US refractory producer, Resco Products Inc., has taken a stand against what it calls an “ongoing conspiracy” among 20 Chinese producers of bauxite and magnesite to fix prices and limit export of these minerals to the USA.
Within each of these cases, Resco has accumulated documents to show evidence of illegal behaviour, including statements from economic experts and the Chinese trade associations.
Magnesite muddle
Resco’s amended magnesite claim – submitted with other plaintiff Animal Science Products Inc. – is against 17 Chinese magnesite producers and stated: “[The] defendants illegal cartel has deliberately targeted and severely burdened consumers in the United States” (see IM 1 April 2009: Resco revives magnesite case).
According to the complaint, the seeds of the cartel were planted in 9 April 2000 when 13 magnesite producers and exporters established the Jiayuan Magnesite Export Group after the 1999...