Sacu wins anti-dumping battle against US soda ash companies

The International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) has imposed duties of between 8% and 40% on all imports of soda ash from the United States (US) into the South African Customs Union (Sacu).

This follows the Botswana government’s application for anti-dumping duties brought on behalf of Botswana Ash (Botash). An Itac investigation found evidence of dumping by American manufacturers after a long battle by Botash against an American cartel, the American Natural Soda Ash Corporation (Ansac). Botash is the only producer of soda ash in the Sacu region.

Itac chief commissioner, Siyabulela Tsengiwe, said in the 50-page report that the soda ash probe was the body’s first on behalf of one of its Sacu member states. Itac found prima facie evidence of dumping and imposed an 8% antidumping duty on US manufacturer Tata Chemicals and 21% on OCI Chemical Corporation. These firms were responsible for only 30% of imports into the Sacu region.