New AD/CVD Petitions Against Active Anode Material from China
On December 17, 2024, new antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions were filed against imports of active anode material from China. Active anode material is the primary component in the anode of lithium-ion batteries used to power electric vehicles, consumer electronics, medical equipment and other applications.
The petition was filed by the American Active Anode Material Producers (“AAMP”), consisting of five U.S. producers. The AAMP describe themselves as a nascent domestic industry and allege that Chinese imports have inhibited the establishment of U.S. production by the fledgling U.S. industry. Only a small handful of U.S. trade remedy cases have invoked the material retardation trade law provision that was intended to protect a domestic industry that has not yet been established.
In this case, it is questionable whether the imposition of AD/ CVD duties on active anode materials will actually help the U.S. active anode industry become commercially viable. China is so dominant not only as battery producers, but also for most of the major inputs (lithium, electrolytes, separators, cathodes, anodes) used to produce batteries. China is the only import source for active anode material. Imposing AD/CVD duties at one stage of the production process for lithium-ion batteries may help one U.S. industry (e.g., U.S. active anode producers), but at the same time, cause significant harm for downstream U.S. producers (e.g., U.S. companies like Ford, GM and Tesla that produce batteries for their electric vehicles) who rely on those Chinese inputs that are not available from any other sources but now may have to pay significantly higher prices because of the AD/CVD duties.
Estas investigaciones sobre medidas antidumping y compensatorias serán llevadas a cabo por dos organismos federales. La Comisión de Comercio Internacional («ITC») investigará si las importaciones en cuestión han obstaculizado de manera significativa el establecimiento de la industria nacional. El Departamento de Comercio de los Estados Unidos («DOC») investigará si las importaciones en cuestión se están vendiendo en los Estados Unidos a un precio inferior al valor justo («dumping») o si se benefician de subvenciones gubernamentales desleales. Ambas agencias deben llegar a conclusiones afirmativas sobre el retraso sustancial (ITC) o sobre el dumping o las subvenciones (DOC) para que se puedan imponer derechos antidumping y de compensación a las importaciones en cuestión.
Ámbito de aplicación
The petition included the following proposed scope definition:
Active anode material, whether synthetic, natural, or a blend of synthetic or natural; with or without coating; regardless of whether in powder, dry, liquid, or any other form. Subject merchandise typically has a maximum size of 80 microns. Subject merchandise has an energy density of 330 milliamp hours per gram or greater and a degree of graphitization of 80% or greater. Subject merchandise can be referred to as “active anode material.”
Subject merchandise is covered regardless of whether it is mixed with silicon based active materials, e.g., silicon-oxide (SiOx), silicon-carbon (SiC), or silicon, or additives such as carbon black or carbon nanotubes. Subject merchandise is covered regardless of the combination of compounds that comprise the graphite material; the graphite contained in the subject merchandise has a minimum purity content of 90% carbon. Subject merchandise is covered regardless of whether it is imported independently, as part of a compound, in a battery, as a component of an anode slurry, or in a subassembly of a battery such as an electrode. Only the anode grade graphite material is covered when entered as part of a mixture with silicon based active materials, as part of a compound, in a battery, as a component of an anode slurry, or in a subassembly of a battery such as an electrode.
Active anode material subject to the investigations may be classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings 2504.10.5000 and 3801.10.5000. Subject merchandise may also enter under HTSUS subheading 3801.90.0000. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of the investigations is dispositive.
Presuntos márgenes de derechos antidumping y compensatorios
Petitioner calculated an estimated dumping margins ranging from 828% to 921%.
El solicitante no presentó ningún cálculo concreto del margen de subvención.
Exportadores/productores designados
El solicitante ha incluido una lista de empresas que, en su opinión, son productoras y exportadoras de la mercancía en cuestión. Véase la lista de exportadores adjunta aquí.
Importadores estadounidenses designados
El solicitante ha incluido una lista de empresas que, en su opinión, son importadoras estadounidenses de la mercancía en cuestión. Véase aquí la lista adjunta de importadores.
Calendario previsto de las investigaciones
December 17, 2024 – Petitions filed
January 6, 2025 – DOC initiates investigation
January 8, 2025 – ITC Staff Conference
January 31, 2025 – ITC preliminary determination
May 16, 2025 – DOC CVD preliminary determination (assuming extended deadline) (3/12/25 – unextended)
July 15, 2025 – DOC AD preliminary determination (assuming extended deadline)
(5/26/25 – unextended)
November 27, 2025 – DOC AD/CVD final determinations (extended)
January 11, 2026 – ITC final determination (extended)
January 18, 2026 – DOC AD/CVD orders issued (extended)
