China and Mexico Galvanized Steel Wire: AD/CV Initiation Phase Deadlines

The ITA will determine whether imports of galvanized steel wire from China and Mexico are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value; and whether producers/exporters of galvanized steel wire in China receive countervailable subsidies.

(See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/22/11 news, 11042212, for BP summary of the ITA's fact sheet on the initiation of these AD/CV investigations.)

Mexico AD and China CV - Comments on Respondent Selection due May 4

For the Mexico AD and China CV investigations, the ITA intends to select respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection data for U.S. imports during the period of investigation. The ITA invites comments regarding the CBP data and respondent selection in these investigations by May 4, 2011.

China AD - Q&V Questionnaires due May 25

For the China AD investigation, the ITA will request quantity and value (Q&V) information from all known exporters and producers identified with complete contact information in the AD petition. The Q&V data received will be used as a basis to select the mandatory respondents.

The Q&V questionnaire is available here. Completed questionnaires are due by May 25, 2011.

China AD - Separate Rate Applications due June 27

The ITA also requires exporters and producers seeking separate rate status in the China AD investigation to submit a separate rate application no later than June 27, 2011. The separate rate application is available here.

The ITA requires that the respondents submit a response to both the Q&V questionnaire and the separate rate application by the respective deadlines in order to receive consideration for separate rate status.

The ITA will also calculate combination rates for certain respondents that are eligible for a separate rate in the AD investigation.

Comments on Scope of AD/CV Investigations due May 10

Comments on the scope of the AD and CV duty investigations are due by May 10, 2011. (See scope below.)

Comments on Product Characteristics due May 10

The ITA is requesting comments from interested parties regarding the appropriate physical characteristics of galvanized steel wire to be reported in response to the AD questionnaires. This information will be used to identify the key physical characteristics of the subject merchandise in order to more accurately report the relevant costs of production, as well as to develop appropriate product comparison criteria.

Comments on product characteristics to be reported in response to AD questionnaires must be submitted by May 10, 2011. (Rebuttal comments are due by May 17, 2011.)

Comments on Targeted Dumping in AD Investigations due July 25

Any interested party that wishes to make a targeted dumping allegation in the AD investigations may submit allegations by July 25, 2011 (i.e., no later than 45 days before the scheduled date of the ITA’s preliminary determination).

(Note that in December 2008, the ITA issued an interim final rule for the purposes of withdrawing the regulations governing targeted dumping analysis in AD duty investigations. See ITT's Online Archives or 12/15/08 and 01/15/09 news, 08121525 and 09011535, for BP summaries of the interim final rule and extension of the comment period.)

Scope of the AD/CV Investigations

The scope of these investigations covers galvanized steel wire which is a cold-drawn carbon quality steel product in coils, of solid, circular cross section with an actual diameter of 0.5842 mm (0.0230 inch) or more, plated or coated with zinc (whether by hot-dipping or electroplating).

Steel products to be included in the scope of these investigations, regardless of Harmonized Tariff Schedule definitions, are products in which:

(1) iron predominates, by weight, over each of the other contained elements; (2) the carbon content is two percent or less, by weight; and (3) none of the elements listed below exceeds the quantity, by weight, respectively indicated:

• 1.80 percent of manganese, or
• 1.50 percent of silicon, or
• 1.00 percent of copper, or
• 0.50 percent of aluminum, or
• 1.25 percent of chromium, or
• 0.30 percent of cobalt, or
• 0.40 percent of lead, or
• 1.25 percent of nickel, or
• 0.30 percent of tungsten, or
• 0.02 percent of boron, or
• 0.10 percent of molybdenum, or
• 0.10 percent of niobium, or
• 0.41 percent of titanium, or
• 0.15 percent of vanadium, or
• 0.15 percent of zirconium.

The products subject to these investigations are currently classified in subheadings 7217.20.30 and 7217.20.45 of the HTS which cover galvanized wire of all diameters and all carbon content. Galvanized wire is reported under statistical reporting numbers 7217.20.3000, 7217.20.4510, 7217.20.4520, 7217.20.4530, 7217.20.4540, 7217.20.4550, 7217.20.4560, 7217.20.4570, and 7217.20.4580. These products may also enter under HTS subheadings 7229.20.0015, 7229.90.5008, 7229.90.5016, 7229.90.5031, and 7229.90.5051.

The ITA notes that although the HTS subheadings are provided for convenience and Customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise is dispositive.

(See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/07/11 news, 11040746, for BP summary of the International Trade Commission's announcement of its institution of the companion injury investigations and its scheduling of the preliminary phase.)

(FR Pub 04/27/11, ITA Case Nos. A-570-975, A-201-840, and C-570-976)

The AD initiation notice is available here.

The CV initiation notice is available here.