The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) recently announced antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations on imports of the refrigerant 134a from China, according to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).

As reported earlier, the International Trade Commission (ITC) announced in October that it would investigate whether these imports pose a threat of material injury to U.S. industry.

Dumping and subsidy investigations are conducted by both the DOC (determination of dumping or illegal subsidization) and the ITC (determination of injury or threat of injury to the domestic industry).

The ITC is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determination by Dec. 13. If it preliminarily determines that the imports do pose a material threat to domestic industry, Commerce’s investigations will continue. AAIA is monitoring this case closely and has been in contact with members who may be impacted.