[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2702-2705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00646]
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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; 2017-2018
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) and Grupo Simec made sales of
subject merchandise at less than normal value during the November 1,
2017 through October 31, 2018 period of review (POR). We invite
interested parties to comment on these preliminary results.
DATES: Applicable January 16, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Moore (Deacero) or George
McMahon (Grupo Simec), 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) 482-3692 or (202) 482-1167, 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 February 6, 2019, 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\
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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 and Countervailing Duty
Administrative Reviews, 84 FR 2159 (February 6, 2019) (Initiation
Notice).
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[[Page 2703]]
Commerce initiated this administrative review covering the
following companies: AceroMex S.A., Aceros Especiales Simec Tlaxcala,
S.A. de C.V. (AEST), Arcelor Mittal, ArcelorMittal Celaya,
ArcelorMittal Cordoba S.A. de C.V., ArcelorMittal Lazaro Cardenas S.A.
de C.V., Cia Siderurgica De California, S.A. de C.V., Compania
Siderurgica de California, S.A. de C.V., DE ACERO SA. DE CV., Deacero,
S.A.P.I. de C.V, Grupo Simec, Grupo Villacero S.A. de C.V., Industrias
CH, Orge S.A. de C.V. (Orge), Siderurgica Tultitlan S.A. de C.V., Simec
International 6 S.A. de C.V. (Simec 6), Talleres y Aceros, S.A. de
C.V., and Ternium Mexico, S.A. de C.V. On March 1, 2019, we limited the
number of respondents selected for individual examination in this
administrative review to Deacero and Grupo Simec.\3\ We did not select
the remaining companies \4\ for individual examination, and these
companies remain subject to this administrative review.
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\3\ See Memorandum, ``Antidumping Duty Administrative Review of
Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Mexico; 2017-2018, Selection of
Respondents for Individual Examination,'' dated March 1, 2019.
\4\ We previously collapsed, or found affiliated, 5 of the 18
firms listed in the Initiation Notice (i.e., AEST, Grupo Simec,
Industrias CH, Orge, and Simec 6) into the single entity ``Grupo
Simec.'' Commerce has collapsed several additional companies into
the single entity, ``Grupo Simec'' which are identified in the rates
section below. Furthermore, the petitioner requested a review of
DEACERO SA. DE CV. and Deacero S.A.P.I. CV. However, in the original
investigation, DEACERO SA. DE CV.'s name was changed to Deacero
S.A.P.I. CV. Therefore, consistent with the legal name change stated
in the LTFV Preliminary Determination of the original investigation,
we are treating the predecessor company name and Deacero's current
name as one and the same. See Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From
Mexico: Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value,
Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, and
Postponement of Final Determination, 79 FR 22802 (April 24, 2014)
(LTFV Preliminary Determination).
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Commerce exercised its discretion to toll all deadlines affected by
the partial federal government closure from December 22, 2018 through
the resumption of operations on January 28, 2019.\5\ On July 16, 2019,
we extended the deadline for the preliminary results to January 9,
2020.\6\ For a complete description of the events that followed the
initiation of this review, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.\7\
A list of topics included in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is
included as the appendix to this notice.
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\5\ See Memorandum, ``Deadlines Affected by the Partial Shutdown
of the Federal Government,'' dated January 28, 2019. All deadlines
in this segment of the proceeding have been extended by 40 days. If
the new deadline falls on a non-business day, in accordance with
Commerce's practice, the deadline will become the next business day.
\6\ See Memorandum, ``Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from
Mexico: Extension of Deadline for Preliminary Results of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review; 2017-2018,'' dated July 16, 2019.
\7\ See Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Steel Concrete
Reinforcing Bar from Mexico, 2017-2018,'' dated concurrently with,
and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision
Memorandum).
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Scope of the Order
Imports covered by the order are shipments of steel concrete
reinforcing bar imported in either straight length or coil form (rebar)
regardless of metallurgy, length, diameter, or grade. The merchandise
subject to review is currently classifiable under items 7213.10.0000,
7214.20.0000, and 7228.30.8010. The subject merchandise may also enter
under other Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)
numbers including 7215.90.1000, 7215.90.5000, 7221.00.0017,
7221.00.0018, 7221.00.0030, 7221.00.0045, 7222.11.0001, 7222.11.0057,
7222.11.0059, 7222.30.0001, 7227.20.0080, 7227.90.6085, 7228.20.1000,
and 7228.60.6000. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the
merchandise subject to the order is dispositive. For a full description
of the scope of the Order, 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. 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, and to all parties in the Central Records Unit, Room
B-8024 of the main Commerce building. In addition, a complete version
of the Preliminary Decision memorandum can be accessed directly at
http://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/index.html. The signed and electronic
versions of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum are identical in
content. A list of the topics discussed in the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum is attached as the appendix to this notice.
Rate for Non-Selected Companies
Generally, when calculating margins for non-selected respondents,
Commerce looks to section 735(c)(5) of the Act for guidance, which
provides instructions for calculating the all-others margin in an
investigation. Section 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act provides that when
calculating the all-others margin, Commerce will exclude any zero and
de minimis weighted-average dumping margins, as well as any weighted-
average dumping margins based on total facts available. Accordingly,
Commerce's usual practice has been to average the margins for selected
respondents, excluding margins that are zero, de minimis, or based
entirely on facts available.
In this review, we calculated a weighted-average dumping margin of
7.25 percent for Deacero and 6.74 percent for Grupo Simec. In
accordance with section 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act, Commerce assigned the
weighted-average of these two calculated weighted-average dumping
margins, 7.11 percent, to the 11 non-selected companies in these
preliminary results. The rate calculated for the 11 non-selected
companies is a weighted-average percentage margin which is calculated
based on the publicly ranged U.S. values of the two reviewed companies
with an affirmative antidumping duty margin.\8\
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\8\ See Memorandum, ``Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from
Mexico: Margin for Respondents Not Selected for Individual
Examination,'' dated concurrently with this notice.
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Preliminary Results of the Review
We preliminarily determine the following weighted-average dumping
margins exist for the POR:
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Weighted-average
Producer and/or exporter dumping margin
(percent)
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Deacero S.A.P.I de C.V............................... 7.25
[[Page 2704]]
Grupo Simec (Simec International 6 S.A. de C.V., Orge 6.75
S.A. de C.V., Aceros Especiales Simec Tlaxcala, S.A.
de C.V., Fundiciones de Acero Estructurales, S.A. de
C.V., Operadora de Perfiles Sigosa, S.A. de C.V.,
Simec International, S.A. de C.V., Simec
International 7, S.A. de C.V., Grupo Chant, S.A.P.I.
de C.V., and Sider[uacute]rgicos Noroeste, S.A. de
C.V.) \9\...........................................
AceroMex S.A......................................... 7.11
Arcelor Mittal....................................... 7.11
ArcelorMittal Celaya................................. 7.11
ArcelorMittal Cordoba S.A. de C.V.................... 7.11
ArcelorMittal Lazaro Cardenas S.A. de C.V............ 7.11
Cia Siderurgica De California, S.A. de C.V........... 7.11
Compania Siderurgica de California, S.A. de C.V \10\. 7.11
Grupo Villacero S.A. de C.V.......................... 7.11
Siderurgica Tultitlan S.A. de C.V.................... 7.11
Talleres y Aceros, S.A. de C.V....................... 7.11
Ternium Mexico, S.A. de C.V.......................... 7.11
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Assessment Rate
Upon issuance of the final results, Commerce shall determine, and
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shall assess, antidumping duties on
all appropriate entries covered by this review. If the weighted-average
dumping margin for Deacero or Grupo Simec is not zero or de minimis
(i.e., less than 0.5 percent), we will calculate importer-specific ad
valorem antidumping duty assessment rates based on the ratio of the
total amount of dumping calculated for each importer's examined sales
to the total entered value of those same sales in accordance with 19
CFR 351.212(b)(1).\11\ If the weighted-average dumping margin for
Deacero or Grupo Simec is zero or de minimis in the final results, or
an importer-specific assessment rate is zero or de minimis in the final
results, we will instruct CBP not to assess antidumping duties on any
of their entries in accordance with the Final Modification for
Reviews.\12\
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\9\ In the 2014-2015 Review, Commerce collapsed Orge S.A. de
C.V. (Orge), Compania Siderurgica del Pacifico S.A. de C.V.
(Siderurgica Pacifico), Grupo Chant S.A.P.I. de C.V. (Chant), RRLC
S.A.P.I. de C.V. (RRLC), Siderurgica del Occidente y Pacifico S.A.
de C.V. (Siderurgica Occidente), Simec International 6 S.A. de C.V.
(Simec 6), Simec International 7 S.A. de C.V. (Simec 7), and Simec
International 9 S.A. de C.V (Simec 9) into the single entity ``Grupo
Simec.'' See Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Mexico: Final
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2014-2015, 82 FR
27233 (June 14, 2017) (2014-2015 Review). In the 2016-2017 Review,
Commerce collapsed AEST, Fundiciones de Acero Estructurales, S.A. de
C.V. (FUNACE), Perfiles Comerciales Sigosa, S.A. de C.V. (Perfiles),
and Operadora into the single entity ``Grupo Simec,'' which included
Simec 6 and Orge. See Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Mexico:
Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2016-
2017, 83 FR 63622 (December 11, 2018), and Preliminary Decision
Memorandum at 5; unchanged in Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from
Mexico: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review;
2016-2017, 84 FR 35599 (July 24, 2019) (2016-2017 Review).
In this administrative review, Commerce is preliminarily
collapsing Sider[uacute]rgicos Noroeste, S.A. de C.V. and Simec
International with Simec 6, Orge, AEST, FUNACE, Operadora, Simec 7,
and Chant in the single entity, ``Grupo Simec.'' Consistent with the
2016-2017 Review, we find that Industrias CH is affiliated with
Grupo Simec but Commerce is not collapsing the company into the
single entity because it is not involved in the production or sale
of subject merchandise. See Grupo Simec Affiliation and Collapsing
Memorandum, dated concurrently with this notice.
\10\ In the Initiation Notice, Commerce inadvertently
transcribed the requested company name as ``Compafiia Siderurgica de
California, S.A. de C.V.'' The correct spelling of this company name
is listed in this rate table.
\11\ In these preliminary results, Commerce applied the
assessment rate calculation method adopted in Antidumping
Proceedings: Calculation of the Weighted-Average Dumping Margin and
Assessment Rate in Certain Antidumping Proceedings: Final
Modification, 77 FR 8101 (February 14, 2012) (Final Modification for
Reviews).
\12\ Id., 77 FR at 8102.
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In accordance with Commerce's assessment practice, for entries of
subject merchandise during the POR produced by each respondent for
which it did not know that 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(ies)
involved in the transaction.
We intend to issue instructions to CBP 15 days after publication of
the final results of this review.
Cash Deposit Requirements
The following cash deposit requirements will be effective upon
publication of the notice of final results of administrative review for
all shipments of subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from
warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication 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 respondents
noted above will be the rate 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)(I),
in which case the cash deposit rate will be zero; (2) for merchandise
exported by producers or exporters not covered in this administrative
review but covered in a prior segment of the proceeding, the cash
deposit rate will continue to be the company-specific rate published
for the most recently completed segment of this proceeding; (3) if the
exporter is not a firm covered in this review, a prior review, or the
original investigation, but the producer is, then the cash deposit rate
will be the rate established for the most recently completed segment of
this proceeding for the producer of the subject merchandise; and (4)
the cash deposit rate for all other producers or exporters will
continue to be 20.58 percent, the all-others rate established in the
less-than-fair-value investigation.\13\ These cash deposit
requirements, when imposed, shall remain in effect until further
notice.
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\13\ 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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Disclosure
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.\14\
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\14\ See 19 CFR 351.224(b).
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Public Comment
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(c)(ii), interested parties may submit
case briefs not later than 30 days after the date of publication of
this notice. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in the case
briefs, may be filed no later than five days after the date for filing
case
[[Page 2705]]
briefs.\15\ However, Commerce intends to conduct verification of the
questionnaire responses submitted by Grupo Simec after the preliminary
results. Thus, Commerce will subsequently notify parties of the case
brief and rebuttal brief deadlines. 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.\16\ All briefs must be filed
electronically using ACCESS. An electronically filed document must be
received successfully in its entirety by the established deadline.
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\15\ See 19 CFR 351.309(d).
\16\ See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), and 19 CFR 351.303
(for general filing requirements).
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Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to
request a hearing, limited to issues raised in the case and rebuttal
briefs, must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for
Enforcement and Compliance, within 30 days after the date of
publication of this notice. 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 the U.S. Department of
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230, at a time
and date to be determined. Parties should confirm by telephone the
date, time, and location of the hearing two days before the scheduled
date.
We intend to issue the final results of this administrative review,
including the results of our analysis of the issues raised in any
written briefs, not later than 120 days after the date of publication
of this notice, pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act.
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 increase the
subsequent assessment of the antidumping duties.
Notification to Interested Parties
We are issuing and publishing these results in accordance with
sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.213(h)(1).
Dated: January 9, 2020.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
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. Margin for Companies Not Selected for Individual Examination
V. Affiliation and Collapsing
VI. Discussion of the Methodology
VII. Recommendation
[FR Doc. 2020-00646 Filed 1-15-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P