US President Joe Biden rejects tariff quota on fine-denier PSF imports

Biden announced an import quota only on imports of fine-denier PSF under the temporary importation under bond (TIB) programme which is predominately used in woven textiles and apparel and is not expected to impact nonwovens.

He opted not to implement a tariff rate quote or other measures that were recommended by the US International Trade Commission citing that other industries, including nonwoven manufacturers, would be negatively impacted by such actions, INDA said in a press release.

“While the USITC Commissioners recommended that I impose a tariff-rate quota on fine denier PSF imports, I have determined not to do so… therefore, I have decided to tailor this safeguard remedy to TIB entries of fine denier PSF. Furthermore, I have determined not to impose a tariff-rate quota on imports of fine denier PSF in the interest of balancing the competing interests of domestic fine denier PSF manufacturers and the impact of the safeguard remedy on downstream United States producers, including manufacturers of textiles, defense products, and consumer products that rely on fine denier PSF,” said President Biden.

This decision comes after several US-based nonwovens producers commented to the White House Trade Policy Staff Committee and the USITC that the nonwovens industry would be harmed by actions that would raise the costs of fine-denier PSF. INDA submitted comments outlining the concerns of many nonwovens producers. Government affairs director Wes Fisher testified before the Trade Policy Staff Committee at the Office of the US Trade Representative hearing on September 30.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)