[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7463-7465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-1843]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-588-824]


Certain Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From 
Japan: Notice of Initiation and Preliminary Results of Changed 
Circumstances Review of the Antidumping Order and Intent to Revoke 
Order in Part

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of initiation and preliminary results of changed 
circumstances antidumping duty review, and intent to revoke order in 
part.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with 19 CFR 351.216(b), Taiho Corporation of 
America (``Taiho America'') filed two separate requests for changed 
circumstances reviews of the antidumping order on certain corrosion-
resistant carbon steel flat products from Japan with respect to the 
carbon steel flat products as described below. Domestic producers of 
the like product have expressed no interest in continuation of the 
order with respect to these particular carbon steel flat products. In 
response to Taiho America's requests, the Department of Commerce (``the 
Department'') is initiating a changed circumstances review with respect 
to both requests and issuing a notice of intent to revoke in part the 
antidumping duty order on certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat 
products from Japan. Interested parties are invited to comment on these 
preliminary results.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 23, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Bertrand or Rick Johnson, 
Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3207, (202) 482-3818, 
respectively.

The Applicable Statute and Regulations

    Unless otherwise indicated, all citations to the statute are 
references to the provisions effective January 1, 1995, the effective 
date of the amendments made to the Tariff Act of 1930 (``the Act'') by 
the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. In addition, unless otherwise 
indicated, all citations to the Department's regulations are to the 
regulations as codified at 19 CFR part 351 (2000).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 1, 2000, Taiho America requested that the Department 
revoke in part the antidumping duty order on certain corrosion-
resistant carbon steel flat products from Japan. Specifically, Taiho 
America requested that the Department revoke the order with respect to 
imports meeting the following specifications: Carbon steel flat 
products measuring 0.975 millimeters in thickness and 8.8 millimeters 
in width consisting of carbon steel coil (SAE 1012) clad with a two-
layer lining, the first layer consisting of a copper-lead alloy powder 
that is balance copper, 9%-11% tin, 9%-11% lead, maximum 1% other 
materials and meeting the requirements of SAE standard 792 for Bearing 
and Bushing Alloys, the second layer consisting of 13%-17% carbon, 13%-
17% aromatic polyester, with a balance (approx. 66%--74%) of 
polytetrafluorethylene (``PTFE''). Taiho America also requested that 
the Department revoke the order with respect to imports meeting the 
following specifications: Carbon steel flat products measuring 1.02 
millimeters in thickness and 10.7 millimeters in width consisting of 
carbon steel coil (SAE 1008) with a two-layer lining, the first layer 
consisting of a copper-lead alloy powder that is balance copper, 9%-11% 
tin, 9%-11% lead, less than 0.35% iron, and meeting the requirements of 
SAE standard 792 for Bearing and Bushing Alloys, the second layer 
consisting of 45%-55% lead, 3%-5% molybdenum disulfide, with a balance 
(approx. 40%-52%) of polytetrafluorethylene (``PTFE''). See Memo to the 
File: Changed Circumstances Review of Certain Corrosion-Resistant 
Carbon Steel Flat Products from Japan, dated January 3, 2001. Taiho 
America is an importer of the products in question.

Scope of Review

    These products include flat-rolled carbon steel products, of 
rectangular shape, either clad, plated, or coated with corrosion-
resistant metals such as zinc, aluminum, or zinc-, aluminum-, nickel- 
or iron-based alloys, whether or not corrugated or painted, varnished 
or coated with plastics or other nonmetallic substances in addition to 
the metallic coating, in coils (whether or not in successively 
superimposed layers) and of a width of 0.5 inch or greater, or in 
straight lengths which, if of a thickness less than 4.75 millimeters, 
are of a width of 0.5 inch or greater and which measures at least 10 
times the thickness or if of a thickness of 4.75 millimeters or more 
are of a width which exceeds 150 millimeters and measures at least 
twice the thickness, as currently classifiable in the HTSUS under item 
numbers 7210.30.0030, 7210.30.0060, 7210.41.0000, 7210.49.0030, 
7210.49.0090, 7210.61.0000, 7210.69.0000, 7210.70.6030, 7210.70.6060, 
7210.70.6090, 7210.90.1000, 7210.90.6000, 7210.90.9000, 7212.20.0000, 
7212.30.1030, 7212.30.1090, 7212.30.3000, 7212.30.5000, 7212.40.1000, 
7212.40.5000, 7212.50.0000, 7212.60.0000, 7215.90.1000, 7215.90.3000, 
7215.90.5000, 7217.20.1500, 7217.30.1530, 7217.30.1560, 7217.90.1000, 
7217.90.5030, 7217.90.5060, 7217.90.5090. Included in this review are 
corrosion-resistant flat-rolled products of non-rectangular cross-
section where such cross-section is achieved subsequent to the rolling 
process (i.e., products which have been ``worked after rolling'')--for 
example, products which have been beveled or rounded at the edges.
    Excluded from this review are flat-rolled steel products either 
plated or coated with tin, lead, chromium, chromium oxides, both tin 
and lead (``terne plate''), or both chromium and

[[Page 7464]]

chromium oxides (``tin-free steel''), whether or not painted, varnished 
or coated with plastics or other nonmetallic substances in addition to 
the metallic coating.
    Also excluded from this review are clad products in straight 
lengths of 0.1875 inch or more in composite thickness and of a width 
which exceeds 150 millimeters and measures at least twice the 
thickness.
    Also excluded from this review are certain clad stainless flat-
rolled products, which are three-layered corrosion-resistant carbon 
steel flat-rolled products less than 4.75 millimeters in composite 
thickness that consist of a carbon steel flat-rolled product clad on 
both sides with stainless steel in a 20%-60%-20% ratio.
    Also excluded from this review are certain corrosion-resistant 
carbon steel flat products meeting the following specifications: (1) 
Widths ranging from 10 millimeters (0.394 inches) through 100 
millimeters (3.94 inches); (2) thicknesses, including coatings, ranging 
from 0.11 millimeters (0.004 inches) through 0.60 millimeters (0.024 
inches); and (3) a coating that is from 0.003 millimeters (0.00012 
inches) through 0.005 millimeters (0.000196 inches) in thickness and 
that is comprised of either two evenly applied layers, the first layer 
consisting of 99% zinc, 0.5% cobalt, and 0.5% molybdenum, followed by a 
layer consisting of chromate, or three evenly applied layers, the first 
layer consisting of 99% zinc, 0.5% cobalt, and 0.5% molybdenum followed 
by a layer consisting of chromate, and finally a layer consisting of 
silicate.
    Also excluded from this review are carbon steel flat products 
measuring 1.84 millimeters in thickness and 43.6 millimeters or 16.1 
millimeters in width consisting of Carbon steel coil (SAE 1008) clad 
with an aluminum alloy that is balance aluminum, 20% tin, 1% copper, 
0.3% silicon, 0.15% nickel, less than 1% other materials and meeting 
the requirements of SAE standard 783 for Bearing and Bushing Alloys.
    Also excluded from this review are carbon steel flat products 
measuring 0.97 millimeters in thickness and 20 millimeters in width 
consisting of carbon steel coil (SAE 1008) with a two-layer lining, the 
first layer consisting of a copper-lead alloy powder that is balance 
copper, 9% to 11% tin, 9% to 11% lead, less than 1% zinc, less than 1% 
other materials and meeting the requirements of SAE standard 792 for 
Bearing and Bushing Alloys, the second layer consisting of 45% to 55% 
lead, 38% to 50% PTFE, 3% to 5% molybdenum disulfide and less than 2% 
other materials.
    Also excluded from this review are doctor blades meeting the 
following specifications: Carbon steel coil or strip, plated with 
nickel phosphorous, having a thickness of 0.1524 millimeters (0.006 
inches), a width between 31.75 millimeters (1.25 inches) and 50.80 
millimeters (2.00 inches), a core hardness between 580 to 630 HV, a 
surface hardness between 900-990 HV; the carbon steel coil or strip 
consists of the following elements identified in percentage by weight: 
0.90% to 1.05% carbon; 0.15% to 0.35% silicon; 0.30% to 0.50% 
manganese; less than or equal to 0.03% of phosphorous; less than or 
equal to 0.006% of sulfur; other elements representing 0.24%; and the 
remainder of iron.
    Also excluded from this review are products meeting the following 
specifications: 0.975 millimeters in thickness and 8.8 millimeters in 
width consisting of carbon steel coil (SAE 1012) clad with a two-layer 
lining, the first layer consisting of a copper-lead alloy powder that 
is balance copper, 9%-11% tin, 9%-11% lead, maximum 1% other materials 
and meeting the requirements of SAE standard 792 for Bearing and 
Bushing Alloys, the second layer consisting of 13%-17% carbon, 13%-17% 
aromatic polyester, with a balance (approx. 66%-74%) of 
polytetrafluorethylene (``PTFE'').
    Also excluded from this review are products meeting the following 
specifications: Carbon steel flat products measuring 1.02 millimeters 
in thickness and 10.7 millimeters in width consisting of carbon steel 
coil (SAE 1008) with a two-layer lining, the first layer consisting of 
a copper-lead alloy powder that is balance copper, 9%-11% tin, 9%-11% 
lead, less than 0.35% iron, and meeting the requirements of SAE 
standard 792 for Bearing and Bushing Alloys, the second layer 
consisting of 45%-55% lead, 3%-5% molybdenum disulfide, with a balance 
(approx. 40%-52%) of polytetrafluorethylene (``PTFE'').

Initiation of Changed Circumstances Antidumping Duty Administrative 
Review, and Intent to Revoke Order in Part

    Pursuant to sections 751(d)(1) and 782(h)(2) of the Act, the 
Department may revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, in 
whole or in part, based on a review under section 751(b) of the Act 
(i.e., a changed circumstances review). Section 751(b)(1) of the Act 
requires a changed circumstances review to be conducted upon receipt of 
a request which shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a 
review. Section 351.222(g) of the Department's regulations provides 
that the Department will conduct a changed circumstances administrative 
review under 19 CFR 351.216, and may revoke an order (in whole or in 
part), if it determines that producers accounting for substantially all 
of the production of the domestic like product have expressed a lack of 
interest in the relief provided by the order, in whole or in part, or 
if other changed circumstances sufficient to warrant revocation exist. 
In addition, in the event that the Department concludes that expedited 
action is warranted, 19 CFR 351.221(c)(3)(ii) permits the Department to 
combine the notices of initiation and preliminary results.
    In accordance with sections 751(d)(1) and 782(h)(2) of the Act, and 
19 CFR 351.216 and 351.222(g), based on affirmative statements by 
domestic producers of the like product, Bethlehem Steel Corporation; 
Ispat Inland Steel; LTV Steel Company, Inc.; National Steel 
Corporation; and U.S. Steel Group, a unit of USX Corporation 
(``domestic producers''), of no further interest in continuing the 
order with respect to certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat 
products meeting the following specifications: Carbon steel flat 
products measuring 0.975 millimeters in thickness and 8.8 millimeters 
in width consisting of carbon steel coil (SAE 1012) clad with a two-
layer lining, the first layer consisting of a copper-lead alloy powder 
that is balance copper, 9%-11% tin, 9%-11% lead, maximum 1% other 
materials and meeting the requirements of SAE standard 792 for Bearing 
and Bushing Alloys, the second layer consisting of 13%-17% carbon, 13%-
17% aromatic polyester, with a balance (approx. 66%-74%) of 
polytetrafluorethylene (``PTFE''); and Carbon steel flat products 
measuring 1.02 millimeters in thickness and 10.7 millimeters in width 
consisting of carbon steel coil (SAE 1008) with a two-layer lining, the 
first layer consisting of a copper-lead alloy powder that is balance 
copper, 9%-11% tin, 9%-11% lead, less than 0.35% iron, and meeting the 
requirements of SAE standard 792 for Bearing and Bushing Alloys, the 
second layer consisting of 45%-55% lead, 3%-5% molybdenum disulfide, 
with a balance (approx. 40%-52%) of polytetrafluorethylene (``PTFE'') 
(see domestic producers' December 21, 2000 letter to the Department), 
we are initiating this changed circumstances administrative review. 
Furthermore, because petitioners have expressed a

[[Page 7465]]

lack of interest, we determine that expedited action is warranted, and 
we preliminarily determine that continued application of the order with 
respect to certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products 
falling within the descriptions above is no longer of interest to 
domestic interested parties. Because we have concluded that expedited 
action is warranted, we are combining these notices of initiation and 
preliminary results. Therefore, we are hereby notifying the public of 
our intent to revoke in part the antidumping duty orders with respect 
to imports of certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products 
meeting the above-mentioned specifications from Japan.
    If the final revocation in part occurs, we intend to instruct the 
U.S. Customs Service (``Customs'') to liquidate without regard to 
antidumping duties, as applicable, and to refund any estimated 
antidumping duties collected for all unliquidated entries of certain 
corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products meeting the 
specifications indicated above, not subject to final results of 
administrative review as of the date of publication in the Federal 
Register of the final results of this changed circumstances review in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.222. We will also instruct Customs to pay 
interest on such refunds in accordance with section 778 of the Act. The 
current requirement for a cash deposit of estimated antidumping duties 
on certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products meeting the 
above specifications will continue unless and until we publish a final 
determination to revoke in part.

Public Comment

    Interested parties are invited to comment on these preliminary 
results. Parties who submit argument in this proceeding are requested 
to submit with the argument (1) a statement of the issue, and (2) a 
brief summary of the argument. Parties to the proceedings may request a 
hearing within 14 days of publication. Any hearing, if requested, will 
be held no later than two days after the deadline for the submission of 
rebuttal briefs, or the first workday thereafter. Case briefs may be 
submitted by interested parties not later than 14 days after the date 
of publication of this notice. Rebuttal briefs and rebuttals to written 
comments, limited to the issues raised in those comments, may be filed 
not later than five days after the deadline for submission of case 
briefs. All written comments shall be submitted in accordance with 19 
CFR 351.303 and shall be served on all interested parties on the 
Department's service list in accordance with 19 CFR 351.303. Persons 
interested in attending the hearing should contact the Department for 
the date and time of the hearing.
    The Department will publish the final results of this changed 
circumstances review, including the results of its analysis of issues 
raised in any written comments. This notice is published in accordance 
with section 751(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.216 and 351.222.

    Dated: January 12, 2001.
Troy H. Cribb,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-1843 Filed 1-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P