[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 7, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19449-19454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07180]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-351-855, C-489-840, C-525-002, C-533-896]


Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet From Bahrain, Brazil, India, and the 
Republic of Turkey: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigations

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

DATES: Applicable March 30, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Schauer at (202) 482-0410 
(Bahrain); Jonathan Hall-Eastman at (202) 482-1468 (Brazil); Benito

[[Page 19450]]

Ballesteros at (202) 482-7425 (India); Mark Hoadley at (202) 482-3148 
(Republic of Turkey (Turkey)), 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 March 9, 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) 
received countervailing duty (CVD) petitions concerning imports of 
common alloy aluminum sheet (aluminum sheet) from Bahrain, Brazil, 
India, and Turkey, filed in proper form on behalf of the Aluminum 
Association Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet Working Group (petitioners).\1\ 
The Petitions were accompanied by antidumping duty (AD) petitions 
concerning imports of aluminum sheet from Bahrain, Brazil, Croatia, 
Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Republic of Korea, 
Oman, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, and 
Turkey.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See Petitioners' Letter, ``Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from 
Bahrain, Brazil, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, 
Italy, Korea, Oman, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, 
Taiwan, and Turkey,'' dated March 9, 2020 (Petitions).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On March 12, 2020, Commerce requested supplemental information 
pertaining to certain aspects of the Petitions in separate supplemental 
questionnaires.\2\ The petitioners filed responses to the supplemental 
questionnaires between March 16 and 19, 2020.\3\ On March 20, 2020, 
Commerce requested additional information in a phone call with the 
petitioners,\4\ and the petitioners responded to Commerce's request on 
March 23, 2020.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ See Commerce's Letters, ``Petition for the Imposition of 
Countervailing Duties on Imports of Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from 
Bahrain: Supplemental Questions''; ``Petition for the Imposition of 
Countervailing Duties on Imports of Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from 
Bahrain: Supplemental Questions''; ``Petition for the Imposition of 
Countervailing Duties on Imports of Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from 
India: Supplemental Questions''; and ``Petition for the Imposition 
of Countervailing Duties on Imports of Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet 
from Turkey: Supplemental Questions'', dated March 12, 2020. See 
also Commerce Letter, ``Petitions for the Imposition of Antidumping 
and Countervailing Duties on Imports of Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet 
from Bahrain, Brazil, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, 
Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Oman, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South 
Africa, Spain, Taiwan, and Turkey: Supplemental Questions,'' dated 
March 13, 2020.
    \3\ See Petitioner's Letters, ``Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from 
Bahrain, Brazil, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, 
Italy, Korea, Oman, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, 
Taiwan, and Turkey--Petitioners' Amendments to Volume I Relating to 
General Issues'' (General Issues Supplement); ``Petitioners' 
Responses to Supplemental Questions Concerning Volume XX Relating to 
Bahrain Countervailing Duty''; ``Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from 
Brazil--Petitioners' Supplement to Volume XXI Relating to Brazil 
Countervailing Duties''; ``Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from India--
Petitioners' Supplement to Volume XXII Relating to India 
Countervailing Duties''; and ``Petitioners' Responses to 
Supplemental Questions Concerning Volume XXIII Relating to Turkey 
Countervailing Duty'', dated March 17, 2020.
    \4\ See Memorandum, ``Petitions for the Imposition of 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Imports of Common Alloy 
Aluminum Sheet from Bahrain, Brazil, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, 
Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Oman, Romania, Serbia, 
Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, and Turkey: Phone Call with 
Counsel to the Petitioners,'' dated March 20, 2020.
    \5\ See Petitioners' Letter, ``Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from 
Bahrain, Brazil, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, 
Italy, Korea, Oman, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, 
Taiwan, and Turkey--Petitioners' Second Amendment to Volume I 
Relating to General Issues,'' dated March 23, 2020 (Second General 
Issues Supplement).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act), the petitioners allege that the Governments of 
Bahrain, Brazil, India, and Turkey (GBA, GBR, GOI, and GOT, 
respectively) \6\ are providing countervailable subsidies, within the 
meaning of sections 701 and 771(5) of the Act, to producers of aluminum 
sheet in Bahrain, Brazil, India, and Turkey, and that imports of such 
products are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, 
the domestic aluminum sheet industry in the United States. Consistent 
with section 702(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(b), for those 
alleged programs on which we are initiating CVD investigations, the 
Petitions are accompanied by information reasonably available to the 
petitioners supporting the allegations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Petitioners' filings refer to both the Government of Bahrain 
and Government of Brazil and ``GOB.'' To avoid confusion, we will 
use ``GBA'' and ``GBR'' to refer to the governments of Bahrain and 
Brazil, respectively.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Commerce finds that the petitioners filed the Petitions on behalf 
of the domestic industry, because the petitioners are an interested 
party, as defined in sections 771(9)(C) and (F) of the Act. Commerce 
also finds that the petitioners demonstrated sufficient industry 
support necessary for the initiation of the requested CVD 
investigations.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See the ``Determination of Industry Support for the 
Petition'' section, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Periods of Investigation

    Because the Petitions were filed on March 9, 2020, the periods of 
investigation are January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.

Scope of the Investigations

    The product covered by these investigations is aluminum sheet from 
Bahrain, Brazil, India, and Turkey. For a full description of the scope 
of these investigations, see the Appendix to this notice.

Scope Comments

    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).\8\ 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,\9\ 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 April 20, 2020, which is 20 calendar days from the signature 
date of this notice.\10\ Any rebuttal comments, which may include 
factual information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on April 30, 2020, 
which is 10 calendar days from the initial comment deadline.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule, 
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble).
    \9\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b) (21) (defining ``factual 
information'').
    \10\ Commerce practice dictates that where a deadline falls on a 
weekend or Federal holiday, the appropriate deadline is the next 
business day (in this instance, April 20, 2020). 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).
    \11\ See 19 CFR 351.303(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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), unless an exception 
applies.\12\ An

[[Page 19451]]

electronically filed document must be received successfully in its 
entirety by the time and date it is due.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 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, which went into effect on 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultations

    Pursuant to sections 702(b)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Act, Commerce 
notified representatives of the GBA, GBR, GOI, and GOT of the receipt 
of the Petitions and provided them the opportunity for consultations 
with respect to the Petitions.\13\ The consultations with the GOI were 
scheduled for March 23, 2020. However, on March 23, 2020, the GOI 
requested that Commerce postpone the consultations to a later date.\14\ 
Consultations were held with the GOT on March 20, 2020.\15\ 
Consultations were held with the GBR on March 27, 2020.\16\ 
Consultations were not held with the GBA because the GBA did not 
request them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ See Commerce's Letters, ``Countervailing Duty Petition on 
Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from Brazil: Invitation for 
Consultations to Discuss the Countervailing Duty Petition,'' dated 
March 10, 2020; ``Countervailing Duty Petition on Common Alloy 
Aluminum Sheet from Bahrain;'' and ``Petition for Countervailing 
Duties on Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from the Republic of Turkey,'' 
each dated March 11, 2020; and ``Countervailing Duty Petition on 
Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from India: Invitation for Consultations 
to Discuss the Countervailing Duty Petition,'' dated March 13, 2020.
    \14\ See Memorandum, ``Countervailing Duty Petition on Common 
Alloy Aluminum Sheet from India: Government Consultations,'' dated 
March 23, 2020.
    \15\ See Memorandum, ``Consultations with the Government of the 
Republic of Turkey (Turkey) on the Countervailing Duty Petition 
Regarding Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from Turkey,'' dated March 23, 
2020.
    \16\ See Memorandum, ``Consultations with the Government of 
Brazil on the Countervailing Duty Petition Regarding Common Alloy 
Aluminum Sheet from Brazil,'' dated March 27, 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions

    Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on 
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 702(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 702(c)(4)(D) of 
the Act provides that, if the petition 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,\17\ 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.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
    \18\ See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1, 8 (Ct. 
Int'l Trade 2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United States, 
688 F. Supp. 639, 644 (Ct. Int'l Trade 1988), aff'd 865 F.2d 240 
(Fed. Cir. 1989)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.\19\ Based on our analysis of the information 
submitted on the record, we have determined that aluminum sheet, as 
defined in the scope, constitutes a single domestic like product, and 
we have analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like 
product.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 13-15.
    \20\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as 
applied to these cases and information regarding industry support, 
see Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiation Checklist: Common 
Alloy Aluminum Sheet from Bahrain (Bahrain CVD Initiation Checklist) 
at Attachment II, Analysis of Industry Support for the Antidumping 
and Countervailing Duty Petitions Covering Common Alloy Aluminum 
Sheet from Bahrain, Brazil, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, 
Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Oman, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South 
Africa, Spain, Taiwan, and Turkey (Attachment II); see also 
Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiation Checklist: Common Alloy 
Aluminum Sheet from Brazil (Brazil CVD Initiation Checklist) at 
Attachment II; Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiation 
Checklist: Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from India (India CVD 
Initiation Checklist) at Attachment II; and Countervailing Duty 
Investigation Initiation Checklist: Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from 
Turkey (Turkey CVD 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In determining whether the petitioners have standing under section 
702(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 
their 2019 production of the domestic like product.\21\ In addition, 
the petitioners provided 2019 production data for, and a letter of 
support from, Jupiter Aluminum Corporation.\22\ The petitioners 
estimated the production of the domestic like product for the entire 
domestic industry based on shipment data collected by the Aluminum 
Association, and the Aluminum Association's knowledge of the 
industry.\23\ We relied on data provided by the petitioners for 
purposes of measuring industry support.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 4 and Exhibit GEN-2; see 
also General Issues Supplement at 3.
    \22\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 4 and Exhibit GEN-2; see 
also Second General Issues Supplement.
    \23\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 4 and Exhibits GEN-2 and 
GEN-3; see also General Issues Supplement at 3.
    \24\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 4 and Exhibit GEN-2; see 
also General Issues Supplement at 3. For further discussion, see 
Attachment II of the Bahrain CVD Initiation Checklist, Brazil CVD 
Initiation Checklist, India CVD Initiation Checklist, and Turkey CVD 
Initiation Checklist.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Our review of the data provided in the Petitions, the General 
Issues Supplement, the Second General Issues Supplement, and other 
information readily available to Commerce indicates that the 
petitioners have established industry support for the Petitions.\25\ 
First, the Petitions established support

[[Page 19452]]

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).\26\ Second, the domestic 
producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry 
support under section 702(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.\27\ 
Finally, the domestic producers (or workers) have met the statutory 
criteria for industry support under section 702(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.\28\ Accordingly, Commerce 
determines that the Petitions were filed on behalf of the domestic 
industry within the meaning of section 702(b)(1) of the Act.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ Id.
    \26\ Id.; see also section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act.
    \27\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 4 and Exhibit GEN-2; see 
also General Issues Supplement at 3. For further discussion, see 
Attachment II of the Bahrain CVD Initiation Checklist, Brazil CVD 
Initiation Checklist, India CVD Initiation Checklist, and Turkey CVD 
Initiation Checklist.
    \28\ Id.
    \29\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Injury Test

    Because Bahrain, Brazil, India, and Turkey are ``Subsidies 
Agreement Countries'' within the meaning of section 701(b) of the Act, 
section 701(a)(2) of the Act applies to these investigations. 
Accordingly, the ITC must determine whether imports of the subject 
merchandise from Bahrain, Brazil, India, and/or Turkey materially 
injure, or threaten material injury to, a U.S. industry.

Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation

    The petitioners allege that imports of the subject merchandise are 
benefitting from countervailable subsidies and that such imports are 
causing, or threaten to cause, material injury to the U.S. industry 
producing the domestic like product. In addition, the petitioners 
allege that subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided 
for under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.\30\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 15-17, and Exhibit GEN-9.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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; declining capacity utilization; a declining 
number of production and related workers; and a decline in financial 
performance and profitability.\31\ We have assessed the allegations and 
supporting evidence regarding material injury, threat of material 
injury, causation, as well as negligibility, and we have determined 
that these allegations are properly supported by adequate evidence, and 
meet the statutory requirements for initiation.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 22-37, and Exhibits GEN-7 
and GEN-10 through GEN-15.
    \32\ See Bahrain CVD Initiation Checklist at Attachment III, 
Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and 
Causation for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petition 
Petitions Covering Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from Bahrain, Brazil, 
Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, 
Oman, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, and 
Turkey (Attachment III); see also Attachment III of the Brazil CVD 
Initiation Checklist, India CVD Initiation Checklist, and Turkey CVD 
Initiation Checklist.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Initiation of CVD Investigations

    Based upon the examination of the Petitions and supplemental 
responses, we find that they meet the requirements of section 702 of 
the Act. Therefore, we are initiating CVD investigations to determine 
whether imports of aluminum sheet from Bahrain, Brazil, India, and 
Turkey benefit from countervailable subsidies conferred by the GBA, 
GBR, GOI, and GOT, respectively. In accordance with section 703(b)(1) 
of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our 
preliminary determinations no later than 65 days after the date of this 
initiation.

Bahrain

    Based on our review of the petition, we find that there is 
sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 9 of the 12 
alleged programs. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision 
whether to initiate on each program, see Bahrain CVD Initiation 
Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for this 
investigation is available on ACCESS.

Brazil

    Based on our review of the petition, we find that there is 
sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 18 of the 19 
alleged programs. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision 
whether to initiate on each program, see Brazil CVD Initiation 
Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for this 
investigation is available on ACCESS.

India

    Based on our review of the petition, we find that there is 
sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation, in whole or 
part, on 41of the 43 alleged programs. For a full discussion of the 
basis for our decision to initiate on each program, see India CVD 
Initiation Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for 
this investigation is available on ACCESS.

Turkey

    Based on our review of the petition, we find that there is 
sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation, in whole or 
part, on all of the 21 alleged programs. For a full discussion of the 
basis for our decision to initiate on each program, see Turkey CVD 
Initiation Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for 
this investigation is available on ACCESS.

Respondent Selection

    The petitioners named one company in Bahrain, six companies in 
Brazil, 14 companies in India, and 21 companies in Turkey as producers/
exporters of aluminum sheet.\33\ Commerce intends to follow its 
standard practice in CVD investigations and calculate company-specific 
subsidy rates in these investigations. In the event Commerce determines 
that the number of companies is large and it cannot individually 
examine each company based upon Commerce's resources, where 
appropriate, Commerce intends to select mandatory respondents based on 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data for U.S. imports of 
aluminum sheet from Bahrain, Brazil, India, and Turkey during the POI 
under the appropriate Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
numbers listed in the ``Scope of the Investigations,'' in the Appendix.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ See Volume I of the Petitions at Exhibit GEN-6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On March 24, 2020 and March 26, 2020, Commerce released CBP data on 
imports of aluminum sheet from those countries with a large number of 
companies, specifically, Brazil, India, and Turkey under APO to all 
parties with access to information protected by APO and indicated that 
interested parties wishing to comment on the CBP data must do so within 
three business days of the publication date of the notice of initiation 
of these investigations.\34\ Commerce will not

[[Page 19453]]

accept rebuttal comments regarding the CBP data or respondent 
selection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ See Memoranda, ``Petition for the Imposition of 
Countervailing Duties (CVD) on Imports of Common Alloy Aluminum 
Sheet from Brazil: Release of U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
Data;'' and ``Countervailing Duty Petition on Common Alloy Aluminum 
Sheet from India: Release of U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
Data,'' dated March 24, 2020; see also Memorandum, ``Countervailing 
Duty Petition on Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from the Republic of 
Turkey: Release of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Data,'' dated 
March 26, 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The petitioners identified one company in Bahrain as the sole 
producer/exporter of aluminum sheet (i.e., Gulf Aluminum Rolling Mill 
Company (GARMCO)). We currently know of no additional producers/
exporters of aluminum sheet from Bahrain. Accordingly, for Bahrain, 
Commerce intends to individually examine GARMCO. Parties wishing to 
comment on respondent selection for Bahrain, must do so within three 
business days of the publication date of the notice of initiation of 
these investigations.
    Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under 
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(b). Instructions for filing such 
applications may be found on the Commerce's website at http://enforcement.trade.gov/apo.
    Comments must be filed electronically using ACCESS. An 
electronically filed document must be received successfully, in its 
entirety, by ACCESS no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on the date noted above. 
We intend to finalize our decisions regarding respondent selection 
within 20 days of publication of this notice.

Distribution of Copies of the Petitions

    In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A)(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.202(f), copies of the public version of the Petitions have been 
provided to the GBA, GBR, GOI, and GOT via ACCESS. To the extent 
practicable, we will attempt to provide a copy of the public version of 
the Petitions to each exporter named in the Petitions, as provided 
under 19 CFR 351.203(c)(2).

ITC Notification

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

Preliminary Determinations by the ITC

    The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date 
on which the Petitions were filed, whether there is a reasonable 
indication that imports of aluminum sheet from Bahrain, Brazil, India, 
and Turkey are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, 
a U.S. industry.\35\ A negative ITC determination in any country will 
result in the investigations being terminated with respect to that 
country.\36\ Otherwise, these investigations will proceed according to 
statutory and regulatory time limits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ See section 703(a)(2) of the Act.
    \36\ See section 703(a)(1) of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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). 19 CFR 351.301(b) requires any 
party, when submitting factual information, to specify under which 
subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted 
\37\ 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.\38\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b).
    \38\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 the Secretary. 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 the letter or memorandum setting 
forth 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.\39\ 
Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 
351.303(g).\40\ Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the 
submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification 
requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
    \40\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import 
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (``Final Rule''); see also 
frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule, available at 
http://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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., the filing 
of letters of appearance as discussed at 19 CFR 351.103(d)). Note that 
Commerce has temporarily modified certain of its requirements for 
serving documents containing business proprietary information, until 
May 19, 2020, unless extended.\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements 
Due to COVID-19, 85 FR 17006 (March 26, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702(c)(2) 
and 777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.203(c).

    Dated: March 30, 2020.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix

Scope of the Investigations

    The merchandise covered by these investigations is aluminum 
common alloy sheet (common alloy sheet), which is a flat-rolled 
aluminum product having a thickness of 6.3 mm or less, but greater 
than 0.2 mm, in coils or cut-to-length, regardless of width.

[[Page 19454]]

Common alloy sheet within the scope of the investigations includes 
both not clad aluminum sheet, as well as multi-alloy, clad aluminum 
sheet. With respect to not clad aluminum sheet, common alloy sheet 
is manufactured from a 1XXX-, 3XXX-, or 5XXX-series alloy as 
designated by the Aluminum Association. With respect to multi-alloy, 
clad aluminum sheet, common alloy sheet is produced from a 3XXX-
series core, to which cladding layers are applied to either one or 
both sides of the core.
    Common alloy sheet may be made to ASTM specification B209-14, 
but can also be made to other specifications. Regardless of 
specification, however, all common alloy sheet meeting the scope 
description is included in the scope. Subject merchandise includes 
common alloy sheet that has been further processed in a third 
country, including but not limited to annealing, tempering, 
painting, varnishing, trimming, cutting, punching, and/or slitting, 
or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the 
merchandise from the scope of these investigations if performed in 
the country of manufacture of the common alloy sheet.
    Excluded from the scope of these investigations is aluminum can 
stock, which is suitable for use in the manufacture of aluminum 
beverage cans, lids of such cans, or tabs used to open such cans. 
Aluminum can stock is produced to gauges that range from 0.200 mm to 
0.292 mm, and has an H-19, H-41, H-48, or H-391 temper. In addition, 
aluminum can stock has a lubricant applied to the flat surfaces of 
the can stock to facilitate its Start Printed Page 2159 movement 
through machines used in the manufacture of beverage cans. Aluminum 
can stock is properly classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of 
the United States (HTSUS) subheadings 7606.12.3045 and 7606.12.3055.
    Where the nominal and actual measurements vary, a product is 
within the scope if application of either the nominal or actual 
measurement would place it within the scope based on the definitions 
set for the above.
    Common alloy sheet is currently classifiable under HTSUS 
subheadings 7606.11.3060, 7606.1l 6000, 7606.12.3096, 7606.12.6000, 
7606.91.3095, 7606.9.6095, 7606.92.3035, and 7606.92.6095. Further, 
merchandise that falls within the scope of these investigations may 
also be entered into the United States under HTSUS subheadings 
7606.11.3030, 7606.12.3015, 7606.12.3025, 7606.12.3035, 
7606.12.3091, 7606.91.3055, 7606.91.6055, 7606.92.3025, 
7606.92.6055, 7607.11.9090. Although the HTSUS subheadings are 
provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written 
description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.

[FR Doc. 2020-07180 Filed 4-6-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P