UPDATE – Response to China Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Actions on U.S. Sorghum Imports

NAEGA continues to lead and administer a Special Interest Group (SIG) of interested companies wishing to participate in a joint response to China’s self-initiated anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) case on U.S. sorghum imports. The SIG is cooperating with the U.S. Grains Council and National Sorghum Producers to provide for timely, consistent and coordinated responses and information sharing. Currently, the SIG is circulating a Common Interest Agreement (CIA) that will allow further participation and coordination between industry during this case. Agreeing to this CIA is a prerequisite to participating in the SIG.

All exporters who are interested in participating in the SIG should immediately contact Ryan (rolson@naega.org) in order be included in this effort.

Background: This action comes against the backdrop of a number trade cases currently underway or recently completed between the U.S. and China, including steel, washing machines, solar panels and intellectual property.

On Sunday, February 4 the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China self-initiated trade remedy actions on imported sorghum originating in the United States.  The actions by the Bureau of Trade Relief are detailed in Notice 2018 No. 12 re: Article 18 of the "Anti-Dumping Regulations of the People's Republic of China” and the "Anti-subsidy Regulations of the People's Republic of China". Preliminary duties have been identified and are expected to be applied in a few months. The Ministry will now investigate over the next year whether the U.S. government subsidizes sorghum farmers, allowing exporters to sell into the Chinese market at a loss. 

Now that the February 24 registration deadline has passed, the NAEGA led SIG will meet to determine next steps and a coordinated defense within the parameters of the common interest agreement.

Marketing Opportunity: NAEGA Annual Meeting – Scottsdale, AZ – March 18-19

All NAEGA members interested in distributing company marketing or information resources at the NAEGA Annual Meetings should contact Ryan (rolson@naega.org) for more information.

Space is available at the NAEGA member check-in table at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa for member and associate member companies to distribute marketing materials including pamphlets or flyers. The check-in table will be located in the Hall of State and will be adjacent to the NGFA Annual Convention check-in table. The table will be staffed part-time, and marketing materials may be left out for collection during regular meeting and convention hours. Members are responsible for shipping all materials to Scottsdale.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity please contact Ryan. All materials must arrive in Scottsdale by March 17, 2018.

NAEGA 2 Revisions Briefing (March 30, 2018 Revisions) – Scottsdale, AZ – March 19

All NAEGA members are invited to attend a briefing on the NAEGA 2 Model Contract (March 30, 2018 Revision) at 10:00am on March 19 in the Kierland 1A room of the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa.

If you are interested in attending please RSVP here.

On January 30, 2018 the NAEGA Board of Directors approved revisions to the NAEGA 2 Model Contract to be implemented on March 30, 2018. In preparation for the release of these revisions, NAEGA will be holding a briefing on March 19 in Scottsdale led by Contracts Committee chairman Andrew Marting. During the briefing, participants will review the changes to the NAEGA 2 Model Contract and discuss implementation and intended impacts.