PC Wire Strand: New AD/CVD Investigations Deadlines & Scope
The Commerce Department issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping duty investigations on prestressed concrete steel wire strand (PC strand) from Argentina (A-357-822), Colombia (A-301-804), Egypt (A-729-804), Indonesia (A-560-837), Italy (A-475-843), Malaysia (A-557-819), the Netherlands (A-421-814), Saudi Arabia (A-517-806), South Africa (A-791-826), Spain (A-469-821), Taiwan (A-583-868), Tunisia (A-723-001), Turkey (A-489-842), Ukraine (A-823-817), and the United Arab Emirates (A-520-809), and its recently initiated countervailing duty investigation on Turkey (C-489-843).
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The International Trade Commission will conduct a concurrent investigation to determine whether imports of dumped and illegally subsidized PC strand are injuring U.S. industry. If the ITC finds no injury in its preliminary injury determination, due June 1, the investigations will immediately end. If Commerce finds dumping or illegal subsidization in the preliminary determinations of these investigations, currently due in July for CV duties and September for AD duties, it will set AD and/or CV duty cash deposit requirements for imports of merchandise subject to the investigation. If both Commerce and the ITC reach affirmative final determinations, Commerce will issue an AD and/or CV duty order making duties permanent and beginning a process of annual administrative reviews to set final assessments of AD/CV duties on importers and potentially change AD/CV duty cash deposit rates.
AD/CVD Respondent Selection
Commerce said it will pick respondents for the AD duty investigations on Egypt, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, and the UAE, as well as the CV duty investigation on Turkey, based on CBP import data. The agency intends to investigate the only known companies in Argentina (Acindar Industria De Sinai S.A.), the Netherlands (Nedri Spanstaal BV), South Africa (Scaw Metals Group), Tunisia (Ste. Ten. De Trefilage Maklada) and Ukraine (PJSC PA Stalkanat Silur). Comments on respondent selection are due on or about May 18.
Scope of the AD/CVD Investigations
The merchandise covered by these investigations is prestressed concrete steel wire strand (PC strand), produced from wire of non-stainless, non-galvanized steel, which is suitable for use in prestressed concrete (both pre-tensioned and post-tensioned) applications. The product definition encompasses covered and uncovered strand and all types, grades, and diameters of PC strand. PC strand is normally sold in the United States in sizes ranging from 0.25 inches to 0.70 inches in diameter. PC strand made from galvanized wire is only excluded from the scope if the zinc and/or zinc oxide coating meets or exceeds the 0.40 oz./ft2 standard set forth in ASTM-A-475. The PC strand subject to these investigations is currently classifiable under subheadings 7312.10.3010 and 7312.10.3012 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.
Participants in the AD/CV duty investigations may submit comments on product coverage under the scope of the investigations. Comments on the scope are due by May 26.
Investigations Timetable
| Event | CV Duty | AD Duty |
|---|---|---|
| Petitions filed | 04/16/20 | 04/16/20 |
| DOC initiation date | 05/06/20 | 05/06/20 |
| ITC prelim determinations* | 06/01/20 | 06/01/20 |
| DOC prelim determinations† | 07/10/20 | 09/23/20 |
| DOC final determinations† | 09/23/20 | 12/07/20 |
| ITC final determinations‡ | 11/09/20 | 01/21/21 |
| Issuance of orders+ | 11/16/20 | 01/28/21 |
*If the ITC makes a negative determination of injury, the investigations are terminated.
†These deadlines may be extended under the governing statute.
‡This will take place only in the event of Commerce Department final affirmative determinations.
+This will take place only in the event of Commerce and ITC final affirmative determinations.
(See 2004230024 for a summary of the Commerce Department's receipt of the petition underlying the initiation of this investigation.)
The Commerce Department fact sheet on the initiation of these investigations is (here).
(Federal Register 05/13/20)