USITC to advance anti-dumping duties on import of 2,4-D herbicides; ​corn growers disappointed in ITC decision

On May 17, 2024, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (″2,4-D″) from China and India that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of China and India.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigations of imports of 2,4-D from China and India, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about June 27, 2024, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about September 10, 2024.

The Commission’s public report 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (″2,4-D″) from China and India (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-710-711 and 731-TA-1673-1674 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5511, May 2024) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Corn growers disappointed in ITC decision on herbicide imports

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) said the decision will impact farmers.

″We are disappointed that ITC did not listen to the feedback from farmers about how harmful these tariffs could be to rural America,″ said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. ″Corn prices are already low and input costs have been rising. This decision will only compound our problems.″

Six of the nation’s major commodity groups, including the National Corn Growers Association, sent a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission in April encouraging it to vote against advancing a petition.

Growers have said the imports covered by this case are the major sources of supply other than Corteva, which is the only U.S. manufacturer, and that America’s farmers cannot rely upon a sole domestic supplier of 2,4-D to meet nearly all the market’s needs.

Duties on 2,4-D imports from the two countries would intensify what is already a difficult period for many growers as key input costs continue to increase.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is projecting record-high farm production cash expenses for 2024. At the same time, crop values are declining. USDA projects total cash receipts for crops in 2024 will be 11.7% lower than 2022.

NCGA intends to continue to engage in this case as it goes to the next stage, including the final phase at the U.S. International Trade Commission early next year.