In early April, Today Furniture reported that certain American mattress manufacturers once again "take advantage of the fire" to encourage the launch of ultra-high anti-dumping and countervailing duties on eight countries including Vietnam, the Philippines and China.

However, recently, diametrically opposed views have begun to emerge within the US mattress industry. The two schools of thought are opposed and tit-for-tat, making the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy campaign “reasonable” highly questionable and may even affect ITC Committee) final decision.

The two sides broke up in the fierce competition, which may change the pattern of mattress imports.

The U.S. Mattress Alliance uttered: anti-dumping and anti-subsidy behavior is shameful

On April 3, some mattress importers in the United States jointly launched an organization called the American Mattress Alliance (AMA), whose members include Ashley Furniture and MLily. USA), Malouf, and Maven.

The alliance said that the anti-dumping action of the US mattress industry hindered the ability to provide the necessary mattress supplies for the new coronary pneumonia rescue work, and said that the move was "abuse of the petition mechanism, it is unethical, and it is dispersing the United States at the time of the epidemic." The cohesion of the mattress industry. "

According to the epidemic forecast of the American Institute of Health Measurement and Evaluation, American hospitals are likely to fail to provide 87,874 common beds and 19,863 intensive care beds in time to achieve the goal of saving lives. Imported mattresses account for a large proportion of hospital beds.

The AMA American Mattress Alliance believes that medical mattresses are the necessary items for the current epidemic rescue work, but now it is one of the products banned from import in the anti-dumping complaint plan, and may be levied up to 1008% sky-high tariffs.

In fact, in 2020 these seven countries accounted for 83.3% of total US mattress imports.

"The epidemic is hitting the US economy and endangering the work of Americans. And our industry is starting a new battle with an anti-dumping case against seven countries, which account for only 22% of the US mattress market, although small , But it is critical.

Depressingly, what these companies are restricting is the mattresses that are vital to fighting COVID-19 and saving lives. "Brian Adams, Ashley's vice president of international procurement and legal affairs, said.

Sam Malouf, CEO of Malouf, said: "When we are struggling to add hospital beds, the anti-dumping petition has given us a hard blow.

We do not want to see such distracting things, and do not want to evacuate from the front. We recommend that the International Trade Commission (ITC) put this proposal on hold so that everyone can focus on the crisis ahead. "

The AMA American Mattress Alliance said in a statement that if the case came to a preliminary hearing on April 21, "it will cost American importers the ability to provide mattresses to support rescue."

Those petitioners are suppliers and manufacturers of some mattress brands in the United States, such as Tempur-Pedic, Serta, Simmons, Sealy, Casper, Purple, Tuft & Needle, etc.

Anti-dumping petitioner: epidemic situation is important, as is protection of American manufacturing capacity

Faced with doubts, the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) attitude is still very tough at this time. It is believed that “the submission of this petition has no negative impact on the epidemic in the United States. In fact, at such a critical moment, it is more necessary to protect American manufacturing capacity than at any time.

At the same time, neither the supply nor the price of imported mattresses will be immediately affected by the lawsuit, because at least the country will not impose tariffs within 4 months. "

Leggett & Platt said in a statement that "AMA American Mattress Alliance" is trying to exaggerate this and cause unnecessary panic. What they claim is that any product can enter the US market without restrictions, even if it violates US trade laws and hurts American workers. "

The company emphasized that the timing of the anti-dumping petition has nothing to do with the anti-epidemic rescue work.

ISPA Chairman Ryan Trainer said: "The North American members of ISPA have the ability, sufficient materials and labor to meet the mattress needs during the outbreak.

ISPA members have factories in all major cities and most states, and manufacturers can produce and ship immediately.

He also said, "The world today is facing the most serious health care crisis in modern history. The mattress industry is doing its part by ensuring the circulation of the supply chain of key products in the United States. Although the global epidemic has caused a large number of workers On vacation, but workers are always ready to resume work to meet the needs of key supplies. Manufacturers have donated thousands of mattresses for areas in need, and other companies are also manufacturing and delivering medical mattresses that are now and long-term needed. "

The chairman of the Bedding Trade Association said that during the new crown epidemic, the mattress industry is doing everything possible to ensure the operation of the supply chain of key products. American bedding manufacturers are capable of meeting all relief needs in the country.

Source: Today's Furniture