[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 174 (Thursday, September 9, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54630-54633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-2101]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-351-828]


Certain Hot-Rolled Flat-Rolled Carbon-Quality Steel Products From 
Brazil; Final Results of the Expedited Sunset Review of Antidumping 
Duty Order

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

ACTION: Notice of final results of expedited sunset reviews of 
antidumping duty order on certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality 
steel products from Brazil.

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SUMMARY: On May 3, 2004, the Department of Commerce (``the 
Department'') initiated a sunset review of the antidumping duty order 
of certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel products (``hot-
rolled steel'') from

[[Page 54631]]

Brazil.\1\ On the basis of the notice of intent to participate, 
adequate substantive comments filed on behalf of the domestic 
interested parties, and inadequate response from respondent interested 
parties (in this case, no response), the Department conducted an 
expedited sunset review of the antidumping duty order pursuant to 
section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and section 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(B) of the 
Department's regulations. As a result of this sunset review, the 
Department determined that revocation of the antidumping duty order 
would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the 
levels listed below in the section entitled ``Final Results of 
Review''.
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    \1\ See Initiation of Five-Year (``Sunset'') Reviews, 69 FR 
24118 (May 3, 2004) (``Notice of Initiation'').

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EFFECTIVE DATE: September 9, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martha V. Douthit, Office of Policy, 
Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington DC, 20230; telephone: 202-482-5050.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On May 3, 2004, the Department initiated a sunset review of the 
antidumping duty order on hot-rolled steel products from Brazil in 
accordance with section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended 
(``the Act''). See Notice of Initiation, 69 FR 24118 (May 3, 2004).
    The Department received notices of intent to participate within the 
applicable deadline specified in section 351.218(d)(1)(i) of the 
Department's regulations on behalf of Nucor Corporation (``Nucor''), 
United States Steel Corporation (``U.S. Steel''), International Steel 
Group, Inc. (``ISG''), Gallatin Steel Company (``Gallatin''), IPSCO 
Steel Inc. (``IPSCO''), and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (``SDI'') 
(collectively ``domestic interested parties''). The domestic interested 
parties claimed interested-party status as U.S. producers of subject 
merchandise as defined by section 771(9)(C) of the Act.
    The Department received complete substantive responses from the 
domestic interested parties within the 30-day deadline specified in the 
Department's regulations under Sec.  351.218(d)(3)(i). However, the 
Department did not receive any responses from respondent interested 
parties to this proceeding. As a result, pursuant to section 
751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C)(2), the 
Department conducted an expedited sunset review of this antidumping 
duty order.
    This antidumping duty order remains in effect for manufacturers, 
producers, and exporters of hot-rolled steel from Brazil.

Scope of the Order

    See Appendix 1.

Analysis of Comments Received

    All issues raised in this sunset review are addressed in the Issues 
and Decision Memorandum (``Decision Memo'') from Ronald K. Lorentzen, 
Acting Director, Office of Policy, Import Administration, to James J. 
Jochum, Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, dated August 31, 
2004, which is hereby adopted by this notice. The issues discussed in 
the Decision Memo include the likelihood of continuation or recurrence 
of dumping and the magnitude of the margin likely to prevail if the 
antidumping duty order were revoked. Parties can find a complete 
discussion of all issues raised in this sunset review and the 
corresponding recommendations in this public memo, which is on file in 
room B-099 of the main Commerce Building.
    In addition, a complete version of the Decision Memo can be 
accessed directly on the Web at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/frn, under the 
heading ``September 2004.'' The paper copy and electronic version of 
the Decision Memo are identical in content.

Final Results of Review

    The Department determines that revocation of the antidumping duty 
order on hot-rolled steel from Brazil would likely lead to continuation 
or recurrence of dumping at the following weighted-average margins:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Weighted-
                                                               average
             Manufacturers/producers/exporter's                 margin
                                                              (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compendia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN).......................        41.27
Usinas Siderurgicas De Minas Gerais (USIMINAS)/............        43.40
Companhia Siderurgica Paulista (COSIPA)....................        43.40
``All Others''.............................................        42.12
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This notice also serves as the only reminder to parties subject to 
administrative protective orders (``APO'') of their responsibility 
concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information 
disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Timely 
notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or 
conversion to judicial protective order is requested. Failure to comply 
with the regulations and terms of an APO is a violation which is 
subject to sanction.
    We are issuing and publishing the results and notice in accordance 
with sections 751(c), 752, and 777(i)(1) of the Act.

    Dated: August 31, 2004.
Jeffrey A. May,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.

Appendix 1--Scope of the Order: Certain Hot-Rolled Flat-Rolled Carbon-
Quality Steel Products from Brazil

    For purposes of this order, the products covered are certain 
hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel products of a 
rectangular shape, of a width of 0.5 inch or greater, neither clad, 
plated, nor coated with metal and whether or not painted, varnished, 
or coated with plastics or other non-metallic substances, in coils 
(whether or not in successively superimposed layers) regardless of 
thickness, and in straight lengths, of a thickness less than 4.75 mm 
and of a width measuring at least 10 times the thickness. Universal 
mill plate (i.e., flat-rolled products rolled on four faces or in a 
closed box pass, of a width exceeding 150 mm, but not exceeding 1250 
mm and of a thickness of not less than 4 mm, not in coils and 
without patterns in relief) of a thickness not less than 4.0 mm is 
not included within the scope of this order. Specifically included 
in this scope are vacuum degassed, fully stabilized (commonly 
referred to as interstitial-free (``IF'') steels, high strength low 
alloy (``HSLA'') steels, and the substrate for motor lamination 
steels. IF steels are recognized as low carbon steels with micro-
alloying levels of elements such as titanium and/or niobium added to 
stabilize carbon and nitrogen elements. HSLA steels are recognized 
as steels with micro-alloying levels of elements such as chromium, 
copper, niobium, titanium, vanadium, and molybdenum. The substrate 
for motor lamination steels contains micro-alloying levels of 
elements such as silicon and aluminum. Steel products to be included 
in the scope of this order, regardless of HTSUS definitions, are 
products in which: (1) Iron predominates, by weight, over each of 
the other contained elements; (2) the carbon content is 2 percent or 
less, by weight; and (3) none of the elements listed below exceeds 
the quantity, by weight, respectively indicated:

1.80 percent of manganese, or 1.50 percent of silicon, or 1.00 
percent of copper, or 0.50 percent of aluminum, or 1.25 percent of 
chromium, or 0.30 percent of cobalt, or 0.40 percent of lead, or 
1.25 percent of nickel, or 0.30 percent of tungsten, or 0.012 
percent of boron, or 0.10 percent of molybdenum, or 0.10 percent of 
niobium, or 0.41 percent of titanium, or 0.15 percent of vanadium, 
or 0.15 percent of zirconium.
    All products that meet the physical and chemical description 
provided above are within the scope of this order unless otherwise 
excluded. The following products, by way of example, are outside 
and/or specifically excluded from the scope of this order:


[[Page 54632]]


--Alloy hot-rolled steel products in which at least one of the 
chemical elements exceeds those listed above (including e.g., ASTM 
specifications A543, A387, A514, A517, and A506).
--SAE/AISI grades of series 2300 and higher.
--Ball bearing steels, as defined in the HTSUS.-Tool steels, as 
defined in the HTSUS.
--Silico-manganese (as defined in the HTSUS) or silicon electrical 
steel with a silicon level exceeding 1.50 percent.-ASTM 
specifications A710 and A736.
--USS Abrasion-resistant steels (USS AR 400, USS AR 500).
--Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, physical 
and mechanical specifications:

    (Note: The following TABLE/FORM is too wide to be displayed on 
one screen. You must print it for a meaningful review of its 
contents. The table has been divided into multiple pieces with each 
piece containing information to help you assemble a printout of the 
table. The information for each piece includes: (1) A three line 
message preceding the tabular data showing by line  and 
character  the position of the upper left-hand corner of 
the piece and the position of the piece within the entire table; and 
(2) a numeric scale following the tabular data displaying the 
character positions.)
    This is piece 1.--It begins at character 1 of table line 1.

C Mn P S Si Cr
0.10-0.14% .. 0.90% Max 0.025% Max 0.005% Max .. 0.30-0.50% .. 0.30-
0.50% ...
1...+...10....+...20....+...30.... 
+...40....+...50....+...60....+...70....+...

    This is piece 2.--It begins at character 79 of table line 1.

Cu Ni
0.20-0.40% 0.20%
Max.
79....+...90....+...
Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.063-0.198 inches;
Yield Strength = 50,000 ksi minimum; Tensile Strength = 70,000-88,000 
psi.

--Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, physical 
and mechanical specifications:

    (Note: The following TABLE/FORM is too wide to be displayed on 
one screen. You must print it for a meaningful review of its 
contents. The table has been divided into multiple pieces with each 
piece containing information to help you assemble a printout of the 
table. The information for each piece includes: (1) A three line 
message preceding the tabular data showing by line  and 
character  the position of the upper left-hand corner of 
the piece and the position of the piece within the entire table; and 
(2) a numeric scale following the tabular data displaying the 
character positions.)
    This is piece 1.--It begins at character 1 of table line 1.

C Mn P S Si Cr
0.10-0.16% .... 0.70-0.90% 0.025% Max 0.006% Max .. 0.30-0.50% .. 0.30-
0.50%
Mo .......... ............ .......... .......... ............ 
............
0.21% Max ... ............ .......... .......... ............ 
............
1...+...10....+...20....+...30.... 
+...40....+...50....+...60....+...70....+....

    This is piece 2.--It begins at character 80 of table line 1.

Cu Ni
0.25% Max 0.20%
Max
......... ........
....... ......
80..+...90....+....
Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.350 inches maximum;
Yield Strength = 80,000 ksi minimum; Tensile Strength = 105,000 psi 
Aim.

--Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, physical 
and mechanical specifications:

    (Note: The following TABLE/FORM is too wide to be displayed on 
one screen. You must print it for a meaningful review of its 
contents. The table has been divided into multiple pieces with each 
piece containing information to help you assemble a printout of the 
table. The information for each piece includes: (1) A three line 
message preceding the tabular data showing by line  and 
character  the position of the upper left-hand corner of 
the piece and the position of the piece within the entire table; and 
(2) a numeric scale following the tabular data displaying the 
character positions.)

    This is piece 1.--It begins at character 1 of table line 1.

C Mn P S Si Cr
0.10-0.14% .. 1.30-1.80% .. 0.025% Max 0.005% Max .. 0.30-0.50% .. 
0.50-0.70%
V(wt.) ...... Cb .......... .......... .......... ............ 
............
0.10% Max ... 0.08% Max ... .......... .......... ............ 
............
1...+...10....+...20....+...30.... 
+...40....+...50....+...60....+...70....+....

    This is piece 2.--It begins at character 80 of table line 1.

Cu Ni
.. 0.20-0.40% 0.20%
Max............. .......
........... ......
80..+...90....+....0..
Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.350 inches maximum;
Yield Strength = 80,000 ksi minimum; Tensile Strength = 105,000 psi 
Aim.

--Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, physical 
and mechanical specifications:

    (Note: The following TABLE/FORM is too wide to be displayed on 
one screen. You must print it for a meaningful review of its 
contents. The table has been divided into multiple pieces with each 
piece containing information to help you assemble a printout of the 
table. The information for each piece includes: (1) a three line 
message preceding the tabular data showing by line  and 
character  the position of the upper left-hand corner of 
the piece and the position of the piece within the entire table; and 
(2) a numeric scalefollowing the tabular data displaying the 
character positions.)

    This is piece 1.--It begins at character 1 of table line 1.
C Mn P S Si Cr Cu
0.15% Max. 1.40% Max 0.025% Max 0.010% Max 0.50% Max 1.00% Max 0.50% 
Max
Nb ........ Ca ....... Al ........ .......... ......... ......... 
.........
0.005% Min Treated .. 0.01-0.70% .......... ......... ......... 
.........
1...+...10....+...20....+...30....+ 
...40....+...50....+...60....+...70....+....

    This is piece 2.--It begins at character 80 of table line 1.
Ni
0.20%Max.....
........
80..+...
Width = 39.37 inches; Thickness = 0.181 inches maximum;
Yield Strength = 70,000 psi minimum for thicknesses <= 0.148 inches and 
65,000 psi minimum for thicknesses > 0.148 inches; Tensile Strength = 
80,000 psi minimum.

--Hot-rolled dual phase steel, phase-hardened, primarily with a 
ferritic-martensitic microstructure, contains 0.9 percent up to and 
including 1.5 percent silicon by weight, further characterized by 
either (i) tensile strength between 540 N/mm \2\ and 640 N/mm \2\ and 
an elongation percentage `` 26 percent for thicknesses of 2 mm and 
above, or (ii) a tensile strength between 590 N/mm \2\ and 690 N/mm \2\ 
and an elongation percentage `` 25 percent for thicknesses of 2 mm and 
above.
--Hot-rolled bearing quality steel, SAE grade 1050, in coils, with an 
inclusion rating of 1.0 maximum per ASTM E 45, Method A, with excellent 
surface quality and chemistry restrictions as follows: 0.012 percent 
maximum phosphorus, 0.015 percent maximum sulfur, and 0.20 percent 
maximum residuals including 0.15 percent maximum chromium.
--Grade ASTM A570-50 hot-rolled steel sheet in coils or cut lengths, 
width of 74 inches (nominal, within ASTM tolerances), thickness of 11 
gauge (0.119 inch nominal), mill edge and skin passed, with a minimum 
copper content of 0.20%.
    The merchandise subject to this order is classified in the 
Harmonized Tariff

[[Page 54633]]

Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheadings: 7208.10.15.00, 
7208.10.30.00, 7208.10.60.00, 7208.25.30.00, 7208.25.60.00, 
7208.26.00.30, 7208.26.00.60, 7208.27.00.30, 7208.27.00.60, 
7208.36.00.30, 7208.36.00.60, 7208.37.00.30, 7208.37.00.60, 
7208.38.00.15, 7208.38.00.30, 7208.38.00.90, 7208.39.00.15, 
7208.39.00.30, 7208.39.00.90, 7208.40.60.30, 7208.40.60.60, 
7208.53.00.00, 7208.54.00.00, 7208.90.00.00, 7210.70.30.00, 
7210.90.90.00, 7211.14.00.30, 7211.14.00.90, 7211.19.15.00, 
7211.19.20.00, 7211.19.30.00, 7211.19.45.00, 7211.19.60.00, 
7211.19.75.30, 7211.19.75.60, 7211.19.75.90, 7212.40.10.00, 
7212.40.50.00, 7212.50.00.00. Certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-
quality steel covered by this order, including: vacuum degassed, fully 
stabilized; high strength low alloy; and the substrate for motor 
lamination steel may also enter under the following tariff numbers: 
7225.11.00.00, 7225.19.00.00, 7225.30.30.50, 7225.30.70.00, 
7225.40.70.00, 7225.99.00.90, 7226.11.10.00, 7226.11.90.30, 
7226.11.90.60, 7226.19.10.00, 7226.19.90.00, 7226.91.50.00, 
7226.91.70.00, 7226.91.80.00, and 7226.99.00.00. Although the HTSUS 
subheadings are provided for convenience and Customs purposes, the 
written description of the merchandise under this order is dispositive.

[FR Doc. E4-2101 Filed 9-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P