The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) has voted to expedite its five-year ("sunset") review concerning the antidumping duty order on certain frozen fish fillets from Vietnam (Inv. No. 731-TA-1012 (Second Review)).

As a result of this vote, the Commission will conduct an expedited review to determine whether revocation of this 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.

All six Commissioners 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 "frozen fish fillets" 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.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain laser abraded denim garments. The products at issue in this investigation are denim garments, including jeans and leggings, that have been abraded with a laser to apply designs or to simulate wear.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by RevoLaze, LLC, and TechnoLines, LLC, both of Westlake, OH, on August 18, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain laser abraded denim garments that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.

The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. of New Albany, OH;
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., of Pittsburgh, PA;
BBC Apparel Group, LLC, of New York, NY;
Gotham Licensing Group, LLC, of New York, NY;
The Buckle, Inc., of Kearney, NE;
Buffalo International ULC of Montreal, Quebec, Canada;
1724982 Alberta ULC of Montreal, Quebec, Canada;
Diesel S.p.A. of Breganze (VI), Italy;
DL1961 Premium Denim Inc. of New York, NY;
Eddie Bauer LLC of Bellevue, WA;
The Gap, Inc., of San Francisco, CA;
Guess?, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA;
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB of Stockholm, Sweden;
H&M Hennes & Mauritz LP of New York, NY;
Roberto Cavalli S.p.A. of Milan, Italy;
Koos Manufacturing, Inc., of South Gate, CA;
Levi Strauss & Co. of San Francisco, CA;
Lucky Brand Dungarees, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA;
Fashion Box S.p.A. of Asolo (Treviso), Italy; and
VF Corporation of Greensboro, NC.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-930), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC's Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC's administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) has voted to conduct a full five-year ("sunset") review concerning the antidumping duty order on saccharin from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1013 (Second Review)).

As a result of this vote, the Commission will conduct a full review to determine whether revocation of this 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.

All six Commissioners concluded that the domestic group response for this review was adequate and that the respondent group response was inadequate, but that circumstances warranted a full 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 votes 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 "saccharin" using the search box in the upper right corner.

The Federal Register notice will indicate whether any further information or statements will be available. The Commission will issue a report after it completes its review.

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is neither materially injured nor threatened with material injury by reason of imports of certain steel threaded rod from India that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Meredith M. Broadbent, Vice Chairman Dean A. Pinkert, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, David S. Johanson, and F. Scott Kieff voted in the negative. Commissioner Rhonda K. Schmidtlein did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the USITC's negative determinations, no antidumping and countervailing duty orders will be issued.

The Commission's public report Certain Steel Threaded Rod from India (Investigation Nos. 701- TA-498 and 731-TA-1213 (Final), USITC Publication 4487, August 2014) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after September 8, 2014. 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

Certain Steel Threaded Rod from India
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-498 and 731-TA-1213 (Final)

Product Description: Certain steel threaded rod is carbon quality steel rod threaded along greater than 25 percent of its length, with a solid, circular cross section, of any diameter, in any straight length, and is forged, turned, cold-drawn, cold-rolled, machine straightened, or otherwise cold-finished. This product is primarily used in commercial construction applications to suspend support systems for electrical conduit, pipes for plumbing, HVAC ductwork, sprinkler systems, etc. Normally, one end of the threaded rod is fastened to the ceiling and the other end is fastened to the support that is holding the pipes or ductwork or sprinkler.

Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final countervailing duty and antidumping.
2. Petitioners:  All America Threaded Products, Inc., Denver, CO; Bay Standard
       Manufacturing, Inc., Brentwood, CA; and Vulcan Threaded Products, Inc., Pelham,
       AL.
3. Investigation instituted by USITC:  June 27, 2013.
4. USITC hearing: March 20, 2014.
5. USITC vote: August 6, 2014.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: August 18, 2014.

U.S. Industry:
1. Number of U.S. producers in 2013:  5.
2. Location of producers' plants:  Alabama, California, Colorado, Indiana, Ohio,
       Pennsylvania, and Texas.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2013: (1)
4. U.S. producers' U.S. shipments in 2013: (1)
5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2013: (1) 
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2013: (1)

U.S. Imports in 2013:
1. From the subject countries during 2013:  India $14.2 million, Thailand $10.5 million.
2. From other countries during 2013:  $29.6 million.
3. Leading sources during 2013: China, India, and Thailand (in terms of total value).

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

Changes Affect 234 Product Categories; Importers Can Review, Prepare to Participate

International customs officials at the World Customs Organization (WCO) have agreed on 234 changes to the global system that categorizes products that are imported and exported around the world, and countries are beginning their individual processes to incorporate those changes into their own domestic product category systems.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is the federal agency charged with maintaining and updating the United States' product category system, the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). The USITC today instituted an investigation that will lead to recommendations to the President on necessary modifications to the U.S. HTS.

The U.S. and other countries have until January 1, 2017, to incorporate the changes, but much work lies ahead, according to Jim Holbein, director of the USITC office that maintains the HTS.

"The first step for importers and exporters is to become aware of the changes being made at the international level," Holbein said. "If they believe they will be affected, they will want to stay on top of the process as it moves forward."

The USITC has posted the WCO document outlining the changes on its website at: http://www.usitc.gov/tariff_affairs/WCORecommendationofJune272014.pdf.

USITC nomenclature analysts are analyzing the WCO document, and the Commission expects to issue proposed recommendations on changes to the HTS in December 2014. At that time, the USITC will seek public comments on the proposed recommendations. Detailed information on how to submit comments and related deadlines will be provided at that time.

The USITC will consider all public comments, as well as comments from other U.S. agencies, in making its recommendations. The recommendations will be submitted to the President (through the U.S. Trade Representative) by July 2015. Following expiration of a 60-day layover period before the Congress, the President may proclaim the modifications to the HTS.

More information about the USITC investigation can be found in the notice of investigation dated August 20, 2014.

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is neither materially injured nor threatened with material injury by reason of imports of ferrosilicon from Venezuela that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the negative.

As a result of the USITC's negative determination, no antidumping duty order will be issued.

The Commission's public report Ferrosilicon from Venezuela (Investigation No. 731-TA-1225 (Final), USITC Publication 4490, September 2014) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigation.

The report will be available after September 30, 2014. After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_log list.asp.

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

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Ferrosilicon from Venezuela
Investigation No. 731-TA-1225 (Final)

Product Description: The merchandise covered by these investigations is all forms and sizes of ferrosilicon, regardless of grade, including ferrosilicon briquettes. Ferrosilicon is a ferroalloy containing by weight 4 percent or more iron, more than 8 percent but not more than 96 percent silicon, 3 percent or less phosphorus, 30 percent or less manganese, less than 3 percent magnesium, and 10 percent or less any other element. The merchandise covered also includes product described as slag, if the product meets these specifications.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigations:  Final antidumping.
2. Petitioners:  Globe Specialty Metals, Inc., New York, NY; CC
       Metals and Alloys, LLC, Calvert City, KY; the United
       Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy,
       Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union
       (USW); and the International Union, United Automobile,
       Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
       (UAW). 
3. Preliminary investigation instituted by the USITC:  July 19, 2013.
4. USITC hearing:  July 29, 2014.
5. USITC vote:  August 26, 2014.
6. USITC determinations due:  September 8, 2014.
7. Scheduled date for USITC views:  September 8, 2014.

U.S. Industry:

1. Number of producers in 2013:  Two.
2. Location of producers' plants:  Alabama, Kentucky, and Ohio.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2013: (1)
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2013: (1)
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2013: (1)

U.S. Imports:

1. From the subject country during 2013:  $44.8 million.
2. From other countries during 2013:  $270.0 million.
3. Principal sources during 2013, by value:  Russia, China, Venezuela, Canada.

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain windshield wipers and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are windshield wipers and wiper blade couplers for connecting the windshield wipers to wiper arms.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Valeo North America, Inc., of Troy, MI, and Delmex de Juarez S. de R.L. de C.V. of Chihuahua, Mexico, on July 25, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain windshield wipers and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.

The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Federal-Mogul Corp. of Southfield, MI;
Federal-Mogul Vehicle Component Solutions, Inc., of Southfield, MI;
Federal-Mogul S.A. of Aubange, Belgium.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-928), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC's Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC's administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) has voted to conduct full five-year ("sunset") reviews concerning the countervailing duty order on citric acid and certain citrate salts from China and the antidumping duty orders on citric acid and certain citrate salts from Canada and China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-456 and 731-TA-1151-1152 (Review)).

As a result of these votes, the Commission will conduct full 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.

With respect to imports from Canada, Chairman Meredith M. Broadbent, Vice Chairman Dean A. Pinkert, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, David S. Johanson, F. Scott Kieff, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein concluded that both the domestic group response and the respondent group response for this review were adequate and voted for a full review.

With respect to imports from China, Chairman Meredith M. Broadbent, Vice Chairman Dean A. Pinkert, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, David S. Johanson, F. Scott Kieff, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein concluded that the domestic group responses for these reviews were adequate and that the respondent group responses were inadequate, but that circumstances warranted full 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://pubapps2.usitc.gov/sunset/caseProf/list?sort=caseTitle&order=asc. From this page, search "citric acid" using the search box in the upper right corner.

The Federal Register notice will indicate whether any further information or statements will be available. The Commission will issue a report after it completes its reviews.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty order on small diameter graphite electrodes from China 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 order on imports of this product from China will remain in place.

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

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 Small Diameter Graphite Electrodes from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1143 (Review), USITC Publication 4469, June 2014) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.

The report will be available after June 23, 2014. After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp. Copies also may be requested after that date by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or writing to the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may be made by fax at 202-205-2104.

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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 Small Diameter Graphite Electrodes from China was instituted on January 2, 2014.

On April 7, 2014, the Commission voted to conduct an expedited review. Chairman Irving A. Williamson and Commissioners Dean A. Pinkert, David S. Johanson, 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) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty order on barium carbonate from China 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 order on imports of this product from China will remain in place. 

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

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 Barium Carbonate from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1020 (Second Review), USITC Publication 4518, February 2015) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.

The report will be available after February 23, 2015.  After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.                                                                                                                             

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 Barium Carbonate from China was instituted on August 1, 2014.

On May 9, 2014, the Commission voted to conduct a full review.  Commissioners David S. Johanson, Meredith M. Broadbent, F. Scott Kieff, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein concluded that the domestic group response for this review was adequate and that the respondent group response was inadequate, but that circumstances warranted a full review.  Commissioners Irving A. Williamson and Dean A. Pinkert concluded that the domestic group response for this review was adequate and that the respondent group response was inadequate, and voted for an expedited review.

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct a full 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.

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