The US International Trade Commission has found against bag imports

The US International Trade Commission has voted unanimously that the domestic industry has been damaged by carrier bags dumped by three Asian countries, securing the interim judgement imposed at the beginning of this year.

US Department of Commerce will impose duties ranging up to 77.33% for China, 101.74% for Malaysia and 122.88% for Thailand. In 2003 the US imported polyethylene retail carrier bags worth $183.8m (E148.9m) from China, $43.3m (E35.1m) from Thailand, and $6.9m (E5.6m) from Malaysia.

The ruling raised concerns that exports to the US would be diverted to other regions, including Europe. Packaging and Industrial Films Association chief executive Jim Pugh said: “A number of European manufacturers would like to see similar measures adopted.”

However, European bag makers are understood to be at an early stage in taking such action, as they are presently compiling data. “The situation is still under consideration by the industry to see if they have an appropriate case to put forward,” Pugh said.