Animal Sci. Prod.s Inc. v. China Nat'l Metals & Minerals Import & Export Corp.. .

Document Cited authorities (183) Cited in (34) Precedent Map Related
CourtU.S. District Court — District of New Jersey
Writing for the CourtGARRETT E. BROWN, Jr., Chief Judge.
CitationAnimal Sci. Prods. Inc. v. China Nat'l Metals & Minerals Import & Export Corp., 702 F.Supp.2d 320 (D. N.J. 2010)
Decision Date01 April 2010
Docket NumberNo. Civ. 05-4376(GEB).,Civ. 05-4376(GEB).
PartiesANIMAL SCIENCE PRODUCTS, INC., et al., Plaintiffs, v. CHINA NATIONAL METALS & MINERALS IMPORT & EXPORT CORPORATION, et al., Defendants.

702 F.Supp.2d 320

ANIMAL SCIENCE PRODUCTS, INC., et al., Plaintiffs,

v.CHINA NATIONAL METALS & MINERALS IMPORT & EXPORT CORPORATION, et al., Defendants.

No. Civ. 05-4376(GEB).

United States District Court,D. New Jersey.

April 1, 2010.

OPINION TEXT STARTS HERE

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Robert A. Magnanini, Esq., Stone and Magnanini, LLP, Richard E. Donovan, Esq., Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, William A. Isaacson and Jennifer Milici, Esqs., Boies, Schiller & Flexner, LLP, for Plaintiffs Animal Science Products, Inc., Resco Products, Inc. and a class of similarly situated. 1

Robert J. Del Tufo, Shepard Goldfein, Michael L. Weiner, Thomas Pak and Sean M. Tepe, Esqs., Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP, for Defendants China Minmetals Corp. and China National Minerals Co., Ltd.

Donald A. Robinson and Leda Dunn Wettre, Esqs., Robinson, Wettre & Miller LLC, Nicholas L. Coch, Jonathan S. Kaplan, Timothy J. Helwick and Mark A. Baghdassarian, Esqs., Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, for Defendants Sinosteel Corp., Sinosteel Trading Co. and Liaoning Jiayi Metals & Minerals Co., Ltd.

OPINION

GARRETT E. BROWN, Jr., Chief Judge. 

+-----------------+
                ¦TABLE OF CONTENTS¦
                +-----------------¦
                +-----------------+
                 
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦I.  ¦Introduction                                      ¦327¦
                +----+--------------------------------------------------+---¦
                +----+--------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦II. ¦Procedural Background                             ¦327¦
                +----+--------------------------------------------------+---¦
                +----+--------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦III.¦Factual Background                                ¦329¦
                +----+--------------------------------------------------+---¦
                +----+--------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦IV. ¦Distinction Between the Relevant Tests and Burdens¦330¦
                +-----------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦A.¦Standard and Burden Associated with Jurisdictional Inquiry¦330¦
                ++--+----------------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦B.¦Standard Associated with Pleading Underlying Claims       ¦332¦
                ++--+----------------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦C.¦Burden Associated with Asserting Abstention               ¦334¦
                +------------------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+-----------------------------------+
                +--+----------------------------+---¦
                ¦V.¦Aspects Related to the FTAIA¦335¦
                +-----------------------------------+
                 
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦A.¦Subject Matter Jurisdiction under the Export Exception to the FTAIA  ¦335¦
                ¦¦  ¦Bar                                                                  ¦   ¦
                +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦¦1.¦Interplay Between the Sherman Act, FTAIA and Hartford Fire          ¦335¦
                +++--+--------------------------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦2.¦Plaintiffs Fail to Provide Factual Proof Meeting the FTAIA Exception¦339¦
                +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦¦¦a.¦Paragraph One                                      ¦339¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦b.¦Paragraph Three                                    ¦341¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦c.¦Paragraph Twenty-Nine                              ¦341¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦d.¦Paragraph Forty-Seven                              ¦341¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦e.¦Paragraph Forty-Eight                              ¦344¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦f.¦Paragraph Forty-Nine                               ¦345¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦g.¦Paragraph Fifty                                    ¦346¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦h.¦Paragraph Fifty-One                                ¦346¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦i.¦Paragraph Fifty-Five                               ¦347¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦j.¦Paragraph Sixty-Five                               ¦349¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦k.¦Paragraph Seventy-Two                              ¦361¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦l.¦Paragraph Seventy-Five                             ¦362¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦m.¦Amended Complaint Fails to Meet the FTAIA Exception¦362¦
                +-------------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦B.¦Subject Matter Jurisdiction Under the Introductory Clause of the     ¦362¦
                ¦¦  ¦FTAIA                                                                ¦   ¦
                +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦¦1.¦Plaintiffs' Allegations                             ¦363¦
                +++--+----------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦2.¦Claim That Defendants Effectively Acted as Importers¦364¦
                +-------------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦¦¦a.¦Plaintiffs' Legal Position                                        ¦365¦
                ++++--+------------------------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦b.¦Coors Does Not Lend Support to Plaintiffs' Legal Position         ¦367¦
                ++++--+------------------------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦c.¦Plaintiffs' Position Contradicts the Gist of the Third Circuit Law¦369¦
                ++++--+------------------------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦d.¦Sales to an American Intermediary or American End-Consumer        ¦374¦
                +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦¦3.¦Plaintiffs' Factual Proof as to Defendants' Importer Status¦375¦
                +--------------------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+-------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦¦¦a.¦Plaintiffs' Own Exhibits               ¦375¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦b.¦Discrepancies in Defendants' Statements¦376¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦c.¦Defendants' Exhibits                   ¦377¦
                +-------------------------------------------------+
                 
+-----------------------+
                +---+---------------+---¦
                ¦VI.¦Leave to Amend ¦378¦
                +-----------------------+
                 
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦A.¦General Rule                                                      ¦378¦
                ++--+------------------------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦B.¦Implications of Twombly, Iqbal and Factual Review Under Turicentro¦380¦
                ++--+------------------------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦C.¦Limited Leave to Amend Is in the Interests of Justice             ¦382¦
                ++--+------------------------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦D.¦Prudential Considerations                                         ¦384¦
                +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+----------------------------------------+
                +----+-------------------------------+---¦
                ¦VII.¦The FSIA and Abstention Aspects¦384¦
                +----------------------------------------+
                 
+-------------------------------+
                ¦¦A.¦Standard of Review     ¦385¦
                ++--+-----------------------+---¦
                ¦¦B.¦Applicable Legal Tests ¦385¦
                +-------------------------------+
                 
+----------------------------------+
                ¦¦¦1.¦The FSIA                 ¦385¦
                +++--+-------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦2.¦The Act of State Doctrine¦388¦
                +++--+-------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦3.¦The Concept of Comity    ¦389¦
                +++--+-------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦4.¦Government Compulsion    ¦391¦
                +----------------------------------+
                 
+---------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦C.¦Parties' Relevant Exhibits and Factual Assertions¦394¦
                +---------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+----------------------------------+
                ¦¦¦1.¦Defendants' Moving Papers¦394¦
                +++--+-------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦2.¦Plaintiffs' Opposition   ¦397¦
                +++--+-------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦3.¦Defendants' Reply        ¦400¦
                +----------------------------------+
                 
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦D.¦Relevant Legal Proceedings and Evidence Submitted Therein¦401¦
                +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+---------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦¦1.¦Judicial Notice and the Concept of Stare Decisis¦401¦
                +++--+------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦2.¦Antidumping and Countervailing Proceedings      ¦403¦
                +---------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
                ¦¦¦¦a.¦European Union Proceedings                               ¦405¦
                ++++--+---------------------------------------------------------+---¦
                ¦¦¦¦b.¦Proceedings Before the International Trade Administration¦409¦
                +-------------------------------------------------------------------+
                 
+-------------------------------+
                ¦¦¦3.¦Antitrust Proceedings ¦410¦
                +-------------------------------+
                 
...

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17 cases
  • Animal Sci. Prods., Inc. v. China Minmetals Corp.
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — District of New Jersey
    • July 24, 2014
    ... ... § 1” Import & Export Co. Ltd. AC ¶¶ 1, 6, Prayer for Relief Resco on ... China National Minerals Co., Ltd. (the “Minmetals Defendants”)3. Sinosteel ... Sinosteel Trading Company,5. Liaoning Jiayi Metals & Minerals Co, Ltd. (the “Sinosteel Defendants”) ... comprise the following: China Minmetals Corp., China Natl. Minerals Co., (together the “Minmetals Defendants”), 1 ... ...
  • Thomas v. Adams
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — District of New Jersey
    • October 17, 2014
    ...of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a)(2) ; see Animal Sci. Prods. v. China Nat'l Metals & Minerals Imp. & Exp. Corp., 702 F.Supp.2d 320, 380–81 (D.N.J.2010) (addressing the effect of Twombly on a pleading filed during the Conley reign and citing Sch......
  • Animal Sci. Prods., Inc. v. Hebei Welcome Pharm. Co. (In re Vitamin C Antitrust Litig.)
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Second Circuit
    • August 10, 2021
    ... ... Ltd., North China Pharmaceutical Group Corporation, ... the Chinese government implemented various export controls to gain a competitive edge over other ... See In re Maxwell Commc'n Corp ., 93 F.3d 1036, 1046 (2d Cir. 1996). 8 It is ... Vitamin C, subject to price review by each import and export chamber rather than Customs. 24 Under ... indication that the [Canadian Government Metals] Controller or any other official within the ... ...
  • Harris v. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — District of New Jersey
    • April 12, 2012
    ...abstention bears the burden of showing that abstention is the appropriate course. See Animal Sci. Prods., Inc. v. China Nat. Metals & Minerals Imp. & Exp. Corp., 702 F. Supp. 2d 320, 334 (D.N.J. 2010); Sheerbonnet v. American Express Bank, Ltd., 17 F.3d 46, 49 (2d Cir. 1994) (given "the vir......
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2 firm's commentaries
  • Business Litigation Report - November 2016
    • United States
    • JD Supra United States
    • November 30, 2016
    ...liability based on the obligations imposed by Chinese regulations. For example, in Animal Science Products, Inc. v. China National Metals & Minerals Import & Export Corp., 702 F. Supp. 2d 320 (D.N.J. 2010), the District of New Jersey granted a motion to dismiss antitrust claims brought agai......
  • An Overseas Sea Change For U.S. Antitrust Laws? New Developments In The Interpretation Of The Foreign Trade Antitrust Improvements Act
    • United States
    • Mondaq United States
    • September 13, 2011
    ...69 (3d Cir. 2000). Animal Science at 6 (citing Animal Science Prods., Inc. v. China Nat'l Metals & Minerals Imp. & Exp. Corp., 702 F. Supp. 2d 320 (D.N.J. 2010)); see also Carpet Group, 227 F.3d at 65-70 (describing extensive evidentiary submissions, not all of which were credited, ......
7 books & journal articles
  • The International Scope of U.S. Antitrust
    • United States
    • ABA Antitrust Library Handbook on the Scope of Antitrust An introduction to the scope of antitrust
    • January 1, 2015
    ...industry before the World Trade Organization). But see Animal Sci. Prods., Inc. v. China Nat’l Metals & Minerals Import & Exp. Corp.,702 F. Supp. 2d 320 46 A Handbook on the Scope of Antitrust 4. Foreign Sovereign Compulsion Another exemption applies when a foreign government forces or requ......
  • Table of Cases
    • United States
    • ABA Antitrust Library Handbook on the Scope of Antitrust Procedural issues
    • January 1, 2015
    ...Corp., 654 F.3d 462 (3d Cir. 2011), 35, 36, 38, 46, 364 Animal Sci. Prods., Inc. v. China Nat’l Metals & Minerals Import & Exp. Corp., 702 F. Supp. 2d 320 (D.N.J. 2010), 45, 46 Anonymous v. Kaye, 987 F. Supp. 131 (N.D.N.Y. 1998), 130 Anschutz Corp. v. Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., 785 F. Supp.......
  • Antitrust and International Commerce
    • United States
    • ABA Antitrust Library Antitrust Law Developments (Ninth Edition) - Volume II
    • February 2, 2022
    ...of Bol., 930 F.2d 1013, 108 (2d Cir. 1999)); see also Animal Sci. Prods., Inc. v. China Nat’l Metals & Minerals Imp. & Exp. Corp., 702 F. Supp. 2d 320, 420 (D.N.J. 2010), rev’d , 654 F.3d 462 (3d Cir. 2011) (“in the event the focus (or, at least, the end-goal) of Defendants’ business endeav......
  • ILLIBERAL LAW IN AMERICAN COURTS.
    • United States
    • University of Pennsylvania Law Review Vol. 168 No. 6, May 2020
    • May 1, 2020
    ...2011) (interpreting Chinese export regulations); Animal Sci. Prods., Inc. v. China Nat'l Metals & Mineral Imp. & Exp. Corp., 702 F. Supp. 2d 320, 441-452 (D.N.J. 2010) (analyzing export-related working rules, notices, and measures issued by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce), vacated......
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