China is expected to decide early next month whether or not to continue to impose anti-dumping duties on U.S. dried distillers grains. Renewable Fuels Association Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper says China is using the anti-dumping issue as a trade weapon.

He says China continues to purchase U.S. DDGs despite the ongoing anti-dumping dispute.

Cooper says China will only hurt itself if it continues trying to impost anti-dumping duties because they continue to need and want U.S. DDGs.

China is expected to decide whether or not to continue imposing anti-dumping duties following President Obama’s trip there in early September. Should the U.S. sign a bi-lateral trade investment treaty with China during that visit, then any pursuit of anti-dumping duties likely won’t occur.