No duties applied to US renewable diesel despite UK finding of industry injury

The U.K. Trade Remedies Authority published Sept. 10 its final determination in its subsidy investigation into imports of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), also known as renewable diesel, from the U.S.

The authority found that imported HVO from the U.S. was subsidized and caused injury to the U.K. industry.

TRA recommended a fixed duty of between £258.10 and £266.68 (between USD$349.18 and USD$360.67) per metric ton on these imports.

Where TRA recommends final measures to the Secretary of State, it is then required to assess whether applying a countervailing amount would be in the U.K.’s economic interests.

This informs the Secretary of State’s decision on whether to accept TRA’s recommendation.

In this case, TRA found that applying such an amount would not be in the U.K.’s economic interests.

After considering the recommendation and wider public-interest matters, the Secretary of State decided not to apply an antisubsidy measure.

Therefore, no antisubsidy duties will be applied to imports of HVO from the U.S.

This investigation, launched March 17, 2025, covers renewable diesel obtained from synthesis or hydrotreatment of oils and fats of nonfossil origin, in pure form or as included in a blend, originating in the U.S.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is excluded from this description.

The U.K. has an established fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) production industry but does not have dedicated HVO production, TRA noted.

This case has an investigation period of Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, and an injury period of Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2024.

The economic-interest test (EIT) forms part of TRA’s process for investigating trade practices that may be causing injury to U.K. industry.

It is required to conduct an EIT in almost all investigations and reviews where it recommends imposing or extending a measure.

Full case details are available on the TRA’s public file.