Crane manufacturer Manitowoc has won a federal anti-dumping decision against Japanese manufacturers of lattice-boom crawler cranes, which will now face higher tariffs for entering the U.S.
Meanwhile, Link-Belt, owned by Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Heavy Industries, seeks to overturn the decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Commerce. Kobelco also faces increased duties, as do all other Japanese lattice-boom crane OEMs.
Manitowoc's crane brands include Manitowoc, Grove, Potain and National Crane. The company accused Japanese manufacturers of “predatory dumping” of U.S. imports by selling units at less than fair value, in violation of the Tariff Act of 1930.
Manitowoc filed its complaint with the ITC in April 10, 2025, alleging Japanese competitors were “materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the lattice boom crawler cranes industry in the United States.” On July 23, the ITC and Commerce Department affirmed Manitowoc's complaint after an investigation.
"We are pleased by the U.S. Government's decision," said Aaron H. Ravenscroft, president and CEO of the Manitowoc Company Inc. "This outcome helps restore fair competition in the marketplace and supports the long-term strength of our U.S. manufacturing operations and workforce.”
Powered byLink-Belt issued a statement July 24 confirming it would challenge the decision, saying it “contains significant errors and runs afoul of the law.”
The ITC’s January 2026 preliminary report found Kobelco was, at the time, subjected to a 2.79% weighted-average dumping margin (selling machines on average 2.79% cheaper than U.S.-made alternatives) and gave Sumitomo a 0% margin. “All other” Japanese OEMs were reported at a 2.79% margin.
As a result of the affirmation, the Department of Commerce issued a new anti-dumping order on lattice boom crawler cranes directing U.S. Customs and Border Protection to “assess … anti-dumping duties equal to the amount by which the normal value of the merchandise exceeds the export price (or constructed export price) of the merchandise.”
The recent duty order specifically listed the following estimated weighted-average dumping margins by OEM:
- Kobelco Construction Machinery: 12.36%
- Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Cranes: 20%
- All others: 16.18%
These duties apply to all imported Japanese lattice boom crawler cranes made on or after January 16, 2026, aside from the window of July 15-19, 2026.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported 310 Japanese lattice boom crawler cranes were imported into the U.S. in 2024, down from 390 in 2023. Those 310 cranes were valued at $178 million.
