Difluoromethane (R-32) From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Postponement of Final Determination, 52950-52953 [2020-18811]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
52950
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 167 / Thursday, August 27, 2020 / Notices
Type of Review: Regular submission,
extension of a current information
collection.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
11,776.
Estimated Time per Response: 1
minute to 30 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 1,630.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to
Public: 0.
Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: §§ 748.9, 748.10,
748.12, 748.14, Part 748 Supplement
No. 5, 758.10, 762.5(d), 762.6,
764.2(g)(2), and of the Export
Administration Regulations (EAR).
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to
permit the Department/Bureau to: (a)
Evaluate whether the proposed
information collection is necessary for
the proper functions of the Department,
including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the
accuracy of our estimate of the time and
cost burden for this proposed collection,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c)
Evaluate ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and (d) Minimize the
reporting burden on those who are to
respond, including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Comments that you submit in
response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or
summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before
including your address, phone number,
email address, or other personal
identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you may ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of
the Chief Information Officer, Commerce
Department.
[FR Doc. 2020–18851 Filed 8–26–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–33–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:09 Aug 26, 2020
Jkt 250001
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–570–121]
Difluoromethane (R-32) From the
People’s Republic of China:
Preliminary Affirmative Determination
of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and
Postponement of Final Determination
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce
(Commerce) preliminarily determines
that Difluoromethane (R-32) from the
People’s Republic of China (China) is
being, or is likely to be, sold in the
United States at less than fair value
(LTFV). The period of investigation
(POI) is July 1, 2019 through December
31, 2019. Interested parties are invited
to comment on this preliminary
determination.
AGENCY:
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.
Scope of the Investigation
The product covered by this
investigation is difluoromethane (R-32)
from China. For a complete description
of the scope of this investigation, see
Appendix I.
Scope Comments
Applicable August 20, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joshua Tucker or William Miller, 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) 482–2044 or (202) 482–3906,
respectively.
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 (scope).5 No party commented
on the scope of the investigation. Thus,
Commerce has not modified the scope
language as it appeared in the Initiation
Notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Methodology
Background
Commerce is conducting this
investigation in accordance with section
731 of the Act. Commerce has
calculated export prices in accordance
with section 772(a) of the Act. Because
China is a non-market economy, within
the meaning of section 771(18) of the
Act, Commerce has calculated normal
value (NV) in accordance with section
773(c) of the Act.
In addition, Commerce has relied on
facts available under section 776(a) of
the Act to determine the cash deposit
rate assigned to the China-wide entity.
Furthermore, pursuant to sections
776(a) and (b) of the Act, because the
China-wide entity did not cooperate to
the best of its ability in responding to
Commerce’s requests for data,
Commerce preliminarily has relied
upon facts otherwise available, with
adverse inferences, for the China-wide
entity. For a full description of the
methodology underlying Commerce’s
preliminary determination, see the
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
DATES:
This preliminary determination is
made 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 February 24, 2020.1 On June 8, 2020,
Commerce postponed the preliminary
determination of this investigation and
the revised deadline is now August 20,
2020.2 For a complete description of the
events that followed the initiation of
this investigation, see the Preliminary
Decision Memorandum.3 A list of topics
included in the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum is included as Appendix
II to this notice. The Preliminary
Decision Memorandum is a public
1 See Difluoromethane (R-32) from the People’s
Republic of China: Initiation of Less-Than-FairValue Investigation, 85 FR 10406 (February 24,
2020) (Initiation Notice).
2 See Difluorormethane {sic} (R-32) from the
People’s Republic of China: Postponement of
Preliminary Determination in the Less-Than-FairValue Investigation, 85 FR 34707 (June 8, 2020).
3 See Memorandum, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for
the Preliminary Determination in the Less-ThanFair-Value Investigation of Difluoromethane (R-32)
from the People’s Republic of China,’’ dated
concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this
notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum).
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
4 See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties,
Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997).
5 See Initiation Notice, 85 FR at 10407.
E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM
27AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 167 / Thursday, August 27, 2020 / Notices
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Combination Rates
In the Initiation Notice,6 Commerce
stated that it would calculate exporter/
producer combination rates for the
respondents that are eligible for a
separate rate in this investigation. Policy
Bulletin 05.1 describes this practice.7
For a list of the respondents that
established eligibility for their own
separate rates and the exporter/producer
combination rates applicable to these
respondents, see Appendix III.
Preliminary Determination
Commerce preliminarily determines
that the following estimated weightedaverage dumping margins exist:
Estimated
weightedaverage
dumping
margin
(percent)
Producer
Exporter
Taizhou Qingsong Refrigerant New Material Co., Ltd ...............
Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd .................................................
Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd .................................................
Producers Supplying the Non-Individually-Examined Exporters
Receiving Separate Rates (see Appendix III).
China-Wide Entity .......................................................................
Taizhou Qingsong Refrigerant New Material Co., Ltd ..............
Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd ................................................
T.T. International Co., Ltd ..........................................................
Non-Individually Examined Exporters Receiving Separate
Rates (see Appendix III).
....................................................................................................
Suspension of Liquidation
Disclosure
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 NV 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 Chinese
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 weightedaverage dumping margin established for
the China-wide entity; and (3) for all
third-county exporters of merchandise
under consideration not listed in the
table above, the cash deposit rate is the
cash deposit rate applicable to the
Chinese producer/exporter combination
(or the China-wide entity) that supplied
that third-country exporter.
These suspension of liquidation
instructions will remain in effect until
further notice.
Commerce intends to disclose to
interested parties the calculations
performed in connection with this
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).
6 See
Initiation Notice, 85 FR at 10409.
Enforcement and Compliance’s Policy
Bulletin No. 05.1, regarding, ‘‘Separate-Rates
Practice and Application of Combination Rates in
Antidumping Investigations involving Non-Market
7 See
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:09 Aug 26, 2020
Jkt 250001
Verification
As provided in section 782(i)(1) of the
Act, Commerce intends to verify
information relied upon in making its
final determination.
Public Comment
Case briefs or other written comments
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, may be
submitted no later than seven days after
the deadline date for case briefs.8
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
Economy Countries,’’ (April 5, 2005) (Policy
Bulletin 05.1), available on Commerce’s website at
https://enforcement.trade.gov/policy/bull05-1.pdf.
8 See 19 CFR 351.309; see also 19 CFR 351.303
(for general filing requirements).
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
52951
161.49
221.06
221.06
196.19
221.06
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 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.
Parties are reminded that briefs and
hearing requests are to be filed
electronically using ACCESS and that
electronically filed documents must be
received successfully in their entirety by
5 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date.
Note that Commerce has temporarily
modified certain of its requirements for
serving documents containing business
proprietary information, until further
notice.9
Final Determination
Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides
that a final determination may be
postponed until not later than 135 days
after the date of the publication of the
preliminary determination if, in the
event of an affirmative preliminary
determination, a request for such
postponement is made by exporters who
account for a significant proportion of
exports of the subject merchandise, or in
the event of a negative preliminary
determination, a request for such
postponement is made by the
petitioners. Pursuant to 19 CFR
351.210(e)(2), Commerce requires that
requests by respondents for
9 See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service
Requirements Due to COVID–19; Extension of
Effective Period, 85 FR 41363 (July 10, 2020).
E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM
27AUN1
52952
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 167 / Thursday, August 27, 2020 / Notices
postponement of a final AD
determination be accompanied by a
request for extension of provisional
measures from a four-month period to a
period not more than six months in
duration.
On August 13 and 14, 2020, Taizhou
Qingsong Refrigerant New Material Co.,
Ltd. (Taizhou Qingsong), Zibo Feiyuan
Chemical Co., Ltd. (Zibo Feiyuan), and
Arkema Inc. (the petitioner), requested
that Commerce postpone the final
determination and that provisional
measures be extended to a period not to
exceed six months.10 In accordance with
section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because: (1) The
preliminary determination is
affirmative; (2) the requesting exporters
account for a significant proportion of
exports of the subject merchandise; and
(3) no compelling reasons for denial
exist, Commerce is postponing the final
determination and extending the
provisional measures from a four-month
period to a period not greater than six
months. Accordingly, Commerce will
make its final determination no later
than 135 days after the date of
publication 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: August 20, 2020.
Joseph A. Laroski Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and
Negotiations.
Appendix I
Scope of the Investigation
The merchandise covered by this
investigation is difluoromethane (R-32), or its
chemical equivalent, regardless of form, type
or purity level. R-32 has the Chemical
Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number of
75–10–5 and the chemical formula CH2 F2.
R-32 is also referred to as difluoromethane,
HFC-32, FC-32, Freon-32, methylene
difluoride, methylene fluoride, carbon
fluoride hydride, halocarbon R32,
fluorocarbon R32, and UN 3252. Subject
merchandise also includes R-32 and
unpurified R-32 that are processed in a third
country or the United States, including, but
not limited to, purifying or any other
processing that would not otherwise remove
the merchandise from the scope of this
investigation if performed in the country of
manufacture of the in-scope R-32. R-32 that
has been blended with products other than
pentafluoroethane (R-125) is included within
this scope if such blends contain 85% or
more by volume on an actual percentage
basis of R-32. In addition, R-32 that has been
blended with any amount of R-125 is
included within this scope if such blends
contain more than 52% by volume on an
actual percentage basis of R-32. Whether R32 is blended with R-125 or other products,
only the R-32 component of the mixture is
covered by the scope of this investigation.
The scope also includes R-32 that is
commingled with R-32 from sources not
subject to this investigation. Only the subject
component of such commingled products is
covered by the scope of this investigation.
Excluded from the current scope is
merchandise covered by the scope of the
antidumping order on hydrofluorocarbon
blends from the People’s Republic of China.
See Hydrofluorocarbon Blends from the
People’s Republic of China: Antidumping
Duty Order, 81 FR 55436 (August 19, 2016)
(the Blends Order).
R-32 is classified under Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)
subheading 2903.39.2035. Other merchandise
subject to the current scope, including the
abovementioned blends that are outside the
scope of the Blends Order, may be classified
under 2903.39.2045 and 3824.78.0020. The
HTSUS subheadings and CAS registry
number are provided for convenience and
customs purposes. 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. Period of Investigation
IV. Scope Comments
V. Discussion of the Methodology
A. Non-Market Economy Country
B. Surrogate Country
C. Separate Rates
D. Separate Rate Recipients
E. Margin for the Separate Rate Companies
F. Combination Rates
G. The China-Wide Entity
H. Date of Sale
I. Fair Value Comparisons
J. Export Price
K. Normal Value
L. Comparisons to Normal Value
VI. Currency Conversion
VII. Conclusion
Appendix III
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
LIST OF SEPARATE RATE COMPANIES
Exporter
Producer
Non-Individually Examined Exporters Receiving Separate Rates
Producers Supplying the Non-Individually-Examined Exporters
Receiving Separate Rates
Icool
Icool
Icool
Icool
Icool
Icool
Icool
Icool
Icool
Icool
Icool
Icool
Icool
Icool
Icool
International
International
International
International
International
International
International
International
International
International
International
International
International
International
International
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
(Hong
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Kong)
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
10 See Taizhou Qingsong’s and Zibo Feiyuan’s
Letter, ‘‘Less-Than-Fair Value Investigation of
Difluoromethane (R-32) from the People’s Republic
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:09 Aug 26, 2020
Jkt 250001
Changshu 3F Zhonghao New Chemical Materials Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Zhiyang Chemical Co., Ltd.
Taizhou Huasheng New Refrigeration Material Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Lishui Fuhua Chemical Co., Ltd.
Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Meilan Chemical Co., Ltd.
Taizhou Qingsong Refrigerant New Material Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
Shandong Huaan New Material Co., Ltd.
Liaocheng Fuer New Materials Technology Co., Ltd.
Ruyuan Dongyangguang Fluorine Co., Ltd.
Shandong Xinlong Science Technology Co., Ltd.
Linhai Limin Chemicals Co., Ltd.
Dongyang Weihua Refrigerants Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Fulai Refrigerant Co., Ltd.
of China: Request for Extension of Final
Determination and Provisional Measures,’’ dated
August 13, 2020; and Petitioner’s Letter,
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
‘‘Difluoromethane (R-32) from the People’s
Republic of China: Petitioner’s Request to Postpone
Final Determination,’’ dated August 14, 2020.
E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM
27AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 167 / Thursday, August 27, 2020 / Notices
52953
LIST OF SEPARATE RATE COMPANIES—Continued
Exporter
Producer
Non-Individually Examined Exporters Receiving Separate Rates
Producers Supplying the Non-Individually-Examined Exporters
Receiving Separate Rates
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited ...................................................
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited ...................................................
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited ...................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd .............................................................................
Shandong Huaan New Material Co., Ltd .................................................
T.T. International Co., Ltd ........................................................................
T.T. International Co., Ltd ........................................................................
T.T. International Co., Ltd ........................................................................
Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical Ind. Co., Ltd .................................................
Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical Ind. Co., Ltd .................................................
Zhejiang Guomao Industrial Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Yonghe Refrigerant Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Aohong Chemical Co., Ltd.
Changshu 3F Zhonghao New Chemical Materials Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Zhiyang Chemical Co., Ltd.
Taizhou Huasheng New Refrigeration Material Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Lishui Fuhua Chemical Co., Ltd.
Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Meilan Chemical Co., Ltd.
Taizhou Qingsong Refrigerant New Material Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
Shandong Huaan New Material Co., Ltd.
Liaocheng Fuer New Materials Technology Co., Ltd.
Ruyuan Dongyangguang Fluorine Co., Ltd.
Shandong Xinlong Science Technology Co., Ltd.
Linhai Limin Chemicals Co., Ltd.
Dongyang Weihua Refrigerants Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Fulai Refrigerant Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Guomao Industrial Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Yonghe Refrigerant Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Aohong Chemical Co., Ltd.
Shandong Huaan New Material Co., Ltd.
Sinochem Lantian Fluoro Materials Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
Shandong Huaan New Material Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Sanmei Chemical Ind. Co., Ltd.
Fujian Qingliu Dongying Chemical Co., Ltd.
Applicable August 27, 2020.
[FR Doc. 2020–18811 Filed 8–26–20; 8:45 am]
DATES:
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Benjamin Smith (AD) and Ian Hamilton
(CVD), AD/CVD Operations, Office III,
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
International Trade Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
[A–351–832, C–351–833, A–560–815, A–201– Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
830, A–841–805, A–274–804]
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–2181
and (202) 482–4798, respectively.
Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Rod from Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico,
Background
Moldova, and Trinidad and Tobago:
Continuation of Antidumping Duty
On October 22, 2002, Commerce
Orders and Countervailing Duty Order
published the CVD order on wire rod
from Brazil.1 On October 29, 2002,
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance,
Commerce published the AD orders on
International Trade Administration,
wire rod from Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico,
Department of Commerce.
Moldova, and Trinidad and Tobago.2 On
SUMMARY: As a result of the
determinations by the Department of
Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S.
International Trade Commission (ITC)
that revocation of the antidumping duty
(AD) orders on carbon and certain alloy
steel wire rod (wire rod) from Brazil,
Indonesia, Mexico, Moldova, and
Trinidad and Tobago and revocation of
the countervailing duty (CVD) order on
wire rod from Brazil would likely lead
to continuation or recurrence of
dumping, countervailable subsidies, and
material injury to an industry in the
United States, Commerce is publishing
a notice of continuation of these AD
orders and the CVD order.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:09 Aug 26, 2020
Jkt 250001
1 See Notice of Countervailing Duty Orders:
Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from
Brazil and Canada, 67 FR 64871 (October 22, 2002).
The CVD order on wire rod from Canada was
revoked on January 23, 2004, pursuant to a changed
circumstances review. See Carbon and Certain
Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Canada: Final Results of
Countervailing Duty Changed Circumstances
Review and Revocation of Countervailing Duty
Order, in Whole, 69 FR 3330 (January 23, 2004).
2 See Notice of Antidumping Duty Orders: Carbon
and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Brazil,
Indonesia, Mexico, Moldova, Trinidad and Tobago,
and Ukraine, 67 FR 65945 (October 29, 2002). The
AD order on wire rod from Ukraine was revoked,
effective July 30, 2013, as a result of the ITC’s
determination that revocation of the order would
not be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence
of material injury to an industry in the United
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
June 3, 2019, the ITC instituted its
reviews of the AD and CVD orders.3 On
June 4, 2019, Commerce published the
notice of initiation of the sunset reviews
of the AD orders on wire rod from
Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Moldova, and
Trinidad and Tobago and the CVD order
on wire rod from Brazil, pursuant to
section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930,
as amended (the Act).4 As a result of its
reviews, Commerce determined,
pursuant to sections 751(c)(1) and
752(c) of the Act, that revocation of the
AD orders on wire rod from Brazil,
Indonesia, Mexico, Moldova, and
Trinidad and Tobago would be likely to
lead to continuation or recurrence of
dumping and notified the ITC of the
magnitude of the margins of dumping
likely to prevail should the orders be
States. See Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod
from Ukraine: Revocation of Antidumping Duty
Order, 79 FR 38009 (July 3, 2014). Subsequently, on
March 14, 2018, Commerce issued the existing AD
order on carbon and alloy steel wire rod from
Ukraine, which is not covered in these sunset
reviews. See Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from
the Republic of South Africa and Ukraine:
Antidumping Duty Orders, 83 FR 11175 (March 14,
2018).
3 See Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod
from Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Moldova, and
Trinidad and Tobago; Institution of Five-Year
Reviews, 84 FR 25564 (June 3, 2019).
4 See Initiation of Five-Year (‘‘Sunset’’) Reviews,
84 FR 25741 (June 4, 2019).
E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM
27AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 167 (Thursday, August 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52950-52953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18811]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-570-121]
Difluoromethane (R-32) From the People's Republic of China:
Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
and Postponement of Final Determination
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines
that Difluoromethane (R-32) from the People's Republic of China (China)
is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than
fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is July 1, 2019
through December 31, 2019. Interested parties are invited to comment on
this preliminary determination.
DATES: Applicable August 20, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua Tucker or William Miller, 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) 482-2044 or (202)
482-3906, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
This preliminary determination is made 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 February
24, 2020.\1\ On June 8, 2020, Commerce postponed the preliminary
determination of this investigation and the revised deadline is now
August 20, 2020.\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 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See Difluoromethane (R-32) from the People's Republic of
China: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation, 85 FR 10406
(February 24, 2020) (Initiation Notice).
\2\ See Difluorormethane {sic{time} (R-32) from the People's
Republic of China: Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the
Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation, 85 FR 34707 (June 8, 2020).
\3\ See Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary
Determination in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation of
Difluoromethane (R-32) from the People's Republic of China,'' dated
concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary
Decision Memorandum).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scope of the Investigation
The product covered by this investigation is difluoromethane (R-32)
from China. 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 (scope).\5\ No party commented on the
scope of the investigation. Thus, Commerce has not modified the scope
language as it appeared in the Initiation Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule,
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997).
\5\ See Initiation Notice, 85 FR at 10407.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Methodology
Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with
section 731 of the Act. Commerce has calculated export prices in
accordance with section 772(a) of the Act. Because China is a non-
market economy, within the meaning of section 771(18) of the Act,
Commerce has calculated normal value (NV) in accordance with section
773(c) of the Act.
In addition, Commerce has relied on facts available under section
776(a) of the Act to determine the cash deposit rate assigned to the
China-wide entity. Furthermore, pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of
the Act, because the China-wide entity did not cooperate to the best of
its ability in responding to Commerce's requests for data, Commerce
preliminarily has relied upon facts otherwise available, with adverse
inferences, for the China-wide entity. For a full description of the
methodology underlying Commerce's preliminary determination, see the
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
[[Page 52951]]
Combination Rates
In the Initiation Notice,\6\ Commerce stated that it would
calculate exporter/producer combination rates for the respondents that
are eligible for a separate rate in this investigation. Policy Bulletin
05.1 describes this practice.\7\ For a list of the respondents that
established eligibility for their own separate rates and the exporter/
producer combination rates applicable to these respondents, see
Appendix III.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ See Initiation Notice, 85 FR at 10409.
\7\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preliminary Determination
Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated
weighted-average dumping margins exist:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
weighted-
Producer Exporter average
dumping margin
(percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taizhou Qingsong Refrigerant Taizhou Qingsong 161.49
New Material Co., Ltd. Refrigerant New
Material Co., Ltd.
Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd. Zibo Feiyuan Chemical 221.06
Co., Ltd.
Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd. T.T. International Co., 221.06
Ltd.
Producers Supplying the Non- Non-Individually 196.19
Individually-Examined Examined Exporters
Exporters Receiving Separate Receiving Separate
Rates (see Appendix III). Rates (see Appendix
III).
China-Wide Entity.............. ....................... 221.06
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 NV 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
Chinese 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-
county exporters of merchandise under consideration not listed in the
table above, the cash deposit rate is the cash deposit rate applicable
to the Chinese producer/exporter combination (or the China-wide entity)
that supplied that third-country exporter.
These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect
until further notice.
Disclosure
Commerce intends to disclose to interested parties the calculations
performed in connection with this 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).
Verification
As provided in section 782(i)(1) of the Act, Commerce intends to
verify information relied upon in making its final determination.
Public Comment
Case briefs or other written comments 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, may be submitted no later than seven days after the deadline
date for case briefs.\8\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ 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 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.
Parties are reminded that briefs and hearing requests are to be
filed electronically using ACCESS and that electronically filed
documents must be received successfully in their entirety by 5 p.m.
Eastern Time on the due date. Note that Commerce has temporarily
modified certain of its requirements for serving documents containing
business proprietary information, until further notice.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements Due
to COVID-19; Extension of Effective Period, 85 FR 41363 (July 10,
2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Determination
Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides that a final determination
may be postponed until not later than 135 days after the date of the
publication of the preliminary determination if, in the event of an
affirmative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement
is made by exporters who account for a significant proportion of
exports of the subject merchandise, or in the event of a negative
preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by
the petitioners. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.210(e)(2), Commerce requires
that requests by respondents for
[[Page 52952]]
postponement of a final AD determination be accompanied by a request
for extension of provisional measures from a four-month period to a
period not more than six months in duration.
On August 13 and 14, 2020, Taizhou Qingsong Refrigerant New
Material Co., Ltd. (Taizhou Qingsong), Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd.
(Zibo Feiyuan), and Arkema Inc. (the petitioner), requested that
Commerce postpone the final determination and that provisional measures
be extended to a period not to exceed six months.\10\ In accordance
with section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii),
because: (1) The preliminary determination is affirmative; (2) the
requesting exporters account for a significant proportion of exports of
the subject merchandise; and (3) no compelling reasons for denial
exist, Commerce is postponing the final determination and extending the
provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not greater
than six months. Accordingly, Commerce will make its final
determination no later than 135 days after the date of publication of
this preliminary determination.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ See Taizhou Qingsong's and Zibo Feiyuan's Letter, ``Less-
Than-Fair Value Investigation of Difluoromethane (R-32) from the
People's Republic of China: Request for Extension of Final
Determination and Provisional Measures,'' dated August 13, 2020; and
Petitioner's Letter, ``Difluoromethane (R-32) from the People's
Republic of China: Petitioner's Request to Postpone Final
Determination,'' dated August 14, 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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: August 20, 2020.
Joseph A. Laroski Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations.
Appendix I
Scope of the Investigation
The merchandise covered by this investigation is difluoromethane
(R-32), or its chemical equivalent, regardless of form, type or
purity level. R-32 has the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry
number of 75-10-5 and the chemical formula CH2 F2. R-32 is also
referred to as difluoromethane, HFC-32, FC-32, Freon-32, methylene
difluoride, methylene fluoride, carbon fluoride hydride, halocarbon
R32, fluorocarbon R32, and UN 3252. Subject merchandise also
includes R-32 and unpurified R-32 that are processed in a third
country or the United States, including, but not limited to,
purifying or any other processing that would not otherwise remove
the merchandise from the scope of this investigation if performed in
the country of manufacture of the in-scope R-32. R-32 that has been
blended with products other than pentafluoroethane (R-125) is
included within this scope if such blends contain 85% or more by
volume on an actual percentage basis of R-32. In addition, R-32 that
has been blended with any amount of R-125 is included within this
scope if such blends contain more than 52% by volume on an actual
percentage basis of R-32. Whether R-32 is blended with R-125 or
other products, only the R-32 component of the mixture is covered by
the scope of this investigation. The scope also includes R-32 that
is commingled with R-32 from sources not subject to this
investigation. Only the subject component of such commingled
products is covered by the scope of this investigation.
Excluded from the current scope is merchandise covered by the
scope of the antidumping order on hydrofluorocarbon blends from the
People's Republic of China. See Hydrofluorocarbon Blends from the
People's Republic of China: Antidumping Duty Order, 81 FR 55436
(August 19, 2016) (the Blends Order).
R-32 is classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTSUS) subheading 2903.39.2035. Other merchandise
subject to the current scope, including the abovementioned blends
that are outside the scope of the Blends Order, may be classified
under 2903.39.2045 and 3824.78.0020. The HTSUS subheadings and CAS
registry number are provided for convenience and customs purposes.
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. Period of Investigation
IV. Scope Comments
V. Discussion of the Methodology
A. Non-Market Economy Country
B. Surrogate Country
C. Separate Rates
D. Separate Rate Recipients
E. Margin for the Separate Rate Companies
F. Combination Rates
G. The China-Wide Entity
H. Date of Sale
I. Fair Value Comparisons
J. Export Price
K. Normal Value
L. Comparisons to Normal Value
VI. Currency Conversion
VII. Conclusion
Appendix III
List of Separate Rate Companies
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exporter Producer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Producers Supplying the Non-
Non-Individually Examined Exporters Individually-Examined Exporters
Receiving Separate Rates Receiving Separate Rates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Changshu 3F Zhonghao New
Chemical Materials Co., Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Zhejiang Zhiyang Chemical Co.,
Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Taizhou Huasheng New
Refrigeration Material Co.,
Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Zhejiang Lishui Fuhua Chemical
Co., Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Jiangsu Meilan Chemical Co.,
Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Taizhou Qingsong Refrigerant
New Material Co., Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical
Industry Co., Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Shandong Huaan New Material
Co., Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Liaocheng Fuer New Materials
Technology Co., Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Ruyuan Dongyangguang Fluorine
Co., Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Shandong Xinlong Science
Technology Co., Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Linhai Limin Chemicals Co.,
Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Dongyang Weihua Refrigerants
Co., Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Zhejiang Fulai Refrigerant Co.,
Ltd.
[[Page 52953]]
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Zhejiang Guomao Industrial Co.,
Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Zhejiang Yonghe Refrigerant
Co., Ltd.
Icool International (Hong Kong) Limited Shanghai Aohong Chemical Co.,
Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Changshu 3F Zhonghao New
Chemical Materials Co., Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Zhejiang Zhiyang Chemical Co.,
Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Taizhou Huasheng New
Refrigeration Material Co.,
Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Zhejiang Lishui Fuhua Chemical
Co., Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Jiangsu Meilan Chemical Co.,
Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Taizhou Qingsong Refrigerant
New Material Co., Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical
Industry Co., Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Shandong Huaan New Material
Co., Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Liaocheng Fuer New Materials
Technology Co., Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Ruyuan Dongyangguang Fluorine
Co., Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Shandong Xinlong Science
Technology Co., Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Linhai Limin Chemicals Co.,
Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Dongyang Weihua Refrigerants
Co., Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Zhejiang Fulai Refrigerant Co.,
Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Zhejiang Guomao Industrial Co.,
Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Zhejiang Yonghe Refrigerant
Co., Ltd.
Ninhua Group Co., Ltd.................. Shanghai Aohong Chemical Co.,
Ltd.
Shandong Huaan New Material Co., Ltd... Shandong Huaan New Material
Co., Ltd.
T.T. International Co., Ltd............ Sinochem Lantian Fluoro
Materials Co., Ltd.
T.T. International Co., Ltd............ Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical
Industry Co., Ltd.
T.T. International Co., Ltd............ Shandong Huaan New Material
Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical Ind. Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Sanmei Chemical Ind.
Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical Ind. Co., Ltd. Fujian Qingliu Dongying
Chemical Co., Ltd.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[FR Doc. 2020-18811 Filed 8-26-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
