[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 112 (Monday, June 10, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48891-48892]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12608]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-570-161, C-533-923]


2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid From the People's Republic of 
China and India: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the 
Countervailing Duty Investigations

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

DATES: Applicable June 10, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Claudia Cott (the People's Republic of 
China) and Frank Schmitt (India), AD/CVD Operations, Offices I and VI, 
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20230; telephone: (202) 482-4270 and (202) 482-4880, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) 
initiated countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of 2,4-
dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) from China and India.\1\ Currently, 
the preliminary determinations are due no later than June 27, 2024.
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    \1\ See 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid from the People's 
Republic of China and India: Initiation of Countervailing Duty 
Investigations, 89 FR 34205 (April 30, 2024).
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Postponement of Preliminary Determinations

    Section 703(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), 
requires Commerce to issue the preliminary determination in a CVD 
investigation within 65 days after the date on which Commerce initiated 
the investigation. However, section 703(c)(1) of the Act permits 
Commerce to postpone the preliminary determination until no later than 
130 days after the date on which Commerce initiated the investigation 
if: (A) the petitioner \2\ makes a timely request for a postponement; 
or (B) Commerce concludes that the parties concerned are cooperating, 
that the investigation is extraordinarily complicated, and that 
additional time is necessary to make a preliminary determination. Under 
19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner must submit a request for 
postponement 25 days or more before the scheduled date of the 
preliminary determination and must state the reasons for the request. 
Commerce will grant the request unless it finds compelling reasons to 
deny the request.
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    \2\ The petitioner is Corteva Agriscience LLC.
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    On May 24, 2024, the petitioner submitted a timely request that 
Commerce postpone the preliminary CVD determinations.\3\ The petitioner 
stated that it requests postponement for Commerce to receive initial 
responses, issue supplemental questionnaires as needed, develop the 
records regarding potential deficiencies, and prepare the preliminary 
determinations.\4\
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    \3\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Request For Extension Preliminary 
Determination Deadline,'' dated May 24, 2024.
    \4\ Id.

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[[Page 48892]]

    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner has stated the 
reasons for requesting a postponement of the preliminary determination, 
and Commerce finds no compelling reason to deny the request. Therefore, 
in accordance with section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act, Commerce is 
postponing the deadline for the preliminary determinations to no later 
than 130 days after the date on which these investigations were 
initiated, i.e., September 3, 2024.\5\ Pursuant to section 705(a)(1) of 
the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the final 
determinations of these investigations will continue to be 75 days 
after the date of the preliminary determinations.
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    \5\ Postponing the preliminary determinations to 130 days after 
initiation would place the deadline on Saturday, August 31, 2024, 
and Monday, September 2, 2024, is a federal holiday. Commerce's 
practice dictates that, where a deadline falls on a weekend or 
federal holiday, the appropriate deadline is the next business day, 
i.e., Tuesday, September 3, 2024. 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).
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    This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 703(c)(2) 
of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(f)(1).

    Dated: June 4, 2024.
Ryan Majerus,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, performing the 
non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2024-12608 Filed 6-7-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P