Israel Chemicals Ltd., also known as ICL, is a multi-national manufacturer of agriculture, food and engineered materials products. Their global operations are supported by worldwide distribution systems and supply chains with operations located in Israel, Europe, North America, South America and China, employing around 13,000 people worldwide.
Dead Sea Magnesium, Ltd. (DSM), the metallurgical arm of ICL, produces pure magnesium and magnesium alloys, and recently faced a U.S. Department of Commerce anti-dumping and countervailing duty (CVD) investigation, brought by an American-based competitor. A preliminary decision in the investigation imposed anti-dumping duties of 218.98% on DSM’s magnesium imports into the United States, making it impossible for DSM to continue providing this vital product to a number of American manufacturers and businesses.
Bridge Public Affairs was retained by ICL to help engage the administration and build a coalition in Congress to support DSM’s efforts to reverse the preliminary duties.
OUR APPROACH
While Bridge was retained after the preliminary decision was rendered and only a few months before a final decision would be reached at the International Trade Commission (ITC), working collaboratively with ICL and its internal and external counsel, Bridge quickly laid out a strategy to reach key players within the administration and in the offices of members whose congressional districts had seen significant investment, and in some cases, housed ICL manufacturing facilities.
Bridge immediately began meeting with key staff members on Capitol Hill to brief them on the history of ICL’s investment in the United States and the merits of the case, while also soliciting support for a reversal of the decision. Outreach from congressional offices directly to Commerce was immediate and the profile of the case was raised significantly.
Prior to the ITC handing down its final decision on the case, Bridge secured letters of support from senior leadership in the Senate and in the House to buttress the company’s legal case.
THE RESULT
Through a well-designed and executed strategy that drew on the strengths of a multi-faceted team, along with targeted outreach and strong backing from Congress in support of ICL’s solid case on the merits, ITC commissioners unanimously rescinded the 218.98% tariff. As a result, ICL/DSM is able to continue business as usual with their American customers, preventing the company from leaving the U.S. market, saving jobs here at home and ensuring a vital ingredient in the manufacturing supply chain remains plentiful.
Bridge’s relationships in Congress, knowledge of the process, flexibility to work in a team and ability to help identify key targets and execute the strategy were vital in the ultimate success of the case.