On Thursday 24 October 2013, US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced that it initiated antidumping and countervailing duties investigations against imports of monosodium glutamate (MSG), classified under the HS code 2922.42.10 from China and Indonesia.

The petition for this case was filed on 16 September 2013 by Ajinomoto North America Inc. Petitioner alleged that MSG from China and Indonesia were sold below its fair value in the US market with dumping margins ranging from 64.77% - 204.69% for China and 50.32% - 58.67% for Indonesia, in addition to government subsidies received by the industries in both countries.

The petitioner only mentioned PT Cheil Jedang Indonesia as producer exporting subject merchandise to the US.

US International Trade Commission (ITC) was scheduled to make its preliminary inquiry determination around 18 November. DOC will continue the investigation if the ITC determined that the imports of MSG from China or Indonesia materially injure or threaten the US domestic industry. Then, DOC will make its dumping or countervailing duties determination later this year or early next year.