Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions From the Russian Federation and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigations, 40004-40008 [2021-15890]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 140 / Monday, July 26, 2021 / Notices
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
LIST OF PETITIONS RECEIVED BY EDA FOR CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR TRADE ADJUSTMENT
ASSISTANCE
[6/25/2021 through 7/8/2021]
Date
accepted for
investigation
Firm name
Firm address
Superior Tool Service, Inc .......................
722 East Zimmerly Street, Wichita, KS
67211.
7314 Chancellor Drive, Cedar Falls, IA
50613.
2615 West Esthner Court, Wichita, KS
67213.
1261 Humbracht Circle, Bartlett, IL
60103.
5390 Triangle Parkway, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092.
Kryton Engineered Metals, Inc ................
R&R Holdings, Inc. d/b/a R&R Aerospace.
The EDM Department, Inc. d/b/a EDM
Intelligent Solutions.
NanoLumens, Inc ....................................
Any party having a substantial
interest in these proceedings may
request a public hearing on the matter.
A written request for a hearing must be
submitted to the Trade Adjustment
Assistance Division, Room 71030,
Economic Development Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce,
Washington, DC 20230, no later than ten
(10) calendar days following publication
of this notice. These petitions are
received pursuant to section 251 of the
Trade Act of 1974, as amended.
Please follow the requirements set
forth in EDA’s regulations at 13 CFR
315.8 for procedures to request a public
hearing. The Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance official number
and title for the program under which
these petitions are submitted is 11.313,
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms.
Bryan Borlik,
Director.
[FR Doc. 2021–15876 Filed 7–23–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–WH–P
6/25/2021
6/30/2021
7/6/2021
7/6/2021
7/7/2021
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–4793,
(202) 482–3315, and (202) 482–3609,
respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Petitions
On June 30, 2021, the U.S.
Department of Commerce (Commerce)
received countervailing duty (CVD)
petitions concerning imports of urea
ammonium nitrate solutions (UAN)
from the Russian Federation (Russia)
and the Republic of Trinidad and
Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago), filed in
proper form on behalf of CF Industries
Nitrogen, LLC and its subsidiaries, Terra
Nitrogen, Limited Partnership and Terra
International (Oklahoma) LLC
(collectively, the petitioner), a domestic
producer of UAN.1
On July 6 and 13, 2021, Commerce
requested supplemental information
pertaining to certain aspects of the
Petitions.2 The petitioner filed
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[C–821–832, C–274–809]
Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions
From the Russian Federation and the
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago:
Initiation of Countervailing Duty
Investigations
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
DATES: Applicable July 20, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kristen Johnson and John Hoffner
(Russia) or Ariela Garvett (Trinidad and
Tobago), AD/CVD Operations, Offices III
and IV, Enforcement and Compliance,
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AGENCY:
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1 See Petitioner’s Letter, ‘‘Petitions for the
Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing
Duties: Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from the
Russian Federation and the Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago,’’ dated June 30, 2021 (the Petitions).
2 See Commerce’s Letters, ‘‘Petition for the
Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of
Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from Russia:
Supplemental Questions,’’ dated July 6, 2021
(General Issues Questionnaire Russia); ‘‘Petition for
the Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports
of Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from Russia:
Supplemental Questions,’’ dated July 6, 2021;
‘‘Petition for the Imposition of Countervailing
Duties on Imports of Urea Ammonium Nitrate
Solutions from Trinidad and Tobago: Supplemental
Questions,’’ dated July 6, 2021 (General Issues
Questionnaire Trinidad and Tobago); and ‘‘Petition
for the Imposition of Countervailing Duties on
Imports of Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from
Russia: Supplemental Questionnaire on the
Provision of Phosphate Mining Rights for Less Than
Adequate Remuneration,’’ dated July 13, 2021.
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Product(s)
The firm manufactures cutting tools for
metal working and drill bits.
The firm manufactures miscellaneous
metal parts.
The firm manufactures aerospace parts
and assemblies.
The firm manufactures miscellaneous
metal parts.
The firm manufactures digital display
screens.
responses to these requests on July 8
and 14, 2021.3
In accordance with section 702(b)(1)
of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended
(the Act), the petitioner alleges that the
Government of Russia (GOR) and the
Government of Trinidad and Tobago
(GOTT) are providing countervailable
subsidies, within the meaning of
sections 701 and 771(5) of the Act, to
producers of UAN in Russia and
Trinidad and Tobago, and that such
imports are materially injuring, or
threatening material injury to, the
domestic industry producing UAN in
the United States. Consistent with
section 702(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.202(b), for those alleged programs
on which we are initiating CVD
investigations, the Petitions were
accompanied by information reasonably
available to the petitioner supporting its
allegations.
Commerce finds that the petitioner
filed the Petitions on behalf of the
domestic industry because the
petitioner is an interested party, as
defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act.
Commerce also finds that the petitioner
demonstrated sufficient industry
3 See Petitioner’s Letters, ‘‘Petitions for the
Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing
Duties on Imports of Urea Ammonium Nitrate
Solutions from Russia and Trinidad and Tobago:
Petitioner’s Response to the Department’s General
Issues Questionnaire,’’ dated July 8, 2021 (General
Issues Supplement); ‘‘Petition for the Imposition of
Countervailing Duties on Imports of Urea
Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from Russia:
Response to the Department’s Supplemental
Questions,’’ dated July 8, 2021; ‘‘Petition for the
Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of
Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from the
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago: Petitioner’s
Response to the Department’s Supplemental
Questions,’’ dated July 8, 2021; and ‘‘Petition for the
Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of
Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from Russia:
Petitioner’s Response to the Department’s Second
Supplemental Questionnaire’’ dated July 14, 2021.
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support with respect to the initiation of
the requested CVD investigations.4
Periods of Investigation
Because the Petitions were filed on
June 30, 2021, the periods of
investigation (POI) are January 1, 2020,
through December 31, 2020.5
Scope of the Investigations
The merchandise covered by these
investigations are UAN from Russia and
Trinidad and Tobago. For a full
description of the scope of these
investigations, see the Appendix to this
notice.
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Comments on Scope of the
Investigations
On July 6, 2021, Commerce requested
further information and clarification
from the petitioner regarding the
proposed scope to ensure that the scope
language in the Petitions is an accurate
reflection of the products for which the
domestic industry is seeking relief.6 On
July 8, 2021, the petitioner revised the
scope.7 The description of merchandise
covered by these investigations, as
described in the appendix to this notice,
reflects these clarifications.
As discussed in the Preamble to
Commerce’s regulations, we are setting
aside a period for interested parties to
raise issues regarding product coverage
(i.e., scope).8 Commerce will consider
all comments received from interested
parties and, if necessary, will consult
with interested parties prior to the
issuance of the preliminary
determinations. If scope comments
include factual information,9 all such
factual information should be limited to
public information. To facilitate
preparation of its questionnaires,
Commerce requests that all interested
parties submit scope comments by 5:00
p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on August 9,
2021, which is 20 calendar days from
the signature date of this notice. Any
rebuttal comments, which may include
factual information, must be filed by
5:00 p.m. ET on August 19, 2021, which
is ten calendar days from the initial
comment deadline.10
Commerce requests that any factual
information the parties consider
relevant to the scope of the
4 See ‘‘Determination of Industry Support for the
Petitions’’ section, infra.
5 See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(2).
6 See General Issues Questionnaire Russia at 3;
see also General Issues Questionnaire Trinidad and
Tobago at 3.
7 See General Issues Supplement at I–1 and I–2.
8 See Countervailing Duties, 62 FR 27323 (May
19, 1997) (Preamble).
9 See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ‘‘factual
information’’).
10 See 19 CFR 351.303(b).
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investigations be submitted during this
time period. However, if a party
subsequently finds that additional
factual information pertaining to the
scope of the investigations may be
relevant, the party may contact
Commerce and request permission to
submit the additional information. All
such comments must be filed on the
record of the concurrent antidumping
(AD) investigations.
Filing Requirements
All submissions to Commerce must be
filed electronically using Enforcement
and Compliance’s Antidumping Duty
and Countervailing Duty Centralized
Electronic Service System (ACCESS),
unless an exception applies.11 An
electronically filed document must be
received successfully in its entirety by
the time and date it is due. Note that
Commerce has temporarily modified
certain of its requirements for serving
documents containing business
proprietary information, until further
notice.12
Consultations
Pursuant to sections 702(b)(4)(A)(i)
and (ii) of the Act, Commerce notified
the GOR and the GOTT of the receipt of
the Petitions and provided it the
opportunity for consultations with
respect to the Petitions.13 Commerce
held consultations with the GOR and
the GOTT on July 12, 2021, and July 14,
2021, respectively.14
11 See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Proceedings: Electronic Filing Procedures;
Administrative Protective Order Procedures, 76 FR
39263 (July 6, 2011); see also Enforcement and
Compliance; Change of Electronic Filing System
Name, 79 FR 69046 (November 20, 2014) for details
of Commerce’s electronic filing requirements,
effective August 5, 2011. Information on using
ACCESS can be found at https://access.trade.gov/
help.aspx and a handbook can be found at https://
access.trade.gov/help/Handbook%20on
%20Electronic%20Filling%20Procedures.pdf.
12 See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD
Service Requirements Due to COVID–19; Extension
of Effective Period, 85 FR 41363 (July 10, 2020).
13 See Commerce’s Letter, ‘‘Countervailing Duty
Petition on Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions
(UAN) from the Russian Federation: Invitation for
Consultations,’’ dated June 30, 2021; and
Commerce’s Letter, ‘‘Countervailing Duty Petition
on Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions (UAN) from
the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago: Invitation for
Consultations,’’ dated June 30, 2021.
14 See Memoranda, ‘‘Countervailing Duty Petition
on Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from the
Russian Federation: Consultations with Officials
from the Government of Russia,’’ dated July 13,
2021; and ‘‘Countervailing Duty Petition on Urea
Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from the Republic of
Trinidad and Tobago: Consultations with Officials
from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago,’’
dated July 14, 2021.
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Determination of Industry Support for
the Petitions
Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires
that a petition be filed on behalf of the
domestic industry. Section 702(c)(4)(A)
of the Act provides that a petition meets
this requirement if the domestic
producers or workers who support the
petition account for: (i) At least 25
percent of the total production of the
domestic like product; and (ii) more
than 50 percent of the production of the
domestic like product produced by that
portion of the industry expressing
support for, or opposition to, the
petition. Moreover, section 702(c)(4)(D)
of the Act provides that, if the petition
does not establish support of domestic
producers or workers accounting for
more than 50 percent of the total
production of the domestic like product,
Commerce shall: (i) Poll the industry or
rely on other information in order to
determine if there is support for the
petition, as required by subparagraph
(A); or (ii) determine industry support
using a statistically valid sampling
method to poll the ‘‘industry.’’
Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines
the ‘‘industry’’ as the producers as a
whole of a domestic like product. Thus,
to determine whether a petition has the
requisite industry support, the statute
directs Commerce to look to producers
and workers who produce the domestic
like product. The International Trade
Commission (ITC), which is responsible
for determining whether ‘‘the domestic
industry’’ has been injured, must also
determine what constitutes a domestic
like product in order to define the
industry. While both Commerce and the
ITC must apply the same statutory
definition regarding the domestic like
product,15 they do so for different
purposes and pursuant to a separate and
distinct authority. In addition,
Commerce’s determination is subject to
limitations of time and information.
Although this may result in different
definitions of the like product, such
differences do not render the decision of
either agency contrary to law.16
Section 771(10) of the Act defines the
domestic like product as ‘‘a product
which is like, or in the absence of like,
most similar in characteristics and uses
with, the article subject to an
investigation under this title.’’ Thus, the
reference point from which the
domestic like product analysis begins is
‘‘the article subject to an investigation’’
(i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to
15 See
section 771(10) of the Act.
USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp.
2d 1, 8 (CIT 2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd.
v. United States, 688 F. Supp. 639, 644 (CIT 1988),
aff’d 865 F. 2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
16 See
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be investigated, which normally will be
the scope as defined in the petition).
With regard to the domestic like
product, the petitioner does not offer a
definition of the domestic like product
distinct from the scope of the
investigations.17 Based on our analysis
of the information submitted on the
record, we have determined that UAN,
as defined in the scope, constitutes a
single domestic like product, and we
have analyzed industry support in terms
of that domestic like product.18
In determining whether the petitioner
has standing under section 702(c)(4)(A)
of the Act, we considered the industry
support data contained in the Petitions
with reference to the domestic like
product as defined in the ‘‘Scope of the
Investigations,’’ in the appendix to this
notice. To establish industry support,
the petitioner provided its own 2020
production of the domestic like
product.19 Additionally, the petitioner
provided letters of support from other
producers of UAN, stating their support
for the Petitions and providing their
own production, or estimated
production, of the domestic like product
in 2020.20 The petitioner also provided
the 2020 production of the entire U.S.
industry using published monthly 2020
U.S. UAN production data.21 The
petitioner added its 2020 UAN
production to that of the domestic
producers expressing support for the
petitions, and compared the total to the
2020 U.S. UAN production data.22 We
relied on the data provided by the
petitioner for purposes of measuring
industry support.23
17 See Volume I of the Petitions at I–15 through
I–19 and Exhibits I–3, I–8, I–12, I–14, I–18, and
I–25 through
I–27.
18 For a discussion of the domestic like product
analysis as applied to these cases and information
regarding industry support, see Checklists,
‘‘Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiation
Checklists: Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from
the Russian Federation and the Republic of
Trinidad and Tobago (Country-Specific CVD
Initiation Checklists) at Attachment II, Analysis of
Industry Support for the Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Petitions Covering Urea
Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from the Russian
Federation and the Republic of Trinidad and
Tobago (Attachment II). These checklists are dated
concurrently with this notice and on file
electronically via ACCESS.
19 See Volume I of the Petitions at I–4 through
I–5 and Exhibit I–6.
20 See Volume I of the Petitions at I–4 and
Exhibits I–5 and I–6.
21 See Volume I of the Petitions at I–4 and Exhibit
I–6; see also General Issues Supplement at I–3
through
I–4 and Exhibits I–49, I–51, and I–52.
22 See Volume I of the Petitions at I–4 through
I–5 and Exhibits I–6 and I–7; see also General Issues
Supplement at I–3 through
I–4 and Exhibits I–51 and I–52.
23 See Volume I of the Petitions at I–4 through I–
5 and Exhibits I–1, I–2, and I–5 through I–7; see
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Our review of the data provided in the
Petitions, the General Issues
Supplement, and other information
readily available to Commerce indicates
that the petitioner has established
industry support for the Petitions.24
First, the Petitions established support
from domestic producers (or workers)
accounting for more than 50 percent of
the total production of the domestic like
product and, as such, Commerce is not
required to take further action in order
to evaluate industry support (e.g.,
polling).25 Second, the domestic
producers (or workers) have met the
statutory criteria for industry support
under section 702(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act
because the domestic producers (or
workers) who support the Petitions
account for at least 25 percent of the
total production of the domestic like
product.26 Finally, the domestic
producers (or workers) have met the
statutory criteria for industry support
under section 702(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act
because the domestic producers (or
workers) who support the Petitions
account for more than 50 percent of the
production of the domestic like product
produced by that portion of the industry
expressing support for, or opposition to,
the Petitions.27 Accordingly, Commerce
determines that the Petitions were filed
on behalf of the domestic industry
within the meaning of section 702(b)(1)
of the Act.28
Injury Test
Because Russia and Trinidad and
Tobago are ‘‘Subsidies Agreement
Countries’’ within the meaning of
section 701(b) of the Act, section
701(a)(2) of the Act applies to this
investigation. Accordingly, the ITC must
determine whether imports of the
subject merchandise from Russia and
Trinidad and Tobago materially injure,
or threaten material injury to, a U.S.
industry.
Allegations and Evidence of Material
Injury and Causation
The petitioner alleges that imports of
the subject merchandise are benefitting
from countervailable subsidies and that
such imports are causing, or threaten to
cause, material injury to the U.S.
industry producing the domestic like
product. In addition, the petitioner
alleges that subject imports exceed the
also General Issues Supplement at I–3 through I–
4 and Exhibits I–49 through I–52.
24 Id. For further discussion, see Attachment II of
the Country-Specific CVD Initiation Checklists.
25 Id.; see also section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act.
26 See Attachment II of the Country-Specific CVD
Initiation Checklists.
27 Id.
28 Id.
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negligibility threshold provided for
under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.29
The petitioner contends that the
industry’s injured condition is
illustrated by a significant and
increasing volume of subject imports;
impacts on market share; underselling
and price suppression; lost sales and
revenues; flatlined production, capacity
utilization, and employment variables;
and declining financial performance.30
We assessed the allegations and
supporting evidence regarding material
injury, threat of material injury,
causation, as well as negligibility, and
we have determined that these
allegations are properly supported by
adequate evidence, and meet the
statutory requirements for initiation.31
In accordance with section
771(7)(G)(ii)(III) of the Act, which
provides an exception to the mandatory
cumulation provision for imports from
any country designated as a beneficiary
country under the Caribbean Basin
Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), we
considered the petitioner’s allegation of
injury with respect to Trinidad and
Tobago, a designated beneficiary under
CBERA, independently of the allegation
for Russia and found that the
information provided satisfies the
requirements for initiation.32
Initiation of CVD Investigations
Based upon the examination of the
Petitions on UAN from Russia and
Trinidad and Tobago, we find that the
Petitions meet the requirements of
section 702 of the Act. Therefore, we are
initiating CVD investigations to
determine whether imports of UAN
from Russia and Trinidad and Tobago
benefit from countervailable subsidies
conferred by the GOR and the GOTT,
respectively. In accordance with section
703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will
make our preliminary determinations no
later than 65 days after the date of this
initiation.
Russia
Based on our review of the Petitions,
we find that there is sufficient
information to initiate a CVD
investigation on all the alleged
29 See Volume I of the Petitions at I–24 through
I–25 and Exhibit I–32.
30 See Volume I of the Petitions at I–20 through
I–40 and Exhibits I–2, I–3, I–10, I–12, I–24, I–26 and
I–28 through I–48.
31 See Country-Specific CVD Initiation Checklists
at Attachment III, Analysis of Allegations and
Evidence of Material Injury and Causation for the
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions
Covering Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from
the Russian Federation and the Republic of
Trinidad and Tobago (Attachment III).
32 Id.
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programs. For a full discussion of the
basis for our decision to initiate on each
program, see the Russia Initiation
Checklist. A public version of the
initiation checklist for this investigation
is available on ACCESS.
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Trinidad and Tobago
Based on our review of the Petitions,
we find that there is sufficient
information to initiate a CVD
investigation on all the alleged
programs. For a full discussion of the
basis for our decision to initiate on each
program, see the Trinidad and Tobago
Initiation Checklist. A public version of
the initiation checklist for this
investigation is available on ACCESS.
Respondent Selection
The petitioner named four companies
in Russia and one company in Trinidad
and Tobago as producers/exporters of
UAN.33 Commerce intends to follow its
standard practice in CVD investigations
and calculate company-specific subsidy
rates in these investigations.
With respect to Russia, in the event
Commerce determines that the number
of companies is large and it cannot
individually examine each company
based upon Commerce’s resources,
Commerce intends to select respondents
based on U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) data for U.S. imports of
UAN from Russia during the POI under
the appropriate Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States numbers
listed in the ‘‘Scope of the
Investigation,’’ in the appendix.
On July 9, 2021, Commerce released
CBP data for U.S. imports of UAN from
Russia under Administrative Protective
Order (APO) to all parties with access to
information protected by APO and
indicated that interested parties wishing
to comment regarding the CBP data and
respondent selection must do so within
three business days of the publication
date of the notice of initiation.34
Commerce will not accept rebuttal
comments regarding the CBP data or
respondent selection. Interested parties
must submit applications for disclosure
under APO in accordance with 19 CFR
351.305(b). Instructions for filing such
applications may be found on
Commerce’s website at https://
enforcement.trade.gov/apo.
With respect to Trinidad and Tobago,
although Commerce normally relies on
import data from CBP to determine
whether to select a limited number of
33 See Volume III of the Petitions at III–2; see also
Volume V of the Petitions at V–2.
34 See Memorandum, ‘‘Countervailing Duty
Petition on UAN from Russia: Release of Customs
Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection,’’
dated July 9, 2021.
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producers/exporters for individual
examination in CVD investigations, the
petitioner identified only one company
as a producer/exporter of UAN in
Trinidad and Tobago, Methanol
Holdings (Trinidad) Limited (MHTL),
and provided information from
independent sources as support.35
Furthermore, we currently know of no
additional producers/exporters of UAN
from Trinidad and Tobago. Accordingly,
Commerce intends to examine the only
known producer/exporter in the
Trinidad and Tobago investigation (i.e.,
MHTL). Interested parties wishing to
comment on respondent selection for
the Trinidad and Tobago investigation
must do so within three business days
of the publication date of this notice of
initiation.
Comments must be filed
electronically using ACCESS. An
electronically filed document must be
received successfully, in its entirety, by
ACCESS no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on
the date noted above, unless an
exception applies. Commerce intends to
finalize its decision regarding
respondent selection within 20 days of
the publication of this notice.
Distribution of Copies of the Petitions
In accordance with section
702(b)(4)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.202(f), a copy of the public version
of the Petitions has been provided to the
GOR and GOTT via ACCESS.
Furthermore, to the extent practicable,
Commerce will attempt to provide a
copy of the public version of the
Petitions to each exporter named in the
Petitions, as provided under 19 CFR
351.203(c)(2).
ITC Notification
Commerce will notify the ITC of its
initiation, as required by section 702(d)
of the Act.
Preliminary Determination by the ITC
The ITC will preliminarily determine,
within 45 days after the date on which
the Petitions were filed, whether there
is a reasonable indication that imports
of UAN from Russia and Trinidad and
Tobago are materially injuring or
threatening material injury to a U.S.
industry.36 A negative ITC
determination for any country will
result in the investigation being
terminated with respect to that
country.37 Otherwise, the investigations
will proceed according to statutory and
regulatory time limits.
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35 See
36 See
Volume V of the Petitions at V–1.
section 703(a) of the Act.
37 Id.
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Submission of Factual Information
Factual information is defined in 19
CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i) Evidence
submitted in response to questionnaires;
(ii) evidence submitted in support of
allegations; (iii) publicly available
information to value factors under 19
CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the
adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR
351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence placed on
the record by Commerce; and (v)
evidence other than factual information
described in (i)–(iv). Any party, when
submitting factual information, must
specify under which subsection of 19
CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information is
being submitted 38 and, if the
information is submitted to rebut,
clarify, or correct factual information
already on the record, to provide an
explanation identifying the information
already on the record that the factual
information seeks to rebut, clarify, or
correct.39 Time limits for the
submission of factual information are
addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, which
provides specific time limits based on
the type of factual information being
submitted. Parties wishing to submit
factual information in these
investigations are asked to review the
regulations prior to submitting factual
information in these investigations.
Extensions of Time Limits
Parties may request an extension of
time limits before the expiration of a
time limit established under 19 CFR
351.301, or as otherwise specified by
Commerce. In general, an extension
request will be considered untimely if it
is filed after the expiration of the time
limit established under 19 CFR 351.301.
For submissions that are due from
multiple parties simultaneously, an
extension request will be considered
untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET
on the due date. Under certain
circumstances, Commerce may elect to
specify a different time limit by which
extension requests will be considered
untimely for submissions which are due
from multiple parties simultaneously. In
such a case, Commerce will inform
parties in a letter or memorandum of the
deadline (including a specified time) by
which extension requests must be filed
to be considered timely. An extension
request must be made in a separate,
standalone submission; under limited
circumstances Commerce will grant
untimely-filed requests for the extension
of time limits. Parties should review
Extension of Time Limits; Final Rule, 78
FR 57790 (September 20, 2013),
38 See
39 See
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
40007
E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM
19 CFR 351.301(b).
19 CFR 351.301(b)(2).
26JYN1
40008
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 140 / Monday, July 26, 2021 / Notices
available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/201322853.htm, prior to submitting
extension requests or factual
information in these investigations.
Certification Requirements
Any party submitting factual
information in an AD or CVD
proceeding must certify to the accuracy
and completeness of that information.40
Parties must use the certification
formats provided in 19 CFR
351.303(g).41 Commerce intends to
reject factual submissions if the
submitting party does not comply with
the applicable certification
requirements.
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
Notification to Interested Parties
Interested parties must submit
applications for disclosure under APO
in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305.
Instructions for filing such applications
may be found on the Commerce website
at https://enforcement.trade.gov/apo.
Parties wishing to participate in these
investigations should ensure that they
meet the requirements of 19 CFR
351.103(d) (e.g., by filing a letter of
appearance).
This notice is issued and published
pursuant to sections 702 and 777(i) of
the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).
of the United States (HTSUS) at subheading
3102.80.0000. Although the HTSUS
subheading is provided for convenience and
customs purposes, the written description of
the scope is dispositive.
[FR Doc. 2021–15890 Filed 7–23–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–821–831, A–274–808]
Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions
From the Russian Federation and the
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago:
Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value
Investigations
Dated: July 20, 2021.
Ryan Majerus,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and
Negotiations.
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
DATES: Applicable July 20, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laura Griffith at (202) 482–6430 (the
Russian Federation (Russia)) or Lilit
Astvatsatrian at (202) 482–6412 or
Dakota Potts at (202) 482–0223 (the
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
(Trinidad and Tobago)); AD/CVD
Operations, Offices III and IV,
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Appendix—Scope of the Investigations
The Petitions
The merchandise covered by these
investigations is all mixtures of urea and
ammonium nitrate in aqueous or ammonia
solution, regardless of nitrogen concentration
by weight, and regardless of the presence of
additives, such as corrosion inhibiters and
soluble micro or macronutrients (UAN).
Subject merchandise includes merchandise
matching the above description that has been
processed in a third country, including by
commingling, diluting, adding or removing
additives, or performing any other processing
that would not otherwise remove the
merchandise from the scope of the
investigations if performed in the subject
country.
The scope also includes UAN that is
commingled with UAN from sources not
subject to these investigations. Only the
subject component of such commingled
products is covered by the scope of these
investigations.
The covered merchandise is currently
classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule
On June 30, 2021, the Department of
Commerce (Commerce) received
antidumping duty (AD) petitions (the
Petitions) concerning imports of Urea
Ammonium Nitrate Solutions (UAN)
from Russia and Trinidad and Tobago,
filed in proper form on behalf of CF
Industries Nitrogen, LLC and its
subsidiaries, Terra Nitrogen, Limited
Partnership and Terra International
(Oklahoma) LLC (collectively, the
petitioner), domestic producers of
UAN.1 The Petitions were accompanied
by countervailing duty (CVD) petitions
concerning imports of UAN from Russia
and Trinidad and Tobago.2
On July 2 and 6, 2021, Commerce
requested supplemental information
pertaining to certain aspects of the
Petitions.3 The petitioner filed
40 See
section 782(b) of the Act.
41 See Certification of Factual Information to
Import Administration During Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July
17, 2013) (Final Rule); see also frequently asked
questions regarding the Final Rule, available at
https://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_
info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:10 Jul 23, 2021
Jkt 253001
AGENCY:
1 See Petitioner’s Letter, ‘‘Petitions for the
Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing
Duties: Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from the
Russian Federation and the Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago,’’ dated June 30, 2021 (the Petitions).
2 Id.
3 See Commerce’s Letters, ‘‘Petition for the
Imposition of Antidumping Duties on Imports of
Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from Trinidad
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
responses to these requests on July 7
and 8, 2021.4
In accordance with section 732(b) of
the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the
Act), the petitioner alleges that imports
of UAN from Russia and Trinidad and
Tobago are being, or are likely to be,
sold in the United States at less than fair
value (LTFV) within the meaning of
section 731 of the Act, and that imports
of such products are materially injuring,
or threatening material injury to, the
UAN industry in the United States.
Consistent with section 732(b)(1) of the
Act, the Petitions are accompanied by
information reasonably available to the
petitioner supporting its allegations.
Commerce finds that the petitioner
filed the Petitions on behalf of the
domestic industry, because the
petitioner is an interested party, as
defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act.
Commerce also finds that the petitioner
demonstrated sufficient industry
support for the initiation of the
requested AD investigations.5
Periods of Investigation
Because the Petitions were filed on
June 30, 2021, the period of
investigation (POI) for the Russia and
Trinidad and Tobago AD investigations
is April 1, 2020, through March 31,
2021, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.204(b)(1).
The petitioner argued that Commerce
should determine in this investigation
that Russia is a nonmarket economy
(NME) within the meaning of section
771(18)(A) of the Act and should
calculate normal value (NV) for Russia
in accordance with its NME
methodology.6 Under that allegation,
and Tobago: Supplemental Questions,’’ dated July
2, 2021; ‘‘Petitions for the Imposition of
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Imports
of Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from Russia
and Trinidad and Tobago: Supplemental
Questions,’’ dated July 6, 2021 (General Issues
Supplement Questions); and ‘‘Petition for the
Imposition of Antidumping Duties on Imports of
Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from the
Russian Federation: Supplemental Questions,’’
dated July 6, 2021.
4 See Petitioner’s Letters, ‘‘Petitions for the
Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing
Duties on Imports of Urea Ammonium Nitrate
Solutions from Russia and Trinidad and Tobago:
Petitioner’s Response to the Department’s General
Issues Questionnaire,’’ dated July 8, 2021 (General
Issues Supplement); ‘‘Petition for the Imposition of
Antidumping Duties on Imports of Urea
Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from Trinidad and
Tobago: Petitioner’s Response to the Department’s
Supplemental Questions,’’ dated July 7, 2021; and
‘‘Petition for the Imposition of Antidumping Duties
on Imports of Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions
from the Russian Federation: Petitioner’s Response
to the Department’s Supplemental Questions,’’
dated July 8, 2021 (Russia AD Supplement).
5 See infra, section on ‘‘Determination of Industry
Support for the Petitions.’’
6 See Petitions at Volume II at II–6 through II–28
and Exhibits II–22 through II–72.
E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM
26JYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 140 (Monday, July 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40004-40008]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15890]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[C-821-832, C-274-809]
Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions From the Russian Federation and
the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago: Initiation of Countervailing Duty
Investigations
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
DATES: Applicable July 20, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristen Johnson and John Hoffner
(Russia) or Ariela Garvett (Trinidad and Tobago), AD/CVD Operations,
Offices III and IV, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-4793, (202) 482-3315,
and (202) 482-3609, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Petitions
On June 30, 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce)
received countervailing duty (CVD) petitions concerning imports of urea
ammonium nitrate solutions (UAN) from the Russian Federation (Russia)
and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago), filed in
proper form on behalf of CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC and its
subsidiaries, Terra Nitrogen, Limited Partnership and Terra
International (Oklahoma) LLC (collectively, the petitioner), a domestic
producer of UAN.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Petitions for the Imposition of
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties: Urea Ammonium Nitrate
Solutions from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago,'' dated June 30, 2021 (the Petitions).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On July 6 and 13, 2021, Commerce requested supplemental information
pertaining to certain aspects of the Petitions.\2\ The petitioner filed
responses to these requests on July 8 and 14, 2021.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ See Commerce's Letters, ``Petition for the Imposition of
Countervailing Duties on Imports of Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions
from Russia: Supplemental Questions,'' dated July 6, 2021 (General
Issues Questionnaire Russia); ``Petition for the Imposition of
Countervailing Duties on Imports of Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions
from Russia: Supplemental Questions,'' dated July 6, 2021;
``Petition for the Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of
Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from Trinidad and Tobago:
Supplemental Questions,'' dated July 6, 2021 (General Issues
Questionnaire Trinidad and Tobago); and ``Petition for the
Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of Urea Ammonium
Nitrate Solutions from Russia: Supplemental Questionnaire on the
Provision of Phosphate Mining Rights for Less Than Adequate
Remuneration,'' dated July 13, 2021.
\3\ See Petitioner's Letters, ``Petitions for the Imposition of
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Imports of Urea Ammonium
Nitrate Solutions from Russia and Trinidad and Tobago: Petitioner's
Response to the Department's General Issues Questionnaire,'' dated
July 8, 2021 (General Issues Supplement); ``Petition for the
Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of Urea Ammonium
Nitrate Solutions from Russia: Response to the Department's
Supplemental Questions,'' dated July 8, 2021; ``Petition for the
Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of Urea Ammonium
Nitrate Solutions from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago:
Petitioner's Response to the Department's Supplemental Questions,''
dated July 8, 2021; and ``Petition for the Imposition of
Countervailing Duties on Imports of Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions
from Russia: Petitioner's Response to the Department's Second
Supplemental Questionnaire'' dated July 14, 2021.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (the Act), the petitioner alleges that the Government of Russia
(GOR) and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOTT) are providing
countervailable subsidies, within the meaning of sections 701 and
771(5) of the Act, to producers of UAN in Russia and Trinidad and
Tobago, and that such imports are materially injuring, or threatening
material injury to, the domestic industry producing UAN in the United
States. Consistent with section 702(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.202(b), for those alleged programs on which we are initiating CVD
investigations, the Petitions were accompanied by information
reasonably available to the petitioner supporting its allegations.
Commerce finds that the petitioner filed the Petitions on behalf of
the domestic industry because the petitioner is an interested party, as
defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act. Commerce also finds that the
petitioner demonstrated sufficient industry
[[Page 40005]]
support with respect to the initiation of the requested CVD
investigations.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ See ``Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions''
section, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Periods of Investigation
Because the Petitions were filed on June 30, 2021, the periods of
investigation (POI) are January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scope of the Investigations
The merchandise covered by these investigations are UAN from Russia
and Trinidad and Tobago. For a full description of the scope of these
investigations, see the Appendix to this notice.
Comments on Scope of the Investigations
On July 6, 2021, Commerce requested further information and
clarification from the petitioner regarding the proposed scope to
ensure that the scope language in the Petitions is an accurate
reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is seeking
relief.\6\ On July 8, 2021, the petitioner revised the scope.\7\ The
description of merchandise covered by these investigations, as
described in the appendix to this notice, reflects these
clarifications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ See General Issues Questionnaire Russia at 3; see also
General Issues Questionnaire Trinidad and Tobago at 3.
\7\ See General Issues Supplement at I-1 and I-2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are
setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding
product coverage (i.e., scope).\8\ Commerce will consider all comments
received from interested parties and, if necessary, will consult with
interested parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary
determinations. If scope comments include factual information,\9\ all
such factual information should be limited to public information. To
facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests that
all interested parties submit scope comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
(ET) on August 9, 2021, which is 20 calendar days from the signature
date of this notice. Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual
information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on August 19, 2021, which is
ten calendar days from the initial comment deadline.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ See Countervailing Duties, 62 FR 27323 (May 19, 1997)
(Preamble).
\9\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ``factual
information'').
\10\ See 19 CFR 351.303(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commerce requests that any factual information the parties consider
relevant to the scope of the investigations be submitted during this
time period. However, if a party subsequently finds that additional
factual information pertaining to the scope of the investigations may
be relevant, the party may contact Commerce and request permission to
submit the additional information. All such comments must be filed on
the record of the concurrent antidumping (AD) investigations.
Filing Requirements
All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically using
Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), unless an exception
applies.\11\ An electronically filed document must be received
successfully in its entirety by the time and date it is due. Note that
Commerce has temporarily modified certain of its requirements for
serving documents containing business proprietary information, until
further notice.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order
Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011); see also Enforcement and
Compliance; Change of Electronic Filing System Name, 79 FR 69046
(November 20, 2014) for details of Commerce's electronic filing
requirements, effective August 5, 2011. Information on using ACCESS
can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help.aspx and a handbook
can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help/Handbook%20on%20Electronic%20Filling%20Procedures.pdf.
\12\ See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements
Due to COVID-19; Extension of Effective Period, 85 FR 41363 (July
10, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consultations
Pursuant to sections 702(b)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Act, Commerce
notified the GOR and the GOTT of the receipt of the Petitions and
provided it the opportunity for consultations with respect to the
Petitions.\13\ Commerce held consultations with the GOR and the GOTT on
July 12, 2021, and July 14, 2021, respectively.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ See Commerce's Letter, ``Countervailing Duty Petition on
Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions (UAN) from the Russian Federation:
Invitation for Consultations,'' dated June 30, 2021; and Commerce's
Letter, ``Countervailing Duty Petition on Urea Ammonium Nitrate
Solutions (UAN) from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago: Invitation
for Consultations,'' dated June 30, 2021.
\14\ See Memoranda, ``Countervailing Duty Petition on Urea
Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from the Russian Federation:
Consultations with Officials from the Government of Russia,'' dated
July 13, 2021; and ``Countervailing Duty Petition on Urea Ammonium
Nitrate Solutions from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago:
Consultations with Officials from the Government of Trinidad and
Tobago,'' dated July 14, 2021.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions
Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act
provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic
producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) At least
25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and
(ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like
product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support
for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 702(c)(4)(D) of
the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of
domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of
the total production of the domestic like product, Commerce shall: (i)
Poll the industry or rely on other information in order to determine if
there is support for the petition, as required by subparagraph (A); or
(ii) determine industry support using a statistically valid sampling
method to poll the ``industry.''
Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ``industry'' as the
producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine
whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute
directs Commerce to look to producers and workers who produce the
domestic like product. The International Trade Commission (ITC), which
is responsible for determining whether ``the domestic industry'' has
been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like
product in order to define the industry. While both Commerce and the
ITC must apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic
like product,\15\ they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a
separate and distinct authority. In addition, Commerce's determination
is subject to limitations of time and information. Although this may
result in different definitions of the like product, such differences
do not render the decision of either agency contrary to law.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
\16\ See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1, 8 (CIT
2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United States, 688 F.
Supp. 639, 644 (CIT 1988), aff'd 865 F. 2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ``a
product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in
characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation
under this title.'' Thus, the reference point from which the domestic
like product analysis begins is ``the article subject to an
investigation'' (i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to
[[Page 40006]]
be investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the
petition).
With regard to the domestic like product, the petitioner does not
offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope
of the investigations.\17\ Based on our analysis of the information
submitted on the record, we have determined that UAN, as defined in the
scope, constitutes a single domestic like product, and we have analyzed
industry support in terms of that domestic like product.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ See Volume I of the Petitions at I-15 through I-19 and
Exhibits I-3, I-8, I-12, I-14, I-18, and I-25 through I-27.
\18\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as
applied to these cases and information regarding industry support,
see Checklists, ``Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiation
Checklists: Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from the Russian
Federation and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (Country-Specific
CVD Initiation Checklists) at Attachment II, Analysis of Industry
Support for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions
Covering Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from the Russian Federation
and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (Attachment II). These
checklists are dated concurrently with this notice and on file
electronically via ACCESS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In determining whether the petitioner has standing under section
702(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data
contained in the Petitions with reference to the domestic like product
as defined in the ``Scope of the Investigations,'' in the appendix to
this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioner provided its
own 2020 production of the domestic like product.\19\ Additionally, the
petitioner provided letters of support from other producers of UAN,
stating their support for the Petitions and providing their own
production, or estimated production, of the domestic like product in
2020.\20\ The petitioner also provided the 2020 production of the
entire U.S. industry using published monthly 2020 U.S. UAN production
data.\21\ The petitioner added its 2020 UAN production to that of the
domestic producers expressing support for the petitions, and compared
the total to the 2020 U.S. UAN production data.\22\ We relied on the
data provided by the petitioner for purposes of measuring industry
support.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\19\ See Volume I of the Petitions at I-4 through I-5 and
Exhibit I-6.
\20\ See Volume I of the Petitions at I-4 and Exhibits I-5 and
I-6.
\21\ See Volume I of the Petitions at I-4 and Exhibit I-6; see
also General Issues Supplement at I-3 through I-4 and Exhibits I-49,
I-51, and I-52.
\22\ See Volume I of the Petitions at I-4 through I-5 and
Exhibits I-6 and I-7; see also General Issues Supplement at I-3
through I-4 and Exhibits I-51 and I-52.
\23\ See Volume I of the Petitions at I-4 through I-5 and
Exhibits I-1, I-2, and I-5 through I-7; see also General Issues
Supplement at I-3 through I-4 and Exhibits I-49 through I-52.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our review of the data provided in the Petitions, the General
Issues Supplement, and other information readily available to Commerce
indicates that the petitioner has established industry support for the
Petitions.\24\ First, the Petitions established support from domestic
producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50 percent of the total
production of the domestic like product and, as such, Commerce is not
required to take further action in order to evaluate industry support
(e.g., polling).\25\ Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have
met the statutory criteria for industry support under section
702(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers)
who support the Petitions account for at least 25 percent of the total
production of the domestic like product.\26\ Finally, the domestic
producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry
support under section 702(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic
producers (or workers) who support the Petitions account for more than
50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by
that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to,
the Petitions.\27\ Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petitions
were filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of
section 702(b)(1) of the Act.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\24\ Id. For further discussion, see Attachment II of the
Country-Specific CVD Initiation Checklists.
\25\ Id.; see also section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act.
\26\ See Attachment II of the Country-Specific CVD Initiation
Checklists.
\27\ Id.
\28\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Injury Test
Because Russia and Trinidad and Tobago are ``Subsidies Agreement
Countries'' within the meaning of section 701(b) of the Act, section
701(a)(2) of the Act applies to this investigation. Accordingly, the
ITC must determine whether imports of the subject merchandise from
Russia and Trinidad and Tobago materially injure, or threaten material
injury to, a U.S. industry.
Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation
The petitioner alleges that imports of the subject merchandise are
benefitting from countervailable subsidies and that such imports are
causing, or threaten to cause, material injury to the U.S. industry
producing the domestic like product. In addition, the petitioner
alleges that subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold
provided for under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\29\ See Volume I of the Petitions at I-24 through I-25 and
Exhibit I-32.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The petitioner contends that the industry's injured condition is
illustrated by a significant and increasing volume of subject imports;
impacts on market share; underselling and price suppression; lost sales
and revenues; flatlined production, capacity utilization, and
employment variables; and declining financial performance.\30\ We
assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding material
injury, threat of material injury, causation, as well as negligibility,
and we have determined that these allegations are properly supported by
adequate evidence, and meet the statutory requirements for
initiation.\31\ In accordance with section 771(7)(G)(ii)(III) of the
Act, which provides an exception to the mandatory cumulation provision
for imports from any country designated as a beneficiary country under
the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), we considered the
petitioner's allegation of injury with respect to Trinidad and Tobago,
a designated beneficiary under CBERA, independently of the allegation
for Russia and found that the information provided satisfies the
requirements for initiation.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\30\ See Volume I of the Petitions at I-20 through I-40 and
Exhibits I-2, I-3, I-10, I-12, I-24, I-26 and I-28 through I-48.
\31\ See Country-Specific CVD Initiation Checklists at
Attachment III, Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material
Injury and Causation for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Petitions Covering Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from the Russian
Federation and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (Attachment III).
\32\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initiation of CVD Investigations
Based upon the examination of the Petitions on UAN from Russia and
Trinidad and Tobago, we find that the Petitions meet the requirements
of section 702 of the Act. Therefore, we are initiating CVD
investigations to determine whether imports of UAN from Russia and
Trinidad and Tobago benefit from countervailable subsidies conferred by
the GOR and the GOTT, respectively. In accordance with section
703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we
will make our preliminary determinations no later than 65 days after
the date of this initiation.
Russia
Based on our review of the Petitions, we find that there is
sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on all the
alleged
[[Page 40007]]
programs. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision to
initiate on each program, see the Russia Initiation Checklist. A public
version of the initiation checklist for this investigation is available
on ACCESS.
Trinidad and Tobago
Based on our review of the Petitions, we find that there is
sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on all the
alleged programs. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision
to initiate on each program, see the Trinidad and Tobago Initiation
Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for this
investigation is available on ACCESS.
Respondent Selection
The petitioner named four companies in Russia and one company in
Trinidad and Tobago as producers/exporters of UAN.\33\ Commerce intends
to follow its standard practice in CVD investigations and calculate
company-specific subsidy rates in these investigations.
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\33\ See Volume III of the Petitions at III-2; see also Volume V
of the Petitions at V-2.
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With respect to Russia, in the event Commerce determines that the
number of companies is large and it cannot individually examine each
company based upon Commerce's resources, Commerce intends to select
respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data for
U.S. imports of UAN from Russia during the POI under the appropriate
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States numbers listed in the
``Scope of the Investigation,'' in the appendix.
On July 9, 2021, Commerce released CBP data for U.S. imports of UAN
from Russia under Administrative Protective Order (APO) to all parties
with access to information protected by APO and indicated that
interested parties wishing to comment regarding the CBP data and
respondent selection must do so within three business days of the
publication date of the notice of initiation.\34\ Commerce will not
accept rebuttal comments regarding the CBP data or respondent
selection. Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure
under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(b). Instructions for filing
such applications may be found on Commerce's website at https://enforcement.trade.gov/apo.
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\34\ See Memorandum, ``Countervailing Duty Petition on UAN from
Russia: Release of Customs Data from U.S. Customs and Border
Protection,'' dated July 9, 2021.
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With respect to Trinidad and Tobago, although Commerce normally
relies on import data from CBP to determine whether to select a limited
number of producers/exporters for individual examination in CVD
investigations, the petitioner identified only one company as a
producer/exporter of UAN in Trinidad and Tobago, Methanol Holdings
(Trinidad) Limited (MHTL), and provided information from independent
sources as support.\35\ Furthermore, we currently know of no additional
producers/exporters of UAN from Trinidad and Tobago. Accordingly,
Commerce intends to examine the only known producer/exporter in the
Trinidad and Tobago investigation (i.e., MHTL). Interested parties
wishing to comment on respondent selection for the Trinidad and Tobago
investigation must do so within three business days of the publication
date of this notice of initiation.
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\35\ See Volume V of the Petitions at V-1.
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Comments must be filed electronically using ACCESS. An
electronically filed document must be received successfully, in its
entirety, by ACCESS no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on the date noted above,
unless an exception applies. Commerce intends to finalize its decision
regarding respondent selection within 20 days of the publication of
this notice.
Distribution of Copies of the Petitions
In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.202(f), a copy of the public version of the Petitions has been
provided to the GOR and GOTT via ACCESS.
Furthermore, to the extent practicable, Commerce will attempt to
provide a copy of the public version of the Petitions to each exporter
named in the Petitions, as provided under 19 CFR 351.203(c)(2).
ITC Notification
Commerce will notify the ITC of its initiation, as required by
section 702(d) of the Act.
Preliminary Determination by the ITC
The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date
on which the Petitions were filed, whether there is a reasonable
indication that imports of UAN from Russia and Trinidad and Tobago are
materially injuring or threatening material injury to a U.S.
industry.\36\ A negative ITC determination for any country will result
in the investigation being terminated with respect to that country.\37\
Otherwise, the investigations will proceed according to statutory and
regulatory time limits.
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\36\ See section 703(a) of the Act.
\37\ Id.
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Submission of Factual Information
Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i)
Evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence
submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available
information to value factors under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the
adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence
placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other than factual
information described in (i)-(iv). Any party, when submitting factual
information, must specify under which subsection of 19 CFR
351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted \38\ and, if the
information is submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct factual
information already on the record, to provide an explanation
identifying the information already on the record that the factual
information seeks to rebut, clarify, or correct.\39\ Time limits for
the submission of factual information are addressed in 19 CFR 351.301,
which provides specific time limits based on the type of factual
information being submitted. Parties wishing to submit factual
information in these investigations are asked to review the regulations
prior to submitting factual information in these investigations.
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\38\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b).
\39\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b)(2).
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Extensions of Time Limits
Parties may request an extension of time limits before the
expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as
otherwise specified by Commerce. In general, an extension request will
be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the time
limit established under 19 CFR 351.301. For submissions that are due
from multiple parties simultaneously, an extension request will be
considered untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date.
Under certain circumstances, Commerce may elect to specify a different
time limit by which extension requests will be considered untimely for
submissions which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such
a case, Commerce will inform parties in a letter or memorandum of the
deadline (including a specified time) by which extension requests must
be filed to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in
a separate, standalone submission; under limited circumstances Commerce
will grant untimely-filed requests for the extension of time limits.
Parties should review Extension of Time Limits; Final Rule, 78 FR 57790
(September 20, 2013),
[[Page 40008]]
available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm, prior to submitting extension requests or factual
information in these investigations.
Certification Requirements
Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding
must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.\40\
Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR
351.303(g).\41\ Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the
submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification
requirements.
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\40\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
\41\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (Final Rule); see also
frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule, available at
https://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf.
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Notification to Interested Parties
Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Instructions for filing such
applications may be found on the Commerce website at https://enforcement.trade.gov/apo. Parties wishing to participate in these
investigations should ensure that they meet the requirements of 19 CFR
351.103(d) (e.g., by filing a letter of appearance).
This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702 and
777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).
Dated: July 20, 2021.
Ryan Majerus,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations.
Appendix--Scope of the Investigations
The merchandise covered by these investigations is all mixtures
of urea and ammonium nitrate in aqueous or ammonia solution,
regardless of nitrogen concentration by weight, and regardless of
the presence of additives, such as corrosion inhibiters and soluble
micro or macronutrients (UAN).
Subject merchandise includes merchandise matching the above
description that has been processed in a third country, including by
commingling, diluting, adding or removing additives, or performing
any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise
from the scope of the investigations if performed in the subject
country.
The scope also includes UAN that is commingled with UAN from
sources not subject to these investigations. Only the subject
component of such commingled products is covered by the scope of
these investigations.
The covered merchandise is currently classified in the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at
subheading 3102.80.0000. Although the HTSUS subheading is provided
for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the
scope is dispositive.
[FR Doc. 2021-15890 Filed 7-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P