[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4250-4254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01504]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-570-016]


Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From the People's 
Republic of China: Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair 
Value; Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances; 
In Part and Postponement of Final Determination

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Department) preliminarily 
determines that certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires 
(passenger tires) from the People's Republic of China (PRC) are being, 
or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value 
(LTFV), as provided in section 733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act). The period of investigation (POI) is October 1, 
2013, through March 31, 2014. The estimated weighted-average dumping 
margins of sales at LTFV are shown in the ``Preliminary Determination'' 
section of this notice. Interested parties are invited to comment on 
this preliminary determination.

DATES: Effective Date: January 27, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toni Page, Lingjun Wang, or Jun Jack 
Zhao, AD/CVD Operations, Office VII, Enforcement and Compliance, 
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th 
Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: 
(202) 482-1398, (202) 482-2316, or (202) 482-1396, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Department published the notice of initiation of this 
investigation on July 21, 2014.\1\ Pursuant to section 733(c)(1)(A) of 
the Act, on October 9, 2014, the Department postponed this preliminary 
LTFV determination by a period of 50 days.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From the 
People's Republic of China: Initiation of Antidumping Duty 
Investigation, 79 FR 42292 (July 21, 2014) (Initiation Notice).
    \2\ See Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From the 
People's Republic of China: Postponement of Preliminary 
Determination of Antidumping Duty Investigation, 79 FR 61052 
(October 9, 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scope of the Investigation

    On December 30, 2014, the Department published an amended 
preliminary determination in the companion countervailing duty (CVD) 
investigation of passenger tires from the PRC, which contains an 
amended scope of this investigation.\3\ For a full description of the 
amended scope of this investigation, see ``Scope of Investigation'' at 
Appendix I of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Countervailing Duty Investigation of Certain Passenger 
Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From the People's Republic of China: 
Amended Affirmative Preliminary Determination, 79 FR 78398 (December 
30, 2014) at Appendix-Scope of the Investigation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Methodology

    The Department conducted this investigation in accordance with 
section 731 of the Act. We calculated export prices and constructed 
export prices in accordance with section 772 of the Act. Because the 
PRC is a non-market economy within the meaning of section 771(18) of 
the Act, we calculated normal value (NV) in accordance with section 
773(c) of the Act.
    For a full description of the methodology underlying our 
conclusions, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See Memorandum to Paul Piquado, Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance, ``Decision Memorandum for the 
Preliminary Determination in the Antidumping Duty Investigation of 
Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From the People's 
Republic of China'' (January 20, 2015) (Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum). A list of topics discussed in the Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum is found at Appendix II of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Combination Rates

    In the Initiation Notice, the Department stated that it would 
calculate combination rates for the respondents that are eligible for a 
separate rate in this investigation. Policy Bulletin 05.1 describes 
this practice.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Enforcement and Compliance's Policy Bulletin No. 05.1, 
regarding, ``Separate-Rates Practice and Application of Combination 
Rates in Antidumping Investigations involving Non-Market Economy 
Countries,'' (April 5, 2005) (Policy Bulletin 05.1), available on 
the Department's Web site at http://enforcement.trade.gov/policy/bull05-1.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Preliminary Determination

    The Department preliminarily determines that the following 
weighted-average dumping margins exist for the exporter-producer 
combinations listed below during the period October 1, 2013, through 
March 31, 2014:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Weighted-
                                                              average
          Exporter(s)                  Producer(s)            dumping
                                                              margin
                                                             (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GITI:
    Giti Tire Global Trading     Giti Tire (Anhui)                 19.17
     Pte. Ltd., Giti Tire (USA)   Company Ltd., Giti
     Ltd., Giti Tire (Anhui)      Tire (Fujian) Company
     Company Ltd., Giti Tire      Ltd., Giti Tire
     (Fujian) Company Ltd.,       (Hualin) Company Ltd.
     Giti Tire (Hualin) Company
     Ltd.
Sailun Group:
    Sailun Group Co., Ltd.,      Sailun Group Co., Ltd.,           36.26
     Sailun Tire International    Shandong Jinyu
     Corp., Shandong Jinyu        Industrial Co., Ltd.
     Industrial Co., Ltd.,
     Jinyu International
     Holding Co., Limited,
     Seatex International Inc.,
     Dynamic Tire Corp., Husky
     Tire Corp., Seatex PTE.
     Ltd.

[[Page 4251]]

 
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company...  Cooper Chengshan                  27.72
                                  (Shandong) Tire Co.,
                                  Ltd., Cooper (Kunshan)
                                  Tire Co., Ltd.
Cooper Chengshan (Shandong)      Cooper Chengshan                  27.72
 Tire Co., Ltd.                   (Shandong) Tire Co.,
                                  Ltd.
Cooper (Kunshan) Tire Co., Ltd.  Cooper (Kunshan) Tire             27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Best Choice International Trade  Qingdao Sentury Tire              27.72
 Co., Limited.                    Co., Ltd., Shandong
                                  Haohua Tire Co., Ltd.,
                                  Beijing Capital Tire
                                  Co., Ltd.
Bridgestone (Wuxi) Tire Co.,     Bridgestone (Wuxi) Tire           27.72
 Ltd.                             Co., Ltd.
Bridgestone Corporation........  Bridgestone (Wuxi) Tire           27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Cheng Shin Tire & Rubber         Cheng Shin Tire &                 27.72
 (China) Co., Ltd.                Rubber (China) Co.,
                                  Ltd., Cheng Shin Tire
                                  & Rubber (Chongqing)
                                  Co., Ltd.
Crown International Corporation  Shandong Guofeng Rubber           27.72
                                  Plastics Co., Ltd.,
                                  Shandong Haohua Tire
                                  Co., Ltd., Shandong
                                  Jinyu Industrial Co.,
                                  Ltd., Doublestar-
                                  Dongfeng Tyre Co.,
                                  Ltd., Shandong
                                  Yongshong Rubber Group
                                  Co., Ltd., Shengtai
                                  Group Co., Ltd.,
                                  Qingdao .Doublestar
                                  Tire Industrial Co.,
                                  Ltd., Shandong Yongtai
                                  Chemical Co., Ltd.
Goodyear Dalian Tire Company     Goodyear Dalian Tire              27.72
 Limited.                         Company Limited.
Guangzhou Pearl River Rubber     Guangzhou Pearl River             27.72
 Tyre Ltd.                        Rubber Tyre Ltd.
Hankook Tire China Co., Ltd....  Hankook Tire China Co.,           27.72
                                  Ltd.
Hebei Tianrui Rubber Co., Ltd..  Hebei Tianrui Rubber              27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Hong Kong Tiancheng Investment   Shandong Linglong Tyre            27.72
 & Trading Co., Limited.          Co., Ltd.
Hong Kong Tri-Ace Tire Co.,      Shandong Yongtai                  27.72
 Limited.                         Chemical Co., Ltd.,
                                  Doublestar Dongfeng
                                  Tyre Co., Ltd.
Hwa Fong Rubber (Hong Kong) Ltd  Hwa Fong Rubber                   27.72
                                  (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Hankook Tire Co., Ltd..  Jiangsu Hankook Tire              27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Kenda Rubber (China) Co., Ltd..  Kenda Rubber (China)              27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Kumho Tire Co., Inc............  Kumho Tire (Tianjin)              27.72
                                  Co., Inc., Nanjing
                                  Kumho Tire Co., Ltd.,
                                  Kumho Tire (Changchun)
                                  Co., Inc.
Liaoning Permanent Tyre Co.,     Liaoning Permanent Tyre           27.72
 Ltd.                             Co., Ltd.
Longkou Xinglong Tyre Co., Ltd.  Longkou Xinglong Tyre             27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Mayrun Tyre (Hong Kong) Limited  South China Tire                  27.72
                                  &Rubber Co., Ltd.,
                                  Shandong Haohua Tire
                                  Co., Ltd.
Nankang (Zhangjiagang Free       Nankang (Zhangjiagang             27.72
 Trade Zone) Rubber Industrial    Free Trade Zone)
 Co., Ltd.                        Rubber Industrial Co.,
                                  Ltd.
Pirelli Tyre Co., Ltd..........  Pirelli Tyre Co., Ltd..           27.72
Qingdao Nama Industrial Co.,     Shandong Guofeng Rubber           27.72
 Ltd.                             Plastics Co., Ltd.,
                                  Shandong Hengyu
                                  Science & Technology
                                  Co., Ltd., Shandong
                                  Longyue Rubber Co.,
                                  Ltd., Shandong Haohua
                                  Tire Co., Ltd.,
                                  Shouguang Firemax Tyre
                                  Co., Ltd., Shandong
                                  Zhongyi Rubber Co.,
                                  Ltd., Shandong Yonking
                                  Rubber Co., Ltd.,
                                  Shandong Hongsheng
                                  Rubber Technology Co.,
                                  Ltd.
Qingdao Au-Shine Group Co.,      Shandong Gulun Rubber             27.72
 Limited.                         Co., Ltd.
Qingdao Crown Chemical Co., Ltd  Shandong Guofeng Rubber           27.72
                                  Plastics Co., Ltd.,
                                  Shandong Haohua Tire
                                  Co., Ltd., Shandong
                                  Jinyu Industrial Co.,
                                  Ltd., Doublestar-
                                  Dongfeng Tyre Co.,
                                  Ltd., Shandong
                                  Yongsheng Rubber Group
                                  Co., Ltd.
Qingdao Free Trade Zone Full-    Shandong Zhentai Group            27.72
 World International Trading      Co., Ltd., Longkou
 Co., Ltd.                        Xinglong Tyre Co.,
                                  Ltd., Hebei Tianrui
                                  Rubber Co., Ltd.
Qingdao Fullrun Tyre Tech        Qingdao Fullrun Tyre              27.72
 Corp., Ltd.                      Tech Corp., Ltd.
Qingdao Honghua Tyre Factory...  Qingdao Honghua Tyre              27.72
                                  Factory.
Qingdao Nexen Tire Corporation.  Qingdao Nexen Tire                27.72
                                  Corporation.
Qingdao Odyking Tyre Co., Ltd..  Doublestar Dongfeng               27.72
                                  Tyre Co., Ltd.,
                                  Shandong Fengyuan Tire
                                  Manufacturing Co.,
                                  Ltd., Shouguang
                                  Firemax Tyre Co., Ltd.
Qingdao Qianzhen Tyre Co., Ltd.  Qingdao Qianzhen Tyre             27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Qingdao Qihang Tyre Co., Ltd...  Qingdao Qihang Tyre               27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Qingdao Qizhou Rubber Co., Ltd.  Qingdao Qizhou Rubber             27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Qingdao Sentury Tire Co., Ltd..  Qingdao Sentury Tire              27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Shandong Duratti Rubber          Shandong Duratti Rubber           27.72
 Corporation Co., Ltd.            Corporation Co., Ltd.
Shandong Fengyuan Tire           Shandong Fengyuan Tire            27.72
 Manufacturing Co., Ltd.          Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Shandong Guofeng Rubber          Shandong Guofeng Rubber           27.72
 Plastics Co., Ltd.               Plastics Co., Ltd.
Shandong Haohua Tire Co., Ltd..  Shandong Haohua Tire              27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Shandong Haolong Rubber Tire     Shandong Haolong Rubber           27.72
 Co., Ltd.                        Tire Co., Ltd.
Shandong Hawk International      Shandong Hawk                     27.72
 Rubber Industry Co., Ltd.        International Rubber
                                  Industry Co., Ltd.
Shandong Hengyu Science &        Shandong Hengyu Science           27.72
 Technology Co., Ltd.             & Technology Co., Ltd.
Shandong Linglong Tyre Co., Ltd  Shandong Linglong Tyre            27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Shandong Longyue Rubber Co.,     Shandong Longyue Rubber           27.72
 Ltd.                             Co., Ltd.
Shandong New Continent Tire      Shandong New Continent            27.72
 Co., Ltd.                        Tire Co., Ltd.
Shandong Province Sanli Tire     Shandong Province Sanli           27.72
 Manufactured Co., Ltd.           Tire Manufactured Co.,
                                  Ltd.
Shandong Shuangwang Rubber Co.,  Shandong Shuangwang               27.72
 Ltd.                             Rubber Co., Ltd.
Shandong Wanda Boto Tyre Co.,    Shandong Wanda Boto               27.72
 Ltd.                             Tyre Co., Ltd.

[[Page 4252]]

 
Shandong Yongtai Chemical Co.,   Shandong Yongtai                  27.72
 Ltd.                             Chemical Co., Ltd.
Shandong Zhongyi Rubber Co.,     Shandong Zhongyi Rubber           27.72
 Ltd.                             Co., Ltd.
Shandong Huitong Tyre Co., Ltd.  Shandong Huitong Tyre             27.72
                                  Co., Ltd., Laiwu
                                  Sunshine Tyre Co., Ltd.
Shengtai Group Co., Ltd........  Shengtai Group Co.,               27.72
                                  Ltd., Shandong
                                  Shengshitailai Rubber
                                  Technology Co., Ltd.
Shifeng Juxing Tire Co., Ltd...  Shifeng Juxing Tire               27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Shouguang Firemax Tyre Co., Ltd  Shouguang Firemax Tyre            27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Southeast Mariner International  Dongying Zhongyi Rubber           27.72
 Co., Ltd.                        Co., Ltd., Shandong
                                  Haohua Tire Co., Ltd.
Techking Tires Limited.........  Shandong Longyue Rubber           27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Toyo Tire (Zhangjiagang) Co.,    Toyo Tire                         27.72
 Ltd.                             (Zhangjiagang) Co.,
                                  Ltd.
Triangle Tyre Co., Ltd.........  Triangle Tyre Co., Ltd.           27.72
Tyrechamp Group Co., Ltd.......  Shandong Haohua Tire              27.72
                                  Co., Ltd., Sichuan
                                  Tyre&Rubber Co., Ltd.,
                                  Shandong Anchi Tyres
                                  Co., Ltd., Beijing
                                  Capital Tire Co. Ltd.,
                                  Shandong Wanda Boto
                                  Tyre Co., Ltd.,
                                  Shandong Wosen Rubber
                                  Co., Ltd., Shandong
                                  Zhentai Group Co.,
                                  Ltd., Shandong Yonking
                                  Rubber Co., Ltd.,
                                  Qingdao Doublestar
                                  Tyre Industrial Co.,
                                  Ltd., South China Tire
                                  & Rubber Co. Ltd.,
                                  Anhui Heding Tire
                                  Technology Co., Ltd.
Weihai Ping'an Tyre Co., Ltd...  Weihai Ping'an Tyre               27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Weihai Zhongwei Rubber Co., Ltd  Weihai Zhongwei Rubber            27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Wendeng Sanfeng Tyre Co., Ltd..  Wendeng Sanfeng Tyre              27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Winrun Tyre Co., Ltd...........  Shaanxi Yanchang                  27.72
                                  Petroleum Group Rubber
                                  Co. Ltd.
Zenith Holdings (HK) Limited...  Shandong Linglong Tyre            27.72
                                  Co., Ltd.
Zhaoqing Junhong Co., Ltd......  Zhaoqing Junhong Co.,             27.72
                                  Ltd.
PRC-Wide Entity................  .......................           87.99
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As detailed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum, Yongsheng 
Rubber Group Co., Ltd. (Yongsheng), a mandatory respondent in this 
investigation, did not demonstrate that it is entitled to a separate 
rate. Accordingly, we consider Yongsheng to be part of the PRC-Wide 
Entity.

Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, In 
Part

    On September 12, 2014, United Steel, Paper, and Forestry, Rubber, 
Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers 
International Union, AFL-CIO, CLC (Petitioner), timely filed a critical 
circumstances allegation, pursuant to section 733(e) of the Act and 19 
CFR 351.206, alleging that critical circumstances exist with respect to 
imports of passenger tires from the PRC.\6\ We preliminarily determine 
that critical circumstances do not exist for GITI and the Sailun Group, 
while they do exist for all non-individually investigated companies and 
the PRC-wide entity. A discussion of our determination can be found in 
the Preliminary Decision Memorandum at the section, ``Preliminary 
Determination of Critical Circumstances, In Part.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See Letter from Petitioner to the Secretary of Commerce, 
``Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From the People's 
Republic of China--Petitioner's Critical Circumstances Allegation,'' 
dated September 12, 2014.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disclosure and Public Comment

    The Department intends to disclose calculations performed for this 
preliminary determination to parties in this proceeding within five 
days of the date of publication of this notice in accordance with 19 
CFR 351.224(b). Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted 
to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, through 
Enforcement and Compliance's electronic records system, ACCESS, no 
later than seven days after the date on which the final verification 
report is issued in this proceeding.\7\ Rebuttal briefs, limited to 
issues raised in case briefs, may be submitted through ACCESS no later 
than five days after the deadline for case briefs.\8\ Pursuant to 19 
CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), parties who submit case briefs or 
rebuttal briefs in this proceeding are encouraged to submit with each 
argument: (1) A statement of the issue; (2) a brief summary of the 
argument; and (3) a table of authorities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See 19 CFR 351.309(c).
    \8\ See 19 CFR 351.309(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to 
request a hearing, or to participate in a hearing if one is requested, 
must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce, filed 
electronically through ACCESS. Electronically filed case briefs/written 
comments and hearing requests must be received successfully in their 
entirety by the Department's electronic records system, ACCESS, by 5:00 
p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Hearing requests must be received by the 
Department within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice 
\9\ and should contain the party's name, address, and telephone number, 
the number of participants, and a list of the issues to be presented at 
the hearing. If a request for a hearing is made, the Department intends 
to hold the hearing at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, at a time and location 
to be determined. Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, 
and location of the hearing two days before the scheduled date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See 19 CFR 351.310(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Suspension of Liquidation

    In accordance with section 733(d)(2) of the Act, the Department 
will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend 
liquidation of all entries of passenger tires from the PRC, as 
described in the ``Scope of the Investigation'' at Appendix I, entered, 
or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of

[[Page 4253]]

publication of this notice in the Federal Register.
    Section 733(e)(2) of the Act provides that, given an affirmative 
determination of critical circumstances, any suspension of liquidation 
shall apply to unliquidated entries of merchandise entered, or 
withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the later of (a) 
the date which is 90 days before the date on which the suspension of 
liquidation was first ordered, or (b) the date on which notice of 
initiation of the investigation was published. As described above, we 
preliminarily find that critical circumstances exist for imports of 
passenger tires from the PRC produced or exported by the non-
individually investigated companies and the PRC-wide entity. 
Accordingly, for the non-individually investigated companies and the 
PRC-wide entity, in accordance with section 733(e)(2)(A) of the Act, 
the suspension of liquidation shall apply to unliquidated entries of 
merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or 
after the date which is 90 days before the publication of this notice.
    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.205(d), the Department will instruct CBP to 
require a cash deposit \10\ equal to the weighted-average amount by 
which NV exceeds U.S. price as follows: (1) The cash deposit rate for 
the exporter/producer combination listed in the table above will be the 
rate identified for that combination in the table, adjusted where 
appropriate for export subsidies \11\ and estimated domestic subsidy 
pass-through; \12\ (2) for all combinations of PRC exporters/producers 
of merchandise under consideration that have not received their own 
separate rate above, the cash-deposit rate will be the cash deposit 
rate established for the PRC-wide entity, 87.99 percent; and (3) for 
all non-PRC exporters of the merchandise under consideration which have 
not received their own separate rate above, the cash-deposit rate will 
be the cash deposit rate applicable to the PRC exporter/producer 
combination that supplied that non-PRC exporter. The suspension of 
liquidation and cash deposit instructions will remain in effect until 
further notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See Modification of Regulations Regarding the Practice of 
Accepting Bonds During the Provisional Measures Period in 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations, 76 FR 61042 
(October 3, 2011).
    \11\ See section 772(c)(1)(C) of the Act; see also Notice of 
Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, and Negative 
Determination of Critical Circumstances: Certain Lined Paper 
Products from India, 71 FR 45012 (August 8, 2006), and accompanying 
Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 1.
    \12\ For further discussion, see the Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum at the section, ``Section 777A(f) of the Act.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As stated previously, we will adjust cash deposit rates by the 
amount of export subsidies, where appropriate. In the companion CVD 
investigation, GITI received a calculated export subsidy rate of 0.45 
percent while the all-others companies received a calculated export 
subsidy rate of 0.28 percent.\13\ Therefore, we will offset GITI's cash 
deposit rate of 19.17 percent by 0.45 percent, while the Sailun Group's 
and the Separate Rate entities' cash deposit rates of 36.26 percent and 
27.72 percent, respectively, will be reduced by 0.28 percent as these 
companies were considered ``all-others'' companies in the companion CVD 
case. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Cooper (Kunshan) Tire Co., Ltd., 
and Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Co., Ltd. (collectively, Cooper), 
did not receive a calculated export subsidy rate in the companion CVD 
investigation; therefore, we are not adjusting their cash deposit rate 
for export subsidies. Finally, we are not adjusting the cash deposit 
rate applicable to the PRC-wide entity for export subsidies.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ See Countervailing Duty Investigation of Certain Passenger 
Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From the People's Republic of China: 
Amended Affirmative Preliminary Determination, 79 FR 78398 (December 
30, 2014) and accompanying Allegation of Significant Ministerial 
Errors in the Preliminary Determination of the Countervailing Duty 
Investigation of Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires 
From the People's Republic of China (PRC Tires Amended CVD 
Preliminary Determination); see also Memorandum to the File Re: 
Calculation of the All-Others Amended Preliminary Rate (December 19, 
2014).
    \14\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to 777A(f) of the Act, we are also adjusting preliminary 
cash deposit rates for estimated domestic subsidy pass-through, where 
appropriate. We will adjust Cooper's, the Sailun Group's, and the 
Separate Rate recipients' cash deposit rates by 6.97 percent to account 
for estimated domestic subsidy pass-through.\15\ We are not adjusting 
GITI's rate for estimated domestic subsidy pass-through because GITI 
has not demonstrated eligibility for an adjustment.\16\ Finally, we are 
also not adjusting the PRC-wide entity rate for estimated domestic 
subsidy pass-through.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See Preliminary Decision Memorandum at ``Adjustment Under 
Section 777A(F) of the Act.''
    \16\ Id.
    \17\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Postponement of Final Determination

    Pursuant to request from the mandatory respondent GITI,\18\ we are 
postponing the final determination in accordance with section 
735(a)(2)(A) of the Act. In addition, GITI requested to extend the 
application of the provisional measures prescribed under 733(d) of the 
Act and 19 CFR 351.210(e)(2), from a four-month period to a six-month 
period. The suspension of liquidation described above will be extended 
accordingly. Accordingly, we intend to make our final determination no 
later than 135 days after the date of publication of this preliminary 
determination, pursuant to section 735(a)(2) of the Act.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ See Letter from GITI to the Secretary of Commerce regarding 
``Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires from the People's Republic 
of China; Request for Extension of the Final Determination'' 
(January 13, 2013).
    \19\ See also 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2) and (e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

International Trade Commission (ITC) Notification

    In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, we notified the ITC 
of our preliminary affirmative determination of sales at LTFV. Because 
the preliminary determination in this investigation is affirmative, 
section 735(b)(2) of the Act requires the ITC to make its final 
determination as to whether the domestic industry in the United States 
is materially injured, threatened with material injury, or is 
materially retarded, by reason of imports of passenger tires from the 
PRC, or sales (or the likelihood of sales) for importation, of the 
merchandise under consideration before the later of 120 days after the 
date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after our final 
determination. Because we are postponing the deadline for our final 
determination to 135 days from the date of publication of this 
preliminary determination, the ITC will make its final determination no 
later than 45 days after our final determination.
    This determination is issued and published in accordance with 
sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c).

    Dated: January 20, 2015.
Paul Piquado,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix I

Scope of the Investigation

    The scope of this investigation is passenger vehicle and light 
truck tires. Passenger vehicle and light truck tires are new 
pneumatic tires, of rubber, with a passenger vehicle or light truck 
size designation. Tires covered by this investigation may be tube-
type, tubeless, radial, or non-radial, and they may be intended for 
sale to original equipment manufacturers or the replacement market.
    Subject tires have, at the time of importation, the symbol 
``DOT'' on the

[[Page 4254]]

sidewall, certifying that the tire conforms to applicable motor 
vehicle safety standards. Subject tires may also have the following 
prefixes or suffix in their tire size designation, which also 
appears on the sidewall of the tire:
    Prefix designations:

P--Identifies a tire intended primarily for service on passenger 
cars
LT--Identifies a tire intended primarily for service on light trucks

    Suffix letter designations:
LT--Identifies light truck tires for service on trucks, buses, 
trailers, and multipurpose passenger vehicles used in nominal 
highway service.
    All tires with a ``P'' or ``LT'' prefix, and all tires with an 
``LT'' suffix in their sidewall markings are covered by this 
investigation regardless of their intended use.
    In addition, all tires that lack a ``P'' or ``LT'' prefix or 
suffix in their sidewall markings, as well as all tires that include 
any other prefix or suffix in their sidewall markings, are included 
in the scope, regardless of their intended use, as long as the tire 
is of a size that is among the numerical size designations listed in 
the passenger car section or light truck section of the Tire and Rim 
Association Year Book, as updated annually, unless the tire falls 
within one of the specific exclusions set out below.
    Passenger vehicle and light truck tires, whether or not attached 
to wheels or rims, are included in the scope. However, if a subject 
tire is imported attached to a wheel or rim, only the tire is 
covered by the scope.
    Specifically excluded from the scope of this investigation are 
the following types of tires:
    (1) Racing car tires; such tires do not bear the symbol ``DOT'' 
on the sidewall and may be marked with ``ZR'' in size designation;
    (2) new pneumatic tires, of rubber, of a size that is not listed 
in the passenger car section or light truck section of the Tire and 
Rim Association Year Book;
    (3) pneumatic tires, of rubber, that are not new, including 
recycled and retreaded tires;
    (4) non-pneumatic tires, such as solid rubber tires;
    (5) tires designed and marketed exclusively as temporary use 
spare tires for passenger vehicles which, in addition, exhibit each 
of the following physical characteristics:
    (a) the size designation and load index combination molded on 
the tire's sidewall are listed in Table PCT-1B (``T'' Type Spare 
Tires for Temporary Use on Passenger Vehicles) of the Tire and Rim 
Association Year Book,
    (b) the designation ``T'' is molded into the tire's sidewall as 
part of the size designation, and,
    (c) the tire's speed rating is molded on the sidewall, 
indicating the rated speed in MPH or a letter rating as listed by 
Tire and Rim Association Year Book, and the rated speed is 81 MPH or 
a ``M'' rating;
    (6) tires designed and marketed exclusively for specialty tire 
(ST) use which, in addition, exhibit each of the following physical 
characteristics:*
    (a) the size designation molded on the tire's sidewall is listed 
in the ST sections of the Tire and Rim Association Year Book,
    (b) the designation ``ST'' is molded into the tire's sidewall as 
part of the size designation,
    (c) the tire incorporates a warning, prominently molded on the 
sidewall, that the tire is ``For Trailer Service Only'' or ``For 
Trailer Use Only'',
    (d) the load index molded on the tire's sidewall meets or 
exceeds those load indexes listed in the Tire and Rim Association 
Year Book for the relevant ST tire size, and
    (e) the tire's speed rating is molded on the sidewall, 
indicating the rated speed in MPH or a letter rating as listed by 
TRA, and the rated speed does not exceed 81 MPH or an ``M'' rating;
    (7) tires designed and marketed exclusively for off-road use and 
which, in addition, exhibit each of the following physical 
characteristics:
    (a) the size designation and load index combination molded on 
the tire's sidewall are listed in the off-the-road, agricultural, 
industrial or ATV section of the Tire and Rim Association Year Book,
    (b) in addition to any size designation markings, the tire 
incorporates a warning, prominently molded on the sidewall, that the 
tire is ``Not For Highway Service'' or ``Not for Highway Use'',
    (c) the tire's speed rating is molded on the sidewall, 
indicating the rated speed in MPH or a letter rating as listed by 
the Tire and Rim Association Year Book, and the rated speed does not 
exceed 55 MPH or a ``G'' rating, and
    (d) the tire features a recognizable off-road tread design.
    The products covered by the investigation are currently 
classified under the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the 
United States (HTSUS) subheadings: 4011.10.10.10, 4011.10.10.20, 
4011.10.10.30, 4011.10.10.40, 4011.10.10.50, 4011.10.10.60, 
4011.10.10.70, 4011.10.50.00, 4011.20.10.05, and 4011.20.50.10. 
Tires meeting the scope description may also enter under the 
following HTSUS subheadings: 4011.99.45.10, 4011.99.45.50, 
4011.99.85.10, 4011.99.85.50, 8708.70.45.45, 8708.70.45.60, 
8708.70.60.30, 8708.70.60.45, and 8708.70.60.60. While HTSUS 
subheadings are provided for convenience and for customs purposes, 
the written description of the subject merchandise is dispositive.
    * We are currently suspending requirements (6)(d) and (e); 
therefore, tires entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for 
consumption that meet exclusion requirements (6)(a)-(c) above are 
excluded from the scope of this investigation.

Appendix II

List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum

I. Summary
II. Background
III. Scope Comments
IV. Scope of the Investigation
V. Single Entity Treatment
VI. Discussion of the Methodology
VII. Application of Facts Available and Adverse Inferences
VIII. Preliminary Determination of Critical Circumstances, in Part
IX. Adjustment Under Section 777A(F) of the Act
X. Postponement of Final Determination
XI. Verification
XII. ITC Notification
XIII. Conclusion

[FR Doc. 2015-01504 Filed 1-26-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P