPA).
“This vote benefits not only American importers, but also the tens of thousands of US jobs that depend on the use of Chinese hardwood plywood,” it said.
“Manufacturers around the country use Chinese hardwood plywood in everything from flooring to RVs (caravans) to kitchen cabinets. IWPA is relieved that onerous and unnecessary duties will not punish these industries.”
IWPA gave credit to the American Alliance for Hardwood Plywood, which has led industry efforts in opposition to the duties.