Japan extend countermeasure against Byrd Amendment

On August 6, 2010, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ("METI") announed on its Press Release that Japan will extend countermeasure against Byrd Amendment in U.S., which impose additional customs duty to certain steel items (Ball or roller bearings) of U.S. origin.

Japan have extended this countermeasure one year each since September 2005. Current measure is valid until August 31, 2010. This will be extended again one year until August 31, 2011 with following rate which is re-calculated as recent distribution result in U.S.

1. 8482.10 Ball bearings
   Current rate: 9.6% (until Auguslt 31, 2010)
   --> 4.1% (from September 01, 2010 until August 31, 2011)
   


2. 8482.20 Tapered roller bearings
   Current rate: 9.6% (until August 31, 2010)
   --> 4.1% (from September 01, 2010 until August 31, 2011)

Background of Halt of Distribution under the Byrd Amendment (quoted from METI web site)
Japan took countermeasures against the U.S. in September 2005. The U.S. repealed the Byrd Amendment in February 2006. However, since the distribution of duties will be continued under the transitional clause, Japan urged the U.S. to halt the distribution and extended the validity of the countermeasures. As the U.S. had still not yet suspended the distribution, Japan further extended the validity of the countermeasures by one year in September 2008, following its alternation of commodity items and duty rates. Moreover, since the distribution under the transitional clause still continued in 2008, Japan further extended the validity of countermeasures by one year in September 2009, following its alternation of duty rates.

Update:
Cabinet decision was made on August 10 and it made this countermeasure official, according to MOF Press Release http://www.mof.go.jp//jouhou/kanzei/ka220810.htm )

(Source: http://www.meti.go.jp/press/20100806008/20100806008.html )

(Details of Background of Halt of Distribution under the Byrd Amendment: page 17 - 18 of http://www.meti.go.jp/english/report/downloadfiles/2010WTO/2010priority.pdf )