[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 230 (Friday, December 3, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68632-68635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26315]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-201-844]


Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From Mexico: Preliminary Results 
of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines 
that Deacero S.A.P.I. de C.V. (Deacero) did not make sales of subject 
merchandise in the United States at prices below normal value during 
the November 1, 2019, through October 31, 2020, period of review (POR). 
Additionally, Commerce has preliminarily assigned Grupo Simec an 
antidumping duty margin based on the application of adverse facts 
available. We invite interested parties to comment on these preliminary 
results.

DATES: Applicable December 3, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Lindgren or Kyle Clahane, AD/CVD 
Operations, Office III, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-1671 or (202) 482-5449.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On November 6, 2014, Commerce published the antidumping duty order 
on steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) from Mexico in the Federal 
Register.\1\ On January 6, 2021, pursuant to section 751(a)(1) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), Commerce initiated

[[Page 68633]]

an administrative review of the Order.\2\ On July 2, 2021, we extended 
the deadline for the preliminary results to November 30, 2021.\3\
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    \1\ See Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Mexico: Antidumping 
Duty Order, 79 FR 65925 (November 6, 2014) (Order).
    \2\ See Initiation of Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty 
Administrative Reviews, 86 FR 511 (January 6, 2021) (Initiation 
Notice).
    \3\ See Memorandum, ``Extension of Deadline for Preliminary 
Results,'' dated July 2, 2021.
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    Commerce initiated this administrative review covering the 
following companies: Aceros Especiales Simec Tlaxcala; Compania 
Siderurgica del Pacifico S.A. de C.V.; Deacero; Fundiciones de Acero 
Estructurales, S.A. de C.V.; Grupo Acerero S.A. de C.V.; Grupo Chant, 
S.A.P.I. de C.V.; Grupo Simec; Operadora de Perfiles Sigosa, S.A. de 
C.V.; Orge S.A. de C.V.; Perfiles Comerciales Sigosa, S.A. de C.V.; 
RRLC S.A.P.I. de C.V.; Sidertul S.A. de C.V.; Siderurgicos Noroeste, 
S.A. de C.V.; Siderurgica del Occidente y Pacifico S.A. de C.V.; Simec 
International 6 S.A. de C.V.; Simec International 7, S.A. de C.V.; 
Simec International 9 S.A. de C.V.; and Simec International, S.A. de 
C.V. On February 8, 2021, we limited the number of respondents selected 
for individual examination in this administrative review to Deacero and 
Grupo Simec.\4\ We did not select the remaining companies for 
individual examination, and these companies remain subject to this 
administrative review.\5\
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    \4\ See Memorandum, ``2019-2020 Antidumping Duty Administrative 
Review of Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Mexico: Respondent 
Selection,'' dated February 8, 2021.
    \5\ Commerce has previously collapsed 15 of the 18 firms listed 
in the Initiation Notice (i.e., Aceros Especiales Simec Tlaxcala; 
Compania Siderurgica del Pacifico S.A. de C.V.; Fundiciones de Acero 
Estructurales, S.A. de C.V.; Grupo Chant, S.A.P.I. de C.V.; Grupo 
Simec; Operadora de Perfiles Sigosa, S.A. de C.V.; Orge S.A. de 
C.V.; Perfiles Comerciales Sigosa, S.A. de C.V.; RRLC S.A.P.I. de 
C.V.; Siderurgicos Noroeste, S.A. de C.V.; Siderurgica del Occidente 
y Pacifico S.A. de C.V.; Simec International, S.A. de C.V.; Simec 
International 6 S.A. de C.V.; Simec International 7, S.A. de C.V.; 
and Simec International 9 S.A. de C.V.) into the single entity 
``Grupo Simec.'' See, e.g., Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from 
Mexico: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and 
Final Determination of No Shipments; 2018-2019, 86 FR 50527 
(September 9, 2021) (2018-2019 AR Mexico Rebar Final).
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Scope of the Order

    The product covered by the Order is steel concrete reinforcing bar 
from Mexico. For a complete description of the scope, see the 
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.\6\
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    \6\ See Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary 
Results of the Administrative Review on the Antidumping Duty Order 
of Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Mexico; 2019-2020,'' dated 
concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary 
Decision Memorandum).
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Methodology

    Commerce is conducting this review in accordance with section 
751(a)(2) of the Act. Constructed export price was calculated in 
accordance with section 772 of the Act. Normal value was calculated in 
accordance with section 773 of the Act. For a full description of the 
methodology underlying our preliminary results, see the Preliminary 
Decision Memorandum. The Preliminary Decision Memorandum is a public 
document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service 
System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov. A list of topics discussed in the Preliminary 
Decision Memorandum is included as an appendix to this notice. In 
addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can 
be accessed directly at https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.

Application of Facts Available With Adverse Inferences

    Pursuant to section 776(a) of the Act, Commerce is preliminarily 
relying upon facts otherwise available to determine a weighted-average 
dumping margin for Grupo Simec in this review. Commerce preliminarily 
finds that necessary information is not available on the record, and 
that Grupo Simec withheld information requested by Commerce, failed to 
provide the requested information in the form and manner requested, and 
significantly impeded the proceeding, warranting a determination on the 
basis of the facts available under section 776(a) of the Act. Further, 
Commerce preliminarily determines that Grupo Simec failed to cooperate 
to the best of its ability, and thus, Commerce is applying facts 
available with adverse inferences (AFA) to Grupo Simec, in accordance 
with section 776(b) of the Act. For a full description of the 
methodology underlying our conclusions regarding the application of 
AFA, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.

Rate for Non-Selected Companies

    The statute and Commerce's regulations do not identify the dumping 
margin to apply to respondents not selected for individual examination 
when Commerce limits its examination in an administrative review 
pursuant to section 777A(c)(2) of the Act. Generally, Commerce looks to 
section 735(c)(5) of the Act, which provides instructions for 
calculating the all-others rate in an investigation, for guidance when 
determining the dumping margin for respondents that are not 
individually examined in an administrative review. Section 735(c)(5)(A) 
of the Act states that the all-others rate should be calculated by 
averaging the weighted-average dumping margins for individually-
examined respondents, excluding dumping margins that are zero, de 
minimis, or based entirely on facts available. Where the dumping 
margins for individually examined respondents are all zero, de minimis, 
or based entirely on facts available, section 735(c)(5)(B) of the Act 
provides that Commerce may use ``any reasonable method to establish the 
estimated all-others rate for exporters and producers not individually 
investigated, including averaging the estimated weighted average 
dumping margins determined for the exporters and producers individually 
investigated.'' We have preliminarily calculated a zero percent dumping 
margin for Deacero and we have preliminarily assigned Grupo Simec a 
dumping margin of 66.70 percent based entirely on facts available with 
an adverse inference. Therefore, in accordance with section 
735(c)(5)(B) of the Act, we are preliminarily applying to the two 
companies not selected for individual examination a rate of 33.35 
percent, which is an average of the zero percent rate calculated for 
Deacero and the 66.70 percent AFA rate assigned to Grupo Simec. For 
additional discussion, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.

Preliminary Results of the Review

    We preliminarily determine the following weighted-average dumping 
margins exist for the POR:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Weighted-average
              Producer and/or exporter                  dumping margin
                                                          (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deacero S.A.P.I de C.V.............................                 0.00

[[Page 68634]]

 
Grupo Simec (Aceros Especiales Simec Tlaxcala, S.A.                66.70
 de C.V.; Compania Siderurgica del Pacifico S.A. de
 C.V.; Fundiciones de Acero Estructurales, S.A. de
 C.V.; Grupo Chant S.A.P.I. de C.V.; Operadora de
 Perfiles Sigosa, S.A. de C.V.; Orge S.A. de C.V.;
 Perfiles Comerciales Sigosa, S.A. de C.V.; RRLC
 S.A.P.I. de C.V.; Sider[uacute]rgicos Noroeste,
 S.A. de C.V.; Siderurgica del Occidente y Pacifico
 S.A. de C.V.; Simec International, S.A. de C.V.;
 Simec International 6 S.A. de C.V.; Simec
 International 7 S.A. de C.V.; and Simec
 International 9 S.A. de C.V.) \7\.................
Grupo Acerero S.A. de C.V..........................                33.35
Sidertul S.A. de C.V...............................                33.35
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Disclosure and Public Comment
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    \7\ Commerce has previously collapsed the following entities 
into a single entity: Grupo Simec; Aceros Especiales Simec Tlaxcala, 
S.A. de C.V.; Compania Siderurgica del Pacifico S.A. de C.V.; 
Fundiciones de Acero Estructurales, S.A. de C.V.; Grupo Chant 
S.A.P.I. de C.V.; Operadora de Perfiles Sigosa, S.A. de C.V.; Orge 
S.A. de C.V.; Perfiles Comerciales Sigosa, S.A. de C.V.; RRLC 
S.A.P.I. de C.V.; Sider[uacute]rgicos Noroeste, S.A. de C.V.; 
Siderurgica del Occidente y Pacifico S.A. de C.V.; Simec 
International 6 S.A. de C.V.; Simec International, S.A. de C.V.; 
Simec International 7 S.A. de C.V.; and, Simec International 9 S.A. 
de C.V. See, e.g., 2018-2019 AR Mexico Rebar Final, 86 FR at 50528.
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    We intend to disclose the calculations performed in these 
preliminary results to parties in this proceeding within five days of 
the date of publication of this notice.\8\ A timeline for the 
submission of case briefs and written comments will be provided to 
interested parties at a later date. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues 
raised in the case briefs, may be filed no later than seven days after 
the date for filing case briefs.\9\ 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.\10\ Case and rebuttal briefs 
should be filed using ACCESS \11\ and must be served on interested 
parties.\12\ Executive Summaries should be limited to five pages total, 
including footnotes.
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    \8\ See 19 CFR 351.224(b).
    \9\ See 19 CFR 351.309(d); see also Temporary Rule Modifying AD/
CVD Service Requirements Due to COVID-19, 85 FR 17006, 17007 (March 
26, 2020) (``To provide adequate time for release of case briefs via 
ACCESS, E&C intends to schedule the due date for all rebuttal briefs 
to be 7 days after case briefs are filed (while these modifications 
remain in effect)''); and Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service 
Requirements Due to COVID-19; Extension of Effective Period, 85 FR 
41363 (July 10, 2020).
    \10\ See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2).
    \11\ See generally 19 CFR 351.303.
    \12\ See 19 CFR 351.303(f).
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    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to 
request a hearing must submit a written request to the Assistant 
Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, filed electronically via 
Commerce's electric records system, ACCESS. An electronically filed 
request must be received successfully in its entirety by 5:00 p.m. 
Easter Time within 30 days after the date of publication of this 
notice.\13\ Requests should contain: (1) The party's name, address, and 
telephone number; (2) the number of participants; and (3) a list of 
issues to be discussed. If a request for a hearing is made, Commerce 
intends to hold the hearing at a time and date to be determined.\14\ 
Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, and location of the 
hearing two days before the scheduled date.
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    \13\ See 19 CFR 351.310(c).
    \14\ See 19 CFR 351.310(d).
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    Commerce intends to issue the final results of this administrative 
review, including the results of our analysis of the issues raised in 
any written briefs, no later than 120 days after the date of 
publication of this notice, unless extended.\15\
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    \15\ See section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act; and 19 CFR 351.213(h).
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Verification

    As provided in section 782(i)(1) of the Act, Commerce intends to 
verify the information relied upon in making its final determination. 
Normally, Commerce verifies information using standard procedures, 
including an on-site examination of original accounting, financial, and 
sales documentation. However, due to current travel restrictions in 
response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Commerce is unable to conduct 
on-site verification of the information relied upon for its final 
results of this administrative review. Accordingly, we intend to take 
additional steps in lieu of on-site verification to verify the 
information. Commerce will notify interested parties of any additional 
documentation or information required.

Assessment Rate

    Upon completion of the administrative review, Commerce shall 
determine, and CBP shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate 
entries. If the weighted-average dumping margin for Deacero is not zero 
or de minimis (i.e., less than 0.5 percent) in the final results of 
this review, we will calculate importer-specific ad valorem assessment 
rates for the merchandise based on the ratio of the total amount of 
dumping calculated for the examined sales made during the POR to each 
importer and the total entered value of those same sales, in accordance 
with 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1). Where an importer-specific ad valorem 
assessment rate is zero or de minimis in the final results of review, 
we will instruct CBP to liquidate the appropriate entries without 
regard to antidumping duties, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.106(c)(2). 
If a respondent's weighted-average dumping margin is zero or de minimis 
in the final results of review, we will instruct CBP not to assess 
duties on any of its entries in accordance with the Final Modification 
for Reviews, i.e., ``{w{time} here the weighted-average margin of 
dumping for the exporter is determined to be zero or de minimis, no 
antidumping duties will be assessed.'' \16\ For entries of subject 
merchandise during the POR produced by Deacero for which the producer 
did not know its merchandise was destined for the United States, we 
will instruct CBP to liquidate unreviewed entries at the all-others 
rate if there is no rate for the intermediate company (or companies) 
involved in the transaction.\17\
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    \16\ See Antidumping Proceedings: Calculation of the Weighted-
Average Dumping Margin and Assessment Rate in Certain Antidumping 
Proceedings; Final Modification, 77 FR 8101, 8102 (February 14, 
2012) (Final Modification for Reviews).
    \17\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: 
Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68 FR 23954 (May 6, 2003).
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    Should we continue to apply facts available with an adverse 
inference to Grupo Simec in the final results, we will instruct CBP to 
apply an assessment rate equal to the dumping margin of 66.70 percent, 
as indicated above, to all entries produced and/or exported by Grupo 
Simec. The assessment rate for antidumping duties for each of the 
companies not selected for individual examination will be equal to the 
weighted-average dumping margin identified in the final results of 
review. Commerce intends to issue assessment

[[Page 68635]]

instructions to CBP no earlier than 41 days after the date of 
publication of the final results of this review in the Federal 
Register, in accordance with 19 CFR 356.8(a).

Cash Deposit Requirements

    The following cash deposit requirements will be effective upon 
publication of the final results of this administrative review for all 
shipments of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date of the 
final results of this administrative review, as provided by section 
751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) The cash deposit rate for each company 
listed above will be that established in the final results of this 
administrative review, except if the rate is less than 0.50 percent, 
and therefore de minimis within the meaning of 19 CFR 351.106(c)(1), in 
which case the cash deposit rate will be zero; (2) for previously 
reviewed or investigated companies not listed above, the cash deposit 
rate will continue to be the company-specific rate published for the 
most recently completed segment of this proceeding in which the company 
participated; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this review, 
a prior review, or in the investigation but the producer is, the cash 
deposit rate will be the rate established for the most recently 
completed segment of this proceeding for the producer of the 
merchandise; and (4) the cash deposit rate for all other producers or 
exporters will continue to be the all-others rate of 20.58 percent, the 
rate established in the investigation of this proceeding.\18\ These 
cash deposit requirements, when imposed, shall remain in effect until 
further notice.
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    \18\ See Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Mexico: Final 
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Final Affirmative 
Determination of Critical Circumstances, 79 FR 54967 (September 15, 
2014).
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Notification to Importers

    This notice serves as a preliminary reminder to importers of their 
responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate 
regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation 
of the relevant entries during this review period. Failure to comply 
with this requirement could result in Commerce's presumption that 
reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent 
assessment of double antidumping duties.

Notification to Interested Parties

    We are issuing and publishing these preliminary results in 
accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 
351.213(h)(1).

    Dated: November 29, 2021.
Ryan Majerus,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, performing the 
non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix

List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum

I. Summary
II. Background
III. Scope of the Order
IV. Application of Facts Available and Use of Adverse Inferences
V. Margin for Companies Not Selected for Individual Examination
VI. Discussion of the Methodology
VII. Recommendation

[FR Doc. 2021-26315 Filed 12-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P