USITC sides with Kodak in lithographic printing plate dispute; Fujifilm faces duties

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) decided that a U.S. industry is materially injured due to imports of aluminum lithographic printing plates from China and Japan, which the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has determined are sold at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China. As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, DOC will issue a countervailing duty order on imports of this product from China and antidumping orders on imports of this product from China and Japan, which will impact Fujifilm’s U.S. operations.

Last month, DOC issued its final calculation on the size of the antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) on imports of these plates: 91.83 percent on aluminum lithographic printing plates imported from Japan and a combined AD and CVD rate of 151.51 percent on aluminum lithographic printing plates imported from China.

In fall 2023, Kodak filed a petition with DOC and USITC seeking the imposition of duties on aluminum lithographic printing plates imported from Japan and China. Many industry groups urged USITC to reject new tariffs on aluminum lithographic printing plates, according to PrintAction, but USITC has determined otherwise.

This isn’t the first time Kodak has turned to the courts to settle trade grievances. In a highly publicized dispute in the 1990s, Kodak alleged Fujifilm was dumping its color photographic paper in the United States to gain market share. Ironically, this eventually led to Fujifilm becoming a U.S.-based maker of photographic film and paper with the establishment of its Greenwood, S.C., manufacturing plant.

“We are disappointed in the International Trade Commission’s decision and we believe that Fujifilm is a responsible market provider of aluminum lithographic printing plates. Our customers clearly purchase our aluminum lithographic printing plates because of the innovative technology and superior features and service that we provide. The written decision of the ITC and the rationale behind today’s affirmative vote will not be published until November 12. At that point, we will review the decision and assess our options, including the possibility of an appeal,” said Hidetoshi (Toshi) Kino, general manager, Graphic Communication Division, Fujifilm  North America, in a media statement.

Earlier this year, Fujifilm alleged Kodak infringed on four patents related to the lithographic process.