[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 27, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44641-44642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-17072]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-580-854, A-201-833]


Postponement of Preliminary Determinations of Antidumping Duty 
Investigations: Certain Circular Welded Carbon Quality Line Pipe from 
Mexico and the Republic of Korea

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (the Department) is postponing the 
preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty investigations of 
certain circular carbon quality line pipe from Mexico and the Republic 
of Korea until no later than September 29, 2004. This postponement is 
made pursuant to section 733(c)(1)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act).

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 27, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Drury (Mexico) or Brandon 
Farlander (Korea), at (202) 482-0195 or (202) 482-0195, respectively, 
Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 23, 2004, the Department initiated antidumping duty 
investigations of imports of certain circular welded carbon quality 
line pipe from Mexico, the Republic of Korea (Korea), and the People's 
Republic of China (China). See Notice of Initiation of Antidumping Duty 
Investigations: Certain Circular Welded Carbon Quality Line Pipe from 
Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and the People's Republic of China, 69 
FR 16521 (March 30, 2004). Section 733(b) of the Act requires the 
Department to make a preliminary determination no later than 140 days 
after the date of initiation. The preliminary determinations in these 
investigations are currently due not later than August 10, 2004.

Postponement of Preliminary Determinations

    Under section 733(c)(1)(B) of the Act, the Department can extend 
the period for reaching a preliminary determination until not later 
than the 190th day after the date on which the administering authority 
initiates an investigation if the administering authority concludes 
that the parties concerned are cooperating and determines that: (i) the 
case is extraordinarily complicated by reason of (I) the number and 
complexity of the transactions to be investigated or adjustments to be 
considered; (II) the novelty of the issues presented; or (III) the 
number of firms whose activities must be investigated; and (ii) 
additional time is necessary to make the preliminary determination.
    The parties concerned are cooperating in these investigations. 
Additional time is necessary, however, to complete the preliminary 
determinations for Mexico and Korea due to
    (1) the number and complexity of the transactions to be 
investigated and adjustments to be considered, and (2) certain 
affiliation issues.
    Moreover, with respect to the Mexican and both Korean respondents, 
on July 9, 2004, the Department received from American Steel Pipe 
Division of ACIPC, IPSCO Tubulars Inc., Lone Star Steel Company, 
Maverick Tube Corporation, Northwest Pipe Company, and Stupp 
Corporation, petitioners in these investigations, company-specific 
allegations that sales were made below the cost of production during 
the period of investigation. We are currently reviewing these 
allegations. Therefore, for both investigations, additional time is 
required to review the issues and the cost information for purposes of 
the preliminary determinations.
    For the reasons identified above, we are postponing the preliminary 
determinations under Section 733(c)(1)(A) of the Act by 50 days, to no

[[Page 44642]]

later than September 29, 2004. The deadline for the final 
determinations will continue to be 75 days after the date of the 
preliminary determinations. This notice is issued and published 
pursuant to sections 733(f) and 777(i) of the Act.

    Dated: July 21, 2004.
Holly A. Kuga,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-17072 Filed 7-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S