[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14542-14544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6228]


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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), Dana Glacier Daido 
America, LLC (``Dana'') filed a request for a changed circumstances 
review 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 Dana's 
request, the Department of Commerce (``the Department'') is initiating 
a changed circumstances review with respect to this request 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: March 13, 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, as amended (``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 January 23, 2001, Dana requested that the Department revoke in 
part the antidumping duty order on certain corrosion-resistant carbon 
steel flat products from Japan. Specifically, Dana requested that the 
Department revoke the order with respect to imports meeting the 
following specifications: carbon steel coil or strip, measuring 1.93 
millimeters or 2.75 millimeters (0.076 inches or 0.108 inches) in 
thickness, 87.3 millimeters or 99 millimeters (3.437 inches or 3.900 
inches) in width, with a low carbon steel back comprised of: carbon 
under 8%, manganese under 0.4%, phosphorous under 0.04%, and sulfur 
under 0.05%; clad with aluminum alloy comprised of: 0.7% copper, 12% 
tin, 1.7% lead, 0.3% antimony, 2.5% silicon, 1% maximum total other 
(including iron), and remainder aluminum. Dana also requested that the 
Department revoke the order with respect to imports meeting the 
following specifications: carbon steel coil or strip, clad with 
aluminum, measuring 1.75 millimeters (0.069 inches) in thickness, 89 
millimeters or 94 millimeters (3.500 inches or 3.700 inches) in width, 
with a low carbon steel back comprised of: carbon under 8%, manganese 
under 0.4%, phosphorous under 0.04%, and sulfur under 0.05%; clad with 
aluminum alloy comprised of: 0.7% copper, 12% tin, 1.7% lead, 2.5% 
silicon, 0.3% antimony, 1% maximum total other (including iron), and 
remainder aluminum. Dana is an importer of the products in question.

Scope of Review

    The products covered by the antidumping duty order 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

[[Page 14543]]

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 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: carbon steel flat products measuring 1.64 millimeters 
in thickness and 19.5 millimeters in width consisting of carbon steel 
coil (SAE 1008) with a lining clad with an aluminum alloy that is 
balance aluminum; 10 to 15% tin; 1 to 3% lead; 0.7 to 1.3% copper; 1.8 
to 3.5% silicon; 0.1 to 0.7% chromium, less than 1% other materials and 
meeting the requirements of SAE standard 783 for Bearing and Bushing 
Alloys.
    Also, excluded from this review are products meeting the following 
specifications: carbon steel coil or strip, measuring 1.93 millimeters 
or 2.75 millimeters (0.076 inches or 0.108 inches) in thickness, 87.3 
millimeters or 99 millimeters (3.437 inches or 3.900 inches) in width, 
with a low carbon steel back comprised of: carbon under 8%, manganese 
under 0.4%, phosphorous under 0.04%, and sulfur under 0.05%; clad with 
aluminum alloy comprised of: 0.7% copper, 12% tin, 1.7% lead, 0.3% 
antimony, 2.5% silicon, 1% maximum total other (including iron), and 
remainder aluminum.
    Also excluded from this review are products meeting the following 
specifications: carbon steel coil or strip, clad with aluminum, 
measuring 1.75 millimeters (0.069 inches) in thickness, 89 millimeters 
or 94 millimeters (3.500 inches or 3.700 inches) in width, with a low 
carbon steel back comprised of: carbon under 8%, manganese under 0.4%, 
phosphorous under 0.04%, and sulfur under 0.05%; clad with aluminum 
alloy comprised of: 0.7% copper, 12% tin, 1.7% lead, 2.5% silicon, 0.3% 
antimony, 1% maximum total other (including iron), and remainder 
aluminum.

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) where the Department determines 
that producers accounting for substantially all of the production of 
that domestic like product have expressed a lack of interest in 
issuance of an order. 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 to which the order pertains 
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

[[Page 14544]]

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; 
LTV Steel Company, Inc.; National Steel Corporation; and U.S. Steel 
Group, a unit of USX Corporation (``domestic producers''), no further 
interest exists in continuing the order with respect to certain 
corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products meeting the following 
specifications: (1) Carbon steel coil or strip, measuring 1.93 
millimeters or 2.75 millimeters (0.076 inches or 0.108 inches) in 
thickness, 87.3 millimeters or 99 millimeters (3.437 inches or 3.900 
inches) in width, with a low carbon steel back comprised of: carbon 
under 8%, manganese under 0.4%, phosphorous under 0.04%, and sulfur 
under 0.05%; clad with aluminum alloy comprised of: 0.7% copper, 12% 
tin, 1.7% lead, 0.3% antimony, 2.5% silicon, 1% maximum total other 
(including iron), and remainder aluminum; and (2) carbon steel coil or 
strip, clad with aluminum, measuring 1.75 millimeters (0.069 inches) in 
thickness, 89 millimeters or 94 millimeters (3.500 inches or 3.700 
inches) in width, with a low carbon steel back comprised of: carbon 
under 8%, manganese under 0.4%, phosphorous under 0.04%, and sulfur 
under 0.05%; clad with aluminum alloy comprised of: 0.7% copper, 12% 
tin, 1.7% lead, 2.5% silicon, 0.3% antimony, 1% maximum other 
(including iron), and remainder aluminum (see domestic producers' 
January 30, 2001 letter to the Department), we are initiating this 
changed circumstances administrative review.
    Furthermore, because petitioners have expressed a 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 order 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. Effective January 20, 2001, 
Bernard T. Carreau is fulfilling the duties of Assistant Secretary for 
Import Administration.

    Dated: March 6, 2001.
Bernard T. Carreau,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-6228 Filed 3-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P