International Trade Administration December 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Commerce (the Department) preliminarily determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes (HWR pipes and tubes) from the Republic of Turkey (Turkey). The period of investigation is January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.

The Department of Commerce (``the Department'') is rescinding the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on light-walled rectangular pipe and tube from Mexico for the period of review (``POR'') August 1, 2014, through July 31, 2015.

The Department of Commerce (the Department) preliminarily determines that de minimis countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers/exporters of certain cold-rolled steel flat products (cold-rolled steel) from the Republic of Korea (Korea). The period of investigation is January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. We invite interested parties to comment on this preliminary determination.

The Department of Commerce (the Department) preliminarily determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers/exporters of certain cold-rolled steel flat products (cold- rolled steel) from India. The period of investigation is January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. We invite interested parties to comment on this preliminary determination.

As a result of the determinations by the Department of Commerce (``Department'') and the International Trade Commission (``ITC'') that revocation of the antidumping duty (``AD'') order on certain potassium phosphate salts (``salts'') from the People's Republic of China (``PRC'') would likely lead to a continuation or recurrence of dumping and material injury to an industry in the United States, the Department is publishing a notice of continuation of the antidumping duty order. As a result of the determinations by the Department and the ITC that revocation of the countervailing duty (``CVD'') order on salts from the PRC would likely lead to a continuation or recurrence of a countervailable subsidy and material injury to an industry in the United States, the Department is publishing a notice of continuation of the CVD order.

The United States Manufacturing Council (Council) will hold an open meeting via teleconference on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. The Council was established in April 2004 to advise the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the U.S. manufacturing industry. The purpose of the meeting is for Council members to review and deliberate on a recommendation by the Innovation, Research and Development Subcommittee focused on the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation. The final agenda will be posted on the Department of Commerce Web site for the Council at https://www.trade.gov/manufacturingcouncil/, at least one week in advance of the meeting.

The Department of Commerce (the Department) is partially rescinding its administrative review of the antidumping duty order on drawn stainless steel sinks from the People's Republic of China (PRC) for the period of review (POR) April 1, 2014, through March 31, 2015.

CBERA, as amended, provides duty-free treatment for certain apparel articles imported directly from Haiti. One of the preferences is known as the ``value-added'' provision, which requires that apparel meet a minimum threshold percentage of value added in Haiti, the United States, and/or certain beneficiary countries. The provision is subject to a quantitative limitation, which is calculated as a percentage of total apparel imports into the United States for each 12-month annual period. For the annual period from December 20, 2015 through December 19, 2016, the quantity of imports eligible for preferential treatment under the value- added provision is 350,962,661 square meters equivalent.

On August 12, 2015, the Department of Commerce (the Department) published the preliminary results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet and strip (PET film) from Brazil for the period November 1, 2013 through November 9, 2013.\1\ For the final results, we continue to find that respondent Terphane Ltda and Terphane, Inc. (collectively, Terphane) made no shipments of subject merchandise during the period of review (POR). We made no changes to the Preliminary Results.

With this notice, the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC), on behalf of the Administration, is seeking public input to identify priority sectors in which the United States and India will pursue cooperative dialogues under the U.S.-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue (S&CD) to address standards-related trade barriers. The aim of the cooperative dialogues is for the private sector to produce concrete recommendations for the U.S. and Indian governments on breaking down barriers related to standards, regulatory, and conformity assessment practices to increase bilateral trade. Stakeholder input will be used by the USDOC, in consultation with its interagency partners, to identify those sectors where cooperative work will yield the most benefits for bilateral trade from a U.S. perspective. The USDOC will also use stakeholder input to seek agreement from its Indian government counterparts on the sectors in which to begin cooperative work. Criteria for selection include: The nature of the existing standards-related barriers in the sector (medical devices, ICT products, oil and gas, etc.), including whether the standards related measures that are affecting bilateral trade are subject to regulatory discretion or have limited potential for adjustment due to legislated mandates; the relative estimated trade impact of eliminating the standards-related barriers in the sector; and whether private sector representatives from the sectorboth U.S. and Indianare committed to leading a cooperative dialogue to produce concrete recommendations for the U.S. and Indian governments on breaking down barriers in the sector. Selection will also take into account the willingness of U.S. and Indian regulators to become involved in this targeted work, as well as if another bilateral forum relevant to the suggested issue already exists. In order for a sector to be considered, stakeholder input must identify private-sector leaders from the United States and India that have mutually agreed to coordinate and lead a cooperative dialogue among stakeholders in the sector from both the United States and India to develop recommendations for the U.S. and Indian governments on breaking down standards-related barriers in their sector. Confirmation of such agreement is encouraged. See additional requirements for submissions in the contents below. The private sector cooperative dialogue leaders from the selected priority sectors are expected to begin work as early as possible in 2016 and to report their preliminary recommendations to the U.S. and Indian governments at the next meeting of the U.S.-India S&CD, expected to take place in India in mid-2016. At the discretion of the U.S. and Indian private sector cooperative dialogue leads, U.S. and Indian government officials will be available to provide information to facilitate the development of private sector recommendations. Selection of future priority sectors will be evaluated on the basis of the performance of the cooperative dialogues in the initially selected priority sectors.

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a meeting of the Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC).

The Department of Commerce (``the Department'') is conducting the tenth administrative review (``AR'') of the antidumping duty order on wooden bedroom furniture (``WBF'') from the People's Republic of China (``PRC''). The period of review (``POR'') is January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. We invite interested parties to comment on these preliminary results.

The Department of Commerce (the Department) has completed its administrative review of the countervailing duty (CVD) order on citric acid and certain citrate sales from the People's Republic of China (PRC) for the period January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013. On June 8, 2015, the Department published in the Federal Register the Preliminary Results of this administrative review.\1\ We completed the Post-Preliminary Results in this administrative review on June 26, 2015.\2\

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed topics of discussion for public meetings of the Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness (Committee).

The Secretary of Commerce, through the Office of Trade and Economic Analysis (``OTEA''), issued an amended Export Trade Certificate of Review to the California Almond Export Association on November 24, 2015. The Certificate has now been amended ten times. The most recent previous amendment was issued to CAEA on August 17, 2015, and a notice of its issuance was published in the Federal Register on September 1, 2015 (80 FR 52738).

The United States Department of Commerce's (DOC) International Trade Administration (ITA), with participation from the U.S. Departments of Energy and State, is organizing the 9th Annual U.S. Industry Program at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference, to be held September 18-21, 2016, in Vienna, Austria. The IAEA General Conference is the premier global meeting of civil nuclear policymakers and typically attracts senior officials and industry representatives from all 162 Member States. The U.S. Industry Program is part of the Department of Commerce-led Civil Nuclear Trade Initiative, a U.S. Government effort to help U.S. civil nuclear companies identify and capitalize on commercial civil nuclear opportunities around the world. The purpose of the program is to help the U.S. nuclear industry promote its services and technologies to an international audience, including senior energy policymakers from current and emerging markets as well as IAEA staff. Representatives of U.S. companies from across the U.S. civil nuclear supply chain are eligible to participate. In addition, organizations providing related services to the industry, such as universities, research institutions, and U.S. civil nuclear trade associations, are eligible for participation. The mission will help U.S. participants gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and identify or advance specific projects with the goal of increasing U.S. civil nuclear exports to a wide variety of countries interested in nuclear energy. The schedule includes: (1) Meetings with foreign delegations; (2) briefings from senior U.S. Government officials and IAEA staff on important civil nuclear topics including regulatory, technology and standards issues; liability, public acceptance, export controls, financing, infrastructure development, and R&D cooperation; and (3) networking events. Past U.S. Industry Programs have included participation by the U.S. Secretary of Energy, the Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and senior U.S. Government officials from the Departments of Commerce, Energy, State, the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the National Security Council. There are significant opportunities for U.S. businesses in the global civil nuclear energy market. With 172 nuclear plant projects planned in 30 countries over the next 8-10 years, this translates to a market demand for equipment and services totaling $500-740 billion over the next ten years. This mission contributes to the President's National Export Initiative NEXT (https://www.trade.gov/neinext) and DOC's Civil Nuclear Trade Initiative (https://export.gov/civilnuclear), by assisting U.S. businesses in entering or expanding in international markets, and enhancing opportunities for U.S. exports.

The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, is organizing a healthcare trade and investment mission to Peru. The mission is designed to promote U.S. companies in the following areas: Pharmaceutical producers, medical device manufacturers, hospital operation and management services, hospital information systems, and eHealth solutions. The mission also will assist U.S. companies already doing business in Peru to expand their footprint. This mission will be executive-led.

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), is organizing an Information and Communication Technology Trade Mission to Istanbul, Turkey and Ankara from November 28th-December 1st, 2016. The trade mission will focus on Cyber Security and e-Commerce as a sub sector. The purpose of the mission is to introduce U.S. firms and trade associations to Turkey information and communication technology (ICT) security and critical infrastructure protection markets and to assist U.S. companies to find business partners and export their products and services. The mission will visit Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey where U.S. firms will have access to business development opportunities, participating firms will gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports of products and services to Turkey. The mission will include customized one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors and joint venture partners; meetings with state and local government officials and industry leaders; and networking events.

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration is organizing a trade mission to Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina that will include the Trade WindsLatin America business forum in Santiago, Chile on September 7- 9, 2016. U.S. trade mission members will participate in the Trade WindsLatin America business forum in Santiago, Chile, which is also open to U.S. companies not participating in the trade mission. Trade mission participants may also choose to participate in their choice of trade mission stops based on recommendations from the USFCS, including in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina. Each trade mission stop will include one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors or joint-venture partners. Trade mission participants in the Trade WindsLatin America business forum may attend regional and industry-specific sessions and consultations with USFCS Senior Commercial Officers and other government officials representing the Western Hemisphere region during the business forum in Santiago, Chile on September 7-9, 2016. This mission is open to U.S. companies and trade associations from a cross-section of industries with growth potential in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina, including, but not limited to the following industries: Power generation, transmission and distribution technology and equipment; oil and gas equipment and technology; mining and construction equipment; building products; agricultural equipment and technology; information communications technology and equipment; healthcare and medical products, equipment, and services; water technologies; environmental technologies; consumer products; and safety and security products and services.

The United States Department of Commerce International Trade Administration's (ITA) U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) in Turkey is organizing a Transportation Technologies, Equipment & Systems Trade Mission to Turkey on September 26-30, 2016. The U.S.-Turkey Transportation Industry Trade Mission is intended to include representatives from a variety of U.S. transportation industry hi-tech equipment, systems and technology suppliers and service providers. The mission will introduce these suppliers to Turkish business partners, industry representatives, and to the Turkish municipal/government officials to learn about and benefit from various transportation project opportunities in the country. Participating in an official U.S. industry delegation, rather than traveling to Turkey on their own, will enhance the companies' ability to secure meetings in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir. The influence of the transportation sector is expected to increase more in the future, as a large number of transportation related projects, including rail, air, sea, and land, are either already underway or expected to accommodate for an increasingly industrialized country in the years to come. Further in the horizon, due to the increased infrastructural partnership between private and government enterprises, marine and railway freightage will have a big role in cargo moving for combined transportation. The Government of Turkey has committed to new investments in this industry to keep up with future demand which is expected to reach targets in 2023, the centennial of the Turkish Republic. GoT spells out investments totaling almost $250 billion with the distribution as follows: Land transportation: $110 billion; rail: $50; marine: $35; and aviation: $50. The trade mission offers a timely and cost effective way of engaging with key stake holders in the transportation sector which covers a wide range of players from air to sea, land to rail industries. Trade mission participants will have the opportunity to interact extensively with Commercial Service (CS) Turkey specialists as well as USEAC offices to discuss industry developments, opportunities, and sales strategies. The trade mission will also include a regional program for introductions to private sector and government officials from the partnership posts of Turkey, namely Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Georgia. The meetings will take place in Istanbul, with the participation of the partnership posts and possibly other countries in the region.

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), is organizing a Trade Mission to Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador from May 16 to 20, 2016. The purpose of this mission is to assist U.S. companies in launching or increasing exports of U.S. safety and security goods or services to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Participating firms will gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports of products and services to the Northern Triangle of Central America. The mission will include customized one-on-one business appointments with pre- screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, and joint venture partners; meetings with industry leaders, market briefings, and networking events.

On August 11, 2015, the Department of Commerce (the Department) received antidumping duty (AD) petitions concerning imports of certain hot-rolled steel flat products (hot-rolled steel) from Australia, Brazil, Japan, and the Netherlands, and a countervailing duty (CVD) petition concerning hot-rolled steel from Brazil.\1\ On October 23, 2015, the Department received timely allegations, pursuant to sections 703(e)(1) and 733(e)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), and 19 CFR 351.206, that critical circumstances exist with respect to imports of the merchandise under investigation.\2\ Based on information provided by the petitioners, data placed on the record of these investigations by the mandatory respondents, and data collected by the Department from Global Trade Atlas (GTA), the Department preliminarily determines that critical circumstances exist for imports of hot-rolled steel from certain producers and exporters from Brazil and Japan.