2020-07294. Certain Corrosion Inhibitors From the People's Republic of China: Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the Countervailing Duty Investigation

AGENCY:

Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

DATES:

Applicable April 7, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Theodore Pearson or Nicholas Czajkowski, AD/CVD Operations, Office I, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: [phone] or [phone], respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On February 25, 2020, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of corrosion inhibitors from the People's Republic of China.^[1] Currently, the preliminary determination is due no later than April 30, 2020.

Postponement of Preliminary Determination

Section 703(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), requires Commerce to issue the preliminary determination in a CVD investigation within 65 days after the date on which Commerce initiated the investigation. However, section 703(c)(1) of the Act permits Commerce to postpone the preliminary determination until no later than 130 days after the date on which Commerce initiated the investigation if: (A) The petitioner makes a timely request for a postponement; or (B) Commerce concludes that the parties concerned are cooperating, that the investigation is extraordinarily complicated, and that additional time is necessary to make a preliminary determination. Under 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner must submit a request for postponement 25 days or more before the scheduled date of the preliminary determination and must state the reasons for the request. Commerce will grant the request unless it finds compelling reasons to deny the request.^[2]

On March 27, 2020, the petitioner submitted a timely request that Commerce postpone the preliminary CVD determination.^[3] The petitioner requests postponement because, {t}he current deadline does not provide adequate time for Commerce to select mandatory respondents, issue questionnaires, receive responses, and then follow up with deficiency questionnaires.” ^[4] In accordance with 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner has stated the reasons for requesting a postponement of the preliminary determination, and Commerce finds no compelling reason to deny the request. Therefore, in accordance with section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act, Commerce is postponing the deadline for the preliminary determination to no later than 130 days after the date on which this investigation was initiated, i.e., July 6, 2020.^[5] Pursuant to section 705(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the final determination of this investigation will continue to be 75 days after the date of the preliminary determination.

Notification to Interested Parties

This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 703(c)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(f)(1).

Dated: April 1, 2020.

Jeffrey I. Kessler,

Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Footnotes

1.  See Certain Corrosion Inhibitors from the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation, 85 FR 12502 (March 3, 2020).

2.  See 19 CFR 351.205(e).

3.  See Petitioner's Letter, “Certain Corrosion Inhibitors from the People's Republic of China: Request to Postpone Preliminary Determination,” dated March 27, 2020.

4.  Id.

5.  In this case, 130 days after initiation falls on July 4, 2020, a Saturday. Where a deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the appropriate deadline is the next business day. See Notice of Clarification: Application of “Next Business Day” Rule for Administrative Determination Deadlines Pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, As Amended, 70 FR 24533 (May 10, 2005).