October 5, 2022
Bulletin 22-042
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-557 and 731-TA-1312 (First Review) (Expedited)
Contact: Jennifer Andberg, 202-205-1819
USITC Makes Determination in Five-Year (Sunset) Review Concerning Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from China

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders on imports of stainless steel sheet and strip 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 determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China will remain in place. 

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel 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 Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-557 and 731-TA-1312 (First Review), USITC Publication 5376, October 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.

The report will be available by November 3, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.


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 inadequa te 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 Sheet and Strip from China was instituted on March 1, 2022.

On June 6, 2022, the Commission voted to conduct an expedited review. Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic group response 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.

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September 7, 2010
News Release 10-101
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-382 and 731-TA-798-803 (Second Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Will Conduct Full "Sunset" Reviews Concerning Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) has voted to conduct full five-year ("sunset") reviews concerning the countervailing duty order on stainless steel sheet and strip from Korea and the antidumping duty orders on stainless steel sheet and strip from Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan. (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-382 and 731-TA-798-803 (Second 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 Germany, Italy, Korea, and Mexico, all six Commissioners found that the domestic group response and the respondent group responses were adequate and voted for full reviews.

With respect to Japan and Korea, all six Commissioners found that the domestic group response was adequate and 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://info.usitc.gov/oinv/sunset.NSF (under "Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip - Germany," "Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip - Italy," "Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip - Japan," "Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip - Korea," "Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip - Mexico," and "Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip - Taiwan").

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.

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August 30, 2017
News Release 17-122
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-382 and 731-TA-800, 801, and 803 (Third Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty orders on imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan 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 determinations, the existing antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan and the existing countervailing duty order on imports of this product from Korea 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.

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 these five-year (sunset) reviews.

The Commission’s public report Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-382 and 731-TA-800, 801, and 803 (Third Review), USITC Publication 4725, September 2017) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by October 11, 2017; when available, 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) reviews concerning Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan were instituted on July 1, 2016.

On October 4, 2016, the Commission voted to conduct full reviews.  With respect to Korea, all six Commissioners concluded that both the domestic and respondent group responses were adequate and voted for a full review.  With respect to Taiwan, all six Commissioners concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate, but that circumstances warranted a full review.  With respect to Japan, Chairman Irving A. Williamson, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Dean A. Pinkert, Meredith M. Broadbent, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate, but that circumstances warranted a full review; Commissioner F. Scott Kieff concluded that both the domestic and the respondent group responses were adequate and voted for a full review.

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct full reviews 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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March 3, 2017
News Release 17-033
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-557 and 731-TA-1312 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from China Injures U.S. Industry, Says USITC

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

Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, and F. Scott Kieff 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 China.

The Commission also made negative findings with respect to critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from China.  As a result, subsidized goods that entered the United States from China prior to July 18, 2016, will not be subject to retroactive countervailing duties, and goods sold at less than fair value that entered the United States prior to September 19, 2016, will not be subject to retroactive antidumping duties (these dates are the dates of Commerce’s affirmative preliminary determinations).

The Commission’s public report Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-557 and 731-TA-1312 (Final), USITC Publication 4676, March 2017) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by April 14, 2017; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

 


UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-557 and 731-TA-1312 (Final)

Product Description:  The merchandise covered by these investigations is stainless steel sheet and strip, whether in coils or straight lengths. Stainless steel is an alloy steel containing, by weight, 1.2 percent or less of carbon and 10.5 percent or more of chromium, with or without other elements. The subject sheet and strip is a flat-rolled product with a width that is greater than 9.5 mm and with a thickness of 0.3048 mm and greater but less than 4.75 mm, and that is annealed or otherwise heat treated, and pickled or otherwise descaled. The subject sheet and strip may also be further processed (e.g., cold-rolled, annealed, tempered, polished, aluminized, coated, painted, varnished, trimmed, cut, punched, or slit, etc.) provided that it maintains the specific dimensions of sheet and strip set forth above following such processing. The products described include products regardless of shape, and include products of either rectangular or non-rectangular cross-section where such cross-section is achieved subsequent to the rolling process, i.e., products which have been ‘‘worked after rolling’’ (e.g., products which have been beveled or rounded at the edges).

Status of Proceedings:
1.  Type of investigations: Final antidumping and countervailing duty.
2.  Petitioners:  AK Steel Corp., West Chester, Ohio; Allegheny Ludlum, LLC d/b/a ATI Flat Rolled Products, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; North American Stainless, Inc., Ghent, Kentucky; and Outokumpu Stainless USA, LLC, Bannockburn, Illinois.
3.  Investigations instituted by USITC:  February 12, 2016.
4.  USITC hearing: January 31, 2017.
5.  USITC vote: March 3, 2017.
6.  USITC notification of Department of Commerce: March 24, 2017.

U.S. Industry:
1.  Number of U.S. producers in 2015:  Four.
2.  Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2015:  2,637.
4.  U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments in 2015: $3 billion.
5.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2015:  $4.1 billion.
6.  Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2015: 7.6 percent.

U.S. Imports in 2015:
1.  From China during 2015:  $312 million.
2.  From other countries during 2015:  $762 million.
3.  Leading sources during 2015: China, Mexico, and Taiwan (in terms of total value).

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October 4, 2016
News Release 16-126
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-382 and 731-TA-800, 801, and 803 (Third Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Will Conduct Full Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) has voted to conduct full five-year (“sunset”) reviews concerning the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

As a result of the votes, the Commission will conduct full reviews to determine whether revocation of the 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 Korea, all six Commissioners concluded that both the domestic and respondent group responses were adequate and voted for full reviews.  With respect to Taiwan, all six Commissioners concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate, but that circumstances warranted a full review.  With respect to Japan, Chairman Irving A. Williamson, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Dean A. Pinkert, Meredith M. Broadbent, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate, but that circumstances warranted a full review; Commissioner F. Scott Kieff concluded that both the domestic and  the respondent group responses were adequate and voted for a full review.

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 “stainless steel plate” 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.

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March 25, 2016
News Release 16-033
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-557 and 731-TA-1312 (Preliminary)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Votes to Continue Investigations on Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from China

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 stainless steel sheet and strip from China 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 these products from China, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about May 9, 2016, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about July 21, 2016.

The Commission’s public report Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-557 and 731-TA-1312 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4603, April 2016) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after April 25, 2016.  After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.


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

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-557 and 731-TA-1312 (Preliminary)

Product Description: The merchandise covered by these investigations is stainless steel sheet and strip, whether in coils or straight lengths. Stainless steel is an alloy steel containing, by weight, 1.2 percent or less of carbon and 10.5 percent or more of chromium, with or without other elements. The subject sheet and strip is a flat‐rolled product – either in coils or straight lengths ‐ with a width that is greater than 9.5 mm and with a thickness of 0.3048 mm and greater but less than 4.75 mm, and that is annealed or otherwise heat treated and pickled or otherwise descaled. The subject sheet and strip may also be further processed (e.g., cold‐rolled, annealed, tempered, polished, aluminized, coated, painted, varnished, trimmed, cut, punched, or slit, etc.) provided that it maintains the specific dimensions of sheet and strip following such processing. The products described above may be rectangular, square, circular, or other shape and include products of either rectangular or non‐rectangular cross‐section where such cross section is achieved subsequent to the rolling process, i.e., products which have been "worked after rolling" (e.g., products which have been beveled or rounded at the edges).  Excluded from the scope of these investigations are the following: (1) sheet and strip that is not annealed or otherwise heat treated and not pickled or otherwise descaled; (2) plate (i.e., flat‐rolled stainless steel products of a thickness of 4.75 mm or more); and (3) flat wire (i.e., cold-rolled sections, with a prepared edge, rectangular in shape, of a width of not more than 9.5 mm).

Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: AK Steel Corp., West Chester, OH; Allegheny Ludlum, LLC, d/b/a ATI Flat Rolled Products, Pittsburgh, PA; North American Stainless, Inc., Ghent, KY; and Outokumpu Stainless USA, LLC, Bannockburn, IL.
3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: February 12, 2016.
4. Commission’s conference: March 4, 2016.
5. USITC vote: March 25, 2016.
6. USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: March 28, 2016.
7. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: April 4, 2016.

U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers in 2015: Four.
2. Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2015: 2,637.
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2015: $4.1 billion.
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2015: 26.1 percent.

U.S. Imports:
1. From China during 2015:  $312.2 million.
2. From other countries during 2015:  $764.7 million.
3. Leading sources during 2015: China, Mexico, and Taiwan (in terms of total value).

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