International Trade Commission August 7, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Commission hereby gives notice of the institution of investigation and commencement of preliminary phase countervailing duty investigation No. 701-TA-458 (Preliminary) under section 703(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671b(a)) (the Act) to determine whether there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury, or the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded, by reason of imports from China of certain kitchen appliance shelving and racks, provided for in subheadings 7321.90.50, 8418.99.80, and 8516.90.80 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that are alleged to be subsidized by the Government of the People's Republic of China. The Commission also hereby gives notice of the institution of investigation and commencement of preliminary phase antidumping investigation No. 731-TA-1154 (Preliminary) under section 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1673b(a)) (the Act) to determine whether there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury, or the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded, by reason of imports from China of certain kitchen appliance shelving and racks, currently provided for in the subheadings identified above of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that are alleged to be sold in the United States at less than fair value. Unless the Department of Commerce extends the time for initiation pursuant to section 702(c)(1)(B) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1671a(c)(1)(B)), the Commission must reach preliminary determinations in antidumping and countervailing duty investigations within 45 days, or in this case by September 15, 2008. The Commission's views are due at Commerce within five business days thereafter, or by Monday, September 22, 2008. For further information concerning the conduct of this investigation and rules of general application, consult the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, part 201, subparts A through E (19 CFR part 201), and part 207, subparts A and B (19 CFR part 207).

In response to a supplemental letter dated June 30, 2008, from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) covering the third report in this series, the Commission has changed the focus and title of its third report and will examine the effect that conditions of key infrastructure sectors have on the export competitiveness of select sub-Saharan African (SSA) industries. This notice announces the scheduling of the third and final report in this series, the SSA industries that may be covered, and the scheduling of a public hearing. This series of reports was originally requested in a letter from the USTR dated July 26, 2006. In response, the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-477 and delivered its first and second reports on April 3, 2007, and April 3, 2008, respectively, under the investigation title Sub-Saharan Africa: Factors Affecting Trade Patterns of Selected Industries. October 1, 2008: Deadline for filing requests to appear at the public hearing. October 7, 2008: Deadline for filing pre-hearing briefs and statements. October 28, 2008: Public hearing. November 4, 2008: Deadline for filing post-hearing briefs and statements. April 3, 2009: Transmittal of Commission report to USTR.