Int`l trade body clears Samsung, LG of price dumping in US

The U.S.-based International Trade Commission on Tuesday ruled in favor of LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics in a refrigerator anti-dumping case, overturning a U.S. Commerce Department attempt to impose duties on both companies.

Both Korean companies had faced duties on their bottom-freezer refrigerators after the Commerce Department determined last month that the products were subsidized and sold in the U.S. at below-market prices. The commission unanimously voted in favor of the two Korean companies, 5-0.

The Commerce Department had set an anti-dumping duty of up to 30.34 percent on LG and 15.95 percent on Samsung.

The trade commission`s decision ended a year-long anti-dumping case initiated by American appliance maker Whirlpool. Anti-dumping and countervailing duties can be imposed only by the U.S. Commerce Department and a ruling by the watchdog.

While welcoming the decision, the Korean government showed strong discomfort over the Commerce Department`s initial decision.

yhchoi65@donga.com january@donga.com