U.S. Eyes Dumping Of Cars: Car-Dump Probe Seen As Likely
A "Treasury Department official said yesterday the government is likely to conduct an investigation into complaints that foreign cars arc being dumped in U.S. markets at less than fair value prices, causing loss of sales and unemployment in the domestic auto industry.</br></br>David R. Macdonald, assistant treasury secretary for enforcement, operations and tariff affairs, said predictions that the department ÐÊwould investigate the complaints were ÛÏfairÛ statements.</br></br>ÛÏThe best guess,Û he said, ÛÏis that for some countries a sufficient amount of information will be filed to make a valid complaint.Û</br></br>Macdonald said a dumping complaint filed by Rep. John Dent (D-Pa.) nine days ago will not be considered valid without comparative price information. An aide to Dent said that this and other information required to warrant an investigation would be delivered to the Treasury next week.</br></br>If a Treasury investigation finds that foreign autos are being dumped in the U.S. for less than the price in the countries where they are made, it would turn the case over to the International Trade Commission. The 1TC would investigate for damage caused to the domestic auto industry by increased imports. If injury is found, the Treasury could impose extra customs duties or require price increases.