US imposes duties on shrimp from India

US officials ordered tariffs on shrimp imports from India, Brazil, Ecuador, and Thailand in the second phase of a probe into a petition alleging “dumping” at artificially low prices. The commerce department said the duties would range up to 67.80 per cent for Brazil, 6.08 to 9.35 per cent for Ecuador, 3.56 to 27.49 per cent for India and 5.56 to 10.25 per cent for Thailand. The agency said a preliminary probe indicated imports from the four countries were sold “at less than fair value,” opening the door to punitive tariffs. A separate investigation was used for the other four countries because they are considered market-based economies, unlike China and vietnam. The duties may be adjusted, but will be collected until a final ruling by the quasi-Judicial international trade Commission next January. — (AFP)