Saccharin from China - USITC

Table II-5Saccharin: Interchangeability of product from the United States and subject and nonsubjectsources 1U.S. producers U.S. importers PurchasersCountry comparisonA F S N A F S N A F S NU.S. vs. China *** *** *** *** 5 2 2 0 6 2 1 1U.S. vs. nonsubject *** *** *** *** 2 3 1 0 5 2 1 1China vs. nonsubject *** *** *** *** 2 3 1 1 4 2 1 11 Producers, importers, and purchasers were asked if saccharin produced in the United States and in other countries is usedinterchangeably.Note: “A” = Always, “F” = Frequently, “S” = Sometimes, and “N” = Never.Source: Compiled from data submitted in response to Commission questionnaires.meaningful production of saccharin in the United States since that year. This purchaser also stated thatthe largest Chinese producer, Shanghai Fortune, makes saccharin that meets its specifications. It statedthat there are other smaller Chinese producers that are now subject to very high antidumping duties thatmay have more trouble in meeting its specifications.In addition to questions concerning interchangeability, producers and importers were also askedto compare U.S.-produced products with imports from China and nonsubject imports in terms of productdifferences other than price such as quality, availability, product range, and other characteristics, as afactor in their sales of saccharin (table II-6). PMC reported that product differences are *** whencomparing the U.S.-produced product with imports from China, while the majority of importers reportedthat the differences are frequently or sometimes important. One importer reported that the quality of theKorean product is superior to the quality of Chinese saccharin. Another importer reported that ShanghaiFortune and PMC produce the purest and highest quality material.Table II-6Saccharin: U.S. producers’ and importers’ perceived importance of factors other than price insales of products produced in the United States and in other countries 1Country comparisonA F S N A F S NU.S. vs. China *** *** *** *** 0 1 4 3U.S. vs. nonsubject *** *** *** *** 0 2 2 1China vs. nonsubject *** *** *** *** 1 3 1 11 Producers, importers, and purchasers were asked if differences other than price between saccharin producedin the United States and in other countries are a significant factor in their firms’ sales of saccharin.II-6U.S. producersNote: “A” = Always, “F” = Frequently, “S” = Sometimes, “N” = Never, and “0” = No familiarity.Source: Compiled from data submitted in response to Commission questionnaires.U.S. importersPurchasers also were asked to compare U.S.-produced saccharin and imported saccharin fromChina and nonsubject imports in 15 selected characteristics listed in table II-7, noting whether thedomestic product was superior, comparable, or inferior to the imports. Four purchasers providedcomparisons for the selected categories with respect to China. For this limited response, the U.S. productwas rated inferior to imports from China in terms of price (i.e., higher price). For all other categories,there was no clear-cut advantage for either the United States or China. In the comparisons between theU.S. product and nonsubject imports, the United States product was rated inferior with regard to price.For all other categories, a majority of purchasers rated the products comparable.