[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 19550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9994]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigations Nos. 731-TA-823-824 (Preliminary)]


Certain Aperture Masks From Japan and Korea \1\

Determinations

    On the basis of the record 2 developed in the subject 
investigations, the United States International Trade Commission 
determines, pursuant to section 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 
U.S.C. Sec. 1673b(a)), that there is no reasonable indication that an 
industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with 
material injury, or that the establishment of an industry in the United 
States is materially retarded, by reason of imports from Japan of 
certain aperture masks, provided for in subheading 8540.91.50 of the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that are alleged to be 
sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV).3
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    \1\ The products covered by these investigations are all 
aperture masks (also known as ``shadow masks'') made from aluminum-
killed, open-coil annealed steel (decarburized) (known generally as 
``AK steel'') for color picture tubes (``CPTs'') used in television 
sets. AK steel includes the following types of steel: low carbon, AF 
(annealing-free) steel, AK type A steel (commonly referred to as AKM 
steel), AK type B steel, and general AK steel. The aperture masks 
covered by the scope generally have a vertical pitch (distance 
between the centers of two apertures) of greater than 0.28 mm. 
Specifically excluded from the scope are the following products: (1) 
aperture masks made from FeNi 36 alloy (whether sold under the brand 
names Invar, Inovar or LLTE); (2) aperture masks that have a 
vertical pitch of less than 0.28 mm that are generally used for 
color display tubes (``CDTs'') used in computer monitors; and (3) 
grille masks (a grille mask replaces the slots in an aperture mask 
with an array of finely tensioned vertical wires). The merchandise 
subject to these investigations is provided for in subheading 
8540.91.50 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
(HTS). Although the HTS subheading is provided for convenience and 
customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise is 
dispositive.
    \2\ The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR Sec. 207.2(f)).
    \3\ Commissioners Carol T. Crawford and Stephen Koplan 
dissenting.
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    Also, pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1677(24)(A), the Commission determines 
that the subject imports from Korea that are alleged to be sold at LTFV 
are negligible. The Commission's investigation with respect to Korea is 
thereby terminated pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1673b(a)(1).

Background

    On February 24, 1999, petitions were filed with the Commission and 
the Department of Commerce by BMC Industries, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, 
alleging that an industry in the United States is materially injured 
and threatened with material injury by reason of LTFV imports of 
certain aperture masks from Japan and Korea. Accordingly, effective 
February 24, 1999, the Commission instituted antidumping investigations 
Nos. 731-TA-823-824 (Preliminary).
    Notice of the institution of the Commission'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 March 3, 1999 (64 FR 10316). The 
conference was held in Washington, DC, on March 17, 1999, and all 
persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in 
person or by counsel.
    The Commission transmitted its determinations in these 
investigations to the Secretary of Commerce on April 12, 1999. The 
views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 3185 (April 
1999), entitled Certain Aperture Masks from Japan and Korea: 
Investigations Nos. 731-TA-823-824 (Preliminary).

    Issued: April 15, 1999.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-9994 Filed 4-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P