[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 30, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 15726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7071]



[[Page 15726]]

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 731-TA-1088 (Preliminary) (Remand)]


Polyvinyl Alcohol From Taiwan; Determination

    On the basis of the record \1\ developed in the subject 
investigation, the United States International Trade Commission 
(Commission) determines, pursuant to section 733(a) of the Tariff Act 
of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1673b(a)) (the Act), that there is a reasonable 
indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured 
by reason of imports from Taiwan of polyvinyl alcohol provided for in 
subheading 3905.30.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States, that are alleged to be sold in the United States at less than 
fair value (LTFV).\2\
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    \1\ The record is defined in section 207.2(f) of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 207.2(f)).
    \2\ Vice Chairman Pearson and Commissioners Okun and Lane 
dissented, having determined that there is no reasonable indication 
that an industry in the United States is materially injured or 
threatened with material injury by reason of allegedly LTFV imports 
of polyvinyl alcohol from Taiwan.
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Commencement of Final Phase of Investigation

    Pursuant to section 207.18 of the Commission's rules, the 
Commission also gives notice of the commencement of the final phase of 
its investigation. The Commission will issue a final phase notice of 
scheduling, which will be published in the Federal Register as provided 
in section 207.21 of the Commission's rules, upon notice from the 
Department of Commerce (Commerce) of an affirmative preliminary 
determination in the investigation under section 733(b) of the Act, or, 
if the preliminary determination is negative, upon notice of an 
affirmative final determination in that investigation under section 
735(a) of the Act. Parties that filed entries of appearance in the 
preliminary phase of the investigation need not enter a separate 
appearance for the final phase of the investigation. Industrial users, 
and, if the merchandise under investigation is sold at the retail 
level, representative consumer organizations have the right to appear 
as parties in Commission antidumping duty investigations. The Secretary 
will prepare a public service list containing the names and addresses 
of all persons, or their representatives, who are parties to the 
investigation.

Background

    On September 7, 2004, a petition was filed with the Commission and 
Commerce by domestic producer Celanese Chemicals, Ltd., Dallas, TX, 
alleging that an industry in the United States is materially injured 
and threatened with further material injury by reason of LTFV imports 
of polyvinyl alcohol from Taiwan. Accordingly, effective September 7, 
2004, the Commission instituted antidumping duty investigation No. 731-
TA-1088 (Preliminary).
    Notice of the institution of the Commission's investigation and of 
a public conference to be held in connection therewith was given by 
posting copies of the notice in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. 
International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, and by publishing the 
notice in the Federal Register of September 15, 2004 (69 FR 55653). The 
conference was held in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2004, and all 
persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in 
person or by counsel.
    On October 24, 2004, the Commission determined by a vote of 3 to 2, 
that there was no reasonable indication that a U.S. industry was 
materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of 
imports of PVA from Taiwan.\3\ Notice of that determination was 
published on October 29, 2004. 69 FR 63177. The Commission transmitted 
its determination to the Secretary of Commerce on October 22, 2004. The 
Commission's views were contained in USITC Publication 3732 (October 
2004), entitled Polyvinyl Alcohol from Taiwan: Investigation No. 731-
TA-1088 (Preliminary). Domestic producer/petitioner Celanese appealed 
the Commission's negative preliminary determination to the U.S. Court 
of International Trade (``CIT'').
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    \3\ Commissioners Miller and Koplan dissented, having determined 
that there was a reasonable indication that an industry in the 
United States was materially injured by reason of allegedly LTFV 
imports of polyvinyl alcohol from Taiwan. Commissioner Hillman did 
not participate in the investigation.
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    On January 29, 2007, the CIT remanded the determination to the 
Commission for further proceedings. Celanese Chemicals, Ltd. v. United 
States, Slip Op. 07-16, 29 ITRD 1985 (Ct. Int'l Trade 2007). On remand, 
the Commission determined, by a vote of 3 to 3, that there was a 
reasonable indication that a U.S. industry was materially injured by 
reason of imports of subject imports of PVA from Taiwan. Chairman 
Aranoff and Commissioners Williamson and Pinkert, who had commenced 
their service as Commissioners in the intervening time, voted in the 
affirmative. On remand, Vice Chairman Pearson and Commissioners Okun 
and Lane reaffirmed their negative preliminary determinations. 
Polyvinyl Alcohol from Taiwan: Investigation No. 731-TA-1088 
(Preliminary) (Remand), USITC Publication 3920 (April 2007). The tie 
vote yielded an affirmative determination by operation of 19 U.S.C. 
1677(11).
    On November 19, 2008, the CIT affirmed the Commission's affirmative 
preliminary determination on remand. Celanese Chemicals Ltd. v. United 
States, Slip Op. 08-125, 30 ITRD 2352 (``Celanese II''). On January 16, 
2009, DuPont appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal 
Circuit (``Federal Circuit'').
    On December 23, 2009, the Federal Circuit affirmed, without 
opinion, the CIT's decision in Celanese II, and issued its mandate on 
February 18, 2010. No party has applied under 28 U.S.C. 2101(c) to the 
U.S. Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari. The judicial proceedings 
having now ended, the Commission now publishes notice of its 
preliminary determination on remand.

    By order of the Commission.
    Issued: March 25, 2010.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2010-7071 Filed 3-29-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P