According to preliminary findings, ITC said it uncovered signs the imports materially injure the domestic U.S. industry. The Commerce Department will continue to investigate whether the imports are sold in the U.S. at less than fair value, and whether they receive unfair subsidies from the Chinese government.
The U.S. imported an estimated $62 million worth of ammonium sulfate from China in 2015, according government figures. However, the U.S. exports nearly five times as much ammonium sulfate as it imports and the product is closer to the lower end in terms of U.S. fertilizer imports, accounting for just under 8% of total U.S. fertilizer imports in 2012.
Still, the potential for duties on imports of the product from China could still end up as a trade friction point between the two countries.