The US government has given approval to duties on imports of a Chinese specialty fabric that allegedly was dumped into the US market, undercutting American-made products at places such as Auburn Manufacturing, industry’s leading expert in the manufacture of high performance textiles for extreme temperature protection. The duties approved by U.S. Department of Commerce will take effect on products that have been imported into the country going back in June at the rate of 162 per cent of the declared value.

This is a really big win, Kathie Leonard, president and CEO of Auburn Manufacturing, said. It shows just how many subsidies have been going to Chinese manufacturers from their government.

US Rep. Bruce Poliquin, who worked with the rest of Maine’s congressional delegation to help Auburn Manufacturing bring its case to the Department of Commerce, said that the preliminary ruling will help create a level playing field for manufacturers.

Poliquin said that China illegally subsidises its manufacturing such that they’re able to sell their products over here and dump their product here. The fact that these duties are so high shows how much these Chinese companies and the government there have violated international law.

Auburn Manufacturing produces amorphous silica fabric, a fireproof material that is used in welding and other manufacturing, and employs about 40 people in Auburn and Mechanic Falls. Chinese dumping has cost the company about 30 % of its market share for the specialty fabric over the last three years and has caused them to cut back the company’s workforce by about 20 per cent over the last year.