Large Top Mount Combination Refrigerator-Freezers From Thailand: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures, 8379-8382 [2025-01865]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 18 / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 / Notices On January 8, 2025, EKU Fren requested that Commerce postpone the final determination in the event of an affirmative preliminary determination and that provisional measures be extended to a period not to exceed 135 days.14 On January 10, 2025, Webb Wheel Products, Inc. (the petitioner) requested that Commerce postpone the final determination in the event of a negative preliminary determination.15 In accordance with section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because: (1) the preliminary determination is affirmative; (2) the requesting exporter accounts for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise; and (3) no compelling reasons for denial exist, Commerce is postponing the final determination and extending the provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not greater than six months. Accordingly, Commerce’s final determination will be issued no later than 135 days after the date of publication of this preliminary determination in the Federal Register, pursuant to section 735(a)(2) of the Act. U.S. International Trade Commission Notification In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) of its preliminary determination. If the final determination is affirmative, the ITC will determine before the later of 120 days after the date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after the final determination whether these imports are materially injuring, or threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry. Notification to Interested Parties This determination is issued and published in accordance with sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.205(c). Dated: January 23, 2025. Abdelali Elouaradia, Acting Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Appendix II List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES Appendix I Scope of the Investigation The merchandise covered by this investigation is certain brake drums made of gray cast iron, whether finished or unfinished, with an actual or nominal inside diameter of 14.75 inches or more but not over 16.6 inches, weighing more than 50 pounds. 14 See EKU Fren’s Letter, ‘‘EKU Fren’s Final Determination Extension Request,’’ dated January 8, 2025. 15 See Petitioner’s Letter, ‘‘Petitioner’s Request for Postponement of Final Determination,’’ dated January 10, 2025. VerDate Sep<11>2014 Unfinished brake drums are those which have undergone some turning or machining but are not ready for installation. Subject brake drums are included within the scope whether imported individually or with nonsubject merchandise (for example, a hub), whether assembled or unassembled, or if joined with non-subject merchandise. When a subject drum is imported together with non-subject merchandise, such as, but not limited to, a drum-hub assembly, only the subject drum is covered by the scope. Subject merchandise also includes finished and unfinished brake drums that are further processed in a third country or in the United States, including, but not limited to, assembly or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of this investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the subject brake drums. The inclusion, attachment, joining, or assembly of non-subject merchandise with subject drums either in the country of manufacture of the subject drum or in a third country does not remove the subject drum from the scope. Specifically excluded is merchandise covered by the scope of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on certain chassis and subassemblies thereof from the People’s Republic of China. See Certain Chassis and Subassemblies Thereof from the People’s Republic of China: Antidumping Duty Order, 86 FR 36093 (July 8, 2021) and Certain Chassis and Subassemblies Thereof from the People’s Republic of China: Countervailing Duty Order and Amended Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination, 86 FR 24844 (May 10, 2021). The scope also excludes composite brake drums that contain more than 38 percent steel by weight. The merchandise covered by this investigation is classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 8708.30.5020. The merchandise covered by this investigation may be classifiable under HTSUS subheading 8708.30.5090 when entered as part of an assembly. Subject merchandise may also enter under HTSUS subheading 8716.90.5060. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise covered by this investigation is dispositive. 16:42 Jan 28, 2025 Jkt 265001 I. Summary II. Background III. Period of Investigation IV. Application of Facts Available and Adverse Inferences V. Discussion of the Methodology VI. Adjustments to Cash Deposit Rates for Export Subsidies in the Companion Countervailing Duty Investigation VII. Currency Conversion VIII. Recommendation [FR Doc. 2025–01892 Filed 1–28–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8379 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A–549–853] Large Top Mount Combination Refrigerator-Freezers From Thailand: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that large top mount combination refrigerator-freezers (refrigerators) from Thailand are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination. DATES: Applicable January 29, 2025. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Benito Ballesteros or Lilit Astvatsatrian, AD/CVD Operations, Office IX, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–7425 or (202) 482–6412, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: Background This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section 733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce published the notice of initiation of this investigation on July 16, 2024.1 On July 22, 2024, Commerce tolled certain deadlines in this administrative proceeding by seven days.2 On November 18, 2024, Commerce postponed the preliminary determination of this investigation until January 22, 2025.3 For a complete description of the events that followed the initiation of this investigation, see 1 See Large Top Mount Combination RefrigeratorFreezers from Thailand: Initiation of Less-ThanFair-Value Investigation, 89 FR 57860 (July 16, 2024) (Initiation Notice). On July 24, 2024, Commerce published a correction to this notice. See Large Top Mount Combination Refrigerator-Freezers from Thailand: Correction, 89 FR 59894 (July 24, 2024). 2 See Memorandum, ‘‘Tolling of Deadlines for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings,’’ dated July 22, 2024. 3 See Large Top Mount Combination RefrigeratorFreezers from Thailand: Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the Less-Than-FairValue Investigation, 89 FR 90668 (November 18, 2024). E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1 8380 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 18 / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 / Notices the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.4 A list of topics included in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is provided in Appendix II of 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 at https://access.trade.gov/public/ FRNoticesListLayout.aspx. Scope of the Investigation The products covered by this investigation are refrigerators from Thailand. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, see Appendix I. Scope Comments In accordance with the Preamble to Commerce’s regulations,5 the Initiation Notice set aside a period of time for parties to raise issues regarding product coverage (i.e., scope).6 No interested party commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the Initiation Notice. Accordingly, Commerce is not preliminarily modifying the scope language as it appeared in the Initiation Notice. See the scope in Appendix I to this notice. Methodology Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with section 731 of the Act. Commerce has calculated export prices in accordance with section 772(a) of the Act. Constructed export prices have been calculated in accordance with section 772(b) of the Act. Normal value is calculated in accordance with section 773 of the Act. Furthermore, pursuant to section 776(a) and (b) of the Act, Commerce has preliminarily relied upon facts otherwise available with adverse inferences for Thai Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung); Sanden Intercool (Thailand) Public Company Limited; and Sharp Appliances (Thailand) Co., Ltd. For a full description of the methodology underlying the preliminary determination, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. All-Others Rate Sections 733(d)(1)(ii) and 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act provide that in the preliminary determination Commerce shall determine an estimated all-others rate for all exporters and producers not individually examined. This rate shall be an amount equal to the weighted average of the estimated weightedaverage dumping margins established for exporters and producers individually investigated, excluding any zero and de minimis margins, and any margins determined entirely under section 776 of the Act. In this investigation, Commerce preliminarily assigned a rate based entirely on facts available to Samsung. Therefore, the only rate that is not zero, de minimis, or based entirely on facts otherwise available is the rate calculated for Toshiba Consumer Products (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Toshiba). Consequently, the rate calculated for Toshiba is also assigned as the rate for all other producers and exporters. Preliminary Determination Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated weightedaverage dumping margins exist: Estimated weightedaverage dumping margin (percent) Exporter/producer Toshiba Consumer Products (Thailand) Co., Ltd .................................................................................................................................... Thai Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd ......................................................................................................................................................... Sanden Intercool (Thailand) Public Company Limited ............................................................................................................................ Sharp Appliances (Thailand) Co., Ltd ..................................................................................................................................................... All Others ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13.28 * 37.90 * 37.90 * 37.90 13.28 * This rate is based on facts available with adverse inferences. khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES Suspension of Liquidation In accordance with section 733(d)(2) of the Act, Commerce will direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise, as described in Appendix I, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Further, pursuant to section 733(d)(1)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(d), Commerce will instruct CBP to require a cash deposit equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin or the estimated allothers rate, as follows: (1) the cash deposit rate for the respondents listed 4 See Memorandum, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Affirmative Determination in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation of Large Top Mount Combination Refrigerator-Freezers from VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:42 Jan 28, 2025 Jkt 265001 above will be equal to the companyspecific estimated weighted-average dumping margins determined in this preliminary determination; (2) if the exporter is not a respondent identified above, but the producer is, then the cash deposit rate will be equal to the company-specific estimated weightedaverage dumping margin established for that producer of the subject merchandise; and (3) the cash deposit rate for all other producers and exporters will be equal to the all-others estimated weighted-average dumping margin. These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect until further notice. Disclosure Thailand,’’ dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum). 5 See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble). 6 See Initiation Notice, 89 FR at 57861. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis performed to interested parties in this preliminary determination within five days of any public announcement or, if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b). Consistent with 19 CFR 351.224(e), Commerce will analyze and, if appropriate, correct any timely allegations of significant ministerial errors by amending the preliminary determination. However, consistent with 19 CFR 351.224(d), Commerce will not consider incomplete allegations that E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 18 / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 / Notices do not address the significance standard under 19 CFR 351.224(g) following the preliminary determination. Instead, Commerce will address such allegations in the final determination together with issues raised in the case briefs or other written comments. Verification As provided in section 782(i)(1) of the Act, Commerce intends to verify the information relied upon in making its final determination. Public Comment khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no later than seven days after the date on which the last verification report is issued in this investigation. A timeline for the submission of case briefs and written comments will be released to interested parties at a later date. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may be filed not later than five days after the date for filing case briefs.7 Interested parties who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this proceeding must submit: (1) a table of contents listing each issue; and (2) a table of authorities.8 As provided under 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), in prior proceedings, we have encouraged interested parties to provide an executive summary of their brief that should be limited to five pages total, including footnotes. In this investigation, we instead request that interested parties provide at the beginning of their briefs a public, executive summary for each issue raised in their briefs.9 Further, we request that interested parties limit their public executive summary of each issue to no more than 450 words, not including citations. We intend to use the public executive summaries as the basis of the comment summaries included in the issues and decision memorandum that will accompany the final determination in this investigation. We request that interested parties include footnotes for relevant citations in the executive summary of each issue. Note that Commerce has amended certain of its 7 See 19 CFR 351.309(d); see also Administrative Protective Order, Service, and Other Procedures in Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings, 88 FR 67069, 67077 (September 29, 2023) (APO and Service Final Rule). 8 See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2). 9 We use the term ‘‘issue’’ here to describe an argument that Commerce would normally address in a comment of the Issues and Decision Memorandum. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:42 Jan 28, 2025 Jkt 265001 requirements pertaining to the service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f).10 Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to request a hearing, limited to issues raised in the case and rebuttal briefs, must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce, within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice. Requests should contain (1) the party’s name, address, and telephone number; (2) the number of participants and whether any participant is a foreign national; and (3) a list of the issues to be discussed. If a request for a hearing is made, Commerce intends to hold the hearing at a time and date to be determined. Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, and location of the hearing two days before the scheduled date. Postponement of Final Determination and Extension of Provisional Measures Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides that a final determination may be postponed until not later than 135 days after the date of the publication of the preliminary determination if, in the event of an affirmative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by exporters who account for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise, or in the event of a negative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by the petitioner. Section 351.210(e)(2) of Commerce’s regulations requires that a request by exporters for postponement of the final determination be accompanied by a request for extension of provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not more than six months in duration. On January 17, 2025, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.210(e), Toshiba requested that Commerce postpone the final determination and that provisional measures be extended to a period not to exceed six months.11 In accordance with section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because: (1) the preliminary determination is affirmative; (2) the requesting exporter accounts for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise; and (3) no compelling reasons for denial exist, Commerce is postponing the final determination and extending the provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not greater than six months. Accordingly, Commerce will make its final determination no later 10 See APO and Service Final Rule. Toshiba’s Letter, ‘‘Request to Postpone Final Determination,’’ dated January 17, 2025. 11 See PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8381 than 135 days after the date of publication of this preliminary determination. U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) Notification In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify the ITC of its preliminary determination. If the final determination is affirmative, the ITC will determine before the later of 120 days after the date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after the final determination whether these imports are materially injuring, or threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry. Notification to Interested Parties This determination is issued and published in accordance with sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.205(c). Dated: January 22, 2025. Abdelali Elouaradia, Acting Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Appendix I—Scope of the Investigation The products covered by this investigation are large top mount combination refrigeratorfreezers with a refrigerated volume of at least 15.6 cubic feet or 442 liters. For the purposes of this investigation, the term ‘‘large top mount combination refrigerator-freezers’’ consists of freestanding or built-in cabinets that have an integral source of refrigeration using compression technology, with all of the following characteristics: • The cabinet contains at least two interior storage compartments accessible through two separate external doors; • The lower-most interior storage compartment(s) that is accessible through an external door is a fresh food or convertible compartment, but is not a freezer compartment; however, the existence of an interior sub-compartment for ice-making in the lower-most storage compartment does not render the lower-most storage compartment a freezer compartment; and • There is a freezer or convertible compartment that is mounted above the lower-most interior storage compartment(s). For the purposes of the investigation, a fresh food compartment is capable of storing food at temperatures above 32 degrees F (0 degrees C), a freezer compartment is capable of storing food at temperatures at or below 32 degrees F (0 degrees C), and a convertible compartment is capable of operating as either a fresh food compartment or a freezer compartment, as defined in this paragraph. The products subject to this investigation are currently classifiable under subheading 8418.10.0075 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Products subject to this investigation may also enter under HTSUS subheadings 8418.21.0090, 8418.40.0000, and 8418.69.0180. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, but the written description of the E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1 8382 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 18 / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 / Notices merchandise subject to this scope is dispositive. 482–1297; email: jonathan.chesebro@ trade.gov). Appendix II—List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Summary II. Background III. Period of Investigation IV. Application of Facts Available and Use of Adverse Inference V. Discussion of the Methodology VI. Currency Conversion VII. Recommendation [FR Doc. 2025–01865 Filed 1–28–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee: Meeting of the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory Committee meeting. AGENCY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda for a meeting of the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee (CINTAC). DATES: The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). The deadline for members of the public to register, including requests to make comments during the meeting and for auxiliary aids, or to submit written comments for dissemination prior to the meeting, is 5 p.m. EST on Monday, February 3, 2025. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held virtually and in-person at the Department of Commerce Herbert C. Hoover Building (1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20230, Room 1412/1414). Registered participants will be emailed instructions on accessing the designated meeting space. Requests to register (including to speak or for auxiliary aids) and any written comments should be submitted to Mr. Jonathan Chesebro, Office of Energy & Environmental Industries, International Trade Administration, (email: jonathan.chesebro@trade.gov). Members of the public should submit registration requests and written comments via email to ensure timely receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jonathan Chesebro, Office of Energy & Environmental Industries, International Trade Administration, Room 28018, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20230. (Phone: 202– khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:42 Jan 28, 2025 Jkt 265001 Background: The CINTAC was established under the discretionary authority of the Secretary of Commerce and in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq), in response to an identified need for consensus advice from U.S. industry to the U.S. government regarding the development and administration of programs to expand U.S. exports of civil nuclear goods and services in accordance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including advice on how U.S. civil nuclear goods and services export policies, programs, and activities affect the U.S. civil nuclear industry’s competitiveness and ability to participate in the international market. Topics to be considered: The agenda for the Thursday, February 6, 2025, CINTAC meeting will include discussions of CINTAC priorities for its 2024–2026 charter term, the establishment of subcommittees, election of Committee leadership, and activities related to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Civil Nuclear Trade Initiative. Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting must notify Mr. Jonathan Chesebro at the contact information above by 5:00 p.m. EST on Monday, February 3, 2025, in order to pre-register. Please specify any requests for reasonable accommodation at least five business days in advance of the meeting. A limited amount of time will be available for brief oral comments from members of the public attending the meeting. To accommodate as many speakers as possible, the time for public comments will be limited to two (2) minutes per person, with a total public comment period of 20 minutes. Individuals wishing to reserve speaking time during the meeting must contact Mr. Jonathan Chesebro and submit a brief statement of the general nature of the comments and the name and address of the proposed participant by 5 p.m. EST on Monday, February 3, 2025. If the number of registrants requesting to make statements is greater than can be reasonably accommodated during the meeting, ITA may conduct a lottery to determine the speakers. Any member of the public may submit written comments concerning the CINTAC’s affairs at any time before and after the meeting. Comments may be submitted to Mr. Jonathan Chesebro in the International Trade Administration’s Office of Energy & PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Environmental Industries. For consideration during the meeting, and to ensure transmission to the Committee prior to the meeting, comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. EST on Monday, February 3, 2025. Comments received after that date will be distributed to the members but may not be considered at the meeting. Copies of CINTAC meeting minutes will be available within 90 days of the meeting. Jonathan Chesebro, Deputy Director, Acting, Office of Energy and Environmental Industries. [FR Doc. 2025–01847 Filed 1–28–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of an open meeting. AGENCY: The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (REEEAC or the Committee) will hold an in-person meeting, accessible to the public in-person and online, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, DC. Registration instructions for the public to attend either in-person or online are provided below. The meeting has a limited number of spaces for members of the public to attend in-person. Requests to attend in-person will be considered on a first-come first-served basis. DATES: Wednesday, February 12, 2025, from approximately 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Members of the public wishing to participate, either in person or online, must register in advance with Cora Dickson at the contact information below by 5 p.m. EST on Monday, February 10, 2025 including any requests to make comments during the meeting or for accommodations or auxiliary aids. ADDRESSES: To register, please contact Cora Dickson, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), Office of Energy and Environmental Industries (OEEI), Industry and Analysis, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce at (202) 482–6083; email: Cora.Dickson@trade.gov. In their registration, members of the public wishing to attend in-person must request in-person attendance by the firm deadline above. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 29, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8379-8382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01865]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-549-853]


Large Top Mount Combination Refrigerator-Freezers From Thailand: 
Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, 
Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional 
Measures

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily 
determines that large top mount combination refrigerator-freezers 
(refrigerators) from Thailand are being, or are likely to be, sold in 
the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of 
investigation (POI) is April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. 
Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary 
determination.

DATES: Applicable January 29, 2025.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Benito Ballesteros or Lilit 
Astvatsatrian, AD/CVD Operations, Office IX, Enforcement and 
Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: 
(202) 482-7425 or (202) 482-6412, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section 
733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce 
published the notice of initiation of this investigation on July 16, 
2024.\1\ On July 22, 2024, Commerce tolled certain deadlines in this 
administrative proceeding by seven days.\2\ On November 18, 2024, 
Commerce postponed the preliminary determination of this investigation 
until January 22, 2025.\3\ For a complete description of the events 
that followed the initiation of this investigation, see

[[Page 8380]]

the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See Large Top Mount Combination Refrigerator-Freezers from 
Thailand: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation, 89 FR 
57860 (July 16, 2024) (Initiation Notice). On July 24, 2024, 
Commerce published a correction to this notice. See Large Top Mount 
Combination Refrigerator-Freezers from Thailand: Correction, 89 FR 
59894 (July 24, 2024).
    \2\ See Memorandum, ``Tolling of Deadlines for Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Proceedings,'' dated July 22, 2024.
    \3\ See Large Top Mount Combination Refrigerator-Freezers from 
Thailand: Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the Less-
Than-Fair-Value Investigation, 89 FR 90668 (November 18, 2024).
    \4\ See Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary 
Affirmative Determination in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation 
of Large Top Mount Combination Refrigerator-Freezers from 
Thailand,'' dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this 
notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A list of topics included in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is 
provided in Appendix II of 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 at 
https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.

Scope of the Investigation

    The products covered by this investigation are refrigerators from 
Thailand. For a complete description of the scope of this 
investigation, see Appendix I.

Scope Comments

    In accordance with the Preamble to Commerce's regulations,\5\ the 
Initiation Notice set aside a period of time for parties to raise 
issues regarding product coverage (i.e., scope).\6\ No interested party 
commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the 
Initiation Notice. Accordingly, Commerce is not preliminarily modifying 
the scope language as it appeared in the Initiation Notice. See the 
scope in Appendix I to this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule, 
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble).
    \6\ See Initiation Notice, 89 FR at 57861.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Methodology

    Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with 
section 731 of the Act. Commerce has calculated export prices in 
accordance with section 772(a) of the Act. Constructed export prices 
have been calculated in accordance with section 772(b) of the Act. 
Normal value is calculated in accordance with section 773 of the Act. 
Furthermore, pursuant to section 776(a) and (b) of the Act, Commerce 
has preliminarily relied upon facts otherwise available with adverse 
inferences for Thai Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung); Sanden 
Intercool (Thailand) Public Company Limited; and Sharp Appliances 
(Thailand) Co., Ltd. For a full description of the methodology 
underlying the preliminary determination, see the Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum.

All-Others Rate

    Sections 733(d)(1)(ii) and 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act provide that in 
the preliminary determination Commerce shall determine an estimated 
all-others rate for all exporters and producers not individually 
examined. This rate shall be an amount equal to the weighted average of 
the estimated weighted-average dumping margins established for 
exporters and producers individually investigated, excluding any zero 
and de minimis margins, and any margins determined entirely under 
section 776 of the Act.
    In this investigation, Commerce preliminarily assigned a rate based 
entirely on facts available to Samsung. Therefore, the only rate that 
is not zero, de minimis, or based entirely on facts otherwise available 
is the rate calculated for Toshiba Consumer Products (Thailand) Co., 
Ltd. (Toshiba). Consequently, the rate calculated for Toshiba is also 
assigned as the rate for all other producers and exporters.

Preliminary Determination

    Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated 
weighted-average dumping margins exist:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Estimated
                                                              weighted-
                                                               average
                     Exporter/producer                         dumping
                                                                margin
                                                              (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toshiba Consumer Products (Thailand) Co., Ltd..............        13.28
Thai Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd..........................      * 37.90
Sanden Intercool (Thailand) Public Company Limited.........      * 37.90
Sharp Appliances (Thailand) Co., Ltd.......................      * 37.90
All Others.................................................        13.28
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This rate is based on facts available with adverse inferences.

Suspension of Liquidation

    In accordance with section 733(d)(2) of the Act, Commerce will 
direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation 
of entries of subject merchandise, as described in Appendix I, entered, 
or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Further, pursuant 
to section 733(d)(1)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(d), Commerce will 
instruct CBP to require a cash deposit equal to the estimated weighted-
average dumping margin or the estimated all-others rate, as follows: 
(1) the cash deposit rate for the respondents listed above will be 
equal to the company-specific estimated weighted-average dumping 
margins determined in this preliminary determination; (2) if the 
exporter is not a respondent identified above, but the producer is, 
then the cash deposit rate will be equal to the company-specific 
estimated weighted-average dumping margin established for that producer 
of the subject merchandise; and (3) the cash deposit rate for all other 
producers and exporters will be equal to the all-others estimated 
weighted-average dumping margin. These suspension of liquidation 
instructions will remain in effect until further notice.

Disclosure

    Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis 
performed to interested parties in this preliminary determination 
within five days of any public announcement or, if there is no public 
announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this 
notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).
    Consistent with 19 CFR 351.224(e), Commerce will analyze and, if 
appropriate, correct any timely allegations of significant ministerial 
errors by amending the preliminary determination. However, consistent 
with 19 CFR 351.224(d), Commerce will not consider incomplete 
allegations that

[[Page 8381]]

do not address the significance standard under 19 CFR 351.224(g) 
following the preliminary determination. Instead, Commerce will address 
such allegations in the final determination together with issues raised 
in the case briefs or other written comments.

Verification

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

Public Comment

    Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted to the 
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no later than seven 
days after the date on which the last verification report is issued in 
this investigation. A timeline for the submission of case briefs and 
written comments will be released to interested parties at a later 
date. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may 
be filed not later than five days after the date for filing case 
briefs.\7\ Interested parties who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs 
in this proceeding must submit: (1) a table of contents listing each 
issue; and (2) a table of authorities.\8\
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    \7\ See 19 CFR 351.309(d); see also Administrative Protective 
Order, Service, and Other Procedures in Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Proceedings, 88 FR 67069, 67077 (September 29, 
2023) (APO and Service Final Rule).
    \8\ See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As provided under 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), in prior 
proceedings, we have encouraged interested parties to provide an 
executive summary of their brief that should be limited to five pages 
total, including footnotes. In this investigation, we instead request 
that interested parties provide at the beginning of their briefs a 
public, executive summary for each issue raised in their briefs.\9\ 
Further, we request that interested parties limit their public 
executive summary of each issue to no more than 450 words, not 
including citations. We intend to use the public executive summaries as 
the basis of the comment summaries included in the issues and decision 
memorandum that will accompany the final determination in this 
investigation. We request that interested parties include footnotes for 
relevant citations in the executive summary of each issue. Note that 
Commerce has amended certain of its requirements pertaining to the 
service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f).\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ We use the term ``issue'' here to describe an argument that 
Commerce would normally address in a comment of the Issues and 
Decision Memorandum.
    \10\ See APO and Service Final Rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to 
request a hearing, limited to issues raised in the case and rebuttal 
briefs, must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce, within 30 days 
after the date of publication of this notice. Requests should contain 
(1) the party's name, address, and telephone number; (2) the number of 
participants and whether any participant is a foreign national; and (3) 
a list of the issues to be discussed. If a request for a hearing is 
made, Commerce intends to hold the hearing at a time and date to be 
determined. Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, and 
location of the hearing two days before the scheduled date.

Postponement of Final Determination and Extension of Provisional 
Measures

    Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides that a final determination 
may be postponed until not later than 135 days after the date of the 
publication of the preliminary determination if, in the event of an 
affirmative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement 
is made by exporters who account for a significant proportion of 
exports of the subject merchandise, or in the event of a negative 
preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by 
the petitioner. Section 351.210(e)(2) of Commerce's regulations 
requires that a request by exporters for postponement of the final 
determination be accompanied by a request for extension of provisional 
measures from a four-month period to a period not more than six months 
in duration.
    On January 17, 2025, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.210(e), Toshiba 
requested that Commerce postpone the final determination and that 
provisional measures be extended to a period not to exceed six 
months.\11\ In accordance with section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19 
CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because: (1) the preliminary determination is 
affirmative; (2) the requesting exporter accounts for a significant 
proportion of exports of the subject merchandise; and (3) no compelling 
reasons for denial exist, Commerce is postponing the final 
determination and extending the provisional measures from a four-month 
period to a period not greater than six months. Accordingly, Commerce 
will make its final determination no later than 135 days after the date 
of publication of this preliminary determination.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ See Toshiba's Letter, ``Request to Postpone Final 
Determination,'' dated January 17, 2025.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) Notification

    In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify 
the ITC of its preliminary determination. If the final determination is 
affirmative, the ITC will determine before the later of 120 days after 
the date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after the final 
determination whether these imports are materially injuring, or 
threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry.

Notification to Interested Parties

    This determination is issued and published in accordance with 
sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.205(c).

    Dated: January 22, 2025.
Abdelali Elouaradia,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix I--Scope of the Investigation

    The products covered by this investigation are large top mount 
combination refrigerator-freezers with a refrigerated volume of at 
least 15.6 cubic feet or 442 liters. For the purposes of this 
investigation, the term ``large top mount combination refrigerator-
freezers'' consists of freestanding or built-in cabinets that have 
an integral source of refrigeration using compression technology, 
with all of the following characteristics:
     The cabinet contains at least two interior storage 
compartments accessible through two separate external doors;
     The lower-most interior storage compartment(s) that is 
accessible through an external door is a fresh food or convertible 
compartment, but is not a freezer compartment; however, the 
existence of an interior sub-compartment for ice-making in the 
lower-most storage compartment does not render the lower-most 
storage compartment a freezer compartment; and
     There is a freezer or convertible compartment that is 
mounted above the lower-most interior storage compartment(s).
    For the purposes of the investigation, a fresh food compartment 
is capable of storing food at temperatures above 32 degrees F (0 
degrees C), a freezer compartment is capable of storing food at 
temperatures at or below 32 degrees F (0 degrees C), and a 
convertible compartment is capable of operating as either a fresh 
food compartment or a freezer compartment, as defined in this 
paragraph.
    The products subject to this investigation are currently 
classifiable under subheading 8418.10.0075 of the Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Products subject to this 
investigation may also enter under HTSUS subheadings 8418.21.0090, 
8418.40.0000, and 8418.69.0180. The HTSUS subheadings are provided 
for convenience and customs purposes, but the written description of 
the

[[Page 8382]]

merchandise subject to this scope is dispositive.

Appendix II--List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum

I. Summary
II. Background
III. Period of Investigation
IV. Application of Facts Available and Use of Adverse Inference
V. Discussion of the Methodology
VI. Currency Conversion
VII. Recommendation

[FR Doc. 2025-01865 Filed 1-28-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
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