The U.S. Commerce Department has announced a lowering of the tariff rate on anti-dumping duties for some wooden bedroom furniture from China.

The average rate for 115 designated Chinese companies was reduced to 6.65 percent, about 2 percent lower than the rate decided in November.

The wooden bedroom furniture case, the largest U.S. anti-dumping action against China to date, has split the furniture industry by pitting manufacturers who requested tariffs against retailers who opposed them. It also infuriated China.

The rate change was seen as a win for retailers. It is a far cry from the 440 percent tariffs requested in the original petition filed by US furniture manufacturers nearly a year ago.

Insiders say the change is a result of Chinese furniture enterprises' appeal efforts.

(CRI.com January 2, 2005)