In a statement posted on its website, the USITC said there was “reasonable evidence” that the US industry is suffering material injury from imports of silicon metal from Australia, Laos and Norway, allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair prices and subsidised by the governments of these countries.
The Commission also determined that there is reasonable evidence of a threat of material injury to the US industry from imports of silicon metal from Angola, allegedly sold at less than fair prices, and from imports of silicon metal from Thailand, allegedly subsidised by the Thai government.
If it is confirmed that Angola and the other countries are selling at less than fair value, the US could impose additional tariffs (called anti-dumping or countervailing duties) to make these products more expensive and protect local production.
According to the USITC, the US Department of Commerce will continue to review imports of silicon metal from these countries.
Preliminary decisions on anti-dumping duties for Angola, Australia, Laos and Norway are expected to be adopted on 1 October this year.
Preliminary decisions on countervailing duties for Australia, Laos, Norway and Thailand are expected to be adopted on 18 July 2025.
The Commission's public report is expected to be available by 14 July 2025.
Angola exported 1,675 tonnes of silicon metal to the US in 2024, worth around 4.15 million dollars, according to the US Department of Commerce. This type of metal is used, for example, in solar panels, aluminium alloys and semiconductors.
