[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 7, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75032-75034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26559]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-201-844]


Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From Mexico: Preliminary Results 
of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2020-2021

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily finds 
that Deacero S.A.P.I. de C.V. (Deacero), Ingeteknos Estructurales, S.A. 
de C.V. (Ingetek), Aceros Nacionales, S.A. de C.V. (ANSA), and Company 
A (collectively, Deacero Group) and Grupo Acerero S.A. de C.V. 
(Acerero) made sales of subject merchandise in the United States at 
prices below normal value during the November 1, 2020, through October 
31, 2021, period of review (POR). We invite interested parties to 
comment on these preliminary results.

DATES: Applicable December 7, 2022.

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, 
respectively.

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 December 28, 2021, pursuant to section 751(a)(1) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), Commerce initiated an 
administrative review of the Order.\2\ On July 8, 2022, we extended the 
deadline for the preliminary results to November 30, 2022.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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 73734 (December 28, 2021) (Initiation 
Notice).
    \3\ See Memorandum, ``Extension of Deadline for Preliminary 
Results,'' dated July 8, 2022.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Commerce initiated this administrative review covering the 
following companies: Aceros Especiales Simec Tlaxcala, S.A. de C.V.; 
ArcelorMittal Mexico SA de CV.; Compania Siderurgica del Pacifico S.A. 
de C.V.; Deacero; Fundiciones de Acero Estructurales, S.A. de C.V.; 
Acerero; 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.\4\ On January 26, 2022, we limited 
the number of respondents selected for individual examination in this 
administrative review to Deacero Group and Acerero.\5\ We did not 
select the remaining companies for individual examination, and these 
companies remain subject to this administrative review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Commerce has previously collapsed 15 of the firms listed in 
the Initiation Notice (i.e., 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.; 
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.; 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.) 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; 2019-2020, 87 FR 34848 
(June 8, 2022). Additionally, Commerce has preliminarily determined 
that Deacero, Ingetek, ANSA and Company A should be collapsed and 
treated as a single entity, collectively Deacero Group. See 
Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Results of the 
Administrative Review on the Antidumping Duty Order of Steel 
Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Mexico; 2020-2021,'' dated 
concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary 
Decision Memorandum) at ``Affiliation and Collapsing.''
    \5\ See Memorandum, ``Respondent Selection,'' dated January 26, 
2022.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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. A list of topics discussed in the Preliminary 
Decision Memorandum is included as an appendix to this notice. 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. In 
addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can 
be accessed directly at https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.

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

[[Page 75033]]

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.'' For the 
mandatory respondents, Deacero Group and Acerero, we preliminarily 
calculated dumping margins of 3.05 percent and 16.28 percent, 
respectively, and we have assigned to the non-selected companies a rate 
of 6.35 percent, which is the weighted average of Deacero Group and 
Acerero's margins based on publicly ranged data. For additional 
information, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum at ``Rates for 
Non-Selected Companies.''

Preliminary Results of 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./Ingeteknos Estructurales, S.A. de           3.05
 C.V./Aceros Nacionales, S.A. de C.V./Company A.............
Grupo Acerero S.A. de C.V...................................       16.28
ArcelorMittal Mexico SA de CV...............................        6.35
Grupo Simec/Aceros Especiales Simec Tlaxcala, S.A. de C.V./         6.35
 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./Simec International
 9 S.A. de C.V.)............................................
Sidertul S.A. de C.V........................................        6.35
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disclosure and Public Comment

    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.\6\ 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.\7\ 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.\8\ Case and rebuttal briefs 
should be filed using ACCESS \9\ and must be served on interested 
parties.\10\ Executive Summaries should be limited to five pages total, 
including footnotes. Note that Commerce has temporarily modified 
certain of its requirements for service documents containing business 
proprietary information, until further notice.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See 19 CFR 351.224(b).
    \7\ See 19 CFR 351.309(d).
    \8\ See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2).
    \9\ See generally 19 CFR 351.303.
    \10\ See 19 CFR 351.303(f).
    \11\ See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements 
Due to Covid-19; Extension of Effective Period, 85 FR 41363 (July 
10, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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. 
Eastern Time within 30 days after the date of publication of this 
notice.\12\ 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.\13\ 
Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, and location of the 
hearing two days before the scheduled date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ See 19 CFR 351.310(c).
    \13\ See 19 CFR 351.310(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ See section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act; and 19 CFR 351.213(h).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assessment Rates

    Upon completion of the administrative review, Commerce shall 
determine, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shall assess, 
antidumping duties on all appropriate entries. If the weighted-average 
dumping margin for an individually examined respondent 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.'' \15\ For entries of subject merchandise 
during the POR produced

[[Page 75034]]

by each respondent 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.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 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).
    \16\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: 
Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68 FR 23954 (May 6, 2003).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the companies which were not selected for individual review, we 
intend to assign an assessment rate based on the review-specific 
average rate, calculated as noted in the ``Preliminary Results of 
Review'' section, above. The final results of this review shall be the 
basis for the assessment of antidumping duties on entries of 
merchandise covered by this review and for future deposits of estimated 
duties, where applicable.\17\ Commerce intends to issue assessment 
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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ See section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 30, 2022.
Lisa W. Wang,
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. Affiliation and Collapsing
V. Companies Not Selected for Individual Examination
VI. Discussion of the Methodology
VII. Recommendation

[FR Doc. 2022-26559 Filed 12-6-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P