[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47263-47265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19285]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-821-809]


Certain Hot-Rolled Flat-Rolled Carbon-Quality Steel Products From 
the Russian Federation; Final Results of the Expedited Sunset Review of 
Antidumping Duty Suspended Investigation

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

ACTION: Notice of expedited sunset review of the antidumping duty 
suspended investigation on certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-
quality steel products from the Russian Federation; final results.

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SUMMARY: On April 1, 2010, the Department of Commerce (``the 
Department'') initiated a sunset review of the antidumping duty 
suspended antidumping duty investigation of certain hot-rolled flat-
rolled carbon-quality steel products (``hot-rolled steel'') from the 
Russian Federation (``Russia'').\1\ On the basis of the notice of 
intent to participate, an adequate substantive response submitted on 
behalf of the domestic interested parties, and no participation from 
respondent interested parties, the Department conducted an expedited 
sunset review of the suspended antidumping duty investigation pursuant 
to section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and section 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C) of 
the Department's regulations. As a result of this sunset review, the 
Department determined that termination of the antidumping duty 
suspended investigation 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'') Review, 75 FR 16437 
(April 1, 2010) (Notice of Initiation).

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DATES: Effective Date: August 5, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne D'Alauro or Sally C. Gannon, 
Office of Policy, Import Administration, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street & Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Washington DC 20230; telephone: 202-482-4830 or 202-482-
0162, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On April 1, 2010, the Department initiated a sunset review of the 
suspended antidumping duty investigation on hot-rolled steel from 
Russia in accordance with section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (``the Act''). See Notice of Initiation, 75 FR 16437 (2010). 
Section 351.218(d)(1)(i) of the Department's regulations provides 
domestic interested parties opportunity to file a Notice of Intent to 
Participate in a Sunset Review within 15 days of initiation of review. 
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, United States 
Steel Corporation, Gallatin Steel, SSAB North America Division, 
ArcelorMittal USA, Inc., and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (collectively 
``domestic interested parties''). The domestic interested parties 
claimed interested-party status as producers of subject merchandise in 
the United States as defined by section 771(9)(C) of the Act. In 
addition, domestic interested parties assert that they are not related 
to a foreign producer/exporter and are not importers, or related to 
importers, of the subject merchandise.
    The Department's regulations at section 351.218(d)(3)(i) state that 
all interested parties participating in a sunset review must submit a 
complete substantive response to a Notice of Initiation within 30 days 
of initiation of the sunset review. On May 3, 2010, the Department 
received a complete substantive response from the domestic interested 
parties within the 30-day deadline specified in the Department's 
regulations under section 351.218(d)(3)(i). After examining the 
substantive response from the domestic interested parties, on May 21, 
2010, the Department determined that the response was adequate, 
consistent with the requirements of 19 CFR 351.218(e). See Memorandum 
from Anne D'Alauro, Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Policy, Import 
Administration, to Sally C. Gannon, Director for Bilateral Agreements, 
Office of Policy, Import Administration, regarding ``Sunset Review of 
the Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Investigation of Certain Hot-
Rolled Flat-Rolled Carbon-Quality Steel Products from the Russian 
Federation: Adequacy Determination'' (May 14, 2010). See also Letter 
from Barbara E. Tillman, Director, Office 6, AD/CVD Operations, Import 
Administration, to Ms. Catherine DeFilippo, Director, Office of 
Investigations, International Trade Commission (May 21, 2010). Although 
the Department received a letter of appearance on behalf of the Russian 
Ministry of Economic Development, the Department did not receive any 
notices of intent to participate or substantive responses from 
respondent interested parties to this proceeding. As a result, pursuant 
to section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and section 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C)(2) 
of the Department's regulations, the Department conducted an expedited 
(120-day), sunset review of this antidumping duty suspended 
investigation.

Scope of the Suspended Investigation

    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 Paul 
Piquado, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, Import 
Administration, to Ronald Lorentzen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Import Administration, dated July 30, 2010, which is hereby adopted by 
this notice. The issues

[[Page 47264]]

discussed in the Decision Memo include both the likely effects of 
termination of the suspension agreement and underlying investigation 
and the magnitude of the margin likely to prevail if the suspended 
investigation were terminated. 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 1117 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 ``August 2010''. The paper copy and electronic version of the 
Decision Memo are identical in content.

Final Results of Review

    The Department determines that termination of the suspended 
antidumping duty investigation on hot-rolled steel from Russia would be 
likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the 
following weighted-average margins:

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                                                               Weighted-
                                                                average
              Manufacturers/producers/ exporters                 margin
                                                               (percent)
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JSC Severstal................................................      73.59
Russia-Wide Rate.............................................     184.56
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    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 of the 
Department's regulations. 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(c), and 777(i)(1) of the Act.

    Dated: July 30, 2010.
Ronald K. Lorentzen,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.

Appendix I

    For the purposes of this Suspension Agreement, ``hot-rolled 
steel'' means 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 agreement.
    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 agreement, 
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 agreement unless 
otherwise excluded. The following products, by way of example, are 
outside and/or specifically excluded from the scope of this 
agreement:

--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:

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              C                       Mn                 P                 S                Si                Cr               Cu               Ni
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0.10-0.14%...................  0.90% Max.......  0.025% Max......  0.005% Max......  0.30-0.50%......  0.50-0.70%.....  0.20-0.40%.....  0.20% Max
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    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:

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              C                       Mn                 P                 S                Si                Cr               Cu               Ni
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0.10-0.16%...................  0.70-0.90%......  0.025% Max......  0.006% Max......  0.30-0.50%......  0.50-0.70%.....  0.25% Max......  0.20% Max
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              Mo
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0.21% Max....................
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    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:

[[Page 47265]]



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              C                       Mn                 P                 S                Si                Cr               Cu               Ni
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0.10-0.14%...................  1.30-1.80%......  0.025% Max......  0.005% Max......  0.30-0.50%......  0.50-0.70%.....  0.20-0.40%.....  0.20% Max
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            V(wt.)                    Cb
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0.10 Max.....................  0.08% Max.......
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    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:

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              C                       Mn                 P                 S                Si                Cr               Cu               Ni
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0.15% Max....................  1.40% Max.......  0.025% Max......  0.010% Max......  0.50% Max.......  1.00% Max......  0.50% Max......  0.20% Max
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              Nb                      Ca                Al
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0.005% Min...................  Treated.........  0.01-0.07%......
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    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[sup2] and 640 N/
mm[sup2] and an elongation percentage >=26 percent for thicknesses 
of 2 mm and above, or (ii) a tensile strength between 590 N/mm[sup2] 
and 690 N/mm[sup2] 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 inches nominal), mill edge and skin 
passed, with a minimum copper content of 0.20 percent.
    The covered merchandise is classified in the Harmonized Tariff 
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 include: 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 covered merchandise is dispositive.

[FR Doc. 2010-19285 Filed 8-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P