[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 24, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7620-7626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2057]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-427-820, A-428-830, A-475-829, A-580-847, A-583-836, A-412-822]
Notice of Initiation of Antidumping Duty Investigations:
Stainless Steel Bar From France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Taiwan, and the
United Kingdom
AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Initiation of Antidumping Duty Investigations.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: January 24, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Smith (France, Korea, and the
United Kingdom) at (202) 482-1766, Jarrod Goldfeder (Italy) at (202)
482-0189, Ryan Langan (Taiwan) at (202) 482-1279, and Craig Matney
(Germany) at (202) 482-1778, Import Administration, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
Initiation of Investigations
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 (``URAA''). In addition, unless
otherwise indicated, all citations to the Department of Commerce's
(``the Department's'') regulations are references to the provisions
codified at 19 CFR part 351 (April 2000).
The Petitions
On December 28, 2000, the Department received petitions filed in
proper form by Carpenter Technology Corp., Crucible Specialty Metals,
Electralloy Corp., Empire Specialty Steel Inc., Slater Steels Corp.,
and the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO/CLC (collectively,
``the petitioners''). The Department received supplemental information
to the petitions on January 8, 9, and 12, 2001.
In accordance with section 732(b)(1) of the Act, the petitioners
allege that imports of stainless steel bar from France, Germany, Italy,
Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom are, or are likely to be, sold in
the United States at less than fair value within the meaning of section
731 of the Act, and that such imports are materially injuring, or
threatening material injury to, an industry in the United States.
The Department finds that the petitioners filed these petitions on
behalf of the domestic industry because they are interested parties as
defined in sections 771(9)(C) and (D) of the Act and they have
demonstrated sufficient industry support with respect to each of the
antidumping investigations that they are requesting the Department to
initiate. See infra, ``Determination of Industry Support for the
Petition.''
Scope of Investigations
For purposes of these investigations, the term ``stainless steel
bar'' includes articles of stainless steel in straight lengths that
have been either hot-rolled, forged, turned, cold-drawn, cold-rolled or
otherwise cold-finished, or ground, having a uniform solid cross
section along their whole length in the shape of circles, segments of
circles, ovals, rectangles (including squares), triangles, hexagons,
octagons, or other convex polygons. Stainless steel bar includes cold-
finished stainless steel bars that are turned or ground in straight
lengths, whether produced from hot-rolled bar or from straightened and
cut rod or wire, and reinforcing bars that have indentations, ribs,
grooves, or other deformations produced during the rolling process.
Except as specified above, the term does not include stainless
steel semi-finished products, cut length flat-rolled products (i.e.,
cut length rolled products which if less than 4.75 mm in thickness have
a width measuring at least 10 times the thickness, or if 4.75 mm or
more in thickness having a width which exceeds 150 mm and measures at
least twice the thickness), products that have been cut from stainless
steel sheet, strip or plate, wire (i.e., cold-formed products in coils,
of any uniform solid cross section along their whole length, which do
not conform to the definition of flat-rolled products), and angles,
shapes and sections.
The stainless steel bar subject to these investigations is
currently classifiable under subheadings 7222.11.00.05, 7222.11.00.50,
7222.19.00.05, 7222.19.00.50, 7222.20.00.05, 7222.20.00.45,
7222.20.00.75, and 7222.30.00.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States (``HTSUS''). Although the HTSUS subheadings are
provided for convenience and Customs purposes, the written description
of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.
During our review of the petitions, we discussed the scope with the
petitioners and Customs Service (see Memorandum to Paula Ilardi,
``Scope Language for Stainless Steel Bar Petitions,'' dated January 9,
2001) to ensure that the scope in the petitions accurately reflects the
products for which the domestic industry is seeking relief. Moreover,
as discussed in the preamble to the Department's regulations
(Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties; Final Rule, 62 FR 27296,
27323 (May 19, 1997)), we are setting aside a period for parties to
raise issues regarding product coverage. The Department encourages all
parties to submit such comments within 20 calendar days of publication
of this notice. Comments should be addressed to Import Administration's
Central Records Unit, Room 1870, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th
Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. The period of
[[Page 7621]]
scope consultations is intended to provide the Department with ample
opportunity to consider all comments and consult with parties prior to
the issuance of the preliminary determinations.
Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions
Section 732(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 732(c)(4)(A) of the Act
provides that the Department's industry support determination, which is
to be made before the initiation of the investigation, be based on
whether a minimum percentage of the relevant industry supports the
petition. A petition meets this requirement if the domestic producers
or workers who support the petition account for: (1) at least 25
percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and (2)
more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like product
produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or
opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 732(c)(4)(D) provides
that, if the petition does not establish support of domestic producers
or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of the total production
of the domestic like product, the Department shall either poll the
industry or rely on other information in order to determine if there is
support for the petition.
Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ``industry'' as the
producers of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine whether a
petition has the requisite industry support, the statute directs the
Department to look to producers and workers who produce the domestic
like product. The International Trade Commission (``ITC''), which is
responsible for determining whether ``the domestic industry'' has been
injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like product
in order to define the industry. While both the Department and the ITC
must apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic like
product (section 771(10) of the Act), they do so for different purposes
and pursuant to separate and distinct authority. In addition, the
Department's determination is subject to limitations of time and
information. Although this may result in different definitions of the
like product, such differences do not render the decision of either
agency contrary to the law.\1\
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\1\ See Algoma Steel Corp. Ltd., v United States, 688 F. Supp.
639, 642-44 (CIT 1988); High Information Content Flat Panel Displays
and Display Glass from Japan: Final Determination; Rescission of
Investigation and Partial Dismissal of Petition, 56 FR 32376, 32380-
81 (July 16, 1991).
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Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ``a
product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in
characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation
under this subtitle.'' Thus, the reference point from which the
domestic like product analysis begins is ``the article subject to an
investigation,'' i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be
investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the
petition.
We reviewed the description of the domestic like product presented
in the petitions with Customs and the ITC. Based upon our review of the
petitioners' claims, we concur that there is a single domestic like
product, which is defined in the ``Scope of Investigations'' section
above. Moreover, the Department has determined that the petitions
contain adequate evidence of industry support and, therefore, polling
is unnecessary. See Import Administration Antidumping Investigations
Initiation Checklist, Industry Support section, January 17, 2001
(hereafter, the ``Initiation Checklist''), on file in the Central
Records Unit, Room B-099 of the main Department of Commerce building.
The Department received no opposition to the petitions. For all
countries, the petitioners established industry support representing
over 50 percent of total production of the domestic like product.
Accordingly, we determine that these petitions are filed on behalf of
the domestic industry within the meaning of section 732(b)(1) of the
Act.
Initiation Standard for Cost Investigations
Pursuant to section 773(b) of the Act, the petitioners provided
information demonstrating reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that
sales in the home markets of France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Taiwan, and
the United Kingdom were made at prices below the cost of production
(``COP'') and, accordingly, requested that the Department conduct
country-wide sales-below-COP investigations in connection with these
investigations. The Statement of Administrative Action (``SAA''),
submitted to the Congress in connection with the interpretation and
application of the URAA, states that an allegation of sales below COP
need not be specific to individual exporters or producers. SAA, H.R.
Doc. No. 316 at 833 (1994). The SAA, at 833, states that ``Commerce
will consider allegations of below-cost sales in the aggregate for a
foreign country, just as Commerce currently considers allegations of
sales at less than fair value on a country-wide basis for purposes of
initiating an antidumping investigation.''
Further, the SAA provides that new section 773(b)(2)(A) of the Act
retains the requirement that the Department have ``reasonable grounds
to believe or suspect'' that below-cost sales have occurred before
initiating such an investigation. Reasonable grounds exist when an
interested party provides specific factual information on costs and
prices, observed or constructed, indicating that sales in the foreign
market in question are at below-cost prices. Id. We have analyzed the
country-specific allegations as described below.
Export Price (``EP''), Constructed Export Price (``CEP''), and Normal
Value (``NV'')
The following are descriptions of the allegations of sales at less
than fair value upon which the Department based its decision to
initiate these investigations. A more detailed description of these
allegations is provided in the Initiation Checklist. Should the need
arise to use any of this information as facts available under section
776 of the Act in our preliminary or final determinations, we may re-
examine the information and revise the margin calculations, as
appropriate.
France
CEP
The petitioners identified four companies that produce subject
merchandise in France. The petitioners provided pricing and cost
information for one of these four producers: Ugine Savoie Imphy
Produits Longs (``USI''). The petitioners state that these four
producers account for the majority of all stainless steel bar
production in France, and that USI accounts for all of the exports of
subject merchandise to the United States. According to the petitioners,
USI sells subject merchandise through its U.S. affiliate, Ugine
Stainless & Alloys Inc. (``US&A''), to unaffiliated U.S. purchasers.
For USI, the petitioners based CEP on C.I.F. delivered offers for sale
of USI stainless steel bar from its affiliated U.S. distributor, which
were obtained from U.S. industry sources. To calculate CEP, the
petitioners deducted a distributor mark-up, movement expenses (ocean
freight and insurance, U.S. import duty, U.S. port fees, and U.S. and
foreign inland freight), and U.S. direct (i.e., credit) and indirect
selling expenses (i.e., CEP selling expenses and inventory
[[Page 7622]]
carrying costs) from the price quotes. The information supporting these
deductions was obtained from publicly available data, foreign market
research, and U.S. industry sources (see Initiation Checklist).
NV
Price-to-Price Comparisons
The petitioners obtained home market delivered offers for sale of
stainless steel bar by USI to unaffiliated home-market customers as a
result of foreign market research. To calculate NV, the petitioners
deducted home market freight and imputed credit expenses for
comparisons to CEP.
The information supporting these deductions was obtained from
publicly available data and foreign market research. The petitioners
conservatively did not adjust the prices for differences in packing
costs, stating that packing expenses for export would be the same or
greater than home market packing expenses. See Initiation Checklist.
For comparisons to CEP, the petitioners converted the net home market
prices to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate in effect on the date
of the U.S. sale.
Based on the petitioners' price-to-price comparisons, in accordance
with section 773(a) of the Act, the estimated dumping margins for
stainless steel bar from France range from 6.55 to 20.04 percent.
Price-to-Constructed Value (``CV'') Comparisons
The petitioners also provided information demonstrating reasonable
grounds to believe or suspect that sales of stainless steel bar in the
home market were made at prices below the fully absorbed COP, within
the meaning of section 773(b) of the Act, and requested that the
Department conduct a country-wide sales-below-cost investigation.
Pursuant to section 773(b)(3) of the Act, COP consists of cost of
manufacture (``COM''), selling, general and administrative (``SG&A'')
expenses, and packing. The petitioners calculated COM based on their
own production experience, adjusted for known differences between costs
incurred to produce stainless steel bar in the United States and France
using publicly available data and foreign market research. To calculate
SG&A, the petitioners relied upon amounts reported in a French
company's unconsolidated 1999 financial statements. For interest
expense, the petitioners used the French company's consolidated 1999
financial statements. Based upon a comparison of the prices of the
foreign like product in the home market to the calculated COP of the
product, we find reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that sales of
the foreign like product were made below the COP, within the meaning of
section 773(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Act. Accordingly, the Department is
initiating a country-wide cost investigation.
Pursuant to sections 773(a)(4), 773(b) and 773(e) of the Act, the
petitioners also based NV for sales in France on CV. The petitioners
calculated CV using the same COM, depreciation, SG&A and interest
expense figures used to compute French home market costs. Consistent
with 773(e)(2) of the Act, the petitioners included in CV an amount for
profit. For profit, the petitioners relied upon amounts reported in a
French steel producer's unconsolidated 1999 financial statements. For
comparisons to CEP, the petitioners also deducted from CV home market
credit expenses.
Based upon the petitioners' CV-to-CEP comparisons, the estimated
dumping margins range from 45.94 to 71.83 percent.
Germany
EP and CEP
The petitioners identified eleven companies that produce subject
merchandise in Germany. The petitioners provided pricing and cost
information for four of these eleven producers: Walzwerke Einsal GmbH
(``Einsal''), Edelstahl Witten-Krefeld GmbH (``EWK''), BGH Edelstahl
Seigen GmbH and BGH Edelstahl Freital GmbH (``BGH''), and Krupp
Edelstahlprofile GmbH (``KEP''). The petitioners state that these four
producers account for a majority of all stainless steel bar production
in Germany, and substantially all of the subject merchandise exported
to the United States from Germany. According to the petitioners, Einsal
sells subject merchandise through unaffiliated distributors in the
United States, while EWK, BGH and KEP sell subject merchandise through
affiliated U.S. distributors. For Einsal, the petitioners based EP on
actual sales of Einsal stainless steel bar from an unaffiliated U.S.
distributor. To calculate EP, the petitioners deducted a distributor's
gross margin (i.e., distributor mark-up) and movement expenses (foreign
inland freight, ocean freight and insurance, U.S. import duty, U.S.
port fees, and U.S. inland freight) from the price quote. For EWK, KEP
and BGH, the petitioners based CEP on a number of offers for sale for
subject merchandise by these companies' respective affiliated U.S.
resellers. To calculate CEP, the petitioners deducted from the price
quotes, in addition to the movement expenses list above (where
applicable), U.S. direct (i.e., credit) and indirect selling expenses
(i.e., CEP selling expenses and inventory carrying costs). See
Initiation Checklist and Germany Calculation memorandum. Finally, the
petitioners did not use all of the U.S. price quotes provided by its
industry sources for BGH and Einsal. For these U.S. price quotes, we
examined the home market price quotes for potential product matches.
Where we found a similar product that, after adjusting the respective
prices, yielded a more conservative margin, we have included these
margins in the range of estimated margins. See Initiation Checklist and
Germany Calculation memorandum.
NV
Price-to-Price Comparisons
The petitioners obtained home market offers for sale of stainless
steel bar by Einsal, EWK, KEP and BGH to unaffiliated distributors as a
result of foreign market research. To calculate NV, the petitioners
deducted home market freight and imputed credit expenses and, for
comparisons to EP, added U.S. imputed credit expenses. The petitioners
conservatively did not adjust the prices for differences in packing
costs, stating that packing expenses for export would be the same or
greater than home market packing expenses. For comparisons to EP/CEP,
the petitioners converted the net home market prices to U.S. dollars
based on the exchange rate in effect on the date of the U.S. sale.
Based on EP/CEP price-to-price comparisons, calculated in
accordance with section 773(a) of the Act, the estimated dumping
margins for stainless steel bar from Germany range from zero to 53.62
percent.
Price-to-CV Comparisons
Petitioners also provided information demonstrating reasonable
grounds to believe or suspect that sales of stainless steel bar in the
home market were made at prices below the fully absorbed COP, within
the meaning of section 773(b) of the Act, and requested that the
Department conduct a country-wide sales-below-cost investigation.
Pursuant to section 773(b)(3) of the Act, COP consists of COM, SG&A
expenses, and packing. The petitioners calculated COM based on their
own production experience, adjusted for known differences between costs
incurred to produce stainless steel bar in the United States and
Germany using publicly available data and foreign
[[Page 7623]]
market research. To calculate SG&A, the petitioners relied upon amounts
reported in each named German company's most recently available
unconsolidated financial statements. For interest expense, the
petitioners used each named German company's consolidated 1999
financial statements. Based upon a comparison of the prices of the
foreign like product in the home market to the calculated COP of the
product, we find reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that sales of
the foreign like product were made below the COP, within the meaning of
section 773(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Act. Accordingly, the Department is
initiating a country-wide cost investigation.
Pursuant to sections 773(a)(4), 773(b) and 773(e) of the Act, the
petitioners also based NV for sales in Germany on CV. The petitioners
calculated CV using the same COM, SG&A and interest expense figures
used to compute German home market costs. Consistent with 773(e)(2) of
the Act, the petitioners included in CV an amount for profit. For
profit, the petitioners relied upon amounts reported in a German steel
producer's unconsolidated 1999 financial statements. For comparisons to
EP/CEP, the petitioners made adjustments to CV for credit expenses.
Based upon the comparison of CV to EP, or CEP, the petitioners
calculated estimated dumping margins ranging from 62.48 to 228.66
percent.
Italy
EP and CEP
The petitioners identified ten companies that produce subject
merchandise in Italy. The petitioners provided pricing and cost
information for four of these ten producers: Cogne Acciai Speciali Srl
(``Cogne''), Acciaiera Foroni SpA (``Foroni''), Italfond, and
Acciaierie Valbruna Srl (``Valbruna''). The petitioners state that
these four producers account for the majority of all stainless steel
bar production in Italy and substantially all of the stainless steel
bar products exported to the United States from Italy. According to the
petitioners, Italfond made direct sales of the subject merchandise to
unaffiliated U.S. customers, while Valbruna, Cogne, and Foroni sell
subject merchandise through their U.S. subsidiaries, who in turn sell
stainless steel bar to unaffiliated U.S. customers. For Italfond, the
petitioners based EP on offers for sale of stainless steel bar by
Italfond to unaffiliated U.S. customers. To calculate EP, which was
based on CIF U.S. prices of stainless steel bar sold through one or
more unaffiliated distributors, the petitioners deducted a
distributor's gross margin (i.e., distributor mark-up) and movement
expenses (foreign inland freight, ocean freight and insurance, U.S.
import duty, U.S. port fees, and U.S. inland freight) from the price
quote. For Valbruna, Cogne, and Foroni, the petitioners based CEP on a
number of offers for sale of subject merchandise through these
companies' respective affiliated U.S. subsidiaries. To calculate CEP,
which was based on CIF, FOB warehouse, or FOB U.S. port of entry prices
from these companies through their U.S. subsidiaries, the petitioners
deducted from the price quotes, in addition to the movement expenses
listed above (where applicable), U.S. direct (i.e., credit) and
indirect selling expenses (i.e., CEP selling expenses and inventory
carrying costs). Finally, the petitioners did not use all of the U.S.
price quotes provided by its industry sources for Valbruna. For these
U.S. price quotes, we examined the home market price quotes for
potential product matches. Where we found a similar product that, after
adjusting the respective prices, yielded a more conservative margin, we
have included these margins in the range of estimated margins.
NV
Price-to-Price Comparisons
The petitioners provided home-market prices for Valbruna, Cogne,
Foroni, and Italfond based on several grades and sizes of stainless
steel bar sold to unaffiliated home-market customers, which were
obtained from foreign market research. These products are comparable to
the products exported to the United States which served as the basis
for EP or CEP. The prices the petitioners used in the calculation of NV
were delivered prices, exclusive of VAT taxes. To calculate NV, the
petitioners deducted foreign inland freight, which was also obtained
from foreign market research. See Initiation Checklist. To calculate
NV, the petitioners deducted home market freight and imputed credit
expenses and, for comparisons to EP, added U.S. imputed credit
expenses. The petitioners conservatively did not adjust the prices for
differences in packing costs, stating that packing expenses for export
would be the same or greater than home market packing expenses. For
comparisons to EP/CEP, the petitioners converted the net home market
prices to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate in effect as of the
date of the U.S. sale.
Based on EP/CEP price-to-price comparisons, calculated in
accordance with section 773(a) of the Act, the estimated dumping
margins for stainless steel bar from Italy range from zero to 33.00
percent.
Price-to-CV Comparisons
Petitioners also provided information demonstrating reasonable
grounds to believe or suspect that sales of stainless steel bar in the
home market were made at prices below the fully absorbed COP, within
the meaning of section 773(b) of the Act, and requested that the
Department conduct a country-wide sales-below-cost investigation.
Pursuant to section 773(b)(3) of the Act, COP consists of the COM,
SG&A expenses (which include financial expenses), and packing. The
petitioners calculated COM based on their own production experience,
adjusted for known differences between costs incurred to produce
stainless steel bar in the United States and Italy using publicly
available data and foreign market research. To calculate SG&A and
financial expenses, the petitioners relied upon amounts reported in
each of the four Italian producers' 1999 financial statements. Based
upon the comparison of the prices of the foreign like product in the
home market to the calculated COP of the product, we find reasonable
grounds to believe or suspect that sales of the foreign like product
were made below the COP within the meaning of section 773(b)(2)(A)(i)
of the Act. Accordingly, the Department is initiating a country-wide
cost investigation.
Pursuant to sections 773(a)(4), 773(b), and 773(e) of the Act, the
petitioners also based NV for sales in Italy on CV. The petitioners
calculated CV using the same COM, SG&A and financial expenses they used
to compute Italian home-market costs. Consistent with section 773(e)(2)
of the Act, the petitioners included in CV an amount for profit. For
profit, the petitioners relied upon amounts reported in each of the
four Italian producers' 1999 financial statements. For comparisons to
EP/CEP, the petitioners made adjustments to CV for credit expenses.
Based upon the comparison of CV to EP, or CEP, the petitioners
calculated estimated dumping margins ranging from 17.04 to 132.57
percent.
Korea
EP
The petitioners identified eight companies that produce subject
merchandise in Korea. The petitioners provided pricing and cost
information for three of these eight producers: Changwon Speciality
Steel Co., Ltd. (``Changwon''), Dongbang Special Steel Co., Ltd.
(``Dongbang''), and Bae Myung
[[Page 7624]]
Metal Company, Ltd. (``Bae Myung''). The petitioners state that these
three producers account for a majority of all stainless steel bar
production in Korea, and substantially all of the subject merchandise
exported to the United States from Korea. According to the petitioners,
Changwon, Dongbang, and Bae Myung sell subject merchandise through
unaffiliated distributors in the United States. On a company-specific
basis, the petitioners based EP on C.I.F. delivered offers for sale for
stainless steel bar from unaffiliated U.S. distributors, which were
obtained from U.S. industry sources. To calculate EP, the petitioners
deducted a distributor mark-up and movement expenses (ocean freight,
insurance, U.S. import duty and port fees, and U.S. and foreign inland
freight). The information supporting these deductions was obtained from
publicly available data, foreign market research and U.S. industry
sources. Finally, the petitioners did not use all of the U.S. price
quotes provided by its industry sources. For these U.S. price quotes,
we examined the home market price quotes for potential product matches.
Where we found a similar product that, after adjusting the respective
prices, yielded a more conservative margin, we have included these
margins in the range of estimated margins.
NV
Price-to-Price Comparisons
The petitioners obtained home market delivered offers for sale of
stainless steel bar by Changwon, Dongbang, and Bae Myung to
unaffiliated distributors as a result of foreign market research. To
calculate NV, the petitioners deducted home market freight and imputed
credit expenses and added U.S. credit expenses. The information
supporting these deductions and adjustments was obtained from publicly
available data and foreign market research. The petitioners
conservatively did not adjust the prices for differences in packing
costs, stating that packing expenses for export would be the same or
greater than home market packing expenses. See Initiation Checklist.
For comparisons to EP, the petitioners converted the net home market
prices to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate in effect on the date
of the U.S. sale.
Based on the petitioners' price-to-price comparisons and the
Department's recalculations to account for the highest U.S. prices
obtained by the petitioners, in accordance with section 773(a) of the
Act, the estimated dumping margins for stainless steel bar from Korea
range from zero to 61.07 percent.
Price-to-CV Comparisons
The petitioners also provided information demonstrating reasonable
grounds to believe or suspect that sales of stainless steel bar in the
home market were made at prices below the fully absorbed COP, within
the meaning of section 773(b) of the Act, and requested that the
Department conduct a country-wide sales-below-cost investigation.
Pursuant to section 773(b)(3) of the Act, COP consists of COM, SG&A
expenses, and packing. The petitioners calculated COM based on their
own production experience, adjusted for known differences between costs
incurred to produce stainless steel bar in the United States and Korea
using publicly available data and foreign market research. To calculate
SG&A and interest expenses, the petitioners relied upon amounts
reported in the Korean companies' financial statements. Based upon a
comparison of the prices of the foreign like product in the home market
to the calculated COP of the product, we find reasonable grounds to
believe or suspect that sales of the foreign like product were made
below the COP, within the meaning of section 773(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
Act. Accordingly, the Department is initiating a country-wide cost
investigation.
Pursuant to sections 773(a)(4), 773(b), and 773(e) of the Act, the
petitioners also based NV for sales of stainless steel bar made by
Changwon, Dongbang and Bae Myung on CV. The petitioners calculated CV
using the same figures for COM, SG&A expenses, and packing costs they
used to compute Korean home-market costs. Consistent with section
773(e)(2) of the Act, the petitioners included in CV an amount for
profit. For profit, the petitioners relied upon amounts reported in a
Korean steel producer's unconsolidated 1999 financial statements. For
comparisons to EP, the petitioners also made a COS adjustment to CV for
differences in credit expenses between the U.S. and Korean markets.
Based upon the petitioners' CV-to-EP comparisons, the petitioners
calculated estimated dumping margins ranging from 25.72 to 122.18
percent.
Taiwan
EP
The petitioners identified two companies that produce subject
merchandise in Taiwan: Walsin Lihwa (``Walsin'') and Gloria Metals
Technology (``GMT''). The petitioners provided pricing information for
both producers and stated that they are the only producers of stainless
steel bar in Taiwan that export subject merchandise to the United
States. According to the petitioners, Walsin and GMT sell subject
merchandise to unaffiliated purchasers in the United States. For Walsin
and GMT, the petitioners based EP on offers for sale of Walsin and GMT
stainless steel bar through unaffiliated U.S. distributors. To
calculate EP, the petitioners deducted a distributor's mark-up (where
applicable) and movement expenses (foreign inland freight,
international freight and insurance, U.S. import duty, U.S. port fees,
and U.S. inland freight) from the price quotes.
Based on information contained in the petition and supplements to
the petition, we made adjustments to the distributor mark-up
calculations. See Initiation Checklist and Taiwan Calculation
memorandum.
NV
Price-to-Price Comparisons
The petitioners obtained information on prices for home market
sales of stainless steel bar from a foreign market researcher.
Petitioners obtained prices for actual recent sales or offers for sale
to unaffiliated customers in Taiwan from Walsin and GMT. To calculate
NV, the petitioners deducted home market imputed credit from the price
quotes and added U.S. imputed credit to the price quotes. The
petitioners conservatively did not adjust the prices for differences in
packing costs, stating that packing expenses for export would be the
same or greater than home market packing expenses.
Based on price-to-price comparisons of EP to NV, calculated in
accordance with section 773(a) of the Act, the estimated dumping
margins for stainless steel bar from Taiwan range from 6.83 to 15.83
percent.
Price-to-CV Comparisons
Petitioners also provided information demonstrating reasonable
grounds to believe or suspect that sales of stainless steel bar in the
home market were made at prices below the fully absorbed COP, within
the meaning of section 773(b) of the Act, and requested that the
Department conduct a country-wide sales-below-cost investigation.
Pursuant to section 773(b)(3) of the Act, COP consists of COM, SG&A
expenses, and packing. The petitioners calculated COMs for a variety of
grades and sizes of stainless steel bar based on their own production
experience, adjusted for known differences between costs incurred to
produce stainless steel bar in the United States and Taiwan using
publicly available data and foreign market research. The petitioners
[[Page 7625]]
calculated SG&A and interest expense using information contained in
Walsin's 1999 financial statements. Based upon a comparison of the
prices of the foreign like product in the home market to the calculated
COP of the product, we find reasonable grounds to believe or suspect
that sales of the foreign like product were made below the COP, within
the meaning of section 773(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Act. Accordingly, the
Department is initiating a country-wide cost investigation.
Pursuant to sections 773(a)(4), 773(b) and 773(e) of the Act, the
petitioners also based NV for sales in Taiwan on CV. The petitioners
calculated CV using the same COM, depreciation, SG&A and interest
expense figures used to compute Taiwan home market costs. Consistent
with 773(e)(2) of the Act, the petitioners included in CV an amount for
profit. For profit, consistent with their SG&A calculations, the
petitioners relied upon amounts reported in Walsin's 1999 financial
statements. The petitioners also made a COS adjustment to CV for
differences in credit expenses between the U.S. and Taiwan markets.
Based upon the comparisons of CV to EP, the petitioners calculated
estimated dumping margins ranging from 18.83 to 68.55 percent.
United Kingdom
EP and CEP
The petitioners identified four companies that produce subject
merchandise in the United Kingdom (``UK''). The petitioners provided
pricing and cost information for two of these four producers: Corus
Engineering Steels (``CES'') and Crownridge Stainless Steel, Ltd.
(``Crownridge''). The petitioners state that these four producers
account for the majority of all stainless steel bar production in the
UK, and that CES and Crownridge account for substantially all of the
subject merchandise exported to the United States from the UK.
According to the petitioners, Crownridge sells subject merchandise
through unaffiliated distributors in the United States, while CES sells
subject merchandise through an affiliated U.S. distributor.
For Crownridge, the petitioners based EP on C.I.F. delivered offers
for sale for Crownridge stainless steel bar through an unaffiliated
U.S. distributor, which were obtained from U.S. industry sources. To
calculate EP, the petitioners deducted a distributor mark-up and
movement expenses (foreign inland freight, ocean freight and insurance,
U.S. import duty and port fees, and U.S. inland freight) from the price
quotes. The information supporting these deductions was obtained from
publicly available data, foreign market research and U.S. industry
sources.
For CES, the petitioners based CEP on C.I.F. delivered offers for
sale of stainless steel bar merchandise by its affiliated U.S.
reseller, which were also obtained from U.S. industry sources. To
calculate CEP, the petitioners deducted from these price quotes the
movement expenses mentioned above, U.S. direct (i.e., credit) and
indirect selling expenses (i.e., CEP selling expenses and inventory
carrying costs). The information supporting these deductions was also
obtained from publicly available data, foreign market research and U.S.
industry sources (see Initiation Checklist).
NV
Price-To-Price Comparisons
The petitioners obtained home market delivered offers for sale of
stainless steel bar from Crownridge and CES to unaffiliated
distributors as a result of foreign market research. However, based on
the data in the petition, Crownridge's home market (and third country)
sales volumes are less than five percent of its U.S. sales volume.
Therefore, we did not rely on the petitioners' price-to-price
comparisons with respect to Crownridge. To calculate NV based on CES'
home market prices, the petitioners deducted home market freight and
imputed credit expenses for comparisons to CEP. The information
supporting these deductions was obtained from publicly available data
and foreign market research. The petitioners conservatively did not
adjust the prices for differences in packing costs, stating that
packing expenses for export would be the same or greater than home
market packing expenses. See Initiation Checklist. For comparisons to
CEP, the petitioners converted the net home market prices to U.S.
dollars based on the exchange rate in effect on the date of the U.S.
sale.
Based on the petitioners' price-to-price comparisons for CES, in
accordance with section 773(a) of the Act, the estimated dumping margin
for stainless steel bar from the UK is 4.88 percent.
Price-to-CV Comparisons
The petitioners also provided information demonstrating reasonable
grounds to believe or suspect that sales of stainless steel bar in the
home market were made at prices below the fully absorbed COP, within
the meaning of section 773(b) of the Act, and requested that the
Department conduct a country-wide sales-below-cost investigation.
Pursuant to section 773(b)(3) of the Act, COP consists of COM, SG&A
expenses, and packing. The petitioners calculated COM based on their
own production experience, adjusted for known differences between costs
incurred to produce stainless steel bar in the United States and the UK
using publicly available data and foreign market research. To calculate
SG&A and interest expenses, the petitioners relied upon amounts
reported in the UK companies' financial statements. Based upon a
comparison of CES' prices of the foreign like product in the home
market to the calculated COP of the product, we find reasonable grounds
to believe or suspect that sales of the foreign like product were made
below the COP, within the meaning of section 773(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
Act. Accordingly, the Department is initiating a country-wide cost
investigation.
Pursuant to sections 773(a)(4), 773(b), and 773(e) of the Act, the
petitioners also based NV for sales of stainless steel bar made by CES
and Crownridge on CV. The petitioners calculated CV using the same
figures for COM, SG&A expenses, and packing costs they used to compute
UK home market costs. Consistent with section 773(e)(2) of the Act, the
petitioners included in CV an amount for profit. For profit, the
petitioners relied upon amounts reported in the UK steel producers'
unconsolidated 1999 financial statements. For comparisons to EP/CEP,
the petitioners made adjustments to CV for credit expenses.
Based upon the petitioners' CV-to-CEP and CV-to-EP comparisons, the
estimated dumping margins range from 21.93 to 125.77 percent.
Fair Value Comparisons
Based on the data provided by the petitioners, there is reason to
believe that imports of stainless steel bar from France, Germany,
Italy, Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom are being, or are likely
to be, sold at less than fair value.
Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation
The petitions allege that the U.S. industry producing the domestic
like product is being materially injured, or is threatened with
material injury, by reason of the individual and cumulated imports of
the subject merchandise. The petitioners contend that the industry's
injured condition is evident in the declining trends in net operating
income, net sales volume and value, profit to sales ratios, and
capacity utilization. The allegations of injury and causation are
supported by relevant
[[Page 7626]]
evidence including U.S. Customs import data, lost sales, and pricing
information. We have assessed the allegations and supporting evidence
regarding material injury and causation, and have determined that these
allegations are properly supported by accurate and adequate evidence,
and meet the statutory requirements for initiation (see Initiation
Checklist).
Initiation of Antidumping Investigations
Based upon our examination of the petitions on stainless steel bar,
we have found that they meet the requirements of section 732 of the
Act. Therefore, we are initiating antidumping duty investigations to
determine whether imports of stainless steel bar from France, Germany,
Italy, Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom are being, or are likely to
be, sold in the United States at less than fair value. Unless this
deadline is extended pursuant to section 733(b)(1)(A), we will make our
preliminary determinations no later than 140 days after the date of
this initiation.
Distribution of Copies of the Petitions
In accordance with section 732(b)(3)(A) of the Act, a copy of the
public version of each petition has been provided to the
representatives of the governments of France, Germany, Italy, Korea,
Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. We will attempt to provide a copy of
the public version of each petition to each exporter named in the
petitions, as provided for under section 351.203(c)(2) of the
Department's regulations.
ITC Notification
We have notified the ITC of our initiations, as required by section
732(d) of the Act.
Preliminary Determinations by the ITC
The ITC will determine no later than February 12, 2001 whether
there is a reasonable indication that imports of stainless steel bar
from France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom are
causing material injury, or threatening to cause material injury, to a
U.S. industry. A negative ITC determination for any country will result
in the investigation being terminated with respect to that country;
otherwise, these investigations will proceed according to statutory and
regulatory time limits.
This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 777(i) of
the Act.
Dated: January 7, 2001.
Troy H. Cribb,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-2057 Filed 1-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P