Subsidy Programs Provided by Countries Exporting Softwood Lumber and Softwood Lumber Products to the United States; Request for Comment, 19069-19070 [2023-06610]

Download as PDF lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 61 / Thursday, March 30, 2023 / Notices Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000. Estimated Time per Response: 40 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,062. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $3,260,000. Legal Authority: The DOC’s statutory authority to foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce of the United States (15 U.S.C. 1512). annual re-certification to the EU-U.S. DPF provided it makes that election no later than six months from the effective date for the UK Extension to the EU-U.S. DPF (n.b., in either scenario the organization would make the relevant submission to the DOC online via the DOC’s Data Privacy Framework program website). 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Not yet assigned. Form Number(s): None. Type of Review: Regular submission, new information collection. Affected Public: Primarily businesses or other for-profit organizations. BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 259001 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 information collection request (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. PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19069 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Subsidy Programs Provided by Countries Exporting Softwood Lumber and Softwood Lumber Products to the United States; Request for Comment Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) seeks public comment on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, provided by certain countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the United States during the period July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. DATES: Comments must be submitted within 30 days after publication of this notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristen Johnson, AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–4793. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: Background Pursuant to section 805 of Title VIII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (the Softwood Lumber Act of 2008), the Secretary of Commerce is mandated to submit to the appropriate Congressional committees a report every 180 days on any subsidy provided by countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the United States, including stumpage subsidies. Commerce submitted its last subsidy report to Congress on December 30, 2022. Request for Comments Given the large number of countries that export softwood lumber and softwood lumber products to the United States, we are soliciting public comment only on subsidies provided by countries which had exports accounting for at least one percent of total U.S. imports of softwood lumber by quantity, as classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) codes 4407.1100, 4407.1200, 4407.1300, 4407.1400, and 4407.1900, during the period July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. Official U.S. import data, published by the U.S. International Trade Commission’s DataWeb, indicate that six countries (Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Romania, and Sweden) exported softwood lumber to the United States during that time period in amounts sufficient to account for at least one percent of U.S. imports E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1 19070 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 61 / Thursday, March 30, 2023 / Notices of softwood lumber products. We intend to rely on similar six-month periods to identify the countries subject to future reports on softwood lumber subsidies. For example, we will rely on U.S. imports of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products during the period January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2023, to select the countries subject for the next report. Under U.S. trade law, a subsidy exists where an authority: (i) provides a financial contribution; (ii) provides any form of income or price support within the meaning of Article XVI of the GATT 1994; or (iii) makes a payment to a funding mechanism to provide a financial contribution to a person, or entrusts or directs a private entity to make a financial contribution, if providing the contribution would normally be vested in the government and the practice does not differ in substance from practices normally followed by governments, and a benefit is thereby conferred.1 Parties should include in their comments: (1) the country which provided the subsidy; (2) the name of the subsidy program; (3) a brief description (no more than 3–4 sentences) of the subsidy program; and (4) the government body or authority that provided the subsidy. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Submission of Comments As specified above, to be assured of consideration, comments must be received no later than 30 days after the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. All comments must be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov, Docket No. ITA– 2023–002. The materials in the docket will not be edited to remove identifying or contact information, and Commerce cautions against including any information in an electronic submission that the submitter does not want publicly disclosed. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF formats only. All comments should be addressed to Ryan Majerus, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, at U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. Dated: March 27, 2023. Ryan Majerus, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations. [FR Doc. 2023–06610 Filed 3–29–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P 1 See section 771(5)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 259001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A–570–042, C–570–043] Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip From the People’s Republic of China: Final Scope Ruling and Final Affirmative Determination of Circumvention for Exports From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that certain stainless steel sheet and strip (SSSS) of Chinese-origin that has undergone further processing in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam) is merchandise covered by the scope of the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on SSSS from the People’s Republic of China (China). Additionally, Commerce determines that SSSS that is completed in Vietnam using certain non-subject stainless steel flat-rolled inputs sourced from China, is circumventing the AD/ CVD orders on SSSS from China. As a result, SSSS of Chinese-origin that has undergone further processing or completion in Vietnam will be subject to suspension of liquidation effective May 15, 2020. DATES: Applicable March 30, 2023. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Blaine Wiltse, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–6345. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: Background On September 15, 2022, Commerce published the preliminary scope ruling and preliminary affirmative determination of circumvention of the AD/CVD orders on SSSS from China.1 In the Preliminary Determinations, we preliminarily found, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.225(k)(1), that SSSS of Chineseorigin that has undergone further processing in Vietnam is covered by the 1 See Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from the People’s Republic of China: Preliminary Scope Ruling and Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Circumvention for Exports from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 87 FR 56626 (September 15, 2022) (Preliminary Determinations), and accompanying Preliminary Decision Memorandum (PDM). PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 scope of the Orders.2 Additionally, pursuant to section 781(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), we preliminarily determined that SSSS completed in Vietnam using certain non-subject stainless steel flat-rolled inputs 3 of Chinese-origin is circumventing the Orders.4 From December 5 through 9, 2022, Commerce conducted on-site verifications of the information submitted by the mandatory respondents, POSCO VST Co, Ltd. and POSCO Vietnam Processing Center, Ltd., at these companies’ facilities located outside Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.5 On December 29, 2022, Commerce extended the deadline for the final determinations of these circumvention and scope inquiries to April 4, 2023.6 On February 13, 2023, we received a case brief from Outokumpu Stainless USA LLC (Outokumpu), in which Outokumpu expressed its support of the Preliminary Determinations.7 Commerce also received a letter in support of Outokumpu’s case brief from North American Stainless.8 No other interested parties commented on the Preliminary Determinations. Accordingly, we received no comments in opposition to our Preliminary Determinations and no requests for a public hearing from interested parties within the time period set forth in the Preliminary Determinations. Given that 2 See Preliminary Determinations, 87 FR at 56627, and PDM at 27–28. 3 The term ‘‘certain non-subject stainless steel flat-rolled inputs’’ refers to stainless steel flat-rolled products that are not further worked than hot-rolled and/or of a thickness greater than 4.75 millimeters. 4 See Preliminary Determinations, 87 FR at 56627, and PDM at 27–28. 5 See Memoranda, ‘‘Verification of the Questionnaire Responses of POSCO VST Co., Ltd. in the Circumvention Inquiry of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders on Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from the People’s Republic of China Further Processed In, and Exported from, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,’’ dated February 3, 2023; and, ‘‘Verification of the Questionnaire Responses of POSCO Vietnam Processing Center, Ltd. in the Circumvention Inquiry of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders on Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from the People’s Republic of China Further Processed In, and Exported from, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,’’ dated February 3, 2023. 6 See Memorandum, ‘‘Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from the People’s Republic of China: Extension of Deadline for Issuing the Final Determinations in the Circumvention and Scope Inquiries,’’ dated December 29, 2022. 7 See Outokumpu’s Letter, ‘‘Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from the People’s Republic of China: Case Brief Submitted on Behalf of Outokumpu Stainless USA LLC,’’ dated February 13, 2023. 8 See North American Stainless’ Letter, ‘‘Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from the People’s Republic of China: North American Stainless’ Submission in Support of Outokumpu’s Case Brief,’’ dated February 13, 2023. E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 61 (Thursday, March 30, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19069-19070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06610]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Subsidy Programs Provided by Countries Exporting Softwood Lumber 
and Softwood Lumber Products to the United States; Request for Comment

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) seeks public 
comment on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, provided by 
certain countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products 
to the United States during the period July 1, 2022, through December 
31, 2022.

DATES: Comments must be submitted within 30 days after publication of 
this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristen Johnson, AD/CVD Operations, 
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20230; telephone: (202) 482-4793.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Pursuant to section 805 of Title VIII of the Tariff Act of 1930 
(the Softwood Lumber Act of 2008), the Secretary of Commerce is 
mandated to submit to the appropriate Congressional committees a report 
every 180 days on any subsidy provided by countries exporting softwood 
lumber or softwood lumber products to the United States, including 
stumpage subsidies. Commerce submitted its last subsidy report to 
Congress on December 30, 2022.

Request for Comments

    Given the large number of countries that export softwood lumber and 
softwood lumber products to the United States, we are soliciting public 
comment only on subsidies provided by countries which had exports 
accounting for at least one percent of total U.S. imports of softwood 
lumber by quantity, as classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of 
the United States (HTSUS) codes 4407.1100, 4407.1200, 4407.1300, 
4407.1400, and 4407.1900, during the period July 1, 2022, through 
December 31, 2022. Official U.S. import data, published by the U.S. 
International Trade Commission's DataWeb, indicate that six countries 
(Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Romania, and Sweden) exported 
softwood lumber to the United States during that time period in amounts 
sufficient to account for at least one percent of U.S. imports

[[Page 19070]]

of softwood lumber products. We intend to rely on similar six-month 
periods to identify the countries subject to future reports on softwood 
lumber subsidies. For example, we will rely on U.S. imports of softwood 
lumber and softwood lumber products during the period January 1, 2023, 
through June 30, 2023, to select the countries subject for the next 
report.
    Under U.S. trade law, a subsidy exists where an authority: (i) 
provides a financial contribution; (ii) provides any form of income or 
price support within the meaning of Article XVI of the GATT 1994; or 
(iii) makes a payment to a funding mechanism to provide a financial 
contribution to a person, or entrusts or directs a private entity to 
make a financial contribution, if providing the contribution would 
normally be vested in the government and the practice does not differ 
in substance from practices normally followed by governments, and a 
benefit is thereby conferred.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See section 771(5)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Parties should include in their comments: (1) the country which 
provided the subsidy; (2) the name of the subsidy program; (3) a brief 
description (no more than 3-4 sentences) of the subsidy program; and 
(4) the government body or authority that provided the subsidy.

Submission of Comments

    As specified above, to be assured of consideration, comments must 
be received no later than 30 days after the publication of this notice 
in the Federal Register. All comments must be submitted through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov, Docket No. 
ITA-2023-002. The materials in the docket will not be edited to remove 
identifying or contact information, and Commerce cautions against 
including any information in an electronic submission that the 
submitter does not want publicly disclosed. Attachments to electronic 
comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF 
formats only.
    All comments should be addressed to Ryan Majerus, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, at U.S. Department of Commerce, 
1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230.

    Dated: March 27, 2023.
Ryan Majerus,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations.
[FR Doc. 2023-06610 Filed 3-29-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P

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