USITC Begins Final Phase of Investigations of Certain Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe From China
November 12, 2009On the basis of the record developed in the subject investigations, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has determined, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671b(a) and 1673b(a)) (the Act), that there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is threatened with material injury by reason of imports from China of certain seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe, provided for in subheadings 7304.19, 7304.31, 7304.39, 7304.51, and 7304.59 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that are alleged to be subsidized by the government of China and sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV).
Pursuant to section 207.18 of the USITCs rules, the USITC also gives notice of the commencement of the final phase of its investigations. The USITC will issue a final phase notice of scheduling, which will be published in the Federal Register as provided in section 207.21 of the USITC’s rules, upon notice from the Department of Commerce (Commerce) of affirmative preliminary determinations in these investigations under sections 703(b) and 733(b) of the Act, or, if the preliminary determinations are negative, upon notice of affirmative final determinations in these investigations under sections 705(a) and 735(a) of the Act. Parties that filed entries of appearance in the preliminary phase of the investigations need not enter a separate appearance for the final phase of the investigations. Industrial users, and, if the merchandise under investigations is sold at the retail level, representative consumer organizations have the right to appear as parties in USITC antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. The Secretary will prepare a public service list containing the names and addresses of all persons, or their representatives, who are parties to the investigations.
On September 16, 2009, counsel on behalf of U.S. Steel Corp., Pittsburgh, Pa. and V&M Star L.P., Houston, Texas, filed a countervailing duty and antidumping petition with both the USITC and Commerce. The petition alleges that an industry in the United States is materially injured and threatened with material injury by reason of imports of certain seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe allegedly subsidized by the government of China and sold at LTFV. Accordingly, effective September 16, 2009, the USITC instituted countervailing duty investigation No. 701-TA-469 (Preliminary) and antidumping duty investigation No. 731-TA-1168 (Preliminary).
Notice of the institution of the USITC’s investigations and of a public conference to be held in connection therewith was given by posting copies of the notice in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, and by publishing the notice in the Federal Register of September 22, 2009 (74 FR 48292). The conference was held in Washington, DC, on October 7, 2009, and all persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in person or by counsel.
