[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 15, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2394-2399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00493]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-428-847, A-533-893, A-475-840]


Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks From the Federal Republic of 
Germany, India, and Italy: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value 
Investigations

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

DATES: Applicable January 8, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaron Moore at (202) 482-3640 or 
Katherine Johnson at (202) 482-4929 (Germany), and Yang Jin Chun at 
(202) 482-5760 (India and Italy), AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and 
Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Petitions

    On December 19, 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) 
received antidumping duty (AD) petitions concerning imports of forged 
steel fluid end blocks (fluid end blocks) from the Federal Republic of 
Germany (Germany), India, and Italy filed in proper form on behalf of 
the FEB Fair Trade Coalition, Ellwood Group,\1\ and Finkl Steel \2\ 
(collectively, the petitioners), domestic producers of fluid end 
blocks.\3\ The Petitions were accompanied by countervailing duty (CVD) 
petitions concerning imports of fluid end blocks from the People's 
Republic of China, Germany, India, and Italy.\4\
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    \1\ Ellwood City Forge Company, Ellwood Quality Steels Company, 
and Ellwood National Steel Company (collectively, the Ellwood 
Group).
    \2\ A. Finkl & Sons (Finkl Steel).
    \3\ See Petitioners' Letter, ``Fluid End Blocks from China, 
Germany, India, and Italy: Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Petitions,'' dated December 19, 2019 (the Petitions).
    \4\ Id.
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    On December 23, 2019 and January 2, 2020, Commerce requested 
supplemental information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petitions 
in separate supplemental questionnaires.\5\ The petitioners filed 
responses to the supplemental questionnaires on December 30, 2019 
through January 6, 2020.\6\
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    \5\ See Commerce's Letters, ``Petition for the Imposition of 
Antidumping Duties on Imports of Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks from 
Germany: Supplemental Questions,'' dated December 23, 2019; 
``Petition for the Imposition of Antidumping Duties on Imports of 
Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks from India: Supplemental Questions,'' 
dated December 23, 2019; ``Petition for the Imposition of 
Antidumping Duties on Imports of Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks from 
Italy: Supplemental Questions,'' dated December 23, 2019; and 
``Petitions for the Imposition of Antidumping Duties on Imports of 
Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks from the Federal Republic of Germany, 
India, and Italy and Countervailing Duties on Imports from the 
People's Republic of China, the Federal Republic of Germany, India, 
and Italy: Supplemental Questions,'' dated December 23, 2019 
(General Issues Supplemental); see also Memorandum, ``Phone Call 
with Counsel to the Petitioners,'' dated January 2, 2020.
    \6\ See Petitioners' Letters, ``Fluid End Blocks from China, 
Germany, India and Italy: Amendment of Petitions and Response to 
Commerce's Supplemental Questions,'' dated December 30, 2019 
(Petition Supplement); ``Fluid End Blocks from China, Germany, 
India, and Italy: Second Amendment to Antidumping and Countervailing 
Duty Petitions,'' dated January 3, 2020; and ``Fluid End Blocks from 
China, Germany, India, and Italy: Third Amendment of Petitions,'' 
dated January 6, 2020.
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    In accordance with section 732(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act), the petitioners allege that imports of fluid end 
blocks from Germany, India, and Italy are being, or are likely to be, 
sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV) within the

[[Page 2395]]

meaning of section 731 of the Act, and that imports of such products 
are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the 
domestic fluid end blocks industry in the United States. Consistent 
with section 732(b)(1) of the Act, the Petitions are accompanied by 
information reasonably available to the petitioners supporting their 
allegations.
    Commerce finds that the petitioners filed the Petitions on behalf 
of the domestic industry, because the petitioners are interested 
parties, as defined in sections 771(9)(C) and (F) of the Act. Commerce 
also finds that the petitioners demonstrated sufficient industry 
support for the initiation of the requested AD investigations.\7\
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    \7\ See infra, section on ``Determination of Industry Support 
for the Petitions.''
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Periods of Investigation

    Because the Petitions were filed on December 19, 2019, the period 
of investigation (POI) for the Germany, India, and Italy AD 
investigations is October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019, pursuant 
to 19 CFR 351.204(b)(1).\8\
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    \8\ See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(1).
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Scope of the Investigations

    The products covered by these investigations are fluid end blocks 
from Germany, India, and Italy. For a full description of the scope of 
these investigations, see the appendix to this notice.

Comments on the Scope of the Investigations

    During our review of the Petitions, we contacted the petitioners 
regarding the proposed scope to ensure that the scope language in the 
Petitions is an accurate reflection of the products for which the 
domestic industry is seeking relief.\9\ As a result, the scope of the 
Petitions was modified to clarify the description of the merchandise 
covered by the Petitions.\10\ The description of the merchandise 
covered by these investigations, as described in the appendix to this 
notice, reflects these clarifications.
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    \9\ See General Issues Supplemental.
    \10\ See Petition Supplement.
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    As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are 
setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding 
product coverage (i.e., scope).\11\ Commerce will consider all comments 
received from interested parties and, if necessary, will consult with 
interested parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary 
determinations. If scope comments include factual information,\12\ all 
such factual information should be limited to public information. To 
facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests that 
all interested parties submit such comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time 
(ET) on January 28, 2020, which is 20 calendar days from the signature 
date of this notice. Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual 
information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 7, 2020, which 
is ten calendar days from the initial comment deadline.\13\
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    \11\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule, 
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble).
    \12\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ``factual 
information'').
    \13\ See 19 CFR 351.303(b).
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    Commerce requests that any factual information parties consider 
relevant to the scope of the investigations be submitted during this 
period. However, if a party subsequently finds that additional factual 
information pertaining to the scope of the investigations may be 
relevant, the party may contact Commerce and request permission to 
submit the additional information. All such submissions must be filed 
on the records of the concurrent AD and CVD investigations.

Filing Requirements

    All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically via 
Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty 
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS).\14\ An electronically 
filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by the 
time and date it is due. Documents exempted from the electronic 
submission requirements must be filed manually (i.e., in paper form) 
with Enforcement and Compliance's APO/Dockets Unit, Room 18022, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20230, and stamped with the date and time of receipt by the applicable 
deadlines.
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    \14\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: 
Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order 
Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011); see also Enforcement and 
Compliance; Change of Electronic Filing System Name, 79 FR 69046 
(November 20, 2014) for details of Commerce's electronic filing 
requirements, effective August 5, 2011. Information on help using 
ACCESS can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help.aspx and a 
handbook can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help/Handbook%20on%20Electronic%20Filling%20Procedures.pdf.
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Comments on Product Characteristics

    Commerce is providing interested parties an opportunity to comment 
on the appropriate physical characteristics of fluid end blocks to be 
reported in response to Commerce's AD questionnaires. This information 
will be used to identify the key physical characteristics of the 
subject merchandise in order to report the relevant costs of production 
accurately, as well as to develop appropriate product-comparison 
criteria.
    Interested parties may provide any information or comments that 
they feel are relevant to the development of an accurate list of 
physical characteristics. Specifically, they may provide comments as to 
which characteristics are appropriate to use as: (1) General product 
characteristics, and (2) product comparison criteria. We note that it 
is not always appropriate to use all product characteristics as product 
comparison criteria. We base product comparison criteria on meaningful 
commercial differences among products. In other words, although there 
may be some physical product characteristics utilized by manufacturers 
to describe fluid end blocks, it may be that only a select few product 
characteristics take into account commercially meaningful physical 
characteristics. In addition, interested parties may comment on the 
order in which the physical characteristics should be used in matching 
products. Generally, Commerce attempts to list the most important 
physical characteristics first and the least important characteristics 
last.
    In order to consider the suggestions of interested parties in 
developing and issuing the AD questionnaires, all product 
characteristics comments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on January 28, 
2020, which is 20 calendar days from the signature date of this 
notice.\15\ Any rebuttal comments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on 
February 7, 2020. All comments and submissions to Commerce must be 
filed electronically using ACCESS, as explained above, on the record of 
each of the AD investigations.
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    \15\ See 19 CFR 351.303(b).
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Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions

    Section 732(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on 
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 732(c)(4)(A) of the Act 
provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic 
producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) At least 
25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and 
(ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like 
product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support 
for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 732(c)(4)(D) of 
the Act provides that, if the petition

[[Page 2396]]

does not establish support of domestic producers or workers accounting 
for more than 50 percent of the total production of the domestic like 
product, Commerce shall: (i) Poll the industry or rely on other 
information in order to determine if there is support for the petition, 
as required by subparagraph (A); or (ii) determine industry support 
using a statistically valid sampling method to poll the ``industry.''
    Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ``industry'' as the 
producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine 
whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute 
directs Commerce to look to producers and workers who produce the 
domestic like product. The International Trade Commission (ITC), which 
is responsible for determining whether ``the domestic industry'' has 
been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like 
product in order to define the industry. While both Commerce and the 
ITC must apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic 
like product,\16\ they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a 
separate and distinct authority. In addition, Commerce's determination 
is subject to limitations of time and information. Although this may 
result in different definitions of the like product, such differences 
do not render the decision of either agency contrary to law.\17\
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    \16\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
    \17\ See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1, 8 (CIT 
2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United States, 688 F. 
Supp. 639, 644 (CIT 1988), aff'd 865 F. 2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
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    Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ``a 
product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in 
characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation 
under this title.'' Thus, the reference point from which the domestic 
like product analysis begins is ``the article subject to an 
investigation'' (i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be 
investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the 
petition).
    With regard to the domestic like product, the petitioners do not 
offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope 
of the investigations.\18\ Based on our analysis of the information 
submitted on the record, we have determined that fluid end blocks, as 
defined in the scope, constitute a single domestic like product, and we 
have analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like 
product.\19\
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    \18\ See Volume I of the Petitions, at 26-28; see also Petition 
Supplement, at 5-7.
    \19\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as 
applied to these cases and information regarding industry support, 
see Antidumping Duty Investigation Initiation Checklist: Forged 
Steel Fluid End Blocks from the Federal Republic of Germany (Germany 
AD Initiation Checklist) at Attachment II, Analysis of Industry 
Support for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions 
Covering Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks the People's Republic of 
China, the Federal Republic of Germany, India, and Italy (Attachment 
II); see also Antidumping Duty Investigation Initiation Checklist: 
Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks from India (India AD Initiation 
Checklist), at Attachment II; and Antidumping Duty Investigation 
Initiation Checklist: Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks from Italy 
(Italy AD Initiation Checklist), at Attachment II. These checklists 
are dated concurrently with this notice and on file electronically 
via ACCESS. Access to documents filed via ACCESS is also available 
in the Central Records Unit, Room B8024 of the main Commerce 
building.
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    In determining whether the petitioners have standing under section 
732(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data 
contained in the Petitions with reference to the domestic like product 
as defined in the ``Scope of the Investigations,'' in the appendix to 
this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioners provided 
the 2018 production of the domestic like product for the U.S. producers 
that support the Petitions.\20\ The petitioners estimated the 
production of the domestic like product for the entire domestic 
industry based on shipment/sales data, because shipments/sales and 
production of fluid end blocks correlate with one another and 
shipments/sales are a reasonable proxy for production in the fluid end 
blocks industry.\21\ The petitioners compared the production of the 
companies supporting the Petitions to the estimated total shipments/
sales of the domestic like product for the entire domestic 
industry.\22\ We relied on data provided by the petitioners for 
purposes of measuring industry support.\23\
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    \20\ See Volume I of the Petitions, at 4-5 and Exhibit GEN-7.
    \21\ See Volume I of the Petitions, at 4-5 and Exhibits GEN-1 
and GEN-2; see also Petition Supplement, at 8.
    \22\ See Volume I of the Petitions, at 4-5 and Exhibits GEN-1, 
GEN-2, GEN-3 and GEN-7; see also Petition Supplement, at 8.
    \23\ See Volume I of the Petitions, at 4-5 and Exhibits GEN-1, 
GEN-2, GEN-3 and GEN-7; see also Petition Supplement, at 8. For 
further discussion, see Germany AD Initiation Checklist, at 
Attachment II; see also India AD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment 
II; and Italy AD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II.
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    Our review of the data provided in the Petitions, the Petition 
Supplement, and other information readily available to Commerce 
indicates that the petitioners have established industry support for 
the Petitions.\24\ First, the Petitions established support from 
domestic producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50 percent of 
the total production of the domestic like product and, as such, 
Commerce is not required to take further action in order to evaluate 
industry support (e.g., polling).\25\ Second, the domestic producers 
(or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry support under 
section 732(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act because the domestic producers (or 
workers) who support the Petitions account for at least 25 percent of 
the total production of the domestic like product.\26\ Finally, the 
domestic producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for 
industry support under section 732(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the 
domestic producers (or workers) who support the Petitions account for 
more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like product 
produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or 
opposition to, the Petitions.\27\ Accordingly, Commerce determines that 
the Petitions were filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the 
meaning of section 732(b)(1) of the Act.\28\
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    \24\ See Germany AD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II; see 
also India AD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II; and Italy AD 
Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II.
    \25\ See section 732(c)(4)(D) of the Act; see also Germany AD 
Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II; India AD Initiation 
Checklist, at Attachment II; and Italy AD Initiation Checklist, at 
Attachment II.
    \26\ See Germany AD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II; see 
also India AD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II; and Italy AD 
Initiation Checklist, at Attachment II.
    \27\ Id.
    \28\ Id.
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Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation

    The petitioners allege that the U.S. industry producing the 
domestic like product is being materially injured, or is threatened 
with material injury, by reason of the imports of the subject 
merchandise sold at LTFV. In addition, the petitioners allege that 
subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided for under 
section 771(24)(A) of the Act.\29\
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    \29\ See Volume I of the Petitions, at 29-30 and Exhibit GEN-2.
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    The petitioners contend that the industry's injured condition is 
illustrated by a significant and increasing volume of subject imports; 
reduced market share; underselling and price depression or suppression; 
lost sales and revenues; and a decline in the domestic industry's 
financial performance and profitability.\30\ We have assessed the 
allegations and supporting evidence regarding material injury, threat 
of material injury, causation, as well as cumulation, and

[[Page 2397]]

we have determined that these allegations are properly supported by 
adequate evidence, and meet the statutory requirements for 
initiation.\31\
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    \30\ See Volume I of the Petitions, at 1, 25-26, 29-45 and 
Exhibits GEN-2, GEN-50, and GEN-51; see also Petition Supplement, at 
9 and Exhibit SUP-GEN-1.
    \31\ See Germany AD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment III, 
Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and 
Causation for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions 
Covering Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks from the People's Republic of 
China, the Federal Republic of Germany, India, and Italy (Attachment 
III); see also India AD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment III; and 
Italy AD Initiation Checklist, at Attachment III.
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Allegations of Sales at LTFV

    The following is a description of the allegations of sales at LTFV 
upon which Commerce based its decision to initiate AD investigations of 
imports of fluid end blocks from Germany, India, and Italy. The sources 
of data for the deductions and adjustments relating to U.S. price and 
normal value (NV) are discussed in greater detail in the country-
specific AD Initiation Checklists.

Export Price

    The petitioners based export price (EP) on pricing information for 
sales of or sales offers for fluid end blocks produced in, and exported 
from Germany, India, and Italy. For Germany and Italy, the petitioners 
deducted from U.S. price international freight expenses and import 
duties.\32\ For India, the petitioners deducted from U.S. price foreign 
inland freight and foreign brokerage and handling expenses, 
international freight expenses, and import duties.\33\
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    \32\ See Germany, India, and Italy AD Initiation Checklists.
    \33\ Id.
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Normal Value

    The petitioners were unable to obtain pricing information for fluid 
end blocks produced in and sold, or offered for sale, in Germany, 
India, or Italy or in third country markets.\34\ The petitioners 
therefore calculated NV based on constructed value (CV).\35\ For 
further discussion of CV, see the section ``Normal Value Based on 
Constructed Value'' below.\36\
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    \34\ See Germany, India, and Italy AD Initiation Checklists.
    \35\ Id.
    \36\ In accordance with 773(b)(2) of the Act, for these 
investigations, Commerce will request information necessary to 
calculate the CV and cost of production (COP) to determine whether 
there are reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that sales of the 
foreign like product have been made at prices that represent less 
than the COP of the product.
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Normal Value Based on Constructed Value

    Pursuant to section 773(e) of the Act, CV consists of the cost of 
manufacturing (COM), selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) 
expenses, financial expenses, and profit. For Germany, India and Italy, 
the petitioners calculated the COM based on input factors of production 
and usage rates of a U.S. producer of fluid end blocks. The input 
factors of production were valued using publicly available data on 
costs specific to Germany, India and Italy during the proposed POI.\37\ 
Specifically, the prices for raw materials and energy inputs were 
valued using publicly available import and domestic price data for 
Germany, India and Italy.\38\ Labor costs were valued using publicly 
available sources for Germany, India, and Italy.\39\ Overhead costs 
were valued using the experience of a U.S. producer of fluid end 
blocks. The petitioners calculated SG&A expenses, financial expenses, 
and profit for Germany, India, and Italy based on the ratios found in 
the experience of a producer of comparable or identical merchandise 
from Germany, India, and Italy, respectively.\40\
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    \37\ See Germany, India, and Italy AD Initiation Checklists.
    \38\ Id.
    \39\ Id.
    \40\ Id.
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Fair Value Comparisons

    Based on the data provided by the petitioners, there is reason to 
believe that imports of fluid end blocks from Germany, India, and Italy 
are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at LTFV. 
Based on comparisons of EP to CV in accordance with sections 772 and 
773 of the Act, the estimated dumping margins for fluid end blocks for 
each of the countries covered by this initiation are as follows: (1) 
Germany--83.37 percent; \41\ (2) India--198.85 percent; \42\ and (3) 
Italy--87.04 percent.\43\
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    \41\ See Germany AD Initiation Checklist.
    \42\ See India AD Initiation Checklist.
    \43\ See Italy AD Initiation Checklist.
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Initiation of LTFV Investigations

    Based upon the examination of the Petitions and supplemental 
responses, we find that they meet the requirements of section 732 of 
the Act. Therefore, we are initiating AD investigations to determine 
whether imports of fluid end blocks from Germany, India, and Italy are 
being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at LTFV. In 
accordance with section 733(b)(1)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our preliminary 
determinations no later than 140 days after the date of this 
initiation.

Respondent Selection

    In the Petitions, the petitioners named five companies in 
Germany,\44\ two companies in India,\45\ and 18 companies in Italy \46\ 
as producers/exporters of fluid end blocks.
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    \44\ See Volume I of the Petitions, at 18.
    \45\ Id. at 19.
    \46\ Id. at 19-20.
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    In the event Commerce determines that the number of companies in 
each country is large, and it cannot individually examine each company 
based upon Commerce's resources, where appropriate, Commerce intends to 
select mandatory respondents based on quantity and value (Q&V) 
questionnaires issued to potential respondents. Following standard 
practice in AD investigations involving market economy countries, 
Commerce would normally select respondents based on U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection (CBP) entry data for imports under the appropriate 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) numbers listed 
in the scope of the investigations. However, for these investigations, 
the HTSUS numbers under which the subject merchandise would enter 
(7218.91.0030, 7218.99.0030, 7224.90.0015, 7224.90.0045, 7326.19.0010, 
7326.90.8688, or 8413.91.9055) are basket categories containing a wide 
variety of manufactured steel products unrelated to fluid end blocks. 
We, therefore, cannot rely on CBP entry data in selecting respondents. 
Except as noted below for India, we intend to issue Q&V questionnaires 
to each potential respondent for which the petitioners have provided a 
complete address.
    Exporters and producers of fluid end blocks from Germany and Italy 
that do not receive Q&V questionnaires by mail may still submit a 
response to the Q&V questionnaire and can obtain a copy of the Q&V 
questionnaire from the Enforcement and Compliance website, at http://trade.gov/enforcement/news.asp. Responses to the Q&V questionnaire must 
be submitted by the relevant German and Italian exporters/producers no 
later than 5:00 p.m. ET on January 21, 2020. All Q&V responses must be 
filed electronically via ACCESS.
    For India, the petitioners identified two companies as producers/
exporters of fluid end blocks (i.e., Bharat Forge Limited and Ultra 
Engineers) and provided independent, third-party

[[Page 2398]]

information as support.\47\ We currently know of no additional 
producers/exporters of fluid end blocks from India. Accordingly, 
Commerce intends to examine all known producers/exporters in the 
investigation for India (i.e., the companies cited above).
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    \47\ See Volume I of the Petitions, at 19 and Exhibit GEN-2; see 
also Petition Supplement, at 1 and Exhibit SUP-GEN-1.
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    Parties wishing to comment on respondent selection for India must 
do so within three business days of the publication of this notice in 
the Federal Register. Comments must be filed electronically using 
ACCESS. An electronically-filed document must be received successfully 
in its entirety by Commerce's electronic records system, ACCESS, by 
5:00 p.m. ET on the specified deadline.

Distribution of Copies of the AD Petitions

    In accordance with section 732(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.202(f), copies of the public version of the AD Petitions have been 
provided to the governments of Germany, India, and Italy via ACCESS. To 
the extent practicable, we will attempt to provide a copy of the public 
version of the AD Petitions to each exporter named in the AD Petitions, 
as provided under 19 CFR 351.203(c)(2).

ITC Notification

    We will notify the ITC of our initiation, as required by section 
732(d) of the Act.

Preliminary Determinations by the ITC

    The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date 
on which the AD Petitions were filed, whether there is a reasonable 
indication that imports of fluid end blocks from Germany, India, and/or 
Italy are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, a 
U.S. industry.\48\ A negative ITC determination for any country will 
result in the investigation being terminated with respect to that 
country.\49\ Otherwise, these AD investigations will proceed according 
to statutory and regulatory time limits.
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    \48\ See section 733(a) of the Act.
    \49\ Id.
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Submission of Factual Information

    Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i) 
Evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence 
submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available 
information to value factors under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the 
adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence 
placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other than factual 
information described in (i)-(iv). Section 351.301(b) of Commerce's 
regulations requires any party, when submitting factual information, to 
specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information 
is being submitted \50\ and, if the information is submitted to rebut, 
clarify, or correct factual information already on the record, to 
provide an explanation identifying the information already on the 
record that the factual information seeks to rebut, clarify, or 
correct.\51\ Time limits for the submission of factual information are 
addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, which provides specific time limits based 
on the type of factual information being submitted. Interested parties 
should review the regulations prior to submitting factual information 
in these investigations.
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    \50\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b).
    \51\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b)(2).
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Particular Market Situation Allegation

    Section 504 of the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 amended 
the Act by adding the concept of particular market situation (PMS) for 
purposes of CV under section 773(e) of the Act.\52\ Section 773(e) of 
the Act states that ``if a particular market situation exists such that 
the cost of materials and fabrication or other processing of any kind 
does not accurately reflect the cost of production in the ordinary 
course of trade, the administering authority may use another 
calculation methodology under this subtitle or any other calculation 
methodology.'' When an interested party submits a PMS allegation 
pursuant to section 773(e) of the Act, Commerce will respond to such a 
submission consistent with 19 CFR 351.301(c)(2)(v). If Commerce finds 
that a PMS exists under section 773(e) of the Act, then it will modify 
its dumping calculations appropriately.
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    \52\ See Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, Public Law 
114-27, 129 Stat. 362 (2015).
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    Neither section 773(e) of the Act nor 19 CFR 351.301(c)(2)(v) set a 
deadline for the submission of PMS allegations and supporting factual 
information. However, in order to administer section 773(e) of the Act, 
Commerce must receive PMS allegations and supporting factual 
information with enough time to consider the submission. Thus, should 
an interested party wish to submit a PMS allegation and supporting new 
factual information pursuant to section 773(e) of the Act, it must do 
so no later than 20 days after submission of a respondent's initial 
section D questionnaire response.

Extensions of Time Limits

    Parties may request an extension of time limits before the 
expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as 
otherwise specified by Commerce. In general, an extension request will 
be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the time 
limit established under 19 CFR 351.301. For submissions that are due 
from multiple parties simultaneously, an extension request will be 
considered untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date. 
Under certain circumstances, we may elect to specify a different time 
limit by which extension requests will be considered untimely for 
submissions which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such 
a case, we will inform parties in a letter or memorandum of the 
deadline (including a specified time) by which extension requests must 
be filed to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in 
a separate, stand-alone submission; under limited circumstances we will 
grant untimely-filed requests for the extension of time limits. Parties 
should review Extension of Time Limits; Final Rule, 78 FR 57790 
(September 20, 2013), available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm, prior to submitting factual information 
in these investigations.

Certification Requirements

    Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding 
must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.\53\ 
Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 
351.303(g).\54\ Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the 
submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification 
requirements.
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    \53\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
    \54\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import 
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (Final Rule). Answers to 
frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule are available at 
http://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf.
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Notification to Interested Parties

    Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under 
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. On January 22, 2008, Commerce 
published Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: Documents 
Submission Procedures; APO Procedures, 73 FR 3634 (January 22, 2008). 
Parties wishing to participate in these investigations should ensure 
that they meet the requirements of these procedures (e.g.,

[[Page 2399]]

the filing of letters of appearance as discussed at 19 CFR 351.103(d)).
    This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 732(c)(2) 
and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).

    Dated: January 8, 2020.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix

Scope of the Investigations

    The products covered by these investigations are forged steel 
fluid end blocks (fluid end blocks), whether in finished or 
unfinished form, and which are typically used in the manufacture or 
service of hydraulic pumps.
    The term ``forged'' is an industry term used to describe the 
grain texture of steel resulting from the application of localized 
compressive force. Illustrative forging standards include, but are 
not limited to, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 
specifications A668 and A788.
    For purposes of these investigations, the term ``steel'' denotes 
metal containing the following chemical elements, by weight: (i) 
Iron greater than or equal to 60 percent; (ii) nickel less than or 
equal to 8.5 percent; (iii) copper less than or equal to 6 percent; 
(iv) chromium greater than or equal to 0.4 percent, but less than or 
equal to 20 percent; and (v) molybdenum greater than or equal to 
0.15 percent, but less than or equal to 3 percent. Illustrative 
steel standards include, but are not limited to, American Iron and 
Steel Institute (AISI) or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 
grades 4130, 4135, 4140, 4320, 4330, 4340, 8630, 15-5, 17-4, F6NM, 
F22, F60, and XM25, as well as modified varieties of these grades.
    The products covered by these investigations are: (1) Cut-to-
length fluid end blocks with an actual height (measured from its 
highest point) of 8 inches (203.2 mm) to 40 inches (1,016.0 mm), an 
actual width (measured from its widest point) of 8 inches (203.2 mm) 
to 40 inches (1,016.0 mm), and an actual length (measured from its 
longest point) of 11 inches (279.4 mm) to 75 inches (1,905.0 mm); 
and (2) strings of fluid end blocks with an actual height (measured 
from its highest point) of 8 inches (203.2 mm) to 40 inches (1,016.0 
mm), an actual width (measured from its widest point) of 8 inches 
(203.2 mm) to 40 inches (1,016.0 mm), and an actual length (measured 
from its longest point) up to 360 inches (9,144.0 mm).
    The products included in the scope of these investigations have 
a tensile strength of at least 70 KSI (measured in accordance with 
ASTM A370) and a hardness of at least 140 HBW (measured in 
accordance with ASTM E10).
    A fluid end block may be imported in finished condition (i.e., 
ready for incorporation into a pump fluid end assembly without 
further finishing operations) or unfinished condition (i.e., forged 
but still requiring one or more finishing operations before it is 
ready for incorporation into a pump fluid end assembly). Such 
finishing operations may include: (1) Heat treating; (2) milling one 
or more flat surfaces; (3) contour machining to custom shapes or 
dimensions; (4) drilling or boring holes; (5) threading holes; and/
or (6) painting, varnishing, or coating.
    The products included in the scope of these investigations may 
enter under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) 
subheadings 7218.91.0030, 7218.99.0030, 7224.90.0015, 7224.90.0045, 
7326.19.0010, 7326.90.8688, or 8413.91.9055. While these HTSUS 
subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the 
written description of the scope of the investigations is 
dispositive.
[FR Doc. 2020-00493 Filed 1-14-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P