Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, 31949-31951 [2018-14729]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 132 / Tuesday, July 10, 2018 / Notices Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. (This is not the cost of respondents’ time, but the indirect costs respondents may incur for such things as purchases of specialized software or hardware needed to report, or expenditures for accounting or records maintenance services required specifically by the collection.) Respondent Obligation: Voluntary. Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 16, 141, and 193. V. Request for Comments Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Summarization of comments submitted in response to this notice will be included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection. Comments will also become a matter of public record. Sheleen Dumas, Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2018–14695 Filed 7–9–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–07–P are invited to comment on this preliminary determination. DATES: Applicable July 10, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Magd Zalok or Stephen Bailey, AD/CVD Operations, Office IV, Enforcement & Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–4162 or (202) 482–0193 respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background This preliminary determination is in accordance with section 733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce published the notice of initiation of this investigation on January 4, 2018.1 On May 1, 2018, Commerce postponed the preliminary determination of this investigation.2 Commerce has exercised its discretion to toll deadlines for the duration of the closure of the Federal Government from January 20 through 22, 2018.3 The revised deadline for the preliminary determination for this investigation is now July 2, 2018. For a complete description of the events that followed the initiation of this investigation, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.4 A list of topics included in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is included as Appendix II to this notice. The Preliminary Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance’s Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https:// DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A–570–071] Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products From the People’s Republic of China: Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, and derivative products from the People’s Republic of China (China) are, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is April 1, 2017, through September 30, 2017. Interested parties amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:27 Jul 09, 2018 Jkt 244001 1 See Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products from France and the People’s Republic of China: Initiation of Less-Than-FairValue Investigations, 83 FR 516 (January 4, 2018) (Initiation Notice). 2 See Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products from the People’s Republic of China: Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation, 83 FR 19050 (May 1, 2018). 3 See Memorandum, for The Record from Christian Marsh, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, performing the nonexclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, ‘‘Deadlines Affected by the Shutdown of the Federal Government,’’ (Tolling Memorandum), dated January 23, 2018. All deadlines in this segment of the proceeding have been extended by 3 days. 4 See Memorandum, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Determination of the Less-ThanFair-Value Investigation of Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products from People’s Republic of China (Preliminary Decision Memorandum), dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice. See also Appendix I. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 31949 access.trade.gov, and to all parties in the Central Records Unit, room B8024 of the main Department of Commerce building. In addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at https://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/. The signed and the electronic versions of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum are identical in content. Scope of the Investigation The products covered by this investigation are sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, and derivative products from China. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, see Appendix I to this notice. Scope Comments In accordance with the preamble to Commerce’s regulations,5 the Initiation Notice set aside a period of time for parties to raise issues regarding product coverage (scope).6 On January 9, 2018, and January 19, 2018, Commerce received scope comments and rebuttal comments, respectively.7 For further details, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum accompanying this notice. However, Commerce is not preliminarily modifying the scope language as it appeared in the Initiation Notice. See the scope in Appendix I to this notice. Methodology Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with section 731 of the Act. Pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of the Act, Commerce preliminarily has relied upon facts otherwise available, with adverse inferences, for the China-wide entity. The China-wide entity includes mandatory respondents Shandong Fuyang Biotechnology Co., Ltd./ Shandong Fuyang Biology Starch Co., Ltd. (Shandong Fuyang) 8 Qingdao 5 See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997). 6 See Initiation Notice. 7 See Letter from Jungbunzlauer S.A. to Commerce, ‘‘Investigations Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products from France and China—Junsbunzlauers Comments regarding Scope,’’ dated January 9, 2018, and PMP’s Letter to Commerce, ‘‘Countervailing and Antidumping Duty Investigation of Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid and Derivative Products from the People’s Republic of China: Petitioner’s Rebuttal Comments on Scope Comments,’’ dated January 19, 2018. 8 See Memorandum, ‘‘Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation of Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products from the People’s Republic of China: Respondent Selection,’’ dated January 17, 2018 (Initial Respondent Selection Memorandum). See also Shandong Fuyang letter, ‘‘Notice of NonParticipation in Investigation,’’ dated March 30, 2018. E:\FR\FM\10JYN1.SGM 10JYN1 31950 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 132 / Tuesday, July 10, 2018 / Notices Dongxiao Enterprise Co., Ltd. (Qingdao Dongxiao),9 Zhejiang Tianyi Food Additives Co., Ltd. (Tianyi Food) 10 and Dezhou Huiyang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Dezhou Huiyang).11 These companies failed to respond to Commerce’s requests for information and withdrew from participation in this investigation. For a full description of the methodology underlying Commerce’s preliminary determination, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. Separate Rate In proceedings involving NME countries, Commerce maintains a rebuttable presumption that all companies within the country are subject to government control and, therefore, should be assessed a single weighted-average dumping margin.12 Commerce’s policy is to assign all exporters of subject merchandise that are in an NME country this single rate unless an exporter can demonstrate that it is sufficiently independent so as to be entitled to a separate rate.13 Commerce preliminarily finds that the evidence placed on the record of this investigation by Anhui Xingzhou Medicine Food Co., Ltd. (Xingzhou Medicine) 14 demonstrates an absence of de jure and de facto government control. Commerce assigned Xingzhou Medicine a separate rate, which is the petition rate, because it is the only rate available on the record of this proceeding. For a full description of the methodology underlying Commerce’s preliminary determination, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. Combination Rates In the Initiation Notice,15 Commerce stated that it would calculate producer/ exporter combination rates for the respondents that are eligible for a separate rate in this investigation. Policy Bulletin 05.1 describes this practice.16 Because Commerce preliminarily determined that these mandatory respondents should be considered part of the China-wide entity, and assigned, as adverse facts available, the petition rate to the China-wide entity, Commerce did not calculate producer/exporter combination rates for those companies. Preliminary Determination Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated weightedaverage dumping margins exist: Estimated weightedaverage dumping margin (percent) Exporter Producer Anhui Xingzhou Medicine Food Co., Ltd .................................... Anhui Xingzhou Medicine Food Co., Ltd .................................... Xiwang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd ............................................... Zhucheng Shuguang Biotech Co., Ltd ...................................... China-wide Entity 17 213.15 213.15 213.15 In accordance with section 733(d)(2) of the Act, Commerce will direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation of subject merchandise as described in the scope of the investigation section entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register, as discussed below. Further, pursuant to section 733(d)(1)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(d), Commerce will instruct CBP to require a cash deposit equal to the weighted average amount by which normal value exceeds U.S. price, as indicated in the chart above as follows: (1) For the producer/ exporter combinations listed in the table above, the cash deposit rate is equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin listed for that combination in the table; (2) for all combinations of China producers/ exporters of merchandise under consideration that have not established eligibility for their own separate rates, the cash deposit rate will be equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin established for the China-wide entity; and (3) for all third-country exporters of merchandise under consideration not listed in the table above, the cash deposit rate is the cash deposit rate applicable to the China producer/exporter combination (or the China-wide entity) that supplied that third-country exporter. As described in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum, in this preliminary determination, no adjustments pursuant to sections 777A(f) and 772(c)(1)(C) of the Act are being made for cash deposit purposes. These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect until further notice. 9 See Qingdao Dongxiao, see the Initial Respondent Selection Memorandum and Qingdao Dongxiao’s Letter, ‘‘Withdrawal from Participation,’’ dated February 14, 2018. 10 See Tianyi Food, see Commerce’s Memorandum, ‘‘Selection of Additional Respondent,’’ dated March 5, 2018 and Tianyi Food’s Letter, ‘‘Withdrawal from Participation,’’ dated March 8, 2018. 11 See Dezhou Huiyang’s Commerce’s Memorandum, ‘‘Selection of Additional Respondent,’’ dated March 9, 2018 and Dezhou Huiyang’s Letter, ‘‘Dezhou Huiyang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Withdrawal of Participation in Antidumping Duty Investigation,’’ dated March 13, 2018. 12 See, e.g., Polyethylene Terephthalate Film, Sheet, and Strip from the People’s Republic of China: Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, 73 FR 55039, 55040 (September 24, 2008). 13 See Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Sparklers from the People’s Republic of China, 56 FR 20588, 20589 (May 6, 1991) (Sparklers). 14 See, e.g., Xingzhou Medicine’s Letter, ‘‘Xingzhou Medicine Separate Rate Application,’’ dated February 5, 2018; Commerce’s Letter, ‘‘1st Supplemental Questionnaire Regarding the Separate Rate Application for Anhui Xingzhou Medicine Food Co., Ltd.,’’ dated February 27, 2018; Xingzhou Medicine’s Letter, ‘‘Supplemental SRA Questionnaire Response,’’ dated March 6, 2018; Commerce’s Letter, ‘‘2nd Supplemental Questionnaire regarding the Separate Rate Application for Anhui Xingzhou Medicine Food Co., Ltd.,’’ dated March 22, 2018. and Xingzhou Medicine’s Letter, ‘‘Second Supplemental SRA Questionnaire Response,’’ dated March 29, 2018. 15 See Initiation Notice at 42652–53. 16 See Enforcement and Compliance’s Policy Bulletin No. 05.1, regarding, ‘‘Separate-Rates Practice and Application of Combination Rates in Antidumping Investigations involving Non-Market Economy Countries,’’ (April 5, 2005) (Policy Bulletin 05.1), available on Commerce’s website at https://enforcement.trade.gov/policy/bull05-1.pdf. 17 The China-wide Entity includes Dezhou Huiyang, Qingdao Dongxiao, Shandong Fuyang, and Tianyi Food. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 Suspension of Liquidation VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:27 Jul 09, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Disclosure Normally, Commerce discloses to interested parties the calculations performed in connection with a preliminary determination within five days of its public announcement or, if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b). However, E:\FR\FM\10JYN1.SGM 10JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 132 / Tuesday, July 10, 2018 / Notices because Commerce preliminarily determined that the mandatory respondents should be considered to be part of the China-wide entity, and assigned the China-wide entity an AFA rate based solely on the petition, there are no calculations to disclose. Verification Because the mandatory respondents in this investigation did not provide information requested by Commerce and Commerce preliminarily determines in accordance with section 776(b) of the Act that each of the mandatory respondents to have been uncooperative, verification will not be conducted. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 Public Comment Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no later than 30 days after the date of publication of the preliminary determination, unless the Secretary alters the time limit. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in case briefs, may be submitted no later than five days after the deadline date for case briefs.18 Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), parties who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this investigation are encouraged to submit with each argument: (1) A statement of the issue; (2) a brief summary of the argument; and (3) a table of authorities. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to request a hearing, limited to issues raised in the case and rebuttal briefs, must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce, within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice. Requests should contain the party’s name, address, and telephone number, the number of participants, whether any participant is a foreign national, and a list of the issues to be discussed. If a request for a hearing is made, Commerce intends to hold the hearing at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230, at a time and date to be determined. Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, and location of the hearing two days before the scheduled date. Final Determination Section 735(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1) provide that Commerce will issue the final 18 See 19 CFR 351.309; see also 19 CFR 351.303 (for general filing requirements). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:27 Jul 09, 2018 Jkt 244001 determination within 75 days after the date of its preliminary determination. Accordingly, Commerce will make its final determination no later than 75 days after the signature date of this preliminary determination. International Trade Commission Notification In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify the International Trade Commission (ITC) of its preliminary determination of sales at LTFV. If the final determination is affirmative, the ITC will determine before the later of 120 days after the date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after the final determination whether imports of the subject merchandise are materially injuring, or threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry. Notification to Interested Parties This determination is issued and published in accordance with sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c). Dated: July 2, 2018. Gary Taverman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. 31951 The merchandise covered by the scope of the investigation is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 2918.16.1000, 2918.16.5010, and 2932.20.5020. Merchandise covered by the scope may also enter under HTSUS subheadings 2918.16.5050, 3824.99.2890, and 3824.99.9295. Although the HTSUS subheadings and CAS registry numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise is dispositive. Appendix II List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum I. Summary II. Background III. Period of Investigation IV. Scope Comments V. Scope of the Investigation VI. Discussion of the Methodology A. Non-Market Economy Country B. Surrogate Country and Surrogate Value Comments C. Separate Rates D. China-Wide Entity E. Use of Facts Otherwise Available With an Adverse Inference VII. Adjustment Under Section 777(A)(f) of the Act VIII. Adjustments to Cash Deposit Rates for Export Subsidies IX. Verification X. Conclusion [FR Doc. 2018–14729 Filed 7–9–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P Appendix I Scope of the Investigation The scope of the investigation covers all grades of sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, liquid gluconate, and glucono delta lactone (GDL) (collectively GNA Products), regardless of physical form (including, but not limited to substrates; solutions; dry granular form or powders, regardless of particle size; or as a slurry). The scope also includes GNA Products that have been blended or are in solution with other product(s) where the resulting mix contains 35 percent or more of sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, liquid gluconate, and/or GDL by dry weight. Sodium gluconate has a molecular formula of NaC6H11O7. Sodium gluconate has a Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry number of 527–07–1, and can also be called ‘‘sodium salt of gluconic acid’’ and/or sodium 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 pentahydroxyhexanoate. Gluconic acid has a molecular formula of C6H12O7. Gluconic acid has a CAS registry number of 526–95–4, and can also be called 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 pentahydroxycaproic acid. Liquid gluconate is a blend consisting only of gluconic acid and sodium gluconate in an aqueous solution. Liquid gluconate has CAS registry numbers of 527–07–1, 526–95–4, and 7732–18–5, and can also be called 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-pentahydroxycaproic acid-hexanoate. GDL has a molecular formula of C6H10O6. GDL has a CAS registry number of 90–80–2, and can also be called d-glucono-1,5-lactone. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [C–570–978] High Pressure Steel Cylinders From the People’s Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2016 Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is conducting an administrative review of the countervailing duty (CVD) order on high pressure steel cylinders (steel cylinders) from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for the period of review January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016. Interested parties are invited to comment on these preliminary results. DATES: Applicable July 10, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toby Vandall or Aimee Phelan, AD/ CVD Operations, Office I, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\10JYN1.SGM 10JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 10, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31949-31951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14729]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-570-071]


Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products From the 
People's Republic of China: Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less 
Than Fair Value

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily 
determines that sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, and derivative 
products from the People's Republic of China (China) are, or are likely 
to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The 
period of investigation (POI) is April 1, 2017, through September 30, 
2017. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary 
determination.

DATES: Applicable July 10, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Magd Zalok or Stephen Bailey, AD/CVD 
Operations, Office IV, Enforcement & Compliance, International Trade 
Administration, Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-4162 or (202) 482-0193 
respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This preliminary determination is in accordance with section 733(b) 
of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce published the 
notice of initiation of this investigation on January 4, 2018.\1\ On 
May 1, 2018, Commerce postponed the preliminary determination of this 
investigation.\2\ Commerce has exercised its discretion to toll 
deadlines for the duration of the closure of the Federal Government 
from January 20 through 22, 2018.\3\ The revised deadline for the 
preliminary determination for this investigation is now July 2, 2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products 
from France and the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Less-
Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 83 FR 516 (January 4, 2018) 
(Initiation Notice).
    \2\ See Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products 
from the People's Republic of China: Postponement of Preliminary 
Determination in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation, 83 FR 19050 
(May 1, 2018).
    \3\ See Memorandum, for The Record from Christian Marsh, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, performing the 
non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance, ``Deadlines Affected by the Shutdown of 
the Federal Government,'' (Tolling Memorandum), dated January 23, 
2018. All deadlines in this segment of the proceeding have been 
extended by 3 days.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For a complete description of the events that followed the 
initiation of this investigation, see the Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum.\4\ A list of topics included in the Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum is included as Appendix II to this notice. The Preliminary 
Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically 
via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to 
registered users at https://access.trade.gov, and to all parties in the 
Central Records Unit, room B8024 of the main Department of Commerce 
building. In addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum can be accessed directly at https://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/. The signed and the electronic versions of the Preliminary 
Decision Memorandum are identical in content.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary 
Determination of the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation of Sodium 
Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products from People's 
Republic of China (Preliminary Decision Memorandum), dated 
concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice. See also 
Appendix I.
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Scope of the Investigation

    The products covered by this investigation are sodium gluconate, 
gluconic acid, and derivative products from China. For a complete 
description of the scope of this investigation, see Appendix I to this 
notice.

Scope Comments

    In accordance with the preamble to Commerce's regulations,\5\ the 
Initiation Notice set aside a period of time for parties to raise 
issues regarding product coverage (scope).\6\ On January 9, 2018, and 
January 19, 2018, Commerce received scope comments and rebuttal 
comments, respectively.\7\ For further details, see the Preliminary 
Decision Memorandum accompanying this notice. However, Commerce is not 
preliminarily modifying the scope language as it appeared in the 
Initiation Notice. See the scope in Appendix I to this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, 62 FR 27296, 
27323 (May 19, 1997).
    \6\ See Initiation Notice.
    \7\ See Letter from Jungbunzlauer S.A. to Commerce, 
``Investigations Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative 
Products from France and China--Junsbunzlauers Comments regarding 
Scope,'' dated January 9, 2018, and PMP's Letter to Commerce, 
``Countervailing and Antidumping Duty Investigation of Sodium 
Gluconate, Gluconic Acid and Derivative Products from the People's 
Republic of China: Petitioner's Rebuttal Comments on Scope 
Comments,'' dated January 19, 2018.
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Methodology

    Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with 
section 731 of the Act. Pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of the Act, 
Commerce preliminarily has relied upon facts otherwise available, with 
adverse inferences, for the China-wide entity. The China-wide entity 
includes mandatory respondents Shandong Fuyang Biotechnology Co., Ltd./
Shandong Fuyang Biology Starch Co., Ltd. (Shandong Fuyang) \8\ Qingdao

[[Page 31950]]

Dongxiao Enterprise Co., Ltd. (Qingdao Dongxiao),\9\ Zhejiang Tianyi 
Food Additives Co., Ltd. (Tianyi Food) \10\ and Dezhou Huiyang 
Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Dezhou Huiyang).\11\ These companies failed to 
respond to Commerce's requests for information and withdrew from 
participation in this investigation. For a full description of the 
methodology underlying Commerce's preliminary determination, see the 
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
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    \8\ See Memorandum, ``Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation of 
Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products from the 
People's Republic of China: Respondent Selection,'' dated January 
17, 2018 (Initial Respondent Selection Memorandum). See also 
Shandong Fuyang letter, ``Notice of Non-Participation in 
Investigation,'' dated March 30, 2018.
    \9\ See Qingdao Dongxiao, see the Initial Respondent Selection 
Memorandum and Qingdao Dongxiao's Letter, ``Withdrawal from 
Participation,'' dated February 14, 2018.
    \10\ See Tianyi Food, see Commerce's Memorandum, ``Selection of 
Additional Respondent,'' dated March 5, 2018 and Tianyi Food's 
Letter, ``Withdrawal from Participation,'' dated March 8, 2018.
    \11\ See Dezhou Huiyang's Commerce's Memorandum, ``Selection of 
Additional Respondent,'' dated March 9, 2018 and Dezhou Huiyang's 
Letter, ``Dezhou Huiyang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Withdrawal of 
Participation in Antidumping Duty Investigation,'' dated March 13, 
2018.
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Separate Rate

    In proceedings involving NME countries, Commerce maintains a 
rebuttable presumption that all companies within the country are 
subject to government control and, therefore, should be assessed a 
single weighted-average dumping margin.\12\ Commerce's policy is to 
assign all exporters of subject merchandise that are in an NME country 
this single rate unless an exporter can demonstrate that it is 
sufficiently independent so as to be entitled to a separate rate.\13\ 
Commerce preliminarily finds that the evidence placed on the record of 
this investigation by Anhui Xingzhou Medicine Food Co., Ltd. (Xingzhou 
Medicine) \14\ demonstrates an absence of de jure and de facto 
government control. Commerce assigned Xingzhou Medicine a separate 
rate, which is the petition rate, because it is the only rate available 
on the record of this proceeding. For a full description of the 
methodology underlying Commerce's preliminary determination, see the 
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
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    \12\ See, e.g., Polyethylene Terephthalate Film, Sheet, and 
Strip from the People's Republic of China: Final Determination of 
Sales at Less Than Fair Value, 73 FR 55039, 55040 (September 24, 
2008).
    \13\ See Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: 
Sparklers from the People's Republic of China, 56 FR 20588, 20589 
(May 6, 1991) (Sparklers).
    \14\ See, e.g., Xingzhou Medicine's Letter, ``Xingzhou Medicine 
Separate Rate Application,'' dated February 5, 2018; Commerce's 
Letter, ``1st Supplemental Questionnaire Regarding the Separate Rate 
Application for Anhui Xingzhou Medicine Food Co., Ltd.,'' dated 
February 27, 2018; Xingzhou Medicine's Letter, ``Supplemental SRA 
Questionnaire Response,'' dated March 6, 2018; Commerce's Letter, 
``2nd Supplemental Questionnaire regarding the Separate Rate 
Application for Anhui Xingzhou Medicine Food Co., Ltd.,'' dated 
March 22, 2018. and Xingzhou Medicine's Letter, ``Second 
Supplemental SRA Questionnaire Response,'' dated March 29, 2018.
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Combination Rates

    In the Initiation Notice,\15\ Commerce stated that it would 
calculate producer/exporter combination rates for the respondents that 
are eligible for a separate rate in this investigation. Policy Bulletin 
05.1 describes this practice.\16\ Because Commerce preliminarily 
determined that these mandatory respondents should be considered part 
of the China-wide entity, and assigned, as adverse facts available, the 
petition rate to the China-wide entity, Commerce did not calculate 
producer/exporter combination rates for those companies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See Initiation Notice at 42652-53.
    \16\ See Enforcement and Compliance's Policy Bulletin No. 05.1, 
regarding, ``Separate-Rates Practice and Application of Combination 
Rates in Antidumping Investigations involving Non-Market Economy 
Countries,'' (April 5, 2005) (Policy Bulletin 05.1), available on 
Commerce's website at https://enforcement.trade.gov/policy/bull05-1.pdf.
    \17\ The China-wide Entity includes Dezhou Huiyang, Qingdao 
Dongxiao, Shandong Fuyang, and Tianyi Food.
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Preliminary Determination

    Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated 
weighted-average dumping margins exist:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Estimated
                                                             weighted-
            Exporter                     Producer             average
                                                          dumping margin
                                                             (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anhui Xingzhou Medicine Food     Xiwang Pharmaceutical            213.15
 Co., Ltd.                        Co., Ltd.
Anhui Xingzhou Medicine Food     Zhucheng Shuguang                213.15
 Co., Ltd.                        Biotech Co., Ltd.
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
                 China-wide Entity \17\                           213.15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Suspension of Liquidation

    In accordance with section 733(d)(2) of the Act, Commerce will 
direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation 
of subject merchandise as described in the scope of the investigation 
section entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or 
after the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register, 
as discussed below. Further, pursuant to section 733(d)(1)(B) of the 
Act and 19 CFR 351.205(d), Commerce will instruct CBP to require a cash 
deposit equal to the weighted average amount by which normal value 
exceeds U.S. price, as indicated in the chart above as follows: (1) For 
the producer/exporter combinations listed in the table above, the cash 
deposit rate is equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin 
listed for that combination in the table; (2) for all combinations of 
China producers/exporters of merchandise under consideration that have 
not established eligibility for their own separate rates, the cash 
deposit rate will be equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping 
margin established for the China-wide entity; and (3) for all third-
country exporters of merchandise under consideration not listed in the 
table above, the cash deposit rate is the cash deposit rate applicable 
to the China producer/exporter combination (or the China-wide entity) 
that supplied that third-country exporter.
    As described in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum, in this 
preliminary determination, no adjustments pursuant to sections 777A(f) 
and 772(c)(1)(C) of the Act are being made for cash deposit purposes.
    These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect 
until further notice.

Disclosure

    Normally, Commerce discloses to interested parties the calculations 
performed in connection with a preliminary determination within five 
days of its public announcement or, if there is no public announcement, 
within five days of the date of publication of this notice in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b). However,

[[Page 31951]]

because Commerce preliminarily determined that the mandatory 
respondents should be considered to be part of the China-wide entity, 
and assigned the China-wide entity an AFA rate based solely on the 
petition, there are no calculations to disclose.

Verification

    Because the mandatory respondents in this investigation did not 
provide information requested by Commerce and Commerce preliminarily 
determines in accordance with section 776(b) of the Act that each of 
the mandatory respondents to have been uncooperative, verification will 
not be conducted.

Public Comment

    Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted to the 
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no later than 30 
days after the date of publication of the preliminary determination, 
unless the Secretary alters the time limit. Rebuttal briefs, limited to 
issues raised in case briefs, may be submitted no later than five days 
after the deadline date for case briefs.\18\ Pursuant to 19 CFR 
351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), parties who submit case briefs or rebuttal 
briefs in this investigation are encouraged to submit with each 
argument: (1) A statement of the issue; (2) a brief summary of the 
argument; and (3) a table of authorities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ See 19 CFR 351.309; see also 19 CFR 351.303 (for general 
filing requirements).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to 
request a hearing, limited to issues raised in the case and rebuttal 
briefs, must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce, within 30 days 
after the date of publication of this notice. Requests should contain 
the party's name, address, and telephone number, the number of 
participants, whether any participant is a foreign national, and a list 
of the issues to be discussed. If a request for a hearing is made, 
Commerce intends to hold the hearing at the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230, at a time 
and date to be determined. Parties should confirm by telephone the 
date, time, and location of the hearing two days before the scheduled 
date.

Final Determination

    Section 735(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1) provide that 
Commerce will issue the final determination within 75 days after the 
date of its preliminary determination. Accordingly, Commerce will make 
its final determination no later than 75 days after the signature date 
of this preliminary determination.

International Trade Commission Notification

    In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify 
the International Trade Commission (ITC) of its preliminary 
determination of sales at LTFV. If the final determination is 
affirmative, the ITC will determine before the later of 120 days after 
the date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after the final 
determination whether imports of the subject merchandise are materially 
injuring, or threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry.

Notification to Interested Parties

    This determination is issued and published in accordance with 
sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c).

    Dated: July 2, 2018.
Gary Taverman,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Operations performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the 
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix I

Scope of the Investigation

    The scope of the investigation covers all grades of sodium 
gluconate, gluconic acid, liquid gluconate, and glucono delta 
lactone (GDL) (collectively GNA Products), regardless of physical 
form (including, but not limited to substrates; solutions; dry 
granular form or powders, regardless of particle size; or as a 
slurry). The scope also includes GNA Products that have been blended 
or are in solution with other product(s) where the resulting mix 
contains 35 percent or more of sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, 
liquid gluconate, and/or GDL by dry weight.
    Sodium gluconate has a molecular formula of 
NaC6H11O7. Sodium gluconate has a 
Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry number of 527-07-1, and can 
also be called ``sodium salt of gluconic acid'' and/or sodium 2, 3, 
4, 5, 6 pentahydroxyhexanoate. Gluconic acid has a molecular formula 
of C6H12O7. Gluconic acid has a CAS 
registry number of 526-95-4, and can also be called 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 
pentahydroxycaproic acid. Liquid gluconate is a blend consisting 
only of gluconic acid and sodium gluconate in an aqueous solution. 
Liquid gluconate has CAS registry numbers of 527-07-1, 526-95-4, and 
7732-18-5, and can also be called 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-pentahydroxycaproic 
acid-hexanoate. GDL has a molecular formula of 
C6H10O6. GDL has a CAS registry 
number of 90-80-2, and can also be called d-glucono-1,5-lactone.
    The merchandise covered by the scope of the investigation is 
currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States (HTSUS) under subheadings 2918.16.1000, 2918.16.5010, and 
2932.20.5020. Merchandise covered by the scope may also enter under 
HTSUS subheadings 2918.16.5050, 3824.99.2890, and 3824.99.9295. 
Although the HTSUS subheadings and CAS registry numbers are provided 
for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the 
merchandise is dispositive.

Appendix II

List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum

I. Summary
II. Background
III. Period of Investigation
IV. Scope Comments
V. Scope of the Investigation
VI. Discussion of the Methodology
    A. Non-Market Economy Country
    B. Surrogate Country and Surrogate Value Comments
    C. Separate Rates
    D. China-Wide Entity
    E. Use of Facts Otherwise Available With an Adverse Inference
VII. Adjustment Under Section 777(A)(f) of the Act
VIII. Adjustments to Cash Deposit Rates for Export Subsidies
IX. Verification
X. Conclusion

[FR Doc. 2018-14729 Filed 7-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
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