[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 44840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22548]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-423-808, A-122-830, A-475-822, A-791-805, A-580-831 and A-583-830]
Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from Belgium, Canada, Italy, South
Africa, South Korea and Taiwan; Notice of Postponement of Preliminary
Determinations in Antidumping Duty Investigations
AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of Postponement of Preliminary Determinations for
Antidumping Duty Investigations of Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from
Belgium, Canada, Italy, South Africa, South Korea and Taiwan.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (``the Department'') is postponing
the preliminary determinations of the antidumping duty investigations
of stainless steel plate in coils from Belgium, Canada, Italy, South
Africa, South Korea and Taiwan. These investigations cover 10
manufacturers and exporters of the subject merchandise during the
period January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1997.
EFFECTIVE DATE: August 21, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Presing (Belgium), at (202) 482-
0194; Maureen McPhillips (Canada), at (202) 482-0193; Rick Johnson
(Italy, South Korea, and Taiwan), at (202) 482-3818; Robert James
(Republic of South Africa) at (202) 482-5222, Import Administration,
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th
Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230.
POSTPONEMENT OF PRELIMINARY DETERMINATIONS: On April 20, 1998, the
Department initiated antidumping duty investigations of imports of
stainless steel plate in coils from Belgium, Canada, Italy, South
Africa, South Korea, and Taiwan. The notice of initiation stated that
we would issue our preliminary determinations by September 8, 1998 (63
FR 20585; April 27, 1998).
On July 28, 1998, petitioners made a timely request pursuant to 19
CFR 351.205(e) of the Department's regulations for a 30 day
postponement, pursuant to section 733(c)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act of
1930 (the Act), as amended by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.
Petitioners stated that a postponement of the preliminary
determinations is necessary in order to give the Department time to
address the many issues raised by these investigations. For example,
petitioners indicated that they may, if warranted, file cost
allegations in cases currently not subject to cost allegations. They
added that if such allegations are filed, the additional time would
benefit all parties. Indeed, on July 28, 1998, petitioners filed a cost
allegation against a respondent from Canada.
Additionally, we have determined that these investigations are
extraordinarily complicated and that additional time is necessary
beyond the 30 days requested by petitioners for the Department to make
its preliminary determinations. Among other considerations, there is a
large number of respondents and a complex model match program.
In the investigation of stainless steel plate in coils from Italy,
the respondent has informed the Department that it is not cooperating
in the investigation; as a result, the Department will have no choice
but to use adverse facts available in its determination. Although no
additional time is likely to be needed for the Department to prepare
its preliminary determination in the Italy investigation, the
Department is postponing the preliminary determination in this case as
well so that all of the antidumping cases will remain on the same
schedule.
Therefore, the Department is postponing the preliminary
determinations of the aforementioned investigations 50 days, to October
27, 1998. See Memorandum from Joseph A. Spetrini to Robert S. LaRussa,
which is on file in Room B-099 at the Main Commerce Building.
This notice is published pursuant to section 733(c)(2) of the Act
and 19 CFR 351.205(f).
Dated: August 14, 1998.
Joseph A. Spetrini,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, AD/CVD Enforcement Group III.
[FR Doc. 98-22548 Filed 8-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P