The dry van trailer market was rocked late last month when the U.S. Department of Commerce announced it would initiate antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of van-type trailers and subassemblies thereof from Canada, the People’s Republic of China and Mexico.
Requested by domestic manufacturers last fall, the investigation could fundamentally alter retail trailer prices if dumping conditions are confirmed.
As the next step in the investigation process, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to issue its preliminary determination by Feb. 17, 2026. The Commerce Dept. reports if the ITC issues an affirmative preliminary determination, it is scheduled to announce its preliminary determination on March 27, 2026, for the CVD investigation, and on June 10, 2026, for the AD investigation — though both deadlines may be extended in accordance with the statute.
The ATMC petitioned for the investigations to be conducted in November, stating the Chinese, Canadian and Mexican producers have used dumping and subsidized pricing to gain share across the American trailer market.
“We applaud the Department of Commerce for initiating its AD/CVD investigation. Right now, dumped and subsidized van trailer imports continue to flood the country from China, Canada and Mexico, injuring the domestic trailer industry, resulting in layoffs and declines in production,“ states Robert E. DeFrancesco, III, counsel for the ATMC.
”We are closely monitoring for any renewed surges in these unfairly traded van trailer imports in an attempt to beat the preliminary AD/CVD duties and will take action as necessary to ensure that these new imports do not undermine the eventual relief owed to the domestic industry.”
A related countervailing investigation of chassis from Mexico and Thailand and an antidumping duty (AD) investigation of chassis from Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam also were announced in 2025, with preliminary subsidy rates of 133.18% being levied against Mexican producers and Thailand producers receiving subsidy rates of 2.24% to 9.42%
