US defers China aluminum foil dumping decision

The US Department of Commerce has delayed its preliminary decision on an anti-dumping investigation of aluminum foil from China to provide more time to determine the market status of its economy. The department said in a statement that the deferral of the decision, previously slated for October 5, “will allow the Commerce Department to fully analyze information pertaining to China’s status as a non-market economy (NME) country, which is being contemplated within the context of this [anti-dumping] investigation.” Determination of non-market status would entail higher duties under the rules of the World Trade Organization, which China joined in 2001. But questions remain over how to interpret a clause stating that China would be granted market economy status in December 2016. The commerce department set a new deadline of November 30 for its preliminary determination on the investigation, “including a decision on China’s NME status.” A final determination will follow 75 days later, the Financial Times reports.