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Petition Filed for New AD/CV Duties on Rebar

A coalition of domestic rebar manufacturers filed a petition on Sept. 19 with the Commerce Department and International Trade Commission, requesting new antidumping duties on steel concrete reinforcing bar from Japan, Taiwan and Turkey, and additional countervailing duties on steel-concrete reinforcing bar from Turkey. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations on these products that could result in the imposition of duties.

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A CV duty order on rebar from Turkey has been in place since 2014 (see 1411060056), but that order excludes Habas, which Commerce assigned a zero rate in its final determination. The coalition alleges Habas is now benefiting from illegal subsidies. AD duties are currently in place for rebar from Mexico, Belarus, China, Indonesia, Latvia, Moldova, Poland and Ukraine.

Proposed Scope

The petition proposes the following scope for the investigations:

"The merchandise subject to these investigations is steel concrete reinforcing bar imported in either straight length or coil form (' 'rebar' ') regardless of metallurgy, length, diameter, or grade. The subject merchandise is classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States ('HTSUS') primarily under item numbers 7213.10.0000, 7214.20.0000, and 7228.30.8010. The subject merchandise may also enter under other HTSUS numbers including 7215.90.1000, 7215.90.5000, 7221.00.0015, 7221.00.0030, 7221.00.0045, 7222.11.0001, 7222.11.0057, 7222.11.0059, 7222.30.0001, 7227.20.0080, 7227.90.6085, 7228.20.1000, and 7228.60.6000. Specifically excluded are plain rounds (i.e., nondeformed or smooth rebar).

"HTSUS numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes; however, the written description of the scope remains dispositive."

Commerce Accepting Comments on Petition Support

The Commerce Department is accepting comments on domestic industry support for the petitions to determine whether the petitions meet the dual requirements of support by domestic producers or workers accounting for (1) at least 25% of the total production of the domestic-like product and (2) more than 50% of the production of the domestic-like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. If the petitions meet these requirements, among others, Commerce will initiate antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. Comments are due on or about Oct. 9.

Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the petition.