Micron Technology Inc has struck back at the Taiwanese government’s decision to impose a 62% levy on its DRAM products saying that the move was motivated because Micron filed an ‘anti- dumping’ case against Taiwanese manufacturers in October last year. The petition, filed with the US Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission, alleged that Taiwanese manufacturers of DRAM chips and modules were selling their products onto the US market for less than the price than the chips cost to make.
In a statement, Micron’s CEO Steve Appleton, said: This is clearly a case of retaliation against Micron for filing the US antidumping case against Taiwanese DRAM manufacturers. Moreover, the duties being imposed by the government of Taiwan are not based on Micron data, but on pure speculation. Furthermore, these actions are not in compliance with worldwide standards regarding antidumping procedures as outlined by the World Trade Organization (WTO)…we intend to contest this action both with the government of Taiwan and with the WTO.
It is not yet clear when the Taiwanese government will actually start to impose the levy on Micron products. Asian press reports suggest October. However, a Micron spokesperson agreed that it would be difficult to take action until the full facts were available.
