Supply Chain Research

The U.S. Commerce Department will investigate South Korean exports of tapered roller bearings. A similar case relating to Chinese exports is on its third five-year review, while this joins an ESB rubber case in impacting upon the automotive supply chain. Panjiva data shows it may not have much impact though. South Korean supplies accounted for just 7% of total imports, while growth in the past quarter on the prior year was just 3% vs. the industry total of 7%. Japan is a bigger threat, with 30% of imports and 14% growth.