Certain Fabricated Structural Steel From Canada: Preliminary Negative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination, 33232-33235 [2019-14872]

Download as PDF 33232 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 134 / Friday, July 12, 2019 / Notices TCK’ accounting system continue to be used by TAK.23 Based on the evidence on the record discussed above, we preliminarily determine that TAK is the successor-ininterest to TCK, because the change in the business’ structure (the merger of the wholly owned subsidiary into the parent company) was not accompanied by significant changes to its management and operations, production facilities, supplier relationships, or customer base. Thus, we preliminarily determine that TAK is the successor-ininterest to TCK, and that TAK should receive the same antidumping duty cash deposit rate with respect to subject merchandise. Dated: July 8, 2019. Jeffrey I. Kessler, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Public Comment AGENCY: Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), any interested party may request a hearing within 30 days of publication of this notice. In accordance with 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(ii), interested parties may submit case briefs not later than 30 days after the date of publication of this notice. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may be filed no later than five days after the case briefs, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.309(d). Parties who submit case or rebuttal briefs 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.24 All comments are to be filed electronically via Enforcement and Compliance’s Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), available to registered users at https:// access.trade.gov and in the Central Records Unit, Room B8024, of the main Commerce building. An electronically filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the day it is due.25 Consistent with 19 CFR 351.216(e), we will issue the final results of this CCR no later than 270 days after the date on which this review was initiated, or within 45 days of the publication of these preliminary results if all parties agree to our preliminary finding. jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES Notification to Interested Parties This notice is published in accordance with sections 751(b)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.216(b), 351.221(b) and 351.221(c)(3). 23 Id. at Exhibits 11 and 12. 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2). 25 See 19 CFR 351.303(b). 24 See VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 247001 [FR Doc. 2019–14862 Filed 7–11–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [C–122–865] Certain Fabricated Structural Steel From Canada: Preliminary Negative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that countervailable subsidies are not being provided to producers and exporters of certain fabricated structural steel (fabricated structural steel) from Canada. The period of investigation is January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination. DATES: Applicable July 12, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Whitley Herndon, AD/CVD Operations, Office II, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–6274. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section 703(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce published the notice of initiation of this investigation on March 4, 2019.1 On April 16, 2019, in accordance with section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act, Commerce postponed the preliminary determination of this investigation and the revised deadline is now July 5, 2019.2 For a complete description of the events that followed the initiation of this investigation, see the Preliminary Decision 1 See Certain Fabricated Structural Steel from Canada, Mexico, and the People’s Republic of China: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigations, 84 FR 7339 (March 4, 2019) (Initiation Notice). 2 See Certain Fabricated Structural Steel from Canada, Mexico, and the People’s Republic of China: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the Countervailing Duty Investigations, 84 FR 15581 (April 16, 2019). PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Memorandum.3 A list of topics discussed 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 is available to all parties in the Central Records Unit, Room B8024 of the main 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 electronic versions of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum are identical in content. Scope of the Investigation The product covered by this investigation is fabricated structural steel from Canada. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, see Appendix I. Scope Comments In accordance with the Preamble to Commerce’s regulations,4 the Initiation Notice set aside a period of time for parties to raise issues regarding product coverage (i.e. , scope).5 Certain interested parties commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the Initiation Notice. For a summary of the product coverage comments and rebuttal comments submitted to the record that have been addressed by Commerce for this preliminary determination, and Commerce’s accompanying discussion and analysis of those comments, see the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum.6 Based on our analysis of those comments, we are preliminarily modifying the scope language as it appeared in the Initiation Notice. See the revised scope in Appendix I. Methodology Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with section 701 of the Act. For each of the subsidy 3 See Memorandum, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Determination of the Countervailing Duty Investigation of Certain Fabricated Structural Steel from Canada,’’ dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum). 4 See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble). 5 See Initiation Notice, 84 FR at 7340. 6 See Memorandum, ‘‘Fabricated Structural Steel from Canada, Mexico, and the People’s Republic of China: Preliminary Scope Decision,’’ dated concurrently with this notice (Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum). E:\FR\FM\12JYN1.SGM 12JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 134 / Friday, July 12, 2019 / Notices programs found countervailable, Commerce preliminarily determines that there is a subsidy, i.e. , a financial contribution by an ‘‘authority’’ that gives rise to a benefit to the recipient, and that the subsidy is specific.7 Alignment As noted in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum, in accordance with section 705(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(4), Commerce is aligning the final countervailing duty (CVD) determination in this investigation with the final determination in the companion antidumping duty (AD) investigation of fabricated structural steel from Canada based on a request made by the American Institute of Steel Construction Full Member Subgroup (the petitioner).8 Consequently, the final CVD determination will be issued on the same date as the final AD determination, which is currently scheduled to be issued no later than November 18, 2019, unless postponed. Preliminary Determination For this preliminary determination, Commerce calculated de minimis estimated countervailable subsidy rates for all individually examined producers/exporters of the subject merchandise. Consistent with section 703(b)(4)(A) of the Act, Commerce has disregarded the de minimis rates. Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated countervailable subsidy rates exist: Subsidy rate (percent) Exporter/producer Les Constructions Beauce-Atlas Inc. .... Les Industries Canatal Inc. ................... * 0.12 * 0.45 * (de minimis). Consistent with section 703(d) of the Act, Commerce has not calculated an estimated weighted-average subsidy rate for all other producers/exporters because it has not made an affirmative preliminary determination. jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES Suspension of Liquidation Because Commerce preliminarily determines that no countervailable subsidies are being provided to the production or exportation of subject merchandise, consistent with section 7 See sections 771(5)(B) and (D) of the Act regarding financial contribution; section 771(5)(E) of the Act regarding benefit; and section 771(5A) of the Act regarding specificity. 8 See Petitioner’s Letter, ‘‘Certain Fabricated Structural Steel from Canada, Mexico, and the People’s Republic of China: Request to Postpone Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determination and to Align Final Countervailing Duty Determination with Final Antidumping Duty Determination,’’ dated June 19, 2019. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 247001 703(d) of the Act, Commerce will not direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to suspend liquidation of any such entries. Disclosure Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis performed to interested parties in this preliminary determination within five days of its public announcement, or if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b). Verification As provided in section 782(i)(1) of the Act, Commerce intends to verify the information relied upon in making its final determination. Public Comment Case briefs or other written comments regarding non-scope issues may be submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no later than seven days after the date on which the last verification report is issued in this investigation. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in case briefs covering non-scope issues, may be submitted no later than five days after the deadline for submitting non-scope related case briefs.9 Case briefs or other written comments regarding scope issues may be submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no later than 21 days after the publication of the preliminary AD determinations on fabricated structural steel from Canada, China, and Mexico in the Federal Register . Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in scope case briefs, may be submitted no later than five days after the deadline for submitting scope case briefs. For all scope issues, parties must file separate and identical briefs and/or rebuttal briefs on the records of all of the ongoing CVD and AD investigations of fabricated structural steel from Canada, China, and Mexico through ACCESS. No new factual information may be included in scope case briefs or rebuttal scope briefs. 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 9 See 19 CFR 351.309; see also 19 CFR 351.303 (for general filing requirements). PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 33233 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. International Trade Commission Notification In accordance with section 703(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify the International Trade Commission (ITC) of its determination. 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 pursuant to sections 703(f) and 777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c). Dated: July 5, 2019. Jeffrey I. Kessler, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Appendix I Scope of the Investigation The merchandise covered by this investigation is carbon and alloy fabricated structural steel. Fabricated structural steel is made from steel in which: (1) Iron predominates, by weight, over each of the other contained elements; and (2) the carbon content is two percent or less by weight. Fabricated structural steel products are steel products that have been fabricated for erection or assembly into structures, including, but not limited to, buildings (commercial, office, institutional, and multifamily residential); industrial and utility projects; parking decks; arenas and convention centers; medical facilities; and ports, transportation and infrastructure facilities. Fabricated structural steel is manufactured from carbon and alloy (including stainless) steel products such as angles, columns, beams, girders, plates, flange shapes (including manufactured structural shapes utilizing welded plates as a substitute for rolled wide flange sections), channels, hollow structural section (HSS) E:\FR\FM\12JYN1.SGM 12JYN1 jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES 33234 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 134 / Friday, July 12, 2019 / Notices shapes, base plates, and plate-work components. Fabrication includes, but is not limited to cutting, drilling, welding, joining, bolting, bending, punching, pressure fitting, molding, grooving, adhesion, beveling, and riveting and may include items such as fasteners, nuts, bolts, rivets, screws, hinges, or joints. The inclusion, attachment, joining, or assembly of non-steel components with fabricated structural steel does not remove the fabricated structural steel from the scope. Fabricated structural steel is covered by the scope of the investigation regardless of whether it is painted, varnished, or coated with plastics or other metallic or nonmetallic substances and regardless of whether it is assembled or partially assembled, such as into modules, modularized construction units, or subassemblies of fabricated structural steel. Subject merchandise includes fabricated structural steel that has been assembled or further processed in the subject country or a third country, including but not limited to painting, varnishing, trimming, cutting, drilling, welding, joining, bolting, punching, bending, beveling, riveting, galvanizing, coating, and/or slitting 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 fabricated structural steel. All products that meet the written physical description of the merchandise covered by the investigation are within the scope of the investigation unless specifically excluded or covered by the scope of an existing countervailing duty order. Specifically excluded from the scope of the investigation are: 1. Fabricated steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) if: (i) It is a unitary piece of fabricated rebar, not joined, welded, or otherwise connected with any other steel product or part; or (ii) it is joined, welded, or otherwise connected only to other rebar. 2. Fabricated structural steel for bridges and bridge sections that meets American Association of State and Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) bridge construction requirements or any state or local derivatives of the AASHTO bridge construction requirements. 3. Pre-engineered metal building systems, which are defined as complete metal buildings that integrate steel framing, roofing and walls to form one, pre-engineered building system, that meet Metal Building Manufacturers Association guide specifications. Pre-engineered metal building systems are typically limited in height to no more than 60 feet or two stories. 4. Steel roof and floor decking systems that meet Steel Deck Institute standards. 5. Open web steel bar joists and joist girders that meet Steel Joist Institute specifications. 6. Also excluded from the scope of the investigation is scaffolding that complies with ANSI/ASSE A10.8—2011—Scaffolding Safety Requirements, and/or Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations at 29 CFR part 1926 subpart L—Scaffolds. The outside diameter of the scaffold tubing covered by this exclusion ranges from 25 mm to 80 mm. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 247001 7. Excluded from the scope of the investigation are access flooring systems panels and accessories, where such panels have a total thickness ranging from 0.75 inches to 1.75 inches and consist of concrete, wood, other non-steel materials, or hollow space permanently attached to a top and bottom layer of galvanized or painted steel sheet or formed coil steel, the whole of which has been formed into a square or rectangle having a measurement of 24 inches on each side +/¥ 0.1 inch; 24 inches by 30 inches +/ ¥ 0.1 inch; or 24 by 36 inches +/¥ 0.1 inch. 8. Excluded from the investigation are the following types of steel poles, segments of steel poles, and steel components of those poles: • Steel Electric Transmission Poles, or segments of such poles, that meet (1) the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)—Design of Steel Transmission Pole Structures, ASCE/SEI 48 or (2) the USDA RUS bulletin 1724E–214 Guide specification for standard class Steel Transmission Poles. The exclusion for steel electric transmission poles also encompasses the following components thereof: Transmission arms which attach to poles; pole bases; angles that do not exceed 8″ x 8″ x 0.75″; steel vangs, steel brackets, steel flanges, and steel caps; safety climbing cables; ladders; and steel templates. • Steel Electric Substation Poles, or segments of such poles, that meet the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)—Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice No. 113. The exclusion for steel electric substation poles also encompasses the following components thereof: Substation dead end poles; substation bus stands; substation mast poles, arms, and cross-arms; steel brackets, steel flanges, and steel caps; pole bases; safety climbing cables; ladders; and steel templates. • Steel Electric Distribution Poles, or segments of such poles, that meet (1) American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)—Design of Steel Transmission Pole Structures, ASCE/SEI 48, (2) USDA RUS bulletin 1724E–204 Guide specification for steel single pole and H-frame structures, or (3) ANSI 05.1 height and class requirements for steel poles. The exclusion for steel electric distribution poles also encompasses the following components thereof: Distribution arms and cross-arms; pole bases; angles that do not exceed 8″ x 8″ x 0.75″; steel vangs, steel brackets, steel flanges, and steel caps; safety climbing cables; ladders; and steel templates. • Steel Traffic Signal Poles, Steel Roadway Lighting Poles, Steel Parking Lot Lighting Poles, and Steel Sports Lighting Poles, or segments of such poles, that meet (1) the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)— Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals, (2) any state or local derivatives of the AASHTO highway sign, luminaries, and traffic signals requirements, or (3) American National Standard Institute (ANSI) C136— American National Standard for Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment standards. The exclusion for steel traffic signal poles, steel roadway lighting poles, steel parking lot PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 lighting poles, and steel sports lighting poles also encompasses the following components thereof: Luminaire arms; hand hole rims; hand hole covers; base plates that connect to either the shaft or the arms; mast arm clamps; mast arm tie rods; transformer base boxes; formed full base covers that hide anchor bolts; step lugs; internal cable guides; lighting cross arms; lighting service platforms; angles that do not exceed 8″ x 8″ x 0.75″; stainless steel hand hole door hinges and wind restraints; steel brackets, steel flanges, and steel caps; safety climbing cables; ladders; and steel templates. • Communication Poles, or segments of such poles, that meet (1) Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) ANSI/TIA–222 Structural Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Supporting Structures, or (2) American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)— Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals. The exclusion for communication poles also encompasses the following components thereof: Luminaire arms; hand hole rims; hand hole covers; base plate that connects the pole to the foundation or arm to the pole; safety climbing cables; ladders; service ground platforms; step lugs; pole steps; steel brackets, steel flanges, and steel caps; angles that do not exceed 8″ x 8″ x 0.75″, coax, and safety brackets; subcomponent kits for antenna mounts weighing 80 lbs. or less; service platforms; ice bridges; stainless steel hand hole door hinges and wind restraints; and steel templates. • OEM Round or Polygonal Tapered Steel Poles, segments or shaft components of such poles, that meet the (1) ASCE 48 or AASHTO, (2) ANSI/TIA 222, (3) ANSI 05.1, (4) RUS bulletin 1724E–204, or (5) RUS bulletin 1724E–214. The exclusion for OEM round or polygonal tapered steel poles also encompasses the following components thereof: Subcomponent kits for antenna mounts weighing 80 lbs. or less; mounts and platforms; steel brackets, steel flanges, and steel caps; angles that do not exceed 8″ x 8″ x 0.75″; bridge kits; safety climbing cables; ladders; and steel templates. The inclusion or attachment of one or more of the above-referenced steel poles in a structure containing fabricated structural steel (FSS) does not remove the FSS from the scope of the investigation. No language included in this exclusion should be read or understood to have applicability to any other aspect of this scope or to have applicability to or to exclude any product, part, or component other than those specifically identified in the exclusion. The products subject to the investigation are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings: 7308.90.3000, 7308.90.6000, and 7308.90.9590. The products subject to the investigation may also enter under the following HTSUS subheadings: 7216.91.0010, 7216.91.0090, 7216.99.0010, 7216.99.0090, 7222.40.6000, 7228.70.6000, 7301.10.0000, 7301.20.1000, 7301.20.5000, 7308.40.0000, 7308.90.9530, and 406.90.0030. E:\FR\FM\12JYN1.SGM 12JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 134 / Friday, July 12, 2019 / Notices The HTSUS subheadings above are provided for convenience and customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of the investigation is dispositive. Appendix II List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum I. Summary II. Background III. Determination Not to Select Ocean Steel as a Voluntary Respondent IV. Scope of the Investigation V. Injury Test VI. Subsidies Valuation VII. Analysis of Programs VIII. Conclusion [FR Doc. 2019–14872 Filed 7–11–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A–580–895] Notice of Initiation and Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Changed Circumstances Review: Low Melt Polyester Staple Fiber From the Republic of Korea Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is initiating a changed circumstances review (CCR) and preliminarily determining that Toray Advanced Materials Korea, Inc. (TAK) is the successor-in-interest to Toray Chemical Korea, Inc. (TCK) for purposes of the antidumping duty (AD) order on low melt polyester staple fiber (low melt PSF) from the Republic of Korea (Korea). DATES: Applicable July 12, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alice Maldonado, AD/CVD Operations, Office II, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–4682. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: Background On August 16, 2018, Commerce published in the Federal Register the AD Order on low melt PSF from Korea.1 TCK, a foreign producer and exporter of low melt PSF from Korea was assigned a cash deposit rate of 16.27 percent.2 On May 23, 2019, TAK requested that, pursuant to section 751(b) of the Tariff 1 See Low Melt Polyester Staple Fiber from the Republic of Korea and Taiwan: Antidumping Duty Orders, 83 FR 40752 (August 16, 2018) (AD Order). 2 Id., 83 FR at 40753. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 247001 Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), and 19 CFR 351.216(b), Commerce conduct a CCR of the AD Order to determine that TAK is the successor-in-interest to TCK and, accordingly, to assign it the cash deposit rate established for TCK.3 In its submission, TAK explained that TCK, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TAK, merged with TAK in April 2019, and, as a result of the merger, TAK assumed all of TCK’s assets, rights, and liabilities.4 TAK provided source documentation to demonstrate that the management responsible for low melt PSF production remains largely in place after the merger, and TCK’s production facilities, suppliers, and customers for low melt PSF are unchanged.5 TAK further requested that Commerce combine the notice of initiation and preliminary results pursuant to 19 CFR 351.221(c)(3)(ii).6 We did not receive comments from other interested parties concerning this request. Scope of the AD Order The merchandise subject to this order is synthetic staple fibers, not carded or combed, specifically bi-component polyester fibers having a polyester fiber component that melts at a lower temperature than the other polyester fiber component (low melt PSF). The scope includes bi-component polyester staple fibers of any denier or cut length. The subject merchandise may be coated, usually with a finish or dye, or not coated. Low melt PSF is classifiable under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 5503.20.0015. Although the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of the order is dispositive. Initiation and Preliminary Results Pursuant to section 751(b)(1)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.216(d), Commerce will conduct a CCR upon receipt of a request from an interested party for a review of an AD order which shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review of the order. In the past, Commerce has used CCRs to address the applicability of cash deposit rates after there have been changes in the name or structure of a respondent, such as a merger or spinoff (‘successorin-interest’ or ‘successorship’ 3 See TAK’s Letter, ‘‘Low Melt Polyester Staple Fiber from the Republic of Korea: Changed Circumstances Review Request,’’ dated May 23, 2019 (TAK CCR Request) at 1–2. 4 Id. at 2. 5 Id. at Exhibits 7, 9, 11, and 12. 6 Id. at 2. PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 33235 determinations).7 The information submitted by TAK supporting its claim that it is the successor-in-interest to TCK demonstrates changed circumstances sufficient to warrant such a review.8 Therefore, in accordance with 751(b)(1)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.216(d) and (e), we are initiating a CCR based on the information contained in TAK’s submission. Section 351.221(c)(3)(ii) of Commerce’s regulations permits Commerce to combine the notice of initiation of a CCR and the notice of preliminary results if Commerce concludes that expedited action is warranted.9 In this instance, because the record contains information necessary to make a preliminary finding, we find that expedited action is warranted and have combined the notice of initiation and the notice of preliminary results. In this CCR, pursuant to section 751(b) of the Act, Commerce conducted a successor-in-interest analysis. In making a successor-in-interest determination, Commerce examines several factors, including, but not limited to, changes in the following: (1) Management; (2) production facilities; (3) supplier relationships; and (4) customer base.10 While no single factor or combination of factors will necessarily provide a dispositive indication of a successor-in-interest relationship, generally, Commerce will consider the new company to be the successor to the previous company if the new company’s operation is not materially dissimilar to that of its predecessor.11 Thus, if the record evidence demonstrates that, with respect to the production and sale of the subject merchandise, the new company operates as essentially the same business entity as the predecessor company, Commerce may assign the 7 See, e.g., Diamond Sawblades and Parts Thereof from the People’s Republic of China: Initiation and Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Changed Circumstances Review, 82 FR 51605, 51606 (November 7, 2017) (unchanged in Diamond Sawblades and Parts Thereof from the People’s Republic of China: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Changed Circumstances Review, 82 FR 60177 (December 19, 2017)). 8 See 19 CFR 351.216(d). 9 See 19 CFR 351.221(c)(3)(ii); see also Certain Pasta from Italy: Initiation and Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Changed Circumstances Review, 80 FR 33480–41 (June 12, 2015), unchanged in Certain Pasta from Italy: Final Results of Changed Circumstances Review, 80 FR 48807 (August 14, 2015). 10 See, e.g., Notice of Final Results of Changed Circumstances Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Polychloroprene Rubber from Japan, 67 FR 58 (January 2, 2002) (Rubber from Japan). 11 See, e.g., Fresh and Chilled Atlantic Salmon from Norway; Final Results of Changed Circumstances Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 64 FR 9979, 9980 (March 1, 1999). E:\FR\FM\12JYN1.SGM 12JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 134 (Friday, July 12, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33232-33235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14872]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-122-865]


Certain Fabricated Structural Steel From Canada: Preliminary 
Negative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final 
Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines 
that countervailable subsidies are not being provided to producers and 
exporters of certain fabricated structural steel (fabricated structural 
steel) from Canada. The period of investigation is January 1, 2018 
through December 31, 2018. Interested parties are invited to comment on 
this preliminary determination.

DATES: Applicable July 12, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Whitley Herndon, AD/CVD Operations, 
Office II, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-6274.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section 
703(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce 
published the notice of initiation of this investigation on March 4, 
2019.\1\ On April 16, 2019, in accordance with section 703(c)(1)(A) of 
the Act, Commerce postponed the preliminary determination of this 
investigation and the revised deadline is now July 5, 2019.\2\ For a 
complete description of the events that followed the initiation of this 
investigation, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.\3\ A list of 
topics discussed 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 is available to all parties in the Central 
Records Unit, Room B8024 of the main 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 
electronic versions of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum are 
identical in content.
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    \1\ See Certain Fabricated Structural Steel from Canada, Mexico, 
and the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Countervailing 
Duty Investigations, 84 FR 7339 (March 4, 2019) (Initiation Notice).
    \2\ See Certain Fabricated Structural Steel from Canada, Mexico, 
and the People's Republic of China: Postponement of Preliminary 
Determinations in the Countervailing Duty Investigations, 84 FR 
15581 (April 16, 2019).
    \3\ See Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary 
Determination of the Countervailing Duty Investigation of Certain 
Fabricated Structural Steel from Canada,'' dated concurrently with, 
and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum).
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Scope of the Investigation

    The product covered by this investigation is fabricated structural 
steel from Canada. For a complete description of the scope of this 
investigation, see Appendix I.

Scope Comments

    In accordance with the Preamble to Commerce's regulations,\4\ the 
Initiation Notice set aside a period of time for parties to raise 
issues regarding product coverage (i.e. , scope).\5\ Certain interested 
parties commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in 
the Initiation Notice.
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    \4\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule, 
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble).
    \5\ See Initiation Notice, 84 FR at 7340.
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    For a summary of the product coverage comments and rebuttal 
comments submitted to the record that have been addressed by Commerce 
for this preliminary determination, and Commerce's accompanying 
discussion and analysis of those comments, see the Preliminary Scope 
Decision Memorandum.\6\ Based on our analysis of those comments, we are 
preliminarily modifying the scope language as it appeared in the 
Initiation Notice. See the revised scope in Appendix I.
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    \6\ See Memorandum, ``Fabricated Structural Steel from Canada, 
Mexico, and the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Scope 
Decision,'' dated concurrently with this notice (Preliminary Scope 
Decision Memorandum).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Methodology

    Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with 
section 701 of the Act. For each of the subsidy

[[Page 33233]]

programs found countervailable, Commerce preliminarily determines that 
there is a subsidy, i.e. , a financial contribution by an ``authority'' 
that gives rise to a benefit to the recipient, and that the subsidy is 
specific.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See sections 771(5)(B) and (D) of the Act regarding 
financial contribution; section 771(5)(E) of the Act regarding 
benefit; and section 771(5A) of the Act regarding specificity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alignment

    As noted in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum, in accordance with 
section 705(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(4), Commerce is 
aligning the final countervailing duty (CVD) determination in this 
investigation with the final determination in the companion antidumping 
duty (AD) investigation of fabricated structural steel from Canada 
based on a request made by the American Institute of Steel Construction 
Full Member Subgroup (the petitioner).\8\ Consequently, the final CVD 
determination will be issued on the same date as the final AD 
determination, which is currently scheduled to be issued no later than 
November 18, 2019, unless postponed.
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    \8\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Certain Fabricated Structural 
Steel from Canada, Mexico, and the People's Republic of China: 
Request to Postpone Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determination and 
to Align Final Countervailing Duty Determination with Final 
Antidumping Duty Determination,'' dated June 19, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Preliminary Determination

    For this preliminary determination, Commerce calculated de minimis 
estimated countervailable subsidy rates for all individually examined 
producers/exporters of the subject merchandise. Consistent with section 
703(b)(4)(A) of the Act, Commerce has disregarded the de minimis rates. 
Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated 
countervailable subsidy rates exist:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Subsidy
                      Exporter/producer                          rate
                                                               (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Les Constructions Beauce-Atlas Inc..........................      * 0.12
Les Industries Canatal Inc..................................      * 0.45
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* (de minimis).

    Consistent with section 703(d) of the Act, Commerce has not 
calculated an estimated weighted-average subsidy rate for all other 
producers/exporters because it has not made an affirmative preliminary 
determination.

Suspension of Liquidation

    Because Commerce preliminarily determines that no countervailable 
subsidies are being provided to the production or exportation of 
subject merchandise, consistent with section 703(d) of the Act, 
Commerce will not direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to suspend 
liquidation of any such entries.

Disclosure

    Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis 
performed to interested parties in this preliminary determination 
within five days of its public announcement, or if there is no public 
announcement, within five days of the date of this notice in accordance 
with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

Verification

    As provided in section 782(i)(1) of the Act, Commerce intends to 
verify the information relied upon in making its final determination.

Public Comment

    Case briefs or other written comments regarding non-scope issues 
may be submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and 
Compliance no later than seven days after the date on which the last 
verification report is issued in this investigation. Rebuttal briefs, 
limited to issues raised in case briefs covering non-scope issues, may 
be submitted no later than five days after the deadline for submitting 
non-scope related case briefs.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See 19 CFR 351.309; see also 19 CFR 351.303 (for general 
filing requirements).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Case briefs or other written comments regarding scope issues may be 
submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no 
later than 21 days after the publication of the preliminary AD 
determinations on fabricated structural steel from Canada, China, and 
Mexico in the Federal Register . Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues 
raised in scope case briefs, may be submitted no later than five days 
after the deadline for submitting scope case briefs. For all scope 
issues, parties must file separate and identical briefs and/or rebuttal 
briefs on the records of all of the ongoing CVD and AD investigations 
of fabricated structural steel from Canada, China, and Mexico through 
ACCESS. No new factual information may be included in scope case briefs 
or rebuttal scope briefs.
    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.

International Trade Commission Notification

    In accordance with section 703(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify 
the International Trade Commission (ITC) of its determination. 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 pursuant to sections 
703(f) and 777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c).

    Dated: July 5, 2019.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix I

Scope of the Investigation

    The merchandise covered by this investigation is carbon and 
alloy fabricated structural steel. Fabricated structural steel is 
made from steel in which: (1) Iron predominates, by weight, over 
each of the other contained elements; and (2) the carbon content is 
two percent or less by weight. Fabricated structural steel products 
are steel products that have been fabricated for erection or 
assembly into structures, including, but not limited to, buildings 
(commercial, office, institutional, and multi-family residential); 
industrial and utility projects; parking decks; arenas and 
convention centers; medical facilities; and ports, transportation 
and infrastructure facilities. Fabricated structural steel is 
manufactured from carbon and alloy (including stainless) steel 
products such as angles, columns, beams, girders, plates, flange 
shapes (including manufactured structural shapes utilizing welded 
plates as a substitute for rolled wide flange sections), channels, 
hollow structural section (HSS)

[[Page 33234]]

shapes, base plates, and plate-work components. Fabrication 
includes, but is not limited to cutting, drilling, welding, joining, 
bolting, bending, punching, pressure fitting, molding, grooving, 
adhesion, beveling, and riveting and may include items such as 
fasteners, nuts, bolts, rivets, screws, hinges, or joints.
    The inclusion, attachment, joining, or assembly of non-steel 
components with fabricated structural steel does not remove the 
fabricated structural steel from the scope.
    Fabricated structural steel is covered by the scope of the 
investigation regardless of whether it is painted, varnished, or 
coated with plastics or other metallic or non-metallic substances 
and regardless of whether it is assembled or partially assembled, 
such as into modules, modularized construction units, or sub-
assemblies of fabricated structural steel.
    Subject merchandise includes fabricated structural steel that 
has been assembled or further processed in the subject country or a 
third country, including but not limited to painting, varnishing, 
trimming, cutting, drilling, welding, joining, bolting, punching, 
bending, beveling, riveting, galvanizing, coating, and/or slitting 
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 fabricated structural steel.
    All products that meet the written physical description of the 
merchandise covered by the investigation are within the scope of the 
investigation unless specifically excluded or covered by the scope 
of an existing countervailing duty order.
    Specifically excluded from the scope of the investigation are:
    1. Fabricated steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) if: (i) It 
is a unitary piece of fabricated rebar, not joined, welded, or 
otherwise connected with any other steel product or part; or (ii) it 
is joined, welded, or otherwise connected only to other rebar.
    2. Fabricated structural steel for bridges and bridge sections 
that meets American Association of State and Highway and 
Transportation Officials (AASHTO) bridge construction requirements 
or any state or local derivatives of the AASHTO bridge construction 
requirements.
    3. Pre-engineered metal building systems, which are defined as 
complete metal buildings that integrate steel framing, roofing and 
walls to form one, pre-engineered building system, that meet Metal 
Building Manufacturers Association guide specifications. Pre-
engineered metal building systems are typically limited in height to 
no more than 60 feet or two stories.
    4. Steel roof and floor decking systems that meet Steel Deck 
Institute standards.
    5. Open web steel bar joists and joist girders that meet Steel 
Joist Institute specifications.
    6. Also excluded from the scope of the investigation is 
scaffolding that complies with ANSI/ASSE A10.8--2011--Scaffolding 
Safety Requirements, and/or Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration regulations at 29 CFR part 1926 subpart L--Scaffolds. 
The outside diameter of the scaffold tubing covered by this 
exclusion ranges from 25 mm to 80 mm.
    7. Excluded from the scope of the investigation are access 
flooring systems panels and accessories, where such panels have a 
total thickness ranging from 0.75 inches to 1.75 inches and consist 
of concrete, wood, other non-steel materials, or hollow space 
permanently attached to a top and bottom layer of galvanized or 
painted steel sheet or formed coil steel, the whole of which has 
been formed into a square or rectangle having a measurement of 24 
inches on each side +/- 0.1 inch; 24 inches by 30 inches +/- 0.1 
inch; or 24 by 36 inches +/- 0.1 inch.
    8. Excluded from the investigation are the following types of 
steel poles, segments of steel poles, and steel components of those 
poles:
     Steel Electric Transmission Poles, or segments of such 
poles, that meet (1) the American Society of Civil Engineers 
(ASCE)--Design of Steel Transmission Pole Structures, ASCE/SEI 48 or 
(2) the USDA RUS bulletin 1724E-214 Guide specification for standard 
class Steel Transmission Poles. The exclusion for steel electric 
transmission poles also encompasses the following components 
thereof: Transmission arms which attach to poles; pole bases; angles 
that do not exceed 8 x 8 x 0.75; 
steel vangs, steel brackets, steel flanges, and steel caps; safety 
climbing cables; ladders; and steel templates.
     Steel Electric Substation Poles, or segments of such 
poles, that meet the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)--
Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice No. 113. The exclusion 
for steel electric substation poles also encompasses the following 
components thereof: Substation dead end poles; substation bus 
stands; substation mast poles, arms, and cross-arms; steel brackets, 
steel flanges, and steel caps; pole bases; safety climbing cables; 
ladders; and steel templates.
     Steel Electric Distribution Poles, or segments of such 
poles, that meet (1) American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)--
Design of Steel Transmission Pole Structures, ASCE/SEI 48, (2) USDA 
RUS bulletin 1724E-204 Guide specification for steel single pole and 
H-frame structures, or (3) ANSI 05.1 height and class requirements 
for steel poles. The exclusion for steel electric distribution poles 
also encompasses the following components thereof: Distribution arms 
and cross-arms; pole bases; angles that do not exceed 8 x 
8 x 0.75; steel vangs, steel brackets, steel 
flanges, and steel caps; safety climbing cables; ladders; and steel 
templates.
     Steel Traffic Signal Poles, Steel Roadway Lighting 
Poles, Steel Parking Lot Lighting Poles, and Steel Sports Lighting 
Poles, or segments of such poles, that meet (1) the American 
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)--
Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, 
Luminaires, and Traffic Signals, (2) any state or local derivatives 
of the AASHTO highway sign, luminaries, and traffic signals 
requirements, or (3) American National Standard Institute (ANSI) 
C136--American National Standard for Roadway and Area Lighting 
Equipment standards. The exclusion for steel traffic signal poles, 
steel roadway lighting poles, steel parking lot lighting poles, and 
steel sports lighting poles also encompasses the following 
components thereof: Luminaire arms; hand hole rims; hand hole 
covers; base plates that connect to either the shaft or the arms; 
mast arm clamps; mast arm tie rods; transformer base boxes; formed 
full base covers that hide anchor bolts; step lugs; internal cable 
guides; lighting cross arms; lighting service platforms; angles that 
do not exceed 8 x 8 x 0.75; 
stainless steel hand hole door hinges and wind restraints; steel 
brackets, steel flanges, and steel caps; safety climbing cables; 
ladders; and steel templates.
     Communication Poles, or segments of such poles, that 
meet (1) Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) ANSI/TIA-222 
Structural Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Supporting 
Structures, or (2) American Association of State Highway and 
Transportation Officials (AASHTO)--Specifications for Structural 
Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals. The 
exclusion for communication poles also encompasses the following 
components thereof: Luminaire arms; hand hole rims; hand hole 
covers; base plate that connects the pole to the foundation or arm 
to the pole; safety climbing cables; ladders; service ground 
platforms; step lugs; pole steps; steel brackets, steel flanges, and 
steel caps; angles that do not exceed 8 x 8 x 
0.75, coax, and safety brackets; subcomponent kits for 
antenna mounts weighing 80 lbs. or less; service platforms; ice 
bridges; stainless steel hand hole door hinges and wind restraints; 
and steel templates.
     OEM Round or Polygonal Tapered Steel Poles, segments or 
shaft components of such poles, that meet the (1) ASCE 48 or AASHTO, 
(2) ANSI/TIA 222, (3) ANSI 05.1, (4) RUS bulletin 1724E-204, or (5) 
RUS bulletin 1724E-214. The exclusion for OEM round or polygonal 
tapered steel poles also encompasses the following components 
thereof: Subcomponent kits for antenna mounts weighing 80 lbs. or 
less; mounts and platforms; steel brackets, steel flanges, and steel 
caps; angles that do not exceed 8 x 8 x 
0.75; bridge kits; safety climbing cables; ladders; and 
steel templates.
    The inclusion or attachment of one or more of the above-
referenced steel poles in a structure containing fabricated 
structural steel (FSS) does not remove the FSS from the scope of the 
investigation. No language included in this exclusion should be read 
or understood to have applicability to any other aspect of this 
scope or to have applicability to or to exclude any product, part, 
or component other than those specifically identified in the 
exclusion.
    The products subject to the investigation are currently 
classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
(HTSUS) under subheadings: 7308.90.3000, 7308.90.6000, and 
7308.90.9590.
    The products subject to the investigation may also enter under 
the following HTSUS subheadings: 7216.91.0010, 7216.91.0090, 
7216.99.0010, 7216.99.0090, 7222.40.6000, 7228.70.6000, 
7301.10.0000, 7301.20.1000, 7301.20.5000, 7308.40.0000, 
7308.90.9530, and 406.90.0030.

[[Page 33235]]

    The HTSUS subheadings above are provided for convenience and 
customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of the 
investigation is dispositive.

Appendix II

List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum

I. Summary
II. Background
III. Determination Not to Select Ocean Steel as a Voluntary 
Respondent
IV. Scope of the Investigation
V. Injury Test
VI. Subsidies Valuation
VII. Analysis of Programs
VIII. Conclusion

 [FR Doc. 2019-14872 Filed 7-11-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P

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