High Pressure Steel Cylinders From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With Final Determination in Less Than Fair Value Investigation, Notice of Amended Final Determination Pursuant to Court Decision, Notice of Revocation of Antidumping Duty Order in Part, and Discontinuation of Fifth Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 46758-46760 [2017-21582]
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46758
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2017 / Notices
59. Orchard View Farms, Inc., The Dalles, OR
60. Pacific Coast Cherry Packers, LLC,
Yakima, WA
61. Peshastin Hi-Up Growers, Peshastin, WA
62. Phillippi Fruit Company, Inc.,
Wenatchee, WA
63. Piepel Premium Fruit Packing LLC, East
Wenatchee, WA
64. Polehn Farm’s Inc., The Dalles, OR
65. Price Cold Storage & Packing Co., Inc.,
Yakima, WA
66. Pride Packing Company, Wapato, WA
67. Quincy Fresh Fruit Co., Quincy, WA
68. Rainier Fruit Company, Selah, WA
69. Roche Fruit, Ltd., Yakima, WA
70. Sage Fruit Company, L.L.C., Yakima, WA
71. Smith & Nelson, Inc., Tonasket, WA
72. Stadelman Fruit, L.L.C., MiltonFreewater, OR, and Zillah, WA
73. Stemilt Growers, LLC, Wenatchee, WA
74. Strand Apples, Inc., Cowiche, WA
75. Symms Fruit Ranch, Inc., Caldwell, ID
76. The Dalles Fruit Company, LLC,
Dallesport, WA
77. Underwood Fruit & Warehouse Co.,
Bingen, WA
78. Valicoff Fruit Co., Inc., Wapato, WA
79. Valley Fruit III L.L.C., Wapato, WA
80. Washington Cherry Growers, Peshastin,
WA
81. Washington Fruit & Produce Co., Yakima,
WA
82. Western Sweet Cherry Group, LLC,
Yakima, WA
83. Western Traders LLC, E. Wenatchee, WA
84. Whitby Farms, Inc. dba: Farm Boy Fruit
Snacks LLC, Mesa, WA
85. Yakima Fresh, Yakima, WA
86. Yakima Fruit & Cold Storage Co., Yakima,
WA
87. Zirkle Fruit Company, Selah, WA
Dated: October 2, 2017.
Joseph E. Flynn,
Director, Office of Trade and Economic
Analysis, International Trade Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017–21557 Filed 10–5–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
[A–570–977]
High Pressure Steel Cylinders From
the People’s Republic of China: Notice
of Court Decision Not in Harmony With
Final Determination in Less Than Fair
Value Investigation, Notice of
Amended Final Determination
Pursuant to Court Decision, Notice of
Revocation of Antidumping Duty Order
in Part, and Discontinuation of Fifth
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: On August 17, 2017, the Court
of International Trade (CIT or Court)
sustained the Department of
AGENCY:
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Commerce’s (Department) remand
redetermination pertaining to the final
determination in the less than fair value
(LTFV) investigation of high pressure
steel cylinders from the People’s
Republic of China (PRC). Because of the
CIT’s final decision, we are notifying the
public that this court decision is not in
harmony with the Department’s final
determination in the LTFV
investigation, and we are also amending
our final determination, revoking this
antidumping duty order, in part, and
discontinuing the fifth administrative
review.
DATES:
Applicable August 27, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Annathea Cook, AD/CVD Operations
Office V, Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–0250.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
As noted above, on August 17, 2017,
the CIT sustained the Department’s
Third Remand Redetermination
pertaining to the final determination in
the less than fair value (LTFV)
investigation of high pressure steel
cylinders from the People’s Republic of
China (PRC).1 In the underlying LTFV
investigation, the Department found
that, pursuant to section 777A(d)(1)(B)
of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended
(Act), ‘‘there was a pattern of prices that
differ significantly by time period’’ for
respondent Beijing Tianhai Industry
Co., Ltd. (BTIC), and that ‘‘application
of the standard A-to-A {(average-toaverage)} methodology would result in
the masking of dumping that is
unmasked by application of the
alternative A-to-T {(average-totransaction)} methodology when
calculating BTIC’s weighted-average
dumping margin.’’ 2 In the Final
Determination, the Department
calculated BTIC’s estimated weightedaverage dumping margin using the A-to1 See Beijing Tianhai Indus. Co. v. United States,
Slip Op. 17–105 (CIT August 17, 2017) (Beijing
Tianhai IV); see also Final Results of
Redetermination Pursuant to Court Remand, High
Pressure Steel Cylinders from the People’s Republic
of China, Beijing Tianhai Indus. Co., Ltd. v. United
States, Court No. 12–00203, Slip Op. 17–79 (CIT
July 5, 2017), dated August 3, 2017 (Third Remand
Redetermination); High Pressure Steel Cylinders
from the People’s Republic of China: Final
Determination of Sales at Less than Fair Value, 77
FR 26739 (May 7, 2012) (Final Determination), and
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum;
and High Pressure Steel Cylinders from the People’s
Republic of China: Antidumping Duty Order, 77 FR
37377 (June 21, 2012) (Order).
2 See Final Determination, and accompanying
Issues and Decision Memorandum at 23–24.
PO 00000
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T comparison method, applied to all of
BTIC’s export sales.3 In Beijing Tianhai
I,4 the CIT held that the Department’s
explanation of its ‘‘meaningful
difference’’ analysis in the Final
Determination was insufficient to satisfy
the explanation requirement under
section 777A(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act, and
also found that ‘‘the explanation ignores
the potential use of the {transaction-totransaction} methodology entirely.’’ 5
With respect to BTIC’s challenge to the
Department’s application of the A-to-T
methodology to all of BTIC’s export
sales as being inconsistent with 19 CFR
351.414(f), a regulation BTIC alleged
had been inappropriately withdrawn,
the CIT also held that ‘‘even if the
Department’s withdrawal of 19 CFR
351.414(f) (2007) was in violation of the
APA’s {(Administrative Procedure Act)}
notice and comment requirement, that
error was harmless as it relates to the
plaintiff in this case,’’ and also that ‘‘the
Department need not adhere to the
requirements of 19 CFR 351.414(f)
(2007).’’ 6 The Court deferred resolution
of several other issues pertaining to the
Department’s targeted dumping analysis
and application of the A-to-T
comparison method when determining
BTIC’s estimated weighted-average
dumping margin in Beijing Tianhai I.7
Following the Department’s First
Remand Redetermination,8 the CIT in
Beijing Tianhai II sustained the
Department’s Final Determination as to
the other issues that BTIC challenged,
for which the CIT had deferred
consideration in Beijing Tianhai I.9
However, with regard to the
Department’s ‘‘meaningful difference’’
analysis and the further analysis the
Department provided in the First
Remand Redetermination on that issue,
the CIT held that ‘‘the Department has
chosen a narrative rather than an
explanation,’’ and ‘‘failed to satisfy the
requirements of the statute.’’ 10 The
Court again remanded that issue to the
Department.11
3 Id.
at 24–26.
Beijing Tianhai Indus. Co. v. United States,
7 F. Supp. 3d 1318 (CIT 2014) (Beijing Tianhai I).
5 See Beijing Tianhai I, 7 F. Supp. 3d at 1331–
32.
6 Id. at 1332–37.
7 Id. at 1337.
8 See Final Results of Redetermination Pursuant
to Court Remand, High Pressure Steel Cylinders
from the People’s Republic of China, Beijing
Tianhai Indus. Co., Ltd. v. United States, Court No.
12–00203, Slip Op. 14–104 (CIT September 9,
2014), dated January 7, 2015 (First Remand
Redetermination).
9 See Beijing Tianhai Indus. Co. v. United States,
106 F. Supp. 3d 1342, 1352–56 (CIT 2015) (Beijing
Tianhai II)
10 Id. at 1351.
11 Id.
4 See
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The Department filed its Second
Remand Redetermination with the Court
on February 8, 2016,12 in which the
Department provided further
explanation as to its ‘‘meaningful
difference’’ analysis under section
777A(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act. However,
while the Department’s Second Remand
Redetermination was pending before the
CIT, the Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit) held
that the Department’s 2008 withdrawal
of the Limiting Regulation did not
comply with the notice-and-comment
provision of the Administrative
Procedure Act, and that not following
this provision could not be excused as
harmless error.13 BTIC subsequently
moved in the Beijing Tianhai CIT
proceeding for the CIT to reconsider its
prior holding in Beijing Tianhai I on the
status of the withdrawn regulation in
this case. In Beijing Tianhai III, based on
Mid Continent Nail, the CIT held that
the Limiting Regulation (i.e., 19 CFR
351.414(f)(2) (2007)) was in effect at the
time the Department issued the final
determination in the original
investigation.14 The Limiting Regulation
provided, in pertinent part: ‘‘Where the
criteria for identifying targeted dumping
. . . are satisfied, the {Department}
normally will limit the application of
the average-to-transaction {(A-to-T)}
method to those sales that constitute
targeted dumping under {19 CFR
351.414(f)(1)(i)}.’’ 15 On remand, the
Department was ordered by the CIT to
‘‘reconsider: (1) Its determination that
{section 777A(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act}
may be satisfied by applying a
‘meaningful difference’ analysis that
relies on 100 percent of BTIC’s U.S.
sales; and (2) should it continue to
determine that using the {A-to-T}
method is appropriate, the scope of
BTIC’s U.S. sales to which the {A-to-T}
method applies, and revise its dumping
margin calculations as may be
appropriate.’’ 16
In accordance with the Court’s
instructions in Beijing Tianhai III and in
light of the CIT’s holding that the
Limiting Regulation applied in this
investigation, the Department issued the
Third Remand Redetermination, which
it filed with the CIT on August 4, 2017.
In the Third Remand Redetermination,
we reconsidered our meaningful
difference analysis under section
777A(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act, as that
analysis was explained in the Second
Remand Redetermination.17 As part of
reconsidering our meaningful difference
analysis, we recalculated BTIC’s A-to-T
margin in a manner consistent with the
Limiting Regulation by applying the Ato-T comparison methodology only to
BTIC’s targeted sales (and applying the
A-to-A methodology to all other
transactions), which resulted in a
calculated margin of zero.18 BTIC’s
calculated margin using the A-to-A
methodology for all transactions was
also zero.19 In applying section
777A(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act, we found
that there was no meaningful difference
in BTIC’s antidumping margins using
the two aforementioned comparison
methodologies.20 Consequently, in the
Third Remand Redetermination, we
explained that ‘‘the A-to-A method can
account for BTIC’s prices which differ
significantly’’ and ‘‘determined that
BTIC’s weighted-average dumping
margin is now zero.’’ 21 The Department
also explained that ‘‘as no other aspect
of our Final Determination is being
challenged, we have not made changes
to the margins for any other entity.’’ 22
The CIT sustained the Third Remand
Redetermination in Beijing Tianhai IV
on August 17, 2017.23
Timken Notice
In its decision in Timken,24 as
clarified in Diamond Sawblades,25 the
Federal Circuit held that, pursuant to
section 516A(e) of the Act, the
Department must publish a notice of a
court decision that is not ‘‘in harmony’’
with a Department determination and
must suspend liquidation of entries
pending a ‘‘conclusive’’ court decision.
The CIT’s August 17, 2017, final
judgment sustaining the Third Remand
Redetermination constitutes a final
decision of the CIT that is not in
harmony with the Department’s Final
Determination. This notice is published
in fulfillment of the publication
requirements in Timken.
Amended Final Determination
Because there is now a final court
decision, the Department is amending
the Final Determination with respect to
BTIC:
Estimated
weighted-average
dumping margin
(percent)
Exporter
Producer
Beijing Tianhai Industry Co., Ltd .........................
Beijing Tianhai Industry Co., Ltd .........................
Beijing Tianhai Industry Co., Ltd .........................
Beijing Tianhai Industry Co., Ltd ...............................................................
Tianjin Tianhai High Pressure Container Co., Ltd ....................................
Langfang Tianhai High Pressure Container Co., Ltd ................................
Partial Exclusion From Antidumping
Duty Order and Discontinuation of
Fifth Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
Pursuant to section 735(a)(4) of the
Act, the Department ‘‘shall disregard
any weighted average dumping margin
12 Final Results of Redetermination Pursuant to
Court Remand, High Pressure Steel Cylinders from
the People’s Republic of China, Beijing Tianhai
Indus. Co., Ltd. v. United States, Court No. 12–
00203, Slip Op. 15–114 (CIT October 14, 2015),
dated February 8, 2016 (Second Remand
Redetermination).
13 See Mid Continent Nail Corp. v. United States,
846 F.3d 1364 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (Mid Continent Nail).
14 See Beijing Tianhai III at 17–18.
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18:40 Oct 05, 2017
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that is de minimis as defined in section
733(b)(3) of the Act.’’ 26 Furthermore,
and pursuant to section 735(c)(2) of the
Act, ‘‘the investigation shall be
terminated upon publication of that
negative determination’’ and the
Department shall ‘‘terminate the
suspension of liquidation’’ and ‘‘release
15 See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing
Duties, 62 FR 27296, 27416 (1997).
16 See Beijing Tianhai III at 17–18.
17 See Third Remand Redetermination at 6 & n.
28.
18 Id. at 6–8.
19 Id. at 7.
20 Id.
21 Id. at 7–8.
22 Id. at 7.
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0.00
0.00
0.00
any bond or other security, and refund
any cash deposit.’’ 27 As a result of this
amended final determination, in which
the Department has calculated an
estimated weighted-average dumping
margin of 0.00 percent for BTIC, the
Department is hereby excluding
merchandise from the above three
23 See
Beijing Tianhai IV at 2.
Timken Co. v. United States, 893 F.2d 337,
341 (Fed. Cir. 1990) (Timken).
25 See Diamond Sawblades Mfrs. Coalition v.
United States, 626 F.3d 1374 (Fed. Cir. 2010)
(Diamond Sawblades).
26 Section 733(b)(3) of the Act defines de minimis
dumping margin as ‘‘less than 2 percent ad valorem
or the equivalent specific rate for the subject
merchandise.’’
27 See sections 735(c)(2)(A) and (B) of the Act.
24 See
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2017 / Notices
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
producer/exporter chains from the
antidumping duty Order: 28
Accordingly, the Department will direct
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) to release any bonds or other
security and refund cash deposits
pertaining to any suspended entries
from the three aforementioned
producer-exporter combinations. This
exclusion does not apply beyond the
three producer-exporter combinations
referenced above.
We note, however, that pursuant to
Timken the suspension of liquidation
must continue during the pendency of
the appeals process. Thus, we will
instruct CBP to suspend liquidation of
all unliquidated entries from the three
aforementioned producer-exporter
combinations at a cash deposit rate of
0.00 percent which are entered, or
withdrawn from warehouse, for
consumption after August 27, 2017,
which is ten days after the CIT’s final
decision, in accordance with section
516A of the Act.29 If the CIT’s ruling is
not appealed, or if appealed and upheld,
the Department will instruct CBP to
terminate the suspension of liquidation
and to liquidate entries subject to the
three producer-exporter combination
rates stated above without regard to
antidumping duties. As a result of the
exclusion, the Department is
discontinuing the ongoing fifth
administrative review covering the
period June 1, 2016, through May 31,
2017, which only pertains to BTIC’s
entries during that period of review,30
and the Department will not initiate any
new administrative reviews of BTIC’s
entries pursuant to the antidumping
Order.31
Lastly, we note that, at this time, the
Department remains enjoined by Court
order from liquidating entries that were
exported by BTIC, and were entered, or
28 See Third Remand Redetermination at 8. There
continues to be a countervailing duty order
covering BTIC’s entries. This countervailing duty
order is unaffected by this Timken notice and notice
of amended final determination. See High Pressure
Cylinders from the People’s Republic of China:
Countervailing Duty Order, 77 FR 37384 (June 21,
2012).
29 See Drill Pipe from the People’s Republic of
China: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony
with International Trade Commission’s Injury
Determination, Revocation of Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Orders Pursuant to Court
Decision, and Discontinuation of Countervailing
Duty Administrative Review, 79 FR 78037, 78038
(December 29, 2014) (Drill Pipe).
30 See Initiation of Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 82 FR
35749 (August 1, 2017).
31 See Drill Pipe, 79 FR at 78038; see also Certain
Steel Nails from the United Arab Emirates: Notice
of Court Decision Not in Harmony with the Final
Determination and Amended Final Determination
of the Less Than Fair Value Investigation, 80 FR
77316 (December 14, 2015).
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18:40 Oct 05, 2017
Jkt 244001
withdrawn from warehouse, for
consumption during the period
December 16, 2011, through May 31,
2016. These entries will remain
enjoined pursuant to the terms of the
injunction during the pendency of any
appeals process.
This notice is issued and published in
accordance with sections 516A(c)(1) and
(e) of the Act.
Dated: September 29, 2017.
Carole Showers,
Executive Director, Office of Policy
performing the non-exclusive functions and
duties of the Assistant Secretary for
Enforcement and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2017–21582 Filed 10–5–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[C–570–980]
Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells,
Whether or Not Assembled Into
Modules, From the People’s Republic
of China: Amended Final Results of
Countervailing Duty Administrative
Review; 2014
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce
(the Department) is amending the final
results of the countervailing duty
administrative review of crystalline
silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or
not assembled into modules (solar
cells), from the People’s Republic of
China (PRC) to correct ministerial
errors. The period of review (POR) is
January 1, 2014, through December 31,
2014.
DATES: Applicable October 6, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gene H. Calvert, AD/CVD Operations,
Office VII, Enforcement and
Compliance, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone:
202–482–3586.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY:
Background
In accordance with section 751(a)(1)
of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended
(the Act), and 19 CFR 351.221(b)(5), on
July 17, 2017, the Department published
its final results in the countervailing
duty administrative review of solar cells
from the PRC.1 On July 28, 2017,
1 See Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells,
Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules, from the
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Canadian Solar Manufacturing
(Changshu) Inc. and its cross-owned
affiliates (collectively, Canadian Solar)
timely alleged that the Department
made two ministerial errors in the Final
Results.2 No other parties submitted
ministerial error allegations or
comments on Canadian Solar’s
allegations.
Scope of the Order
The merchandise covered by this
order is crystalline silicon photovoltaic
cells, and modules, laminates, and
panels, consisting of crystalline silicon
photovoltaic cells, whether or not
partially or fully assembled into other
products, including, but not limited to,
modules, laminates, panels and building
integrated materials. The merchandise
covered by this order is currently
classified in the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)
under subheadings 8501.61.0000,
8507.20.80, 8541.40.6020, 8541.40.6030,
and 8501.31.8000. While these HTSUS
subheadings are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, our
written description of the scope, which
is contained in the Decision
Memorandum accompanying the Final
Results, is dispositive.3
Ministerial Errors
Section 751(h) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.224(f) define a ‘‘ministerial error’’ as
an error ‘‘in addition, subtraction, or
other arithmetic function, clerical error
resulting from inaccurate copying,
duplication, or the like, and any other
similar type of unintentional error
which the Secretary considers
ministerial.’’ As discussed in the
Department’s Ministerial Error
Memorandum, the Department finds
that the errors alleged by Canadian Solar
constitute ministerial errors within the
meaning of 19 CFR 351.224(f).4
Specifically, we made ministerial errors
with regard to calculating the benefit
Canadian Solar received from the
People’s Republic of China: Final Results of
Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, and
Partial Rescission of Countervailing Duty
Administrative Review; 2014, 82 FR 32678 (July 17,
2017) (Final Results) and accompanying Issues and
Decision Memorandum (Decision Memorandum).
2 See Canadian Solar Letter, ‘‘Crystalline Silicon
Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into
Modules from the People’s Republic of China:
Ministerial Error Comments,’’ dated July 28, 2017
(Canadian Solar Ministerial Comments).
3 See the Decision Memorandum for a full
description of the scope of the order.
4 See Memorandum, ‘‘Administrative Review of
the Countervailing Duty Order on Crystalline
Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not
Assembled Into Modules, from the People’s
Republic of China: Ministerial Error Comments
Regarding the Final Results,’’ dated concurrently
with and hereby adopted by this notice (Ministerial
Error Memorandum).
E:\FR\FM\06OCN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 193 (Friday, October 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46758-46760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21582]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-570-977]
High Pressure Steel Cylinders From the People's Republic of
China: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With Final Determination
in Less Than Fair Value Investigation, Notice of Amended Final
Determination Pursuant to Court Decision, Notice of Revocation of
Antidumping Duty Order in Part, and Discontinuation of Fifth
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: On August 17, 2017, the Court of International Trade (CIT or
Court) sustained the Department of Commerce's (Department) remand
redetermination pertaining to the final determination in the less than
fair value (LTFV) investigation of high pressure steel cylinders from
the People's Republic of China (PRC). Because of the CIT's final
decision, we are notifying the public that this court decision is not
in harmony with the Department's final determination in the LTFV
investigation, and we are also amending our final determination,
revoking this antidumping duty order, in part, and discontinuing the
fifth administrative review.
DATES: Applicable August 27, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Annathea Cook, AD/CVD Operations
Office V, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-0250.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
As noted above, on August 17, 2017, the CIT sustained the
Department's Third Remand Redetermination pertaining to the final
determination in the less than fair value (LTFV) investigation of high
pressure steel cylinders from the People's Republic of China (PRC).\1\
In the underlying LTFV investigation, the Department found that,
pursuant to section 777A(d)(1)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended
(Act), ``there was a pattern of prices that differ significantly by
time period'' for respondent Beijing Tianhai Industry Co., Ltd. (BTIC),
and that ``application of the standard A-to-A {(average-to-
average){time} methodology would result in the masking of dumping that
is unmasked by application of the alternative A-to-T {(average-to-
transaction){time} methodology when calculating BTIC's weighted-
average dumping margin.'' \2\ In the Final Determination, the
Department calculated BTIC's estimated weighted-average dumping margin
using the A-to-T comparison method, applied to all of BTIC's export
sales.\3\ In Beijing Tianhai I,\4\ the CIT held that the Department's
explanation of its ``meaningful difference'' analysis in the Final
Determination was insufficient to satisfy the explanation requirement
under section 777A(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act, and also found that ``the
explanation ignores the potential use of the {transaction-to-
transaction{time} methodology entirely.'' \5\ With respect to BTIC's
challenge to the Department's application of the A-to-T methodology to
all of BTIC's export sales as being inconsistent with 19 CFR
351.414(f), a regulation BTIC alleged had been inappropriately
withdrawn, the CIT also held that ``even if the Department's withdrawal
of 19 CFR 351.414(f) (2007) was in violation of the APA's
{(Administrative Procedure Act){time} notice and comment requirement,
that error was harmless as it relates to the plaintiff in this case,''
and also that ``the Department need not adhere to the requirements of
19 CFR 351.414(f) (2007).'' \6\ The Court deferred resolution of
several other issues pertaining to the Department's targeted dumping
analysis and application of the A-to-T comparison method when
determining BTIC's estimated weighted-average dumping margin in Beijing
Tianhai I.\7\
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\1\ See Beijing Tianhai Indus. Co. v. United States, Slip Op.
17-105 (CIT August 17, 2017) (Beijing Tianhai IV); see also Final
Results of Redetermination Pursuant to Court Remand, High Pressure
Steel Cylinders from the People's Republic of China, Beijing Tianhai
Indus. Co., Ltd. v. United States, Court No. 12-00203, Slip Op. 17-
79 (CIT July 5, 2017), dated August 3, 2017 (Third Remand
Redetermination); High Pressure Steel Cylinders from the People's
Republic of China: Final Determination of Sales at Less than Fair
Value, 77 FR 26739 (May 7, 2012) (Final Determination), and
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum; and High Pressure Steel
Cylinders from the People's Republic of China: Antidumping Duty
Order, 77 FR 37377 (June 21, 2012) (Order).
\2\ See Final Determination, and accompanying Issues and
Decision Memorandum at 23-24.
\3\ Id. at 24-26.
\4\ See Beijing Tianhai Indus. Co. v. United States, 7 F. Supp.
3d 1318 (CIT 2014) (Beijing Tianhai I).
\5\ See Beijing Tianhai I, 7 F. Supp. 3d at 1331-32.
\6\ Id. at 1332-37.
\7\ Id. at 1337.
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Following the Department's First Remand Redetermination,\8\ the CIT
in Beijing Tianhai II sustained the Department's Final Determination as
to the other issues that BTIC challenged, for which the CIT had
deferred consideration in Beijing Tianhai I.\9\ However, with regard to
the Department's ``meaningful difference'' analysis and the further
analysis the Department provided in the First Remand Redetermination on
that issue, the CIT held that ``the Department has chosen a narrative
rather than an explanation,'' and ``failed to satisfy the requirements
of the statute.'' \10\ The Court again remanded that issue to the
Department.\11\
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\8\ See Final Results of Redetermination Pursuant to Court
Remand, High Pressure Steel Cylinders from the People's Republic of
China, Beijing Tianhai Indus. Co., Ltd. v. United States, Court No.
12-00203, Slip Op. 14-104 (CIT September 9, 2014), dated January 7,
2015 (First Remand Redetermination).
\9\ See Beijing Tianhai Indus. Co. v. United States, 106 F.
Supp. 3d 1342, 1352-56 (CIT 2015) (Beijing Tianhai II)
\10\ Id. at 1351.
\11\ Id.
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[[Page 46759]]
The Department filed its Second Remand Redetermination with the
Court on February 8, 2016,\12\ in which the Department provided further
explanation as to its ``meaningful difference'' analysis under section
777A(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act. However, while the Department's Second
Remand Redetermination was pending before the CIT, the Court of Appeals
for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit) held that the Department's
2008 withdrawal of the Limiting Regulation did not comply with the
notice-and-comment provision of the Administrative Procedure Act, and
that not following this provision could not be excused as harmless
error.\13\ BTIC subsequently moved in the Beijing Tianhai CIT
proceeding for the CIT to reconsider its prior holding in Beijing
Tianhai I on the status of the withdrawn regulation in this case. In
Beijing Tianhai III, based on Mid Continent Nail, the CIT held that the
Limiting Regulation (i.e., 19 CFR 351.414(f)(2) (2007)) was in effect
at the time the Department issued the final determination in the
original investigation.\14\ The Limiting Regulation provided, in
pertinent part: ``Where the criteria for identifying targeted dumping .
. . are satisfied, the {Department{time} normally will limit the
application of the average-to-transaction {(A-to-T){time} method to
those sales that constitute targeted dumping under {19 CFR
351.414(f)(1)(i){time} .'' \15\ On remand, the Department was ordered
by the CIT to ``reconsider: (1) Its determination that {section
777A(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act{time} may be satisfied by applying a
`meaningful difference' analysis that relies on 100 percent of BTIC's
U.S. sales; and (2) should it continue to determine that using the {A-
to-T{time} method is appropriate, the scope of BTIC's U.S. sales to
which the {A-to-T{time} method applies, and revise its dumping margin
calculations as may be appropriate.'' \16\
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\12\ Final Results of Redetermination Pursuant to Court Remand,
High Pressure Steel Cylinders from the People's Republic of China,
Beijing Tianhai Indus. Co., Ltd. v. United States, Court No. 12-
00203, Slip Op. 15-114 (CIT October 14, 2015), dated February 8,
2016 (Second Remand Redetermination).
\13\ See Mid Continent Nail Corp. v. United States, 846 F.3d
1364 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (Mid Continent Nail).
\14\ See Beijing Tianhai III at 17-18.
\15\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, 62 FR 27296,
27416 (1997).
\16\ See Beijing Tianhai III at 17-18.
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In accordance with the Court's instructions in Beijing Tianhai III
and in light of the CIT's holding that the Limiting Regulation applied
in this investigation, the Department issued the Third Remand
Redetermination, which it filed with the CIT on August 4, 2017. In the
Third Remand Redetermination, we reconsidered our meaningful difference
analysis under section 777A(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act, as that analysis
was explained in the Second Remand Redetermination.\17\ As part of
reconsidering our meaningful difference analysis, we recalculated
BTIC's A-to-T margin in a manner consistent with the Limiting
Regulation by applying the A-to-T comparison methodology only to BTIC's
targeted sales (and applying the A-to-A methodology to all other
transactions), which resulted in a calculated margin of zero.\18\
BTIC's calculated margin using the A-to-A methodology for all
transactions was also zero.\19\ In applying section 777A(d)(1)(B)(ii)
of the Act, we found that there was no meaningful difference in BTIC's
antidumping margins using the two aforementioned comparison
methodologies.\20\ Consequently, in the Third Remand Redetermination,
we explained that ``the A-to-A method can account for BTIC's prices
which differ significantly'' and ``determined that BTIC's weighted-
average dumping margin is now zero.'' \21\ The Department also
explained that ``as no other aspect of our Final Determination is being
challenged, we have not made changes to the margins for any other
entity.'' \22\ The CIT sustained the Third Remand Redetermination in
Beijing Tianhai IV on August 17, 2017.\23\
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\17\ See Third Remand Redetermination at 6 & n. 28.
\18\ Id. at 6-8.
\19\ Id. at 7.
\20\ Id.
\21\ Id. at 7-8.
\22\ Id. at 7.
\23\ See Beijing Tianhai IV at 2.
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Timken Notice
In its decision in Timken,\24\ as clarified in Diamond
Sawblades,\25\ the Federal Circuit held that, pursuant to section
516A(e) of the Act, the Department must publish a notice of a court
decision that is not ``in harmony'' with a Department determination and
must suspend liquidation of entries pending a ``conclusive'' court
decision. The CIT's August 17, 2017, final judgment sustaining the
Third Remand Redetermination constitutes a final decision of the CIT
that is not in harmony with the Department's Final Determination. This
notice is published in fulfillment of the publication requirements in
Timken.
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\24\ See Timken Co. v. United States, 893 F.2d 337, 341 (Fed.
Cir. 1990) (Timken).
\25\ See Diamond Sawblades Mfrs. Coalition v. United States, 626
F.3d 1374 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (Diamond Sawblades).
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Amended Final Determination
Because there is now a final court decision, the Department is
amending the Final Determination with respect to BTIC:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated weighted-
Exporter Producer average dumping
margin (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beijing Tianhai Industry Co., Beijing Tianhai 0.00
Ltd. Industry Co., Ltd.
Beijing Tianhai Industry Co., Tianjin Tianhai 0.00
Ltd. High Pressure
Container Co.,
Ltd.
Beijing Tianhai Industry Co., Langfang Tianhai 0.00
Ltd. High Pressure
Container Co.,
Ltd.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Partial Exclusion From Antidumping Duty Order and Discontinuation of
Fifth Antidumping Duty Administrative Review
Pursuant to section 735(a)(4) of the Act, the Department ``shall
disregard any weighted average dumping margin that is de minimis as
defined in section 733(b)(3) of the Act.'' \26\ Furthermore, and
pursuant to section 735(c)(2) of the Act, ``the investigation shall be
terminated upon publication of that negative determination'' and the
Department shall ``terminate the suspension of liquidation'' and
``release any bond or other security, and refund any cash deposit.''
\27\ As a result of this amended final determination, in which the
Department has calculated an estimated weighted-average dumping margin
of 0.00 percent for BTIC, the Department is hereby excluding
merchandise from the above three
[[Page 46760]]
producer/exporter chains from the antidumping duty Order: \28\
Accordingly, the Department will direct U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) to release any bonds or other security and refund cash
deposits pertaining to any suspended entries from the three
aforementioned producer-exporter combinations. This exclusion does not
apply beyond the three producer-exporter combinations referenced above.
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\26\ Section 733(b)(3) of the Act defines de minimis dumping
margin as ``less than 2 percent ad valorem or the equivalent
specific rate for the subject merchandise.''
\27\ See sections 735(c)(2)(A) and (B) of the Act.
\28\ See Third Remand Redetermination at 8. There continues to
be a countervailing duty order covering BTIC's entries. This
countervailing duty order is unaffected by this Timken notice and
notice of amended final determination. See High Pressure Cylinders
from the People's Republic of China: Countervailing Duty Order, 77
FR 37384 (June 21, 2012).
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We note, however, that pursuant to Timken the suspension of
liquidation must continue during the pendency of the appeals process.
Thus, we will instruct CBP to suspend liquidation of all unliquidated
entries from the three aforementioned producer-exporter combinations at
a cash deposit rate of 0.00 percent which are entered, or withdrawn
from warehouse, for consumption after August 27, 2017, which is ten
days after the CIT's final decision, in accordance with section 516A of
the Act.\29\ If the CIT's ruling is not appealed, or if appealed and
upheld, the Department will instruct CBP to terminate the suspension of
liquidation and to liquidate entries subject to the three producer-
exporter combination rates stated above without regard to antidumping
duties. As a result of the exclusion, the Department is discontinuing
the ongoing fifth administrative review covering the period June 1,
2016, through May 31, 2017, which only pertains to BTIC's entries
during that period of review,\30\ and the Department will not initiate
any new administrative reviews of BTIC's entries pursuant to the
antidumping Order.\31\
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\29\ See Drill Pipe from the People's Republic of China: Notice
of Court Decision Not in Harmony with International Trade
Commission's Injury Determination, Revocation of Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Orders Pursuant to Court Decision, and
Discontinuation of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, 79 FR
78037, 78038 (December 29, 2014) (Drill Pipe).
\30\ See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Administrative Reviews, 82 FR 35749 (August 1, 2017).
\31\ See Drill Pipe, 79 FR at 78038; see also Certain Steel
Nails from the United Arab Emirates: Notice of Court Decision Not in
Harmony with the Final Determination and Amended Final Determination
of the Less Than Fair Value Investigation, 80 FR 77316 (December 14,
2015).
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Lastly, we note that, at this time, the Department remains enjoined
by Court order from liquidating entries that were exported by BTIC, and
were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption during the
period December 16, 2011, through May 31, 2016. These entries will
remain enjoined pursuant to the terms of the injunction during the
pendency of any appeals process.
This notice is issued and published in accordance with sections
516A(c)(1) and (e) of the Act.
Dated: September 29, 2017.
Carole Showers,
Executive Director, Office of Policy performing the non-exclusive
functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and
Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2017-21582 Filed 10-5-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P