[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 240 (Friday, December 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 59584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27081]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-570-068]


Forged Steel Fittings From the People's Republic of China: 
Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the Countervailing Duty 
Investigation

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

DATES: Applicable December 15, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Smith at (202) 482-1766 or Jaron 
Moore at (202) 482-3640, AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, 
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On October 25, 2017, the Department of Commerce (the Department) 
initiated a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of forged steel 
fittings from the People's Republic of China.\1\ Currently, the 
preliminary determination is due no later than December 29, 2017.
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    \1\ See Forged Steel Fittings From the People's Republic of 
China: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation, 82 FR 50623 
(November 1, 2017) (Initiation Notice).
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Postponement of Preliminary Determination

    Section 703(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), 
requires the Department to issue the preliminary determination in a CVD 
investigation within 65 days after the date on which the Department 
initiated the investigation. However, section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act 
permits the Department to postpone the preliminary determination until 
no later than 130 days after the date on which the Department initiated 
the investigation if the petitioners \2\ make a timely request for a 
postponement. Under 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioners must submit a 
request for postponement 25 days or more before the scheduled date of 
the preliminary determination and must state the reasons for the 
request. The Department will grant the request unless it finds 
compelling reasons to deny the request.
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    \2\ The petitioners are the Bonney Forge Corporation and the 
United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, 
Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW).
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    On November 24, 2017, the petitioners submitted a timely request 
that the Department postpone the preliminary CVD determination.\3\ 
Noting the comments filed with respect to respondent selection and the 
scope of the investigation, the petitioners stated that a postponement 
is necessary due to the difficulty in determining which companies 
imported subject merchandise, and the possibility that the Department 
may find it necessary to select additional respondents or issue 
quantity and value questionnaires. Finally, the petitioners state that 
a postponement is necessary to allow them sufficient time to identify 
additional subsidy benefits not addressed in the Petition once the 
Department identifies the mandatory respondents.
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    \3\ See the petitioners' letter, ``Re: Forged Steel Fittings 
from the People's Republic of China: Request to Postpone Preliminary 
Determination,'' dated November 24, 2017.
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    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioners stated the 
reasons for requesting a postponement of the preliminary determination, 
and the Department finds no compelling reason to deny the request. 
Therefore, in accordance with section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act, the 
Department is postponing the deadline for the preliminary determination 
to no later than 130 days after the date on which this investigation 
was initiated, i.e., March 5, 2018.\4\ Pursuant to section 705(a)(1) of 
the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the final 
determination of this investigation will continue to be 75 days after 
the date of the preliminary determination, unless postponed at a later 
date.
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    \4\ Postponing the preliminary determination to 130 days after 
initiation would place the deadline on Sunday, March 4, 2018. The 
Department's practice dictates that where a deadline falls on a 
weekend or federal holiday, the appropriate deadline is the next 
business day. See Notice of Clarification: Application of ``Next 
Business Day'' Rule for Administrative Determination Deadlines 
Pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, As Amended, 70 FR 24533 (May 10, 
2005).
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    This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 703(c)(2) 
of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(f)(1).

    Dated: November 30, 2017.
Gary Taverman,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Operations performing the non-exclusive duties of the Assistant 
Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2017-27081 Filed 12-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P