USEC has won yet another round in its trade complaint against European providers of uranium enrichment services.
On 6 July, the US Department of Commerce (DoC) issued a preliminary ruling that Eurodif and Urenco have unfairly dumped low-enriched uranium on the US market. While US utilities are happy with the arrangement, USEC says its viability is at stake.
The DoC recommended a duty of 17.52% be imposed on exports of LEU from Eurodif to the USA, and 3.35% on exports from Urenco’s British operation. The DoC recommended no duties on exports from Urenco’s operations in the Netherlands and Germany because the calculated “less-than-fair-value” margins are below the 2% legal threshold.
Robert J Moore, USEC senior vice president and general counsel, called the antidumping decision: “Another step toward restoring fair pricing in the US enrichment market.” The preliminary decision was the third in USEC’s favour this year: •In May, DoC issued a separate preliminary ruling that Urenco and Eurodif have been unfairly subsidised by their respective governments (see NEI June 2001, p10). At that time, the agency imposed preliminary countervailing duty rates of 13.94% in the case of Eurodif and 3.72% for Urenco.
•In January, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a preliminary ruling that there is a reasonable indication that the US enrichment industry has been materially injured.
DoC expects to make final determinations on the antidumping and subsidy portions of USEC’s trade complaint later this year. Then, after ITC issues a final ruling on whether the US industry has been materially injured, DoC will issue a final decision in January 2002.
