Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation, 73722-73726 [2015-29945]

Download as PDF 73722 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 227 / Wednesday, November 25, 2015 / Notices Subject merchandise includes iron mechanical transfer drive components as defined above that have been finished or machined in a third country, including but not limited to finishing/machining processes such as cutting, punching, notching, boring, threading, mitering, or chamfering, or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigations if performed in the country of manufacture of the iron mechanical transfer drive components. Subject iron mechanical transfer drive components are covered by the scope of the investigations regardless of width, design, or iron type (e.g., gray, white, or ductile iron). Subject iron mechanical transfer drive components are covered by the scope of the investigations regardless of whether they have non-iron attachments or parts and regardless of whether they are entered with other mechanical transfer drive components or as part of a mechanical transfer drive assembly (which typically includes one or more of the iron mechanical transfer drive components identified above, and which may also include other parts such as a belt, coupling and/or shaft). When entered as a mechanical transfer drive assembly, only the iron components that meet the physical description of covered merchandise are covered merchandise, not the other components in the mechanical transfer drive assembly (e.g., belt, coupling, shaft). For purposes of these investigations, a covered product is of ‘‘iron’’ where the article has a carbon content of 1.7 percent by weight or above, regardless of the presence and amount of additional alloying elements. The merchandise covered by these investigations is currently classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (‘‘HTSUS’’) subheadings 8483.30.8090, 8483.50.6000, 8483.50.9040, 8483.50.9080, 8483.90.3000, 8483.90.8080. Covered merchandise may also enter under the following HTSUS subheadings: 7325.10.0080, 7325.99.1000, 7326.19.0010, 7326.19.0080, 8431.31.0040, 8431.31.0060, 8431.39.0010, 8431.39.0050, 8431.39.0070, 8431.39.0080, and 8483.50.4000. These HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes. The written description of the scope of the investigations is dispositive. [FR Doc. 2015–29985 Filed 11–24–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES [C–570–031] Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components From the People’s Republic of China: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. DATES: Effective Date: November 17, 2015. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:15 Nov 24, 2015 Jkt 238001 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trisha Tran or Robert Galantucci at (202) 482–4852 or (202) 482–2923, AD/ CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The Petition On October 28, 2015, the Department of Commerce (Department) received a countervailing duty (CVD) petition concerning certain iron mechanical transfer drive components (iron transfer drive components) from the People’s Republic of China (the PRC), filed in proper form on behalf of TB Wood’s Incorporated (Petitioner). The CVD petition was accompanied by an antidumping duty (AD) petition concerning imports of iron transfer drive components from the PRC and Canada.1 Petitioner is a domestic producer of iron transfer drive components.2 On November 3, 2015 and November 6, 2015, the Department requested information and clarification for certain areas of the Petition.3 Petitioner filed responses to these requests on November 5, 2015 and November 10, 2015.4 In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended 1 See ‘‘Petition for the Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties: Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components from Canada and the People’s Republic of China,’’ dated October 28, 2015 (Petition). 2 See Volume I of the Petition, at 2, and Exhibits I–3 and I–4. 3 See Letter from the Department, ‘‘Petitions for the Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Imports of Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components from Canada and the People’s Republic of China: Supplemental Questions,’’ dated November 3, 2015 (General Issues Questionnaire); see also Letter from the Department, ‘‘Petition for the Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components from the People’s Republic of China: Supplemental Questions,’’ dated November 3, 2015; see also Letter from the Department, ‘‘Petition for the Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components from the People’s Republic of China: Supplemental Questionnaire,’’ dated November 6, 2015. 4 See Letter from Petitioner, ‘‘Response to the Department’s November 3, 2015 Supplemental Questions Regarding Volume I of the Petition for the Imposition of Countervailing Duties,’’ dated November 5, 2015, covering volume I (General Issues Supplement); see also ‘‘Response to the Department’s November 3, 2015 Supplemental Questions Regarding Volume IV of the Petition for the Imposition of Countervailing Duties,’’ dated November 5, 2015, covering volume IV of the Petition (CVD Supplement); ‘‘Response to the Department’s November 6, 2015 Supplemental Questions Regarding Volume I of the Petition for the Imposition of Countervailing Duties,’’ dated November 10, 2015, covering volume IV of the Petition (General Issues Second Supplement). PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (the Act), Petitioner alleges that the Government of China (GOC) is providing countervailable subsidies (within the meaning of sections 701 and 771(5) of the Act) to imports of iron transfer drive components from the PRC and that such imports are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, an industry in the United States. Also, consistent with section 702(b)(1) of the Act, for those alleged programs in the PRC on which we have initiated a CVD investigation, the Petition is accompanied by information reasonably available to Petitioner supporting its allegation. The Department finds that Petitioner filed the Petition on behalf of the domestic industry because Petitioner is an interested party as defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act. The Department also finds that Petitioner demonstrated sufficient industry support with respect to the initiation of the CVD investigation that Petitioner is requesting.5 Period of Investigation The period of the investigation is January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014.6 Scope of the Investigation The product covered by this investigation is iron transfer drive components from the PRC. For a full description of the scope of this investigation, see the ‘‘Scope of the Investigation’’ in Appendix I of this notice. Comments on Scope of the Investigation During our review of the Petition, the Department issued questions to, and received responses from, Petitioner pertaining to the proposed scope to ensure that the scope language in the Petition would be an accurate reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is seeking relief.7 As discussed in the preamble to the Department’s regulations,8 we are setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding product coverage (i.e., scope). The Department will consider all comments received from interested parties, and if necessary, will consult with interested parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary determination. If scope comments include factual information (see 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21)), all such factual information should be limited to public 5 See the ‘‘Determination of Industry Support for the Petition’’ section below. 6 See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(2). 7 See General Issues Questionnaire; see also General Issues Supplement. 8 See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties; Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997). E:\FR\FM\25NON1.SGM 25NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 227 / Wednesday, November 25, 2015 / Notices information. In order to facilitate preparation of its questionnaire, the Department requests all interested parties to submit such comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, which is the first business day after 20 calendar days from the signature date of this notice. Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, December 18, 2015, which is 10 calendar days after the initial comments deadline. The Department requests that any factual information the parties consider relevant to the scope of the investigation be submitted during this time period. However, if a party subsequently finds that additional factual information pertaining to the scope of the investigation may be relevant, the party may contact the Department and request permission to submit the additional information. All such comments must be filed on the record of the concurrent AD investigations. Filing Requirements All submissions to the Department must be filed electronically using Enforcement and Compliance’s Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS).9 An electronically-filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by the time and date it is due. Documents excepted from the electronic submission requirements must be filed manually (i.e., in paper form) with Enforcement and Compliance’s APO/Dockets Unit, Room 18022, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, and stamped with the date and time of receipt by the applicable deadlines. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Consultations Pursuant to section 702(b)(4)(A)(i) of the Act, the Department notified representatives of the GOC of the receipt of the Petition. Also, in accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act, the Department provided representatives of the GOC the opportunity for consultations with respect to the CVD petition. As the GOC did not request consultations prior to the initiation of 9 See 19 CFR 351.303 (for general filing requirements); Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011), for details of the Department’s electronic filing requirements, which went into effect on August 5, 2011. Information on help using ACCESS can be found at https://access.trade.gov/ help.aspx and a handbook can be found at https:// access.trade.gov/help/Handbook% 20on%20Electronic%20Filling%20Procedures.pdf. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:15 Nov 24, 2015 Jkt 238001 this investigation, the Department and the GOC did not hold consultations. Determination of Industry Support for the Petition Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on behalf of the domestic industry. Section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) At least 25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and (ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of the total production of the domestic like product, the Department shall: (i) Poll the industry or rely on other information in order to determine if there is support for the petition, as required by subparagraph (A); or (ii) determine industry support using a statistically valid sampling method to poll the ‘‘industry.’’ Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ‘‘industry’’ as the producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute directs the Department to look to producers and workers who produce the domestic like product. The International Trade Commission (ITC), which is responsible for determining whether ‘‘the domestic industry’’ has been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like product in order to define the industry. While both the Department and the ITC must apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic like product,10 they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a separate and distinct authority. In addition, the Department’s determination is subject to limitations of time and information. Although this may result in different definitions of the like product, such differences do not render the decision of either agency contrary to law.11 Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ‘‘a product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation under this title.’’ Thus, the 10 See section 771(10) of the Act. USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1, 8 (CIT 2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United States, 688 F. Supp. 639, 644 (CIT 1988), aff’d 865 F.2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)). 11 See PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 73723 reference point from which the domestic like product analysis begins is ‘‘the article subject to an investigation’’ (i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the Petition). With regard to the domestic like product, Petitioner does not offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope of the investigation. Based on our analysis of the information submitted on the record, we have determined that iron transfer drive components constitute a single domestic like product and we have analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like product.12 In determining whether Petitioner has standing under section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data contained in the Petition with reference to the domestic like product as defined in the ‘‘Scope of the Investigation,’’ in Appendix I of this notice. To establish industry support, Petitioner provided its production of the domestic like product in 2014, as well as estimated total production of the domestic like product for the entire domestic industry.13 We relied on data Petitioner provided for purposes of measuring industry support.14 On November 12, 2015, we received comments on industry support from Baldor Electric Company (Baldor) 15 and Caterpillar, Inc. (Caterpillar).16 Baldor also indicated that it opposes the Petition.17 Petitioner responded to the letters from Baldor and Caterpillar on November 16, 2015.18 Baldor filed two additional submissions regarding industry support on November 16, 12 For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis in this case, see Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiation Checklist: Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components from the People’s Republic of China (PRC CVD Checklist) at Attachment II, Analysis of Industry Support for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions Covering Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components from Canada and the People’s Republic of China (Attachment II). This checklist is dated concurrently with this notice and on file electronically via ACCESS. Access to documents filed via ACCESS is also available in the Central Records Unit, Room B8024 of the main Department of Commerce building. 13 See Volume I of the Petition, at 3–4 and Exhibits I–4 through I–7. 14 Id. For further discussion, see PRC CVD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II. 15 See Letter from Baldor Electric Company, dated November 12, 2015. 16 See Letter from Caterpillar, Inc., filed on November 12, 2015. We note that this letter is dated November 11, 2015, but was received by the Department on November 12, 2015. 17 See Letter from Baldor Electric Company, dated November 12, 2015, at 15. 18 See Letter from Petitioner, dated November 16, 2015. E:\FR\FM\25NON1.SGM 25NON1 73724 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 227 / Wednesday, November 25, 2015 / Notices 2015.19 Petitioner provided additional responses to Baldor’s arguments on November 17, 2015.20 For further discussion of these comments, see the PRC CVD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II. Our review of the data provided in the Petition; General Issues Supplement; letters from Baldor, Caterpillar, and Petitioner; and other information readily available to the Department indicates that Petitioner has established industry support.21 First, the Petition established support from domestic producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50 percent of the total production of the domestic like product and, as such, the Department is not required to take further action in order to evaluate industry support (e.g., polling).22 Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry support under section 702(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers) who support the Petition account for at least 25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product.23 Finally, the domestic producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry support under section 702(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers) who support the Petition account for more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the Petition.24 Accordingly, the Department determines that the Petition was filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of section 702(b)(1) of the Act. The Department finds that Petitioner filed the Petition on behalf of the domestic industry because it is an interested party as defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act and it has demonstrated sufficient industry support with respect to the CVD investigation that it is requesting the Department initiate.25 Injury Test Because the PRC is a ‘‘Subsidies Agreement Country’’ within the meaning of section 701(b) of the Act, section 701(a)(2) of the Act applies to tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 19 See Letters from Baldor Electric Company, dated November 16, 2015. 20 See Letter from Petitioner, dated November 17, 2015. 21 See PRC CVD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II. 22 See section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act; see also PRC CVD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II. 23 See PRC CVD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II. 24 Id. 25 Id. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:15 Nov 24, 2015 Jkt 238001 Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation Petitioner alleges that imports of the subject merchandise are benefitting from countervailable subsidies and that such imports are causing, or threaten to cause, material injury to the U.S. industry producing the domestic like product. In addition, Petitioner alleges that subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided for under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.26 Petitioner contends that the industry’s injured condition is illustrated by eroded domestic output and shipments; underselling and price suppression or depression; declining financial performance; negative impacts to employment; and lost sales and revenues.27 We have assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding material injury, threat of material injury, and causation, and we have determined that these allegations are properly supported by adequate evidence and meet the statutory requirements for initiation.28 Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires the Department to initiate a CVD investigation whenever an interested party filed a CVD petition on behalf of an industry that: (1) Alleges elements necessary for an imposition of a duty under section 701(a) of the Act; and (2) is accompanied by information reasonably available to Petitioner supporting the allegations. Petitioner alleges that producers/ exporters of iron transfer drive components in the PRC benefit from countervailable subsidies bestowed by the GOC. The Department examined the Petition and finds that it complies with the requirements of section 702(b)(1) of the Act. Therefore, in accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Act, we are initiating a CVD investigation to determine whether manufacturers, producers, or exporters of iron transfer drive components from the PRC receive countervailable subsidies from the GOC. On June 29, 2015, the President of the United States signed into law the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, which made numerous amendments to the AD and CVD law.29 The 2015 law does not specify dates of application for those amendments. On August 6, 2015, the Department published an interpretative rule, in which it announced the applicability dates for each amendment to the Act, except for amendments contained in section 771(7) of the Act, which relate to determinations of material injury by the ITC.30 The amendments to sections 776 and 782 of the Act are applicable to all determinations made on or after August 6, 2015, and, therefore, apply to this CVD investigation.31 Based on our review of the petition, we find that there is sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 39 of the 40 alleged programs in the PRC.32 For a full discussion of the basis for our decision to initiate or not initiate on each program, see the PRC CVD Initiation Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for this investigation is available on ACCESS. In accordance with section 703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our preliminary determination no later than 65 days after the date of this initiation. Respondent Selection Petitioner named 36 companies as producers/exporters of iron transfer drive components from the PRC.33 Following standard practice in CVD investigations, the Department would normally select respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data for U.S. imports of iron transfer drive components during the period of investigation under the appropriate HTSUS numbers listed in the scope in Appendix I, below. However, CBP data has been reported in this investigation. Accordingly, the ITC must determine whether imports of the subject merchandise from the PRC materially injure, or threaten material injury to, a U.S. industry. 26 See General Issues Supplement, at 12–13 and Exhibit I–S3. 27 See Volume I of the Petition, at 16–17, 22–44 and Exhibits I–4, I–10 through I–13, and I–15 through I–23; see also General Issues Supplement, at 12–13 and Exhibit I–S3. 28 See PRC CVD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment III, Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions Covering Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components from Canada and the People’s Republic of China. PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29 See Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, Pub. L. 114–27, 129 Stat. 362 (2015). 30 See Dates of Application of Amendments to the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Laws Made by the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, 80 FR 46793 (August 6, 2015) (Applicability Notice). The 2015 amendments may be found at https:// www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/ 1295/text/pl. 31 Id. at 46794–95. 32 Petitioner initially alleged 39 subsidy programs. See Volume IV of the Petition, at 7–92. In response to a Department questionnaire, the final number of programs alleged increased to 40. See CVD Supplement at 9–12. 33 See General Issues Second Supplement, at Exhibit 1; see also Volume I of the Petition, at Exhibit I–11. E:\FR\FM\25NON1.SGM 25NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 227 / Wednesday, November 25, 2015 / Notices mixed units of quantity and, thus, it is problematic for the Department use this data for respondent selection purposes. Accordingly, we intend to issue quantity and value (Q&V) questionnaires to each potential respondent and base respondent selection on the responses received. In addition, the Department will post the Q&V questionnaire along with filing instructions on the Enforcement and Compliance Web site at https:// www.trade.gov/enforcement/news.asp. Exporters and producers of iron transfer drive components from the PRC that do not receive Q&V questionnaires by mail may still submit a response to the Q&V questionnaire and can obtain a copy from the Enforcement and Compliance Web site. The Q&V response must be submitted by all PRC exporters/producers no later than December 1, 2015, which is two weeks from the signature date of this notice. All Q&V responses must be filed electronically via ACCESS. An electronically-filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by ACCESS, by 5 p.m. ET by the date noted above. Distribution of Copies of the Petition In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A)(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(f), a copy of the public version of the Petition has been provided to the GOC via ACCESS. To the extent practicable, we will attempt to provide a copy of the public version of the Petition to each known exporter (as named in the Petition), consistent with 19 CFR 351.203(c)(2). tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES ITC Notification We will notify the ITC of our initiation, as required by section 702(d) of the Act. Preliminary Determinations by the ITC The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date on which the Petition was filed, whether there is a reasonable indication that imports of iron transfer drive components from the PRC are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, a U.S. industry.34 A negative ITC determination will result in the investigation being terminated; 35 otherwise, this investigation will proceed according to statutory and regulatory time limits. Submission of Factual Information Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i) Evidence 34 See 35 See section 703(a)(2) of the Act. section 703(a)(1) of the Act. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:15 Nov 24, 2015 Jkt 238001 submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available information to value factors under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence placed on the record by the Department; and (v) evidence other than factual information described in (i)–(iv). The regulation requires any party, when submitting factual information, to specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted and, if the information is submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information already on the record, to provide an explanation identifying the information already on the record that the factual information seeks to rebut, clarify, or correct. Time limits for the submission of factual information are addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, which provides specific time limits based on the type of factual information being submitted. Parties should review the regulations prior to submitting factual information in this investigation. Extension of Time Limits Parties may request an extension of time limits before the expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as otherwise specified by the Secretary. In general, an extension request will be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301 expires. For submissions that are due from multiple parties simultaneously, an extension request will be considered untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. on the due date. Under certain circumstances, we may elect to specify a different time limit by which extension requests will be considered untimely for submissions which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such a case, we will inform parties in the letter or memorandum setting forth the deadline (including a specified time) by which extension requests must be filed to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in a separate, stand-alone submission; under limited circumstances we will grant untimely-filed requests for the extension of time limits. Review Extension of Time Limits; Final Rule, 78 FR 57790 (September 20, 2013), available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-201309-20/html/2013-22853.htm, prior to submitting factual information in this investigation. Certification Requirements Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 73725 proceeding must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.36 Parties are hereby reminded that revised certification requirements are in effect for company/government officials, as well as their representatives. Investigations initiated on the basis of petitions filed on or after August 16, 2013, and other segments of any AD or CVD proceedings initiated on or after August 16, 2013, should use the formats for the revised certifications provided at the end of the Final Rule.37 The Department intends to reject factual submissions if the submitting party does not comply with the applicable revised certification requirements. Notification to Interested Parties Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. On January 22, 2008, the Department published Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: Documents Submission Procedures; APO Procedures, 73 FR 3634 (January 22, 2008). Parties wishing to participate in this investigation should ensure that they meet the requirements of these procedures (e.g., the filing of letters of appearance as discussed at 19 CFR 351.103(d)). This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702 and 777(i) of the Act. Dated: November 17, 2015. Paul Piquado, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Appendix I Scope of the Investigation The products covered by this investigation are iron mechanical transfer drive components, whether finished or unfinished (i.e., blanks or castings). Subject iron mechanical transfer drive components are in the form of wheels or cylinders with a center bore hole that may have one or more grooves or teeth in their outer circumference that guide or mesh with a flat or ribbed belt or like device and are often referred to as sheaves, pulleys, flywheels, flat pulleys, idlers, conveyer pulleys, synchronous sheaves, and timing pulleys. The products covered by this investigation also include bushings, which are iron mechanical transfer drive components in the form of a cylinder and which fit into the bore holes of other mechanical transfer drive components to lock them into drive shafts by means of elements such as teeth, bolts, or screws. 36 See section 782(b) of the Act. Certification of Factual Information To Import Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (‘‘Final Rule’’); see also frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule, available at https://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_ info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf. 37 See E:\FR\FM\25NON1.SGM 25NON1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 73726 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 227 / Wednesday, November 25, 2015 / Notices Iron mechanical transfer drive components subject to this investigation are those not less than 4.00 inches (101 mm) in the maximum nominal outer diameter. Unfinished iron mechanical transfer drive components (i.e., blanks or castings) possess the approximate shape of the finished iron mechanical transfer drive component and have not yet been machined to final specification after the initial casting, forging or like operations. These machining processes may include cutting, punching, notching, boring, threading, mitering, or chamfering. Subject merchandise includes iron mechanical transfer drive components as defined above that have been finished or machined in a third country, including but not limited to finishing/machining processes such as cutting, punching, notching, boring, threading, mitering, or chamfering, or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the iron mechanical transfer drive components. Subject iron mechanical transfer drive components are covered by the scope of the investigation regardless of width, design, or iron type (e.g., gray, white, or ductile iron). Subject iron mechanical transfer drive components are covered by the scope of the investigation regardless of whether they have non-iron attachments or parts and regardless of whether they are entered with other mechanical transfer drive components or as part of a mechanical transfer drive assembly (which typically includes one or more of the iron mechanical transfer drive components identified above, and which may also include other parts such as a belt, coupling and/or shaft). When entered as a mechanical transfer drive assembly, only the iron components that meet the physical description of covered merchandise are covered merchandise, not the other components in the mechanical transfer drive assembly (e.g., belt, coupling, shaft). For purposes of this investigation, a covered product is of ‘‘iron’’ where the article has a carbon content of 1.7 percent by weight or above, regardless of the presence and amount of additional alloying elements. The merchandise covered by this investigation is currently classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (‘‘HTSUS’’) subheadings 8483.30.8090, 8483.50.6000, 8483.50.9040, 8483.50.9080, 8483.90.3000, 8483.90.8080. Covered merchandise may also enter under the following HTSUS subheadings: 7325.10.0080, 7325.99.1000, 7326.19.0010, 7326.19.0080, 8431.31.0040, 8431.31.0060, 8431.39.0010, 8431.39.0050, 8431.39.0070, 8431.39.0080, and 8483.50.4000. These HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes. The written description of the scope of the investigation is dispositive. [FR Doc. 2015–29945 Filed 11–24–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:15 Nov 24, 2015 Jkt 238001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration North American Free Trade Agreement, Article 1904; NAFTA Panel Reviews; First Request for Panel Review NAFTA Secretariat, United States Section, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of first request for panel review. AGENCY: On November 18, 2015, Irving Paper Limited filed a First Request for Panel Review with the United States Section of the NAFTA Secretariat pursuant to Article 1904 of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Also, on November 18, 2015, additional Requests for Panel Review were filed on behalf of Resolute FP Canada Inc., Port Hawkesbury Paper LP, the Government of Canada and the Governments of the Provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and ´ Quebec. Panel Review was requested of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final affirmative countervailing duty determination regarding Supercalendered Paper from Canada. This determination was published in the Federal Register (80 FR 63535), on October 20, 2015. The NAFTA Secretariat has assigned Case Number USA–CDA–2015–1904–01 to this request. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Morris, United States Secretary, NAFTA Secretariat, Suite 2061, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, (202)–482–5438. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Chapter 19 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (‘‘Agreement’’) established a mechanism to replace domestic judicial review of final determinations in antidumping and countervailing duty cases involving imports from a NAFTA country with review by independent binational panels. When a Request for Panel Review is filed, a panel is established to act in place of national courts to review expeditiously the final determination to determine whether it conforms to the antidumping or countervailing duty law of the country that made the determination. Under Article 1904 of the Agreement, which came into force on January 1, 1994, the Government of the United States, the Government of Canada, and the Government of Mexico established Rules of Procedure for Article 1904 Binational Panel Reviews (‘‘Rules’’). These Rules were published in the Federal Register on February 23, 1994 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (59 FR 8685) and subsequently amended on April 10, 2008 (73 FR 19458). A first Request for Panel Review was filed with the United States Section of the NAFTA Secretariat, pursuant to Article 1904 of the Agreement, on November 18, 2015, requesting a panel review of the determination and order described above. The Rules provide that: (a) A Party or interested person may challenge the final determination in whole or in part by filing a Complaint in accordance with Rule 39 within 30 days after the filing of the first Request for Panel Review (the deadline for filing a Complaint is December 18, 2015); (b) a Party, investigating authority or interested person that does not file a Complaint but that intends to appear in support of any reviewable portion of the final determination may participate in the panel review by filing a Notice of Appearance in accordance with Rule 40 within 45 days after the filing of the first Request for Panel Review (the deadline for filing a Notice of Appearance is January 4, 2016); and (c) the panel review shall be limited to the allegations of error of fact or law, including the jurisdiction of the investigating authority, that are set out in the Complaints filed in panel review and the procedural and substantive defenses raised in the panel review. Dated: November 19, 2015. Paul Morris, United States Secretary, NAFTA Secretariat. [FR Doc. 2015–29959 Filed 11–24–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A–549–822] Notice of Initiation and Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Changed Circumstances Review: Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From Thailand Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: In response to a request by Thai Union Group Public Co., Ltd. (Thai Union Group), a producer/exporter of certain frozen warmwater shrimp (shrimp) from Thailand, and pursuant to section 751(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), 19 CFR 351.216, and 19 CFR 351.221(c)(3)(ii), the Department of Commerce (the Department) is initiating a changed circumstances review (CCR) of the antidumping duty (AD) order on shrimp from Thailand with regard to Thai AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\25NON1.SGM 25NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 227 (Wednesday, November 25, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73722-73726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29945]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-570-031]


Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components From the 
People's Republic of China: Initiation of Countervailing Duty 
Investigation

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

DATES: Effective Date: November 17, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trisha Tran or Robert Galantucci at 
(202) 482-4852 or (202) 482-2923, AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and 
Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The Petition

    On October 28, 2015, the Department of Commerce (Department) 
received a countervailing duty (CVD) petition concerning certain iron 
mechanical transfer drive components (iron transfer drive components) 
from the People's Republic of China (the PRC), filed in proper form on 
behalf of TB Wood's Incorporated (Petitioner). The CVD petition was 
accompanied by an antidumping duty (AD) petition concerning imports of 
iron transfer drive components from the PRC and Canada.\1\ Petitioner 
is a domestic producer of iron transfer drive components.\2\
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    \1\ See ``Petition for the Imposition of Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duties: Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive 
Components from Canada and the People's Republic of China,'' dated 
October 28, 2015 (Petition).
    \2\ See Volume I of the Petition, at 2, and Exhibits I-3 and I-
4.
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    On November 3, 2015 and November 6, 2015, the Department requested 
information and clarification for certain areas of the Petition.\3\ 
Petitioner filed responses to these requests on November 5, 2015 and 
November 10, 2015.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Letter from the Department, ``Petitions for the 
Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Imports of 
Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components from Canada and 
the People's Republic of China: Supplemental Questions,'' dated 
November 3, 2015 (General Issues Questionnaire); see also Letter 
from the Department, ``Petition for the Imposition of Countervailing 
Duties on Imports of Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive 
Components from the People's Republic of China: Supplemental 
Questions,'' dated November 3, 2015; see also Letter from the 
Department, ``Petition for the Imposition of Countervailing Duties 
on Imports of Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components from 
the People's Republic of China: Supplemental Questionnaire,'' dated 
November 6, 2015.
    \4\ See Letter from Petitioner, ``Response to the Department's 
November 3, 2015 Supplemental Questions Regarding Volume I of the 
Petition for the Imposition of Countervailing Duties,'' dated 
November 5, 2015, covering volume I (General Issues Supplement); see 
also ``Response to the Department's November 3, 2015 Supplemental 
Questions Regarding Volume IV of the Petition for the Imposition of 
Countervailing Duties,'' dated November 5, 2015, covering volume IV 
of the Petition (CVD Supplement); ``Response to the Department's 
November 6, 2015 Supplemental Questions Regarding Volume I of the 
Petition for the Imposition of Countervailing Duties,'' dated 
November 10, 2015, covering volume IV of the Petition (General 
Issues Second Supplement).
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    In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act), Petitioner alleges that the Government of China 
(GOC) is providing countervailable subsidies (within the meaning of 
sections 701 and 771(5) of the Act) to imports of iron transfer drive 
components from the PRC and that such imports are materially injuring, 
or threatening material injury to, an industry in the United States. 
Also, consistent with section 702(b)(1) of the Act, for those alleged 
programs in the PRC on which we have initiated a CVD investigation, the 
Petition is accompanied by information reasonably available to 
Petitioner supporting its allegation.
    The Department finds that Petitioner filed the Petition on behalf 
of the domestic industry because Petitioner is an interested party as 
defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act. The Department also finds that 
Petitioner demonstrated sufficient industry support with respect to the 
initiation of the CVD investigation that Petitioner is requesting.\5\
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    \5\ See the ``Determination of Industry Support for the 
Petition'' section below.
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Period of Investigation

    The period of the investigation is January 1, 2014, through 
December 31, 2014.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scope of the Investigation

    The product covered by this investigation is iron transfer drive 
components from the PRC. For a full description of the scope of this 
investigation, see the ``Scope of the Investigation'' in Appendix I of 
this notice.

Comments on Scope of the Investigation

    During our review of the Petition, the Department issued questions 
to, and received responses from, Petitioner pertaining to the proposed 
scope to ensure that the scope language in the Petition would be an 
accurate reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is 
seeking relief.\7\
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    \7\ See General Issues Questionnaire; see also General Issues 
Supplement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed in the preamble to the Department's regulations,\8\ we 
are setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues 
regarding product coverage (i.e., scope). The Department will consider 
all comments received from interested parties, and if necessary, will 
consult with interested parties prior to the issuance of the 
preliminary determination. If scope comments include factual 
information (see 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21)), all such factual information 
should be limited to public

[[Page 73723]]

information. In order to facilitate preparation of its questionnaire, 
the Department requests all interested parties to submit such comments 
by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, which is 
the first business day after 20 calendar days from the signature date 
of this notice. Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual 
information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, December 18, 
2015, which is 10 calendar days after the initial comments deadline.
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    \8\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties; Final Rule, 
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997).
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    The Department requests that any factual information the parties 
consider relevant to the scope of the investigation be submitted during 
this time period. However, if a party subsequently finds that 
additional factual information pertaining to the scope of the 
investigation may be relevant, the party may contact the Department and 
request permission to submit the additional information. All such 
comments must be filed on the record of the concurrent AD 
investigations.

Filing Requirements

    All submissions to the Department must be filed electronically 
using Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS).\9\ An electronically-
filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by the 
time and date it is due. Documents excepted from the electronic 
submission requirements must be filed manually (i.e., in paper form) 
with Enforcement and Compliance's APO/Dockets Unit, Room 18022, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20230, and stamped with the date and time of receipt by 
the applicable deadlines.
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    \9\ See 19 CFR 351.303 (for general filing requirements); 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: Electronic Filing 
Procedures; Administrative Protective Order Procedures, 76 FR 39263 
(July 6, 2011), for details of the Department's electronic filing 
requirements, which went into effect on August 5, 2011. Information 
on help using ACCESS can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help.aspx and a handbook can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help/Handbook% 20on%20Electronic%20Filling%20Procedures.pdf.
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Consultations

    Pursuant to section 702(b)(4)(A)(i) of the Act, the Department 
notified representatives of the GOC of the receipt of the Petition. 
Also, in accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act, the 
Department provided representatives of the GOC the opportunity for 
consultations with respect to the CVD petition. As the GOC did not 
request consultations prior to the initiation of this investigation, 
the Department and the GOC did not hold consultations.

Determination of Industry Support for the Petition

    Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on 
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act 
provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic 
producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) At least 
25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and 
(ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like 
product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support 
for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 702(c)(4)(D) of 
the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of 
domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of 
the total production of the domestic like product, the Department 
shall: (i) Poll the industry or rely on other information in order to 
determine if there is support for the petition, as required by 
subparagraph (A); or (ii) determine industry support using a 
statistically valid sampling method to poll the ``industry.''
    Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ``industry'' as the 
producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine 
whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute 
directs the Department to look to producers and workers who produce the 
domestic like product. The International Trade Commission (ITC), which 
is responsible for determining whether ``the domestic industry'' has 
been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like 
product in order to define the industry. While both the Department and 
the ITC must apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic 
like product,\10\ they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a 
separate and distinct authority. In addition, the Department's 
determination is subject to limitations of time and information. 
Although this may result in different definitions of the like product, 
such differences do not render the decision of either agency contrary 
to law.\11\
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    \10\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
    \11\ See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1, 8 (CIT 
2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United States, 688 F. 
Supp. 639, 644 (CIT 1988), aff'd 865 F.2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ``a 
product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in 
characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation 
under this title.'' Thus, the reference point from which the domestic 
like product analysis begins is ``the article subject to an 
investigation'' (i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be 
investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the 
Petition).
    With regard to the domestic like product, Petitioner does not offer 
a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope of 
the investigation. Based on our analysis of the information submitted 
on the record, we have determined that iron transfer drive components 
constitute a single domestic like product and we have analyzed industry 
support in terms of that domestic like product.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis in 
this case, see Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiation 
Checklist: Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components from 
the People's Republic of China (PRC CVD Checklist) at Attachment II, 
Analysis of Industry Support for the Antidumping and Countervailing 
Duty Petitions Covering Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive 
Components from Canada and the People's Republic of China 
(Attachment II). This checklist is dated concurrently with this 
notice and on file electronically via ACCESS. Access to documents 
filed via ACCESS is also available in the Central Records Unit, Room 
B8024 of the main Department of Commerce building.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In determining whether Petitioner has standing under section 
702(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data 
contained in the Petition with reference to the domestic like product 
as defined in the ``Scope of the Investigation,'' in Appendix I of this 
notice. To establish industry support, Petitioner provided its 
production of the domestic like product in 2014, as well as estimated 
total production of the domestic like product for the entire domestic 
industry.\13\ We relied on data Petitioner provided for purposes of 
measuring industry support.\14\
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    \13\ See Volume I of the Petition, at 3-4 and Exhibits I-4 
through I-7.
    \14\ Id. For further discussion, see PRC CVD Initiation 
Checklist, at Attachment II.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On November 12, 2015, we received comments on industry support from 
Baldor Electric Company (Baldor) \15\ and Caterpillar, Inc. 
(Caterpillar).\16\ Baldor also indicated that it opposes the 
Petition.\17\ Petitioner responded to the letters from Baldor and 
Caterpillar on November 16, 2015.\18\ Baldor filed two additional 
submissions regarding industry support on November 16,

[[Page 73724]]

2015.\19\ Petitioner provided additional responses to Baldor's 
arguments on November 17, 2015.\20\ For further discussion of these 
comments, see the PRC CVD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See Letter from Baldor Electric Company, dated November 12, 
2015.
    \16\ See Letter from Caterpillar, Inc., filed on November 12, 
2015. We note that this letter is dated November 11, 2015, but was 
received by the Department on November 12, 2015.
    \17\ See Letter from Baldor Electric Company, dated November 12, 
2015, at 15.
    \18\ See Letter from Petitioner, dated November 16, 2015.
    \19\ See Letters from Baldor Electric Company, dated November 
16, 2015.
    \20\ See Letter from Petitioner, dated November 17, 2015.
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    Our review of the data provided in the Petition; General Issues 
Supplement; letters from Baldor, Caterpillar, and Petitioner; and other 
information readily available to the Department indicates that 
Petitioner has established industry support.\21\ First, the Petition 
established support from domestic producers (or workers) accounting for 
more than 50 percent of the total production of the domestic like 
product and, as such, the Department is not required to take further 
action in order to evaluate industry support (e.g., polling).\22\ 
Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have met the statutory 
criteria for industry support under section 702(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act 
because the domestic producers (or workers) who support the Petition 
account for at least 25 percent of the total production of the domestic 
like product.\23\ Finally, the domestic producers (or workers) have met 
the statutory criteria for industry support under section 
702(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers) 
who support the Petition account for more than 50 percent of the 
production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the 
industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the Petition.\24\ 
Accordingly, the Department determines that the Petition was filed on 
behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of section 702(b)(1) 
of the Act.
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    \21\ See PRC CVD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II.
    \22\ See section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act; see also PRC CVD 
Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II.
    \23\ See PRC CVD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II.
    \24\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Department finds that Petitioner filed the Petition on behalf 
of the domestic industry because it is an interested party as defined 
in section 771(9)(C) of the Act and it has demonstrated sufficient 
industry support with respect to the CVD investigation that it is 
requesting the Department initiate.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Injury Test

    Because the PRC is a ``Subsidies Agreement Country'' within the 
meaning of section 701(b) of the Act, section 701(a)(2) of the Act 
applies to this investigation. Accordingly, the ITC must determine 
whether imports of the subject merchandise from the PRC materially 
injure, or threaten material injury to, a U.S. industry.

Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation

    Petitioner alleges that imports of the subject merchandise are 
benefitting from countervailable subsidies and that such imports are 
causing, or threaten to cause, material injury to the U.S. industry 
producing the domestic like product. In addition, Petitioner alleges 
that subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided for 
under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.\26\
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    \26\ See General Issues Supplement, at 12-13 and Exhibit I-S3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Petitioner contends that the industry's injured condition is 
illustrated by eroded domestic output and shipments; underselling and 
price suppression or depression; declining financial performance; 
negative impacts to employment; and lost sales and revenues.\27\ We 
have assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding 
material injury, threat of material injury, and causation, and we have 
determined that these allegations are properly supported by adequate 
evidence and meet the statutory requirements for initiation.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ See Volume I of the Petition, at 16-17, 22-44 and Exhibits 
I-4, I-10 through I-13, and I-15 through I-23; see also General 
Issues Supplement, at 12-13 and Exhibit I-S3.
    \28\ See PRC CVD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment III, 
Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and 
Causation for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions 
Covering Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive Components from 
Canada and the People's Republic of China.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation

    Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires the Department to initiate a 
CVD investigation whenever an interested party filed a CVD petition on 
behalf of an industry that: (1) Alleges elements necessary for an 
imposition of a duty under section 701(a) of the Act; and (2) is 
accompanied by information reasonably available to Petitioner 
supporting the allegations.
    Petitioner alleges that producers/exporters of iron transfer drive 
components in the PRC benefit from countervailable subsidies bestowed 
by the GOC. The Department examined the Petition and finds that it 
complies with the requirements of section 702(b)(1) of the Act. 
Therefore, in accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Act, we are 
initiating a CVD investigation to determine whether manufacturers, 
producers, or exporters of iron transfer drive components from the PRC 
receive countervailable subsidies from the GOC.
    On June 29, 2015, the President of the United States signed into 
law the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, which made numerous 
amendments to the AD and CVD law.\29\ The 2015 law does not specify 
dates of application for those amendments. On August 6, 2015, the 
Department published an interpretative rule, in which it announced the 
applicability dates for each amendment to the Act, except for 
amendments contained in section 771(7) of the Act, which relate to 
determinations of material injury by the ITC.\30\ The amendments to 
sections 776 and 782 of the Act are applicable to all determinations 
made on or after August 6, 2015, and, therefore, apply to this CVD 
investigation.\31\
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    \29\ See Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, Pub. L. 114-
27, 129 Stat. 362 (2015).
    \30\ See Dates of Application of Amendments to the Antidumping 
and Countervailing Duty Laws Made by the Trade Preferences Extension 
Act of 2015, 80 FR 46793 (August 6, 2015) (Applicability Notice). 
The 2015 amendments may be found at https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1295/text/pl.
    \31\ Id. at 46794-95.
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    Based on our review of the petition, we find that there is 
sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 39 of the 40 
alleged programs in the PRC.\32\ For a full discussion of the basis for 
our decision to initiate or not initiate on each program, see the PRC 
CVD Initiation Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist 
for this investigation is available on ACCESS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ Petitioner initially alleged 39 subsidy programs. See 
Volume IV of the Petition, at 7-92. In response to a Department 
questionnaire, the final number of programs alleged increased to 40. 
See CVD Supplement at 9-12.
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    In accordance with section 703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our preliminary 
determination no later than 65 days after the date of this initiation.

Respondent Selection

    Petitioner named 36 companies as producers/exporters of iron 
transfer drive components from the PRC.\33\ Following standard practice 
in CVD investigations, the Department would normally select respondents 
based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data for U.S. imports 
of iron transfer drive components during the period of investigation 
under the appropriate HTSUS numbers listed in the scope in Appendix I, 
below. However, CBP data has been reported in

[[Page 73725]]

mixed units of quantity and, thus, it is problematic for the Department 
use this data for respondent selection purposes. Accordingly, we intend 
to issue quantity and value (Q&V) questionnaires to each potential 
respondent and base respondent selection on the responses received. In 
addition, the Department will post the Q&V questionnaire along with 
filing instructions on the Enforcement and Compliance Web site at 
https://www.trade.gov/enforcement/news.asp.
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    \33\ See General Issues Second Supplement, at Exhibit 1; see 
also Volume I of the Petition, at Exhibit I-11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Exporters and producers of iron transfer drive components from the 
PRC that do not receive Q&V questionnaires by mail may still submit a 
response to the Q&V questionnaire and can obtain a copy from the 
Enforcement and Compliance Web site. The Q&V response must be submitted 
by all PRC exporters/producers no later than December 1, 2015, which is 
two weeks from the signature date of this notice. All Q&V responses 
must be filed electronically via ACCESS. An electronically-filed 
document must be received successfully in its entirety by ACCESS, by 5 
p.m. ET by the date noted above.

Distribution of Copies of the Petition

    In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A)(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.202(f), a copy of the public version of the Petition has been 
provided to the GOC via ACCESS. To the extent practicable, we will 
attempt to provide a copy of the public version of the Petition to each 
known exporter (as named in the Petition), consistent with 19 CFR 
351.203(c)(2).

ITC Notification

    We will notify the ITC of our initiation, as required by section 
702(d) of the Act.

Preliminary Determinations by the ITC

    The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date 
on which the Petition was filed, whether there is a reasonable 
indication that imports of iron transfer drive components from the PRC 
are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, a U.S. 
industry.\34\ A negative ITC determination will result in the 
investigation being terminated; \35\ otherwise, this investigation will 
proceed according to statutory and regulatory time limits.
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    \34\ See section 703(a)(2) of the Act.
    \35\ See section 703(a)(1) of the Act.
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Submission of Factual Information

    Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i) 
Evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence 
submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available 
information to value factors under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the 
adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence 
placed on the record by the Department; and (v) evidence other than 
factual information described in (i)-(iv). The regulation requires any 
party, when submitting factual information, to specify under which 
subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted 
and, if the information is submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct 
factual information already on the record, to provide an explanation 
identifying the information already on the record that the factual 
information seeks to rebut, clarify, or correct. Time limits for the 
submission of factual information are addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, 
which provides specific time limits based on the type of factual 
information being submitted. Parties should review the regulations 
prior to submitting factual information in this investigation.

Extension of Time Limits

    Parties may request an extension of time limits before the 
expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as 
otherwise specified by the Secretary. In general, an extension request 
will be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the 
time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301 expires. For submissions 
that are due from multiple parties simultaneously, an extension request 
will be considered untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. on the due 
date. Under certain circumstances, we may elect to specify a different 
time limit by which extension requests will be considered untimely for 
submissions which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such 
a case, we will inform parties in the letter or memorandum setting 
forth the deadline (including a specified time) by which extension 
requests must be filed to be considered timely. An extension request 
must be made in a separate, stand-alone submission; under limited 
circumstances we will grant untimely-filed requests for the extension 
of time limits. Review Extension of Time Limits; Final Rule, 78 FR 
57790 (September 20, 2013), available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm, prior to submitting factual 
information in this investigation.

Certification Requirements

    Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding 
must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.\36\ 
Parties are hereby reminded that revised certification requirements are 
in effect for company/government officials, as well as their 
representatives. Investigations initiated on the basis of petitions 
filed on or after August 16, 2013, and other segments of any AD or CVD 
proceedings initiated on or after August 16, 2013, should use the 
formats for the revised certifications provided at the end of the Final 
Rule.\37\ The Department intends to reject factual submissions if the 
submitting party does not comply with the applicable revised 
certification requirements.
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    \36\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
    \37\ See Certification of Factual Information To Import 
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (``Final Rule''); see also 
frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule, available at 
https://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf.
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Notification to Interested Parties

    Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under 
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. On January 22, 2008, the 
Department published Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: 
Documents Submission Procedures; APO Procedures, 73 FR 3634 (January 
22, 2008). Parties wishing to participate in this investigation should 
ensure that they meet the requirements of these procedures (e.g., the 
filing of letters of appearance as discussed at 19 CFR 351.103(d)).
    This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702 and 
777(i) of the Act.

    Dated: November 17, 2015.
Paul Piquado,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix I

Scope of the Investigation

    The products covered by this investigation are iron mechanical 
transfer drive components, whether finished or unfinished (i.e., 
blanks or castings). Subject iron mechanical transfer drive 
components are in the form of wheels or cylinders with a center bore 
hole that may have one or more grooves or teeth in their outer 
circumference that guide or mesh with a flat or ribbed belt or like 
device and are often referred to as sheaves, pulleys, flywheels, 
flat pulleys, idlers, conveyer pulleys, synchronous sheaves, and 
timing pulleys. The products covered by this investigation also 
include bushings, which are iron mechanical transfer drive 
components in the form of a cylinder and which fit into the bore 
holes of other mechanical transfer drive components to lock them 
into drive shafts by means of elements such as teeth, bolts, or 
screws.

[[Page 73726]]

    Iron mechanical transfer drive components subject to this 
investigation are those not less than 4.00 inches (101 mm) in the 
maximum nominal outer diameter.
    Unfinished iron mechanical transfer drive components (i.e., 
blanks or castings) possess the approximate shape of the finished 
iron mechanical transfer drive component and have not yet been 
machined to final specification after the initial casting, forging 
or like operations. These machining processes may include cutting, 
punching, notching, boring, threading, mitering, or chamfering.
    Subject merchandise includes iron mechanical transfer drive 
components as defined above that have been finished or machined in a 
third country, including but not limited to finishing/machining 
processes such as cutting, punching, notching, boring, threading, 
mitering, or chamfering, or any other processing that would not 
otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation 
if performed in the country of manufacture of the iron mechanical 
transfer drive components.
    Subject iron mechanical transfer drive components are covered by 
the scope of the investigation regardless of width, design, or iron 
type (e.g., gray, white, or ductile iron). Subject iron mechanical 
transfer drive components are covered by the scope of the 
investigation regardless of whether they have non-iron attachments 
or parts and regardless of whether they are entered with other 
mechanical transfer drive components or as part of a mechanical 
transfer drive assembly (which typically includes one or more of the 
iron mechanical transfer drive components identified above, and 
which may also include other parts such as a belt, coupling and/or 
shaft). When entered as a mechanical transfer drive assembly, only 
the iron components that meet the physical description of covered 
merchandise are covered merchandise, not the other components in the 
mechanical transfer drive assembly (e.g., belt, coupling, shaft).
    For purposes of this investigation, a covered product is of 
``iron'' where the article has a carbon content of 1.7 percent by 
weight or above, regardless of the presence and amount of additional 
alloying elements.
    The merchandise covered by this investigation is currently 
classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
(``HTSUS'') subheadings 8483.30.8090, 8483.50.6000, 8483.50.9040, 
8483.50.9080, 8483.90.3000, 8483.90.8080. Covered merchandise may 
also enter under the following HTSUS subheadings: 7325.10.0080, 
7325.99.1000, 7326.19.0010, 7326.19.0080, 8431.31.0040, 
8431.31.0060, 8431.39.0010, 8431.39.0050, 8431.39.0070, 
8431.39.0080, and 8483.50.4000. These HTSUS subheadings are provided 
for convenience and customs purposes. The written description of the 
scope of the investigation is dispositive.

[FR Doc. 2015-29945 Filed 11-24-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P

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