Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand From Mexico: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping Duty Order, 49438-49440 [2023-16089]
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49438
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 145 / Monday, July 31, 2023 / Notices
days after the date for filing case briefs.5
Parties who submit case briefs or
rebuttal briefs in this review are
requested to submit with each brief: (1)
a statement of the issue; (2) a brief
summary of the argument; and (3) a
table of authorities.6 Case and rebuttal
briefs should be filed using ACCESS
and must be served on interested
parties.7 Note that Commerce has
temporarily modified certain of its
requirements for serving documents
containing business proprietary
information, until further notice.8
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), any
interested party may request a hearing
within 30 days of the publication of this
notice in the Federal Register. If a
hearing is requested, Commerce will
notify interested parties of the hearing
schedule. Interested parties who wish to
request a hearing, or to participate if one
is requested, must submit a written
request to the Assistant Secretary for
Enforcement and Compliance, filed
electronically via ACCESS within 30
days after the date of publication of this
notice. Requests should contain: (1) the
party’s name, address, and telephone
number; (2) the number of participants;
and (3) a list of the issues to be
discussed. Issues raised in the hearing
will be limited to those raised in the
respective case briefs.
Assessment Rates
Upon completion of the
administrative review, Commerce shall
determine, and U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) shall assess,
antidumping duties on all appropriate
entries covered by this review.9 If the
weighted-average dumping margin is
not zero or de minimis (i.e., less than 0.5
percent), then Commerce will calculate
importer-specific ad valorem
antidumping duty assessment rates
based on the ratio of the total amount of
dumping calculated for each importer’s
examined sales to the total entered
value of those same sales in accordance
with 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1). If the
weighted-average dumping margin is
zero or de minimis in the final results,
or if an importer-specific assessment
rate is zero or de minimis in the final
results, Commerce will instruct CBP to
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5 See
19 CFR 351.309(d); see also Temporary Rule
Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements Due to
COVID–19, 85 FR 17006, 17007 (March 26, 2020)
(‘‘To provide adequate time for release of case briefs
via ACCESS, E&C intends to schedule the due date
for all rebuttal briefs to be 7 days after case briefs
are filed (while these modifications remain in
effect).’’).
6 See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2), (d)(2).
7 See 19 CFR 351.303 (for general filing
requirements).
8 See 19 CFR 351.303(f).
9 See 19 CFR 351.212(b).
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liquidate the appropriate entries
without regard to antidumping duties.
The final results of this review shall be
the basis for the assessment of
antidumping duties on entries of subject
merchandise covered by the final results
of this review, where applicable.
Commerce intends to issue
assessment instructions to CBP no
earlier than 35 days after the date of
publication of the final results of this
review in the Federal Register. If a
timely summons is filed at the U.S.
Court of International Trade, the
assessment instructions will direct CBP
not to liquidate relevant entries until the
time for parties to file a request for a
statutory injunction has expired (i.e.,
within 90 days of publication).
Cash Deposit Requirements
The following deposit requirements
will be effective for all shipments of
MSG from Indonesia entered, or
withdrawn from warehouse, for
consumption on or after the date of
publication of the final results of this
administrative review, as provided for
by section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) the
cash deposit rate for the companies
under review will be the rate
established in the final results of this
review (except, if the rate is zero or de
minimis, no cash deposit will be
required); (2) for previously reviewed or
investigated companies not listed above,
the cash deposit rate will continue to be
the company-specific rate published for
the most recent period; (3) if the
exporter is not a firm covered in this
review, a prior review, or the less-thanfair-value investigation, but the
manufacturer is, the cash deposit rate
will be the rate established for the most
recent period for the manufacturer of
the merchandise; and (4) the cash
deposit rate for all other manufacturers
or exporters will continue to be 6.19
percent, the all-others rate established
in the investigation.10 These cash
deposit requirements, when imposed,
shall remain in effect until further
notice.
Final Results of Review
Unless otherwise extended,
Commerce intends to issue the final
results of this administrative review,
including the results of our analysis of
issues raised by the parties in the
written comments, within 120 days of
publication of these preliminary results
in the Federal Register, pursuant to
section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.213(h)(1).
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10 See
Order.
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Notification to Importers
This notice also serves as a
preliminary reminder to importers of
their responsibility under 19 CFR
351.402(f) to file a certificate regarding
the reimbursement of antidumping
duties prior to liquidation of the
relevant entries during this review
period. Failure to comply with this
requirement could result in Commerce’s
presumption that reimbursement of
antidumping duties occurred and the
subsequent assessment of double
antidumping duties.
Notification to Interested Parties
These preliminary results of
administrative review are issued and
published in accordance with sections
751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19
CFR 351.221(b)(4).
Dated: July 24, 2023.
Abdelali Elouaradia,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Enforcement
and Compliance.
Appendix
List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary
Decision Memorandum
I. Summary
II. Background
III. Scope of the Order
IV. Application of Facts Available and Use of
Adverse Inferences
V. Recommendation
[FR Doc. 2023–16090 Filed 7–28–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–201–831]
Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire
Strand From Mexico: Initiation of
Circumvention Inquiry on the
Antidumping Duty Order
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: In response to a request from
Insteel Wire Products Company,
Sumiden Wire Products Corporation,
and Wire Mesh Corp. (collectively, the
requestors), the U.S. Department of
Commerce (Commerce) is initiating a
country-wide circumvention inquiry to
determine whether imports of certain
high carbon steel (HCS) wire from
Mexico that are assembled or completed
into prestressed concrete steel wire
strand (PC strand) in the United States,
are circumventing the antidumping duty
order on PC strand from Mexico.
DATES: Applicable July 31, 2023.
AGENCY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 145 / Monday, July 31, 2023 / Notices
circumvention inquiry satisfies the
requirements of 19 CFR 351.226(c), then
Commerce ‘‘will accept the request and
initiate a circumvention inquiry.’’
Section 351.226(c)(1) of Commerce’s
regulations requires that each request
for a circumvention inquiry allege ‘‘the
elements necessary for a circumvention
determination under section 781 of the
Act exist’’ and be ‘‘accompanied by
information reasonably available to the
Background
interested party supporting these
On June 9, 2023, pursuant to section
allegations.’’ The requestors alleged
781(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
circumvention pursuant to section
amended (the Act) and 19 CFR
781(a) of the Act (merchandise
completed or assembled in the United
351.226(c), the requestors filed a
States).
circumvention inquiry request alleging
According to section 781(a)(1) of the
that imports of HCS wire manufactured
in Mexico and completed into PC strand Act, after taking into account any advice
provided by the U.S. International Trade
in the United States are circumventing
Commission (ITC) under section 781(e)
the antidumping duty order on PC
of the Act, Commerce may find the
strand from Mexico 1 and, accordingly,
imported parts or components referred
should be included within the scope of
to in subparagraph (B) that are used in
the Order.2
the completion or assembly of the
Scope of the Order
merchandise in the United States to be
The merchandise covered by this
covered by the scope of an order if: (A)
Order is PC strand. Merchandise
merchandise sold in the United States is
of the same class or kind as any
covered by the Order is currently
merchandise produced in a foreign
classifiable under subheadings
country that is the subject of an
7312.10.3010 and 7312.10.3012 of the
antidumping duty order or finding or a
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
countervailing duty order; (B) such
United States (HTSUS). While the
HTSUS subheading and are provided for merchandise sold in the United States is
completed or assembled in the United
convenience and for customs purposes,
States from parts or components
the written description of the subject
produced in the foreign country with
merchandise is dispositive. For a
respect to which such order or finding
complete description of the scope, see
applies; (C) the process of assembly or
the attachment to the Initiation
completion in the United States referred
Checklist.3
to in subparagraph (B) is minor or
Merchandise Subject to the
insignificant; and (D) the value of the
Circumvention Inquiry
parts or components referred to in
This circumvention inquiry covers
subparagraph (B) is a significant portion
HCS wire imported from Mexico. The
of the total value of the merchandise.
In determining whether the process of
HCS wire has a high carbon content (i.e.,
assembly or completion in the United
0.78–0.85 percent), is not heat treated,
States is minor or insignificant under
and has a diameter less than 4.50
millimeters. The HCS wire is assembled section 781(a)(1)(C) of the Act, section
781(a)(2) of the Act directs Commerce to
or completed in the United States by
consider: (A) the level of investment in
stranding the HCS wire to produce PC
the United States; (B) the level of
strand of the type that would be subject
research and development in the United
to the Order.
States; (C) the nature of the production
Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry
process in the United States; (D) the
Section 351.226(d) of Commerce’s
extent of production facilities in the
regulations states that if Commerce
United States; and (E) whether the value
determines that a request for a
of processing performed in the United
States represents a small proportion of
1 See Notice of Antidumping Duty Order:
the value of the merchandise sold in the
Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand from
United States.
Mexico, 69 FR 4112 (January 28, 2004) (Order).
In addition, section 781(a)(3) of the
2 See Requestors’ Letter, ‘‘Prestressed Concrete
Act sets forth additional factors to
Steel Wire Strand From Mexico—Petitioners’
consider in determining whether to
Request for Circumvention Ruling Pursuant to
Section 781(a), as Amended,’’ dated June 9, 2023
include merchandise assembled or
(Circumvention Inquiry Request).
completed in the United States within
3 See Checklist, ‘‘Initiation of the Circumvention
the scope of an antidumping or
Inquiry on the Antidumping Duty Order,’’ dated
countervailing duty order. Specifically,
concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this
notice (Initiation Checklist), at Attachment.
Commerce shall take into account such
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Craig Matney or Jonathan Schueler,
Office VIII, AD/CVD Operations,
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–2429
and (202) 482–9175, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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49439
factors as: (A) the pattern of trade,
including sourcing patterns; (B) whether
the manufacturer or exporter of the parts
or components is affiliated with the
person who assembles or completes the
merchandise sold in the United States
from the parts or components produced
in the foreign country to which the
order applies; and (C) whether imports
into the United States of the parts or
components produced in such foreign
country have increased after the
initiation of the investigation which
resulted in the issuance of such order or
finding.
Based on our analysis of the
requestors’ circumvention inquiry
request, we determine that the
requestors satisfied the criteria under 19
CFR 351.226(c), and thus, pursuant to
19 CFR 351.226(d)(1)(ii), we have
accepted the request and are initiating
the requested circumvention inquiry of
the Order. For a full discussion of the
basis for our decision to initiate the
requested circumvention inquiry, see
the Initiation Checklist. Moreover, as
explained in the Initiation Checklist, we
are initiating a country-wide
circumvention inquiry. Commerce has
taken this approach in prior
circumvention inquiries where the facts
warranted initiation on a country-wide
basis.4
Consistent with the approach taken in
prior circumvention inquiries that
Commerce initiated on a country-wide
basis, we intend to solicit information
from producers and exporters in Mexico
concerning shipments of Mexican HCS
wire to the United States to be stranded
into PC strand in the United States. A
company’s failure to completely
respond to Commerce’s requests for
information may result in the
application of partial or total facts
available, pursuant to section 776(a) of
the Act, which may include adverse
inferences, pursuant to section 776(b) of
the Act.
4 See, e.g., Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel
Products from the Republic of Korea and Taiwan:
Initiation of Anti-Circumvention Inquiries on the
Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Orders,
83 FR 37785 (August 2, 2018); Carbon Steel ButtWeld Pipe Fittings from the People’s Republic of
China: Initiation of Anti-Circumvention Inquiry on
the Antidumping Duty Order, 82 FR 40556, 40560
(August 25, 2017) (stating at initiation that
Commerce would evaluate the extent to which a
country-wide finding applicable to all exports
might be warranted); and Certain CorrosionResistant Steel Products from the People’s Republic
of China: Initiation of Anti-Circumvention Inquiries
on the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty
Orders, 81 FR 79454, 79458 (November 14, 2016)
(stating at initiation that Commerce would evaluate
the extent to which a country-wide finding
applicable to all exports might be warranted).
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49440
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 145 / Monday, July 31, 2023 / Notices
Suspension of Liquidation
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.226(l)(1),
Commerce will notify U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) of its initiation
of the requested circumvention inquiry
and direct CBP to continue the
suspension of liquidation of entries of
products subject to the circumvention
inquiry that were already subject to the
suspension of liquidation and to apply
the cash deposit rate that would be
applicable if the products were
determined to be covered by the scope
of the Order. Should Commerce issue a
preliminary or final circumvention
determination, Commerce will follow
the suspension of liquidation rules
under 19 CFR 351.226(l)(2)-(4).
International Trade Administration
Notification to Interested Parties
In accordance with 19 CFR 351.226(d)
and section 781(a) of the Act, Commerce
has determined that the requestors’
request for a circumvention inquiry
satisfies the requirements of 19 CFR
351.226(c). Accordingly, Commerce is
notifying all interested parties of the
initiation of a circumvention inquiry to
determine whether U.S. imports of HCS
wire, which are imported from Mexico
and produced into PC strand and sold
in the United States, are circumventing
the Order. A description of the products
that are subject to the circumvention
inquiry, and an explanation of the
reasons for Commerce’s decision to
initiate this inquiry, are included in the
accompanying Initiation Checklist. In
accordance with 19 CFR 351.226(e)(1),
Commerce intends to issue its
preliminary determination in this
circumvention inquiry no later than 150
days from the date of publication of this
notice in the Federal Register.
This notice is published in
accordance with section 781(a) of the
Act and 19 CFR 351.226(d)(1)(ii).
Dated: July 24, 2023.
Abdelali Elouaradia,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Enforcement
and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023–16089 Filed 7–28–23; 8:45 am]
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BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
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[C–580–879]
Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel
Products From the Republic of Korea:
Preliminary Results and Partial
Rescission of the Countervailing Duty
Administrative Review, 2021
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily
determines that countervailable
subsidies are being provided to
producers and exporters of certain
corrosion-resistant steel products
(CORE) from the Republic of Korea
(Korea). The period of review (POR) is
January 1, 2021, through December 31,
2021. Additionally, Commerce intends
to rescind the review with respect to
four companies.
DATES: Applicable July 31, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Janae Martin or Zachariah Hall, AD/
CVD Operations, Office VIII,
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–0238 or
(202) 482–6261, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY:
Background
Between July 21 and August 1, 2022,
we received multiple requests for
administrative review 1 of the
countervailing duty order on CORE from
Korea.2 On September 6, 2022,
Commerce published a notice of
initiation of an administrative review of
the Order. On October 20, 2022,
Commerce selected KG Dongbu Steel
Co., Ltd. (KG Dongbu) and Hyundai
Steel Company as mandatory
respondents in this administrative
1 See Hyundai Steel’s Letter, ‘‘Request for
Administrative Review,’’ dated July 21, 2022; see
also POSCO, POSCO International, POSCO C&C,
and POSCO Steeleon’s Letter, ‘‘Request for
Administrative Review,’’ dated July 27, 2022; see
also KG Dongbu Steel’s Letter, ‘‘Request for
Administrative Review,’’ dated July 27, 2022; see
also Petitioners’ Letter, ‘‘Request for Administrative
Review,’’ dated July 29, 2022; see also SeAH CM’s
and SeAH’s Letter, ‘‘Request for Administrative
Review,’’ dated August 1, 2022.
2 See Initiation of Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 87 FR
54463 (September 6, 2022) (Initiation Notice); see
also Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing
Duty Administrative Reviews, 87 FR 61278 (October
11, 2022); see also Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel
Products from India, Italy Republic of Korea and
the People’s Republic of China: Countervailing Duty
Order, 81 FR 48387 (July 25, 2016) (Order).
PO 00000
Frm 00007
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review. On March 16, 2023, Commerce
extended the deadline for the
preliminary results of this review.3
For a complete description of the
events that followed the initiation of
this review, see the Preliminary
Decision Memorandum.4 A list of topics
discussed in the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum is included at the
Appendix I 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. In addition, a
complete version of the Preliminary
Decision Memorandum can be accessed
directly at https://access.trade.gov/
public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx/.
Scope of the Order
The merchandise covered by the
Order is certain corrosion-resistant steel
products. For a complete description of
the scope of the Order, see the
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
Preliminary Intent To Rescind
Administrative Review, in Part
Based on our analysis of U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) data, we
preliminarily determine that four
companies, SeAH Steel Corporation,
POSCO International, POSCO Steeleon,
and Hyundai Steel Co., Ltd. had no
reviewable shipments, sales, or entries
of subject merchandise during the POR.
Absent any comments to the contrary
from interested parties, pursuant to 19
CFR 351.213(d)(3), we intend to rescind
the administrative review of these
companies in the final results of review.
For further information, see
‘‘Preliminary Intent to Rescind
Administrative Review, in Part’’ in the
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
Methodology
Commerce is conducting this review
in accordance with section 751(a)(l)(A)
of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended
(the Act). For each of the subsidy
programs found countervailable, we
preliminarily determine that there is a
subsidy, i.e., a financial contribution
from an authority that gives rise to a
3 See Memorandum, ‘‘Extension of Deadline for
the Preliminary Results of the 2021 Countervailing
Duty Administrative Review,’’ dated March 16,
2023.
4 See Memorandum, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for
the Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of
the Countervailing Duty Administrative Review;
2021: Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products
from the Republic of Korea,’’ dated concurrently
with, and hereby adopted by, this notice
(Preliminary Decision Memorandum).
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 145 (Monday, July 31, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49438-49440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16089]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-201-831]
Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand From Mexico: Initiation of
Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping Duty Order
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: In response to a request from Insteel Wire Products Company,
Sumiden Wire Products Corporation, and Wire Mesh Corp. (collectively,
the requestors), the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) is
initiating a country-wide circumvention inquiry to determine whether
imports of certain high carbon steel (HCS) wire from Mexico that are
assembled or completed into prestressed concrete steel wire strand (PC
strand) in the United States, are circumventing the antidumping duty
order on PC strand from Mexico.
DATES: Applicable July 31, 2023.
[[Page 49439]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Matney or Jonathan Schueler,
Office VIII, AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-2429
and (202) 482-9175, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On June 9, 2023, pursuant to section 781(a) of the Tariff Act of
1930, as amended (the Act) and 19 CFR 351.226(c), the requestors filed
a circumvention inquiry request alleging that imports of HCS wire
manufactured in Mexico and completed into PC strand in the United
States are circumventing the antidumping duty order on PC strand from
Mexico \1\ and, accordingly, should be included within the scope of the
Order.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See Notice of Antidumping Duty Order: Prestressed Concrete
Steel Wire Strand from Mexico, 69 FR 4112 (January 28, 2004)
(Order).
\2\ See Requestors' Letter, ``Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire
Strand From Mexico--Petitioners' Request for Circumvention Ruling
Pursuant to Section 781(a), as Amended,'' dated June 9, 2023
(Circumvention Inquiry Request).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scope of the Order
The merchandise covered by this Order is PC strand. Merchandise
covered by the Order is currently classifiable under subheadings
7312.10.3010 and 7312.10.3012 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTSUS). While the HTSUS subheading and are provided for
convenience and for customs purposes, the written description of the
subject merchandise is dispositive. For a complete description of the
scope, see the attachment to the Initiation Checklist.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ See Checklist, ``Initiation of the Circumvention Inquiry on
the Antidumping Duty Order,'' dated concurrently with, and hereby
adopted by, this notice (Initiation Checklist), at Attachment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merchandise Subject to the Circumvention Inquiry
This circumvention inquiry covers HCS wire imported from Mexico.
The HCS wire has a high carbon content (i.e., 0.78-0.85 percent), is
not heat treated, and has a diameter less than 4.50 millimeters. The
HCS wire is assembled or completed in the United States by stranding
the HCS wire to produce PC strand of the type that would be subject to
the Order.
Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry
Section 351.226(d) of Commerce's regulations states that if
Commerce determines that a request for a circumvention inquiry
satisfies the requirements of 19 CFR 351.226(c), then Commerce ``will
accept the request and initiate a circumvention inquiry.'' Section
351.226(c)(1) of Commerce's regulations requires that each request for
a circumvention inquiry allege ``the elements necessary for a
circumvention determination under section 781 of the Act exist'' and be
``accompanied by information reasonably available to the interested
party supporting these allegations.'' The requestors alleged
circumvention pursuant to section 781(a) of the Act (merchandise
completed or assembled in the United States).
According to section 781(a)(1) of the Act, after taking into
account any advice provided by the U.S. International Trade Commission
(ITC) under section 781(e) of the Act, Commerce may find the imported
parts or components referred to in subparagraph (B) that are used in
the completion or assembly of the merchandise in the United States to
be covered by the scope of an order if: (A) merchandise sold in the
United States is of the same class or kind as any merchandise produced
in a foreign country that is the subject of an antidumping duty order
or finding or a countervailing duty order; (B) such merchandise sold in
the United States is completed or assembled in the United States from
parts or components produced in the foreign country with respect to
which such order or finding applies; (C) the process of assembly or
completion in the United States referred to in subparagraph (B) is
minor or insignificant; and (D) the value of the parts or components
referred to in subparagraph (B) is a significant portion of the total
value of the merchandise.
In determining whether the process of assembly or completion in the
United States is minor or insignificant under section 781(a)(1)(C) of
the Act, section 781(a)(2) of the Act directs Commerce to consider: (A)
the level of investment in the United States; (B) the level of research
and development in the United States; (C) the nature of the production
process in the United States; (D) the extent of production facilities
in the United States; and (E) whether the value of processing performed
in the United States represents a small proportion of the value of the
merchandise sold in the United States.
In addition, section 781(a)(3) of the Act sets forth additional
factors to consider in determining whether to include merchandise
assembled or completed in the United States within the scope of an
antidumping or countervailing duty order. Specifically, Commerce shall
take into account such factors as: (A) the pattern of trade, including
sourcing patterns; (B) whether the manufacturer or exporter of the
parts or components is affiliated with the person who assembles or
completes the merchandise sold in the United States from the parts or
components produced in the foreign country to which the order applies;
and (C) whether imports into the United States of the parts or
components produced in such foreign country have increased after the
initiation of the investigation which resulted in the issuance of such
order or finding.
Based on our analysis of the requestors' circumvention inquiry
request, we determine that the requestors satisfied the criteria under
19 CFR 351.226(c), and thus, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.226(d)(1)(ii), we
have accepted the request and are initiating the requested
circumvention inquiry of the Order. For a full discussion of the basis
for our decision to initiate the requested circumvention inquiry, see
the Initiation Checklist. Moreover, as explained in the Initiation
Checklist, we are initiating a country-wide circumvention inquiry.
Commerce has taken this approach in prior circumvention inquiries where
the facts warranted initiation on a country-wide basis.\4\
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\4\ See, e.g., Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products from
the Republic of Korea and Taiwan: Initiation of Anti-Circumvention
Inquiries on the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Orders, 83
FR 37785 (August 2, 2018); Carbon Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from
the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Anti-Circumvention
Inquiry on the Antidumping Duty Order, 82 FR 40556, 40560 (August
25, 2017) (stating at initiation that Commerce would evaluate the
extent to which a country-wide finding applicable to all exports
might be warranted); and Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products
from the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Anti-
Circumvention Inquiries on the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing
Duty Orders, 81 FR 79454, 79458 (November 14, 2016) (stating at
initiation that Commerce would evaluate the extent to which a
country-wide finding applicable to all exports might be warranted).
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Consistent with the approach taken in prior circumvention inquiries
that Commerce initiated on a country-wide basis, we intend to solicit
information from producers and exporters in Mexico concerning shipments
of Mexican HCS wire to the United States to be stranded into PC strand
in the United States. A company's failure to completely respond to
Commerce's requests for information may result in the application of
partial or total facts available, pursuant to section 776(a) of the
Act, which may include adverse inferences, pursuant to section 776(b)
of the Act.
[[Page 49440]]
Suspension of Liquidation
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.226(l)(1), Commerce will notify U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) of its initiation of the requested
circumvention inquiry and direct CBP to continue the suspension of
liquidation of entries of products subject to the circumvention inquiry
that were already subject to the suspension of liquidation and to apply
the cash deposit rate that would be applicable if the products were
determined to be covered by the scope of the Order. Should Commerce
issue a preliminary or final circumvention determination, Commerce will
follow the suspension of liquidation rules under 19 CFR 351.226(l)(2)-
(4).
Notification to Interested Parties
In accordance with 19 CFR 351.226(d) and section 781(a) of the Act,
Commerce has determined that the requestors' request for a
circumvention inquiry satisfies the requirements of 19 CFR 351.226(c).
Accordingly, Commerce is notifying all interested parties of the
initiation of a circumvention inquiry to determine whether U.S. imports
of HCS wire, which are imported from Mexico and produced into PC strand
and sold in the United States, are circumventing the Order. A
description of the products that are subject to the circumvention
inquiry, and an explanation of the reasons for Commerce's decision to
initiate this inquiry, are included in the accompanying Initiation
Checklist. In accordance with 19 CFR 351.226(e)(1), Commerce intends to
issue its preliminary determination in this circumvention inquiry no
later than 150 days from the date of publication of this notice in the
Federal Register.
This notice is published in accordance with section 781(a) of the
Act and 19 CFR 351.226(d)(1)(ii).
Dated: July 24, 2023.
Abdelali Elouaradia,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023-16089 Filed 7-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P