[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 129 (Monday, July 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 40243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17063]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-549-817]


Notice of Extension of Time Limit for Preliminary Results of 
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel 
Flat Products From Thailand

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (``the Department'') is conducting 
an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain hot-
rolled carbon steel flat products from Thailand in response to requests 
by petitioners, National Steel Corporation, United States Steel 
Corporation, and Nucor Corporation. The review covers shipments to the 
United States for the period May 3, 2001 through October 31, 2002, by 
Sahaviriya Steel Industries Public Company Limited (``SSI''), 
Nakornthai Strip Mill Public Co., Ltd. (``Nakornthai''), and Siam Strip 
Mill Public Co., Ltd (``Siam Strip''). For the reasons discussed below, 
we are extending the preliminary results of this administrative review 
by 120 days, to no later than December 1, 2003.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 7, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Ferrier at 202-482-1394, or 
Abdelali Elouaradia at 202-482-1374, Import Administration, 
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th 
Street and Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

Background

    On November 29, 2001, the Department published the antidumping duty 
order on hot-rolled steel (see Antidumping Duty Order: Certain Hot-
Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products From Thailand, 66 FR 59562). On 
November 1, 2002, the Department published a notice of opportunity to 
request an administrative review for this order covering the period May 
3, 2001 through October 31, 2002 (see Antidumping or Countervailing 
Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity To Request 
Administrative Review, 67 FR 66612). On November 27, 2002, SSI 
requested a review in accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(b)(2), and the 
petitioners requested a review of SSI, Nakornthai, and Siam Strip under 
19 CFR 351.213(b)(1). The petitioners are Nucor Corporation, National 
Steel Corporation, and United States Steel Corporation. The Department 
initiated these reviews on December 26, 2002 (see Initiation of 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 67 FR 
78772).
    On February 14, 2003, petitioners filed a letter alleging that a 
particular market situation existed in Thailand during the period of 
review. Petitioners filed additional comments regarding the particular 
market situation on March 17, 2003, and April 24, 2003. SSI filed 
comments and its responses to the Department's supplemental 
questionnaires regarding the particular market situation on March 4, 
2003, March 28, 2003, and June 20, 2003. On March 12, 2003, and May 6, 
2003, petitioners alleged that SSI may be affiliated with one of the 
trading companies SSI used to sell its products in the United States 
and one of SSI's slab suppliers. The preliminary results are currently 
due not later than August 4, 2003.

Extension of Time Limits for Preliminary Results

    Pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.213(h)(2) of the Department's regulations, the Department may 
extend the deadline for completion of the preliminary results of a 
review if it determines that it is not practicable to complete the 
preliminary results within the statutory time limit of 245 days from 
the last day of the anniversary month of the order for which the 
administrative review was requested. Because of the complexity of the 
particular market situation and affiliation issues in this case, it is 
not practicable for the Department to complete this review within the 
time limit mandated by section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act. The Department 
requires additional time to evaluate information submitted by SSI and 
petitioners regarding the particular market situation and affiliation 
issues.
    Therefore, in accordance with section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and 
19 CFR 351.213(h)(2) of the Department's regulations, the Department is 
extending the time limits for the preliminary results by 120 days, to 
no later than December 1, 2003.

    Dated: June 30, 2003.
Barbara E. Tillman,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, Group III.
[FR Doc. 03-17063 Filed 7-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S