The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) has voted to expedite its five-year ("sunset") reviews concerning the antidumping duty orders on preserved mushrooms from Chile, China, India, and Indonesia (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-776-779 (Second Review)).

As a result of these votes, the Commission will conduct expedited reviews to determine whether revocation of these orders would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission's notice of institution in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file with the Commission responses that discuss the likely effects of revoking the order under review and provide other pertinent information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC's notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews. Commissioners base their injury determinations in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission's prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the reviews, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

All six Commissioners concluded that the domestic group response for these reviews was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews.

A record of the Commission's votes on these matters is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The record of the Commission's votes is also posted on the USITC's Internet site at http://info.usitc.gov/oinv/sunset.NSF (under "Preserved Mushrooms - Chile", "Preserved Mushrooms - China", "Preserved Mushrooms - India", and "Preserved Mushrooms - Indonesia").

The Federal Register notice will indicate whether any further information or statements will be available. Only parties that filed adequate responses and filed timely notices of appearance are eligible to participate further in these reviews. The Commission will issue a report after it completes its reviews.

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The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of carbon and alloy steel threaded rod from China, India, Taiwan, and Thailand that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of China and India.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue with its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning imports of this product from China, India, Taiwan, and Thailand.

The Commission’s public report Carbon and Alloy Steel Threaded Rod from China, India, Taiwan, and Thailand (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-618-619 and 731-TA-1441-1444 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4885, April 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after May 6, 2019; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Carbon and Alloy Steel Threaded Rod from China, India, Taiwan, and Thailand
Investigation Nos.: 701-TA-618-619 and 731-TA-1441-1444 (Preliminary)

Product Description:  Steel threaded rod is certain threaded rod, bar, or studs, of carbon or alloy steel, having a solid, circular cross section of any diameter, in any straight length. Steel threaded rod is normally drawn, cold‐rolled, threaded, and straightened, or it may be hot‐rolled. In addition, the steel threaded rod, bar, or studs subject to these investigations are non‐headed and threaded along greater than 25 percent of their total actual length. A variety of finishes or coatings, such as plain oil finish as a temporary rust protectant, zinc coating (i.e., galvanized, whether by electroplating or hot‐dipping), paint, and other similar finishes and coatings, may be applied to the merchandise.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Preliminary phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations.
2.   Petitioners:  Vulcan Threaded Products Inc., Pelham, Alabama.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Thursday, February 21, 2019.
4.   USITC Conference Date:  Thursday, March 14, 2019.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Friday, April 5, 2019.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, April 8, 2019.

U.S. Industry in 2018:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  7.
2.   Location of producers’ plants: Alabama, California, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
3.   Production and related workers:  293.
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  $120.2 million.
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption:  $270.8 million.
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  50.9 percent.

U.S. Imports in 2018:

1.   Subject imports:  $137.9 million.
2.   Nonsubject imports:  $12.8 million.
3.   Leading import sources:  China, India, Taiwan, and Thailand.  

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today announced its injury determinations in its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning large diameter welded (LDW) pipe from China and India that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Four Commissioners identified three like products and one Commissioner identified two like products in these investigations.

LDW carbon and alloy steel line pipe (line pipe):  The Commission made an affirmative determination in its antidumping duty investigation of line pipe from China. Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative; Commissioner Meredith M. Broadbent voted in the negative. 

All four Commissioners voted to terminate the countervailing duty investigation of line pipe from China.

The Commission made affirmative determinations in its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations of line pipe from India.  Chairman Johanson and Commissioners Williamson and Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative; Commissioner Broadbent voted in the negative.

LDW carbon and alloy steel structural pipe (structural pipe):  The Commission made affirmative determinations in its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations of structural pipe from China.  Chairman Johanson and Commissioners Williamson, Schmidtlein, and Broadbent voted in the affirmative.

All four Commissioners voted to terminate the antidumping and countervailing duty investigations of structural pipe from India.

LDW stainless steel pipe (stainless steel pipe):  The Commission made negative determinations in its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations of stainless steel pipe from China and India.  Chairman Johanson and Commissioners Williamson, Schmidtlein, and Broadbent voted in the negative.

Commissioner Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative with respect to LDW carbon and alloy steel pipe from China and India and concurred with the majority in voting in the negative with respect to LDW stainless steel pipe from China and India.

As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of LDW carbon and alloy steel line pipe from China and India and a countervailing duty order on imports of LDW carbon and alloy steel line pipe from India, and antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of LDW carbon and alloy steel structural pipe from China.

The Commission’s public report Large Diameter Welded Pipe from China and India (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-593-594 and 731-TA-1402 and 1404 (Final), USITC Publication 4859, December 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by January 14, 2019; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Large Diameter Welded Pipe (LDWP) from China and India
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-593-594 and 731-TA-1402 and 1404 (Final)

Product Description:  Large diameter welded pipe covered by these investigations is welded carbon and alloy steel pipe (including stainless steel pipe), more than 406.4 mm (16 inches) in nominal outside diameter (large diameter welded pipe), regardless of wall thickness, length, surface finish, grade, end finish, or stenciling. Large diameter welded pipe may be used to transport oil, gas, slurry, steam, or other fluids, liquids or gases. It may also be used for structural purposes, including, but not limited to, piling.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Final phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations.
2.   Petitioners:  American Cast Iron Pipe Company, Birmingham, AL; American Line Pipe Producers Association, Washington, DC; Berg Steel Pipe Corp., Panama City, FL; Berg Spiral Pipe Corp., Mobile, AL; Dura-Bond Industries, Inc., Export, PA; Skyline Steel, Newington, VA; Stupp Corporation, Baton Rouge, LA; and Welspun Tubular LLC, Little Rock, AR.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  Tuesday, November 6, 2018.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Thursday, December 6, 2018.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Thursday, December 20, 2018.

U.S. Industry in 2017:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  16.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.
3.   Production and related workers:  2,372.
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: $1,336,431,000.
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption: $2,248,792,000.
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

U.S. Imports in 2017:

1.   Subject imports: ¹
2.   Nonsubject imports:  ¹
3.   Leading import sources:  India, Canada, Korea, Germany, and Turkey.

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of stainless steel flanges from India that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.  

As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from India. 

The Commission also made negative findings concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from India.  As a result, imports of stainless steel flanges from India will not be subject to retroactive antidumping or countervailing duties.

The Commission’s public report Stainless Steel Flanges from India (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-586 and 731-TA-1384 (Final), USITC Publication 4828, September 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by October 19, 2018; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Stainless Steel Flanges from India
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-586 and 731-TA-1384 (Final)

Product Description:  The stainless steel flanges subject to these investigations are forged and can be finished, semifinished, or unfinished. Subject flanges are made from stainless steel and are generally manufactured to, but not limited to, the material specification of ASTM/ASME A/SA182 or comparable domestic or foreign specifications. Subject stainless steel flanges meet the sizes and description standards for all pressure classes of ASME B16.5 and range in size from one-half inch to 24 inches in nominal pipe size. Stainless steel flanges are used to connect stainless steel pipe sections and piping components (valves, pumps, tanks, and other equipment) to form a piping system. Stainless steel flanges are usually welded or screwed to the ends of pipes or other equipment requiring a connection and are joined to each other by bolting. Forged stainless steel flanges are a component of stainless steel process piping in oil and gas refineries, nuclear power plants, chemical synthesis plants, paper mills, food processing facilities, and other applications where cleanliness and corrosion resistance are required and in electric power-generating plants where their high-temperature properties are needed.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigations:  Final phase antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.
2.   Petitioners:  Core Pipe Products, Inc., Carol Stream, IL; and Maass Flange Corporation, Houston, TX.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  August 16, 2017.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  April 10, 2018.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  September 18, 2018.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  September 28, 2018.

U.S. Industry in 2017:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  5.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Illinois, Michigan, and Texas.
3.   Production and related workers:  218.
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  ^[1
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

U.S. Imports in 2017:

1.   Subject imports:  $77.8 million (China and India).
2.   Nonsubject imports:  $61.7 million.
3.   Leading import sources:  India, China, Canada, Philippines, and Mexico (in terms of total quantity).

 

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20436

 

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Glycine from China, India, Japan, and Thailand.

Investigation Nos: 701-TA-603-605 and 731-TA-1413-1415 (Preliminary)

 

Product Description:  For purposes of these investigations, the product covered is glycine, which in its solid (i.e., crystallized) form is a free-flowing crystalline material. Glycine is used as a sweetener/taste enhancer, buffering agent, reabsorbable amino acid, chemical intermediate, metal complexing agent, dietary supplement, and is used in certain pharmaceuticals. Precursors of dried crystalline glycine, including but not limited to glycine slurry (i.e., glycine in a non-crystallized form) and sodium glycinate, are also covered in the scope of these investigations.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Preliminary phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations

2.   Petitioners:  GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc., Lafayette, Indiana; Chattem Chemicals Inc., Chattanooga, Tennessee

3.   USITC Institution Date:  Wednesday, March 28, 2018

4.   USITC Conference Date:  Wednesday, April 18, 2018

5.   USITC Vote Date:  Friday, May 11, 2018

6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, May 14, 2018

U.S. Industry in 2017:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  2

2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Texas and Tennessee

3.   Production and related workers:  ^[1]

4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  ¹

5.   Apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

U.S. Imports in 2017:

1.   Subject imports:  $22.9 million

2.   Nonsubject imports:  $563,000

3.   Leading import sources:  Japan, India, Thailand

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty order on imports of stainless steel wire rod from India would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, the existing antidumping duty order on imports of this product from India will remain in place.

Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, and Meredith M. Broadbent voted in the affirmative.  Commissioner F. Scott Kieff did not participate in this vote.

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.  See the attached page for background on this five-year (sunset) review.

The Commission’s public report Stainless Steel Wire Rod from India (Inv. No. 731-TA-638 (Fourth Review), USITC Publication 4695, June 2017) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.

The report will be available by June 27, 2017; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

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BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information.  Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review.  If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews.  Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

The five-year (sunset) review concerning Stainless Steel Wire Rod from India was instituted on December 1, 2016.

On March 6, 2017, the Commission voted to conduct an expedited review.  Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, and F. Scott Kieff concluded that the domestic group response for this review was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate and voted for an expedited review.

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct an expedited review is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.  Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) has voted to expedite its five-year (“sunset”) review concerning the antidumping duty order on Stainless Steel Wire Rod from India.

As a result of the vote, the Commission will conduct an expedited review to determine whether revocation of the order would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission’s notice of institution in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file with the Commission responses that discuss the likely effects of revoking the order under review and provide other pertinent information.  Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review.  If responses to the USITC's notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews.  Commissioners base their injury determinations in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the reviews, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, and F. Scott Keiff concluded that the domestic group response for this review was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate and voted for an expedited review.

A record of the Commission’s vote on this matter is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC  20436.  Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The record of the Commission's vote is also posted on the USITC's Internet site at http://pubapps2.usitc.gov/sunset/caseProf/list?sort=caseTitle&order=asc.  From this page, search “stainless steel wire rod” using the search box in the upper right corner.

The Federal Register notice will indicate whether any further information or statements will be available.  Only parties that filed adequate responses and filed timely notices of appearance are eligible to participate further in this review.  The Commission will issue a report after it completes its review.

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Certain Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman

Investigation Nos. 701-TA-531-532 and 731-TA-1270-1273 (Final)

Product Description:  PET resin is a large‐volume, commodity‐grade thermoplastic polyester polymer that is primarily sold in bulk form as chips or pellets to downstream end users/converters. Converters use PET resin to manufacture bottles and other sterile containers that house liquid and solid products for human consumption or contact. Articles manufactured with PET resin are clear, transparent, sterile, lightweight, and thermally stable.  The PET resin covered in these investigations has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.70, but not more than 0.88, deciliters per gram. Included are blends of virgin PET resin and recycled PET resin containing 50 percent or more virgin PET resin content by weight, provided such blends meet the intrinsic viscosity requirements above. The products covered include all PET resin meeting the above specifications regardless of additives introduced in the manufacturing process.  Major end‐use applications for bottle grade PET resin include carbonated soft drink bottles, water bottles, and other containers such as for juices, peanut butter, jams and jellies, salad dressings, cooking oils, household cleaners, and cosmetics.

 

Status of Proceedings:

1.         Type of investigations: Final antidumping and countervailing duty.

2.         Petitioners: DAK Americas, LLC, Charlotte, NC; M&G Chemicals, Houston, TX; and Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America, Lake City, SC.

3.         Investigations instituted by USITC:  March 10, 2015.

4.         USITC hearing: March 1, 2016.

5.         USITC vote: March 31, 2016.

6.         USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: By April 28, 2016.

U.S. Industry:

1.         Number of U.S. producers in 2014:  4.

2.         Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Texas.

3.         Employment of production-related workers in 2014: 989.                

4.         U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments in 2014:  [1]

5.         Apparent U.S. consumption in 2014:  ¹

6.         Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2014: ¹

U.S. Imports in 2011:

1.         From the subject countries during 2011:  ¹

2.         From other countries during 2014:  $409 million.

3.         Leading sources during 2014: Mexico and Canada (in terms of total value).

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of welded stainless steel pressure pipe from India that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value. 

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations on imports of this product from India, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about December 24, 2015, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about March 8, 2016. 

The Commission’s public report Welded Stainless Steel Pressure Pipe from India (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-548 and 731-TA-1298 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4582, November 2015) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after December 14, 2015.  After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Office of Industries
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Welded Stainless Steel Pressure Pipe from India
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-548 and 731-TA-1298 (Preliminary)

Product Description: Welded stainless steel pressure pipe (“WSSPP”) refers to circular welded austenitic stainless pressure pipe not greater than 14 inches in outside diameter. For purposes of these investigations, references to size are in nominal inches and include all products within tolerances allowed by pipe specifications. This merchandise includes, but is not limited to, the ASTM International (ASTM) A 312 or ASTM A 778 specifications, or comparable domestic or foreign specifications. ASTM A 358 products are only included when they are produced to meet ASTM A 312 or ASTM A 778 specifications, or comparable domestic or foreign specifications. Excluded from the scope are: (1) Welded stainless mechanical tubing, meeting ASTM A 554 or comparable domestic or foreign specifications; (2) boiler, heat exchanger, super heater, refining furnace, feed water heater, and condenser tubing, meeting ASTM A 249, ASTM A 688 or comparable domestic or foreign specifications; and (3) specialized tubing, meeting ASTM A 269, ASTM A 270 or comparable domestic or foreign specifications. WSSPP conveys fluids at high temperatures, high pressures, or both. WSSPP is used in corrosive environments, high temperature and pressure conditions, or in conditions where cleanliness and ease of maintenance are strictly required. A variety of industries use WSSPP including: food, chemicals, petrochemicals, oil and gas, manufacturing, chemical fluid handling, paper and pulp processing and water treatment.

Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Bristol Metals, LLC, Bristol, TN; Felker Brothers Corp., Marshfield, WI; Marcegaglia USA, Munhall, PA; and Outokumpu Stainless USA LLC, Inc., Wildwood, FL.
3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: September 30, 2015.
4. Commission’s conference: October 21, 2015.
5. USITC vote: November 13, 2015.
6. USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: November 16, 2015.
7. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: November 23, 2015.

U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers in 2014: Seven.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2014: 355.
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2014: 95,486 short tons.
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2014: 0.68.

U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject country during 2014:  $64.7 million.
2. From other countries during 2014:  $185.5 million.
3. Leading sources during 2014: Taiwan, India, Korea, Canada and China (in terms of total value).

India has made significant changes to some of its policies that discriminate against U.S. trade and investment since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister on May 26, 2014 according to the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) report, Trade and Investment Policies in India, 2014–2015.

The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, prepared the report at the request of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means and the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance.

As requested, the USITC report describes significant changes to India’s trade and investment policies by the government of Narendra Modi since it took office in May 2014. It also describes changes to policies identified in the USITC report, Trade, Investment, and Industrial Policies in India: Effects on the U.S. Economy, which was published in December 2014.

The new USITC report identifies significant policy changes or new policies by the Modi government during May 2014–July 2015 in four areas: foreign direct investment, tariffs and customs procedures, local-content and localization requirements, and standards and technical regulations. Highlights follow.

• Since May 2014 India has raised foreign direct investment (FDI) equity caps in the insurance and defense industries, removed the requirement for pre-investment authorizations in several industries and permitted FDI in certain segments of the railway industry.  These changes have helped to improve India’s overall investment regime. [Read More]
• India has made a small number changes in its tariffs and customs procedures.  It has reduced tariffs on some information, communications, and telecommunications (ICT)-related products, but increased tariff on several telecommunications-related products. Some changes have improved U.S. access to the Indian market. [Read More]
• India has made changes to policies and practices regarding local-content requirements and localization measures.  The changes expand or propose to expand several local-content and localization requirements affecting certain ICT, electronics, and defense and civil aerospace products.  The changes affect measures that require foreign firms to purchase Indian inputs, conduct a share of business in India, conduct certain business activities in India, or submit to India-specific testing or registration. [Read More]
• The Modi government has expressed a commitment to harmonize India’s standards with international standards and to increase engagement with the United States on standards. Nevertheless, U.S. industry and government representatives report that the Modi government has created new India-unique mandatory standards and technical requirements that increase costs, delay time to market, and operate to exclude certain U.S. products from the Indian market.
• Six case studies highlight the effects of specific policies in selected industries of concern to U.S. companies.  Four case studies examine the impact of India-unique standards and technical requirements concerning agricultural products, food products, alcoholic beverages, and cosmetics and personal care products.  Two case studies examine developments in India’s healthcare sector concerning medical devices and clinical trials. [Read More]
• The Modi government introduced no new IPR laws during May 2014–June 2015 to address barriers to the protection of trade secrets, regulatory test data, patents, trademarks, and copyrights.  Nevertheless, U.S. industry and government representatives noted the willingness of Modi government officials to engage in discussions with the United States on IPR issues. [Read More]
• The Modi government also pursued several broad policy changes to enhance India’s business climate during May 2014–July 2015.  Changes in the following areas particularly may positively affect India’s trade and investment climate: improving India’s economic infrastructure, improving the ease of doing business, creating greater bureaucratic transparency and accountability, changing taxation policy, and encouraging state-level policy changes in India. [Read More]

Trade and Investment Policies in India, 2014–2015 (Investigation No. 332-550, USITC Publication 4566, September 2015) is available on the USITC's Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4566.pdf.

USITC general factfinding investigations cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the USITC’s objective findings and independent analyses on the subject investigated. The USITC makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

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