[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 3021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00984]



[[Page 3021]]

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation Nos. 701-TA-590 and 731-TA-1397-98 (Preliminary)]


Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products From 
China and France

Determinations

    On the basis of the record \1\ developed in the subject 
investigations, the United States International Trade Commission 
(``Commission'') determines, pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930 (``the 
Act''), that there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the 
United States is threatened with material injury by reason of imports 
of sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, and derivative products from China, 
provided for in subheadings 2918.16.10, 2918.16.50 and 2932.20.50 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'') and 
to be subsidized by the government of China. The Commission further 
determines that there is no reasonable indication that an industry in 
the United States is materially injured or threatened with material 
injury by reason of imports of sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, and 
derivative products from France that are alleged to be sold in the 
United States at LTFV.\2\
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    \1\ The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 207.2(f)).
    \2\ Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein dissenting. Chairman 
Schmidtlein determines that there is a reasonable indication that an 
industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of 
imports of the subject product from China and France.
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Commencement of Final Phase Investigations

    Pursuant to section 207.18 of the Commission's rules, the 
Commission also gives notice of the commencement of the final phase of 
its investigations. 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 affirmative preliminary 
determinations in the investigations under sections 703(b) or 733(b) of 
the Act, or, if the preliminary determinations are negative, upon 
notice of affirmative final determinations in those investigations 
under sections 705(a) or 735(a) of the Act. Parties that filed entries 
of appearance in the preliminary phase of the investigations need not 
enter a separate appearance for the final phase of the investigations. 
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 and countervailing 
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 investigations.

Background

    On November 30, 2017, PMP Fermentation Products, Inc., Peoria, 
Illinois, filed a petition with the Commission and Commerce, alleging 
that an industry in the United States is materially injured or 
threatened with material injury by reason of LTFV and subsidized 
imports of sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, and derivative products 
from China and LTFV imports of sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, and 
derivative products from France. Accordingly, effective November 30, 
2017, the Commission, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 733(a) of the Act 
(19 U.S.C. 1671b(a) and 1673b(a)), instituted countervailing duty 
investigation No. 701-TA-590 and antidumping duty investigation Nos. 
731-TA-1397-98 (Preliminary).
    Notice of the institution of the Commission's investigations 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 December 6, 2017 (82 FR 57614). The 
conference was held in Washington, DC, on December 21, 2017, and all 
persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in 
person or by counsel.
    The Commission made these determinations pursuant to sections 
703(a) and 733(a) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1671b(a) and 1673b(a)). It 
completed and filed its determinations in these investigations on 
January 16, 2018. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC 
Publication 4756 (January 2018), entitled Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic 
Acid, and Derivative Products from China and France: Investigation Nos. 
701 TA-590 and 731-TA-1397-98 (Preliminary).

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: January 16, 2018.
Lisa R. Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2018-00984 Filed 1-19-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7020-02-P