{"id":22702,"date":"2017-11-14T19:53:46","date_gmt":"2017-11-15T00:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/the-impact-of-isolationism-on-small-us-businesses-does-protectionism-protect-them\/"},"modified":"2017-11-14T19:53:46","modified_gmt":"2017-11-15T00:53:46","slug":"the-impact-of-isolationism-on-small-us-businesses-does-protectionism-protect-them","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/the-impact-of-isolationism-on-small-us-businesses-does-protectionism-protect-them\/","title":{"rendered":"The Impact of Isolationism on Small US Businesses\u2026 Does Protectionism Protect Them?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Image source: Stefan Bauschard<\/a>, \u201cResolved: In matters of international trade, globalization ought to be valued above protectionism\u201d Millennial Speech and Debate Online, December 20,2016, [URL<\/a>], accessed November 2017.<\/h6>\n

Rayonier Advanced Materials manufactures cellulose products used in consumer goods such as \u201ctelevisions, computer screens, \u2026, tires, paint, food, [and] pharmaceuticals.\u201d1<\/sup> Operating just three plants in the southeastern United States with only 1,200 employees, Rayonier looks like a small domestic player.2<\/sup> The company, however, is in fact a global entity. With 60% of its sales to foreign countries, Rayonier is \u201cconsistently ranked among the nation\u2019s top 50 exporters and delivers products to 80 ports around the world, serving customers in 35 countries.\u201d3<\/sup> The global trend towards isolationism, therefore, poses a significant risk to Rayonier, a risk they have recently taken steps to mitigate. Facing a future of escalating isolationism, Rayonier may need to escalate both the breadth and pace of these actions. As a small player in a big international market, however, how much can and should they do?<\/p>\n

Reason to be concerned?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rayonier has already experienced the negative impact of isolationist policies. In 2013, for example, China levied a 17% antidumping duty on Rayonier\u2019s commodity products, essentially eliminating their ability to compete in China in this category.4<\/sup> In 2017, the WTO finally ruled this duty violated international trade agreements, but the only outcome was a recommendation <\/em>that China change its policy.5<\/sup><\/p>\n

This situation illustrates the general threat duties pose to Rayonier. According to research across industries, \u201cantidumping duties have been shown to significantly reduce exports from named countries, 50%\u201360% on average, \u2026 investigations often drive export suppliers entirely out of the market,\u2026 and about half of the trade volume effect of an AD order occurs during the period of investigation\u201d meaning that harm occurs even if the duties are overturned.6<\/sup><\/p>\n

Unfortunately for Rayonier, it looks like duties won\u2019t go away. The US Commerce Department states, \u201cEnforcement of U.S. trade law is a prime focus of the Trump administration.\u201d7<\/sup> Accordingly, \u201cCommerce has initiated 77 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations \u2013 a 61% increase from the previous year.\u201d8<\/sup> US policy is likely to spur international reactions, as many economists argue \u201cprotectionism begets protectionism.\u201d9<\/sup> And, in fact, some argue that we\u2019ve already started to see China retaliate, increasing antidumping activities to match US behavior.10<\/sup><\/p>\n

\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00adSteps to protect themselves<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rayonier is keenly aware of this risk. To mitigate this and other international market risks, Rayonier has started to diversify, adding commodity products to its portfolio.11<\/sup> Diversification is beneficial because it means that even if foreign governments impose tariffs on some products, Rayonier can still sell others. (This occurred in China in 2013, when Rayonier\u2019s specialty products were exempted from the 17% duty on commodities.)12<\/sup><\/p>\n

In addition, Rayonier has started to acquire foreign companies, giving it a foothold outside the US so it can avoid future duties if they\u2019re imposed. Most recently, for example, Rayonier acquired Tembec, another cellulose producer with operations in Canada and France.13<\/sup> RBC analysts applauded this acquisition, highlighting the diversification benefits shown in the charts below.14 <\/sup>Moving forward, in both the short and long-term, Rayonier\u2019s annual report indicates they intend to continue diversifying to minimize risk.15<\/sup><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u00a0<\/sup><\/p>\n

Other Options to Consider<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite this diversification, Rayonier remains significantly exposed to duty risk. As Rayonier notes, even \u201cTembec\u00a0has a significant exposure\u00a0\u2026 [as] recently, approximately 27% tariffs were announced on lumber exported from\u00a0Canada\u00a0to\u00a0the US\u201d.16<\/sup> If Rayonier believes isolationism will escalate, the following actions may be necessary.<\/p>\n

First, as an immediate step, Rayonier can accelerate its R&D efforts to further differentiate its products and thereby decrease the likelihood of competitors successfully lobbying for antidumping tariffs. (In 2013, for example, China excluded Rayonier\u2019s specialty products from duties and Rayonier claimed this was because of the product\u2019s specialization.)17<\/sup><\/p>\n

Second, as a longer-term play, Rayonier can accelerate its international growth by building factories in foreign countries, instead of just growing through acquisition. In recent years, GE has taken this approach, with CEO Jeff Immelt stating \u201cthe company can\u2019t depend on new trade deals to ease global commerce, but must scatter production all over the world.\u201d18<\/sup><\/p>\n

Third, and continually, Rayonier can be more proactive fighting attempts to impose duties. The Chinese duties were imposed after Chinese manufacturers lobbied the government for them. Rayonier has 60-80 year relationships with Chinese customers, and thus potentially the leverage to ask these customers to lobby on their behalf to counter manufacturer lobbies.19<\/sup><\/p>\n

The Uncertainty that Remains<\/strong><\/p>\n

Taking the actions above requires Rayonier to invest significant time and capital that might distract Rayonier from its core operations. The right path forward thus hinges on the answer to three difficult questions. One: Is protectionism likely to continue and escalate? (Just this past month, Trump seemed to voice softer trade stance toward China).20<\/sup> Two: Is it wise to build foreign factories, i.e., make long-term investments, based on unpredictable and potentially short-term political conditions?\u00a0 And, three: Even if a small company like Rayonier does want to fight trade policies (directly or through its customers), does it really have any power to do this?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(Word count, excluding titles, sub-titles, and sources: 799)<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1<\/sup> Rayonier Advanced Materials, \u201cCompany Overview,\u201d http:\/\/rayonieram.com\/performance-fibers\/products\/<\/a>, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

2<\/sup> Rayonier Advance Materials. 2016 Annual Report. [URL<\/a>], accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

3<\/sup> Ibid.<\/p>\n

4 <\/sup>Scott Flaherty, \u201cPaper Co. Cries Foul As China Finalizes Pulp Duties\u201d, April 4, 2014, via Law 360 – A LexisNexis Company, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

5 <\/sup>Jimmy Hoover, \u201cWTO Blows Whistle on China\u2019s Cellulose Pulp Duties\u201d, April 25, 2017, via Law 360 – A LexisNexis Company, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

6 <\/sup>Besede\u0161, T. and Prusa, T. J. (2017), \u201cThe Hazardous Effects of Antidumping,\u201d Economic Inquiry<\/em>, 55: 9\u201330, April 7, 2016, [URL<\/a>], accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

7 <\/sup>\u201cU.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determination on Aluminum Foil from the People\u2019s Republic of China,\u201d press release, October 27, 2017, on US Commerce website, [URL<\/a>], accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

8 <\/sup>Ibid.<\/p>\n

9<\/sup> Joe Quinlan, \u201cInsight: The Perils of De-Globalisation\u201d, Financial Times<\/em>, July 21, 2009, [URL<\/a>], accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

10<\/sup> Tim Worstall, \u201cChina Will Defend Against US Trade Probes – Including, Apparently, Anti-Dumping Investigation\u201d, Forbes<\/em>, August 24, 2017, [URL<\/a>], accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

11<\/sup> Rayonier Advance Materials. 2016 Annual Report.<\/p>\n

12 <\/sup>\u201cChina Ministry of Commerce Issues Preliminary Determination for Dissolving Pulp Anti-Dumping Investigation,\u201d press release, November 8, 2013, on Rayonier website, [URL<\/a>], accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

13 <\/sup>\u201cRayonier Advanced Materials to Acquire Tembec, Creating a Diversified Global Leader in High Purity Cellulose, Packaging, Paper, High-Yield Pulp and Forest Products,\u201d press release, May 25, 2017, on Rayonier Advanced Materials website, [URL<\/a>], accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

14 <\/sup>Paul C. Quinn, \u201cPanthers looking to score with the French Connection,\u201d RBC Capital Markets, November 2, 2017, via Thomson Reuters, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

15 <\/sup>Rayonier Advance Materials. 2016 Annual Report.<\/p>\n

16<\/sup> \u201cRayonier Advanced Materials Reiterates Commitment to Acquire Tembec on Agreed Terms,\u201d press release, July 17, 2017, on Rayonier Advanced Materials website, [URL<\/a>], accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

17 <\/sup>\u201cChina Ministry of Commerce Issues Preliminary Determination.\u201d [URL<\/a>].<\/p>\n

18 <\/sup>Ted Mann\u00a0and\u00a0Brian Spegele, \u201cGE, The Ultimate Global Player, Is Turning Local\u201d, The Wall Street Journal<\/em>, June 29, 2017, [URL<\/a>], accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

19<\/sup> Rayonier Advance Materials. 2016 Annual Report.<\/p>\n

20 <\/sup>\u201cTrump China visit: US leader strikes warmer tone with Xi Jinping\u201d, BBC News<\/em>, November 9, 2017, [URL<\/a>], accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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