2017-06231. Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip From China; Determinations

On the basis of the record ^[1] developed in the subject investigations, the United States International Trade Commission (“Commission”) determines, pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930 (“the Act”), that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from China, provided for in subheadings 7219.13.00, 7219.14.00, 7219.23.00, 7219.24.00, 7219.32.00, 7219.33.00, 7219.34.00, 7219.35.00, 7219.90.00, 7220.12.10, 7220.12.50, 7220.20.10, 7220.20.60, 7220.20.70, 7220.20.80, 7220.20.90, and 7220.90.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that have been found by the Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) to be sold in the United States at less than fair value (“LTFV”), and to be subsidized by the government of China.^[2]

Background

The Commission, pursuant to sections 705(b) and 735(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1671d(b) and 19 U.S.C. 1673d(b)), instituted these investigations effective February 12, 2016, following receipt of petitions filed with the Commission and Commerce by AK Steel Corp., West Chester, Ohio; Allegheny Ludlum, LLC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; North American Stainless, Inc., Ghent, Kentucky; and Outokumpu Stainless USA, LLC, Bannockburn, Illinois. The final phase of the investigations was scheduled by the Commission following notification of preliminary determinations by Commerce that imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from China were subsidized within the meaning of section 703(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1671b(b)) and sold at LTFV within the meaning of 733(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1673b(b)). Notice of the scheduling of the final phase of the Commission's investigations and of a public hearing to be held in connection therewith was given by posting copies of the notice in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, and by publishing the notice in the Federal Register on October 6, 2016 (81 FR 69548). The hearing was held in Washington, DC, on January 31, 2017, and all persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in person or by counsel.

The Commission made these determinations pursuant to sections 705(b) and 735(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1671d(b) and 19 U.S.C. 1673d(b)). It completed and filed its determinations in these investigations on March 24, 2017. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 4676 (March 2017), entitled Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from China: Investigation Nos. 701-TA-557 and 731-TA-1312 (Final).

By order of the Commission.

Issued: March 24, 2017.

Lisa R. Barton,

Secretary to the Commission.

Footnotes

1.  The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 207.2(f)).

2.  The Commission also finds that imports subject to Commerce's affirmative critical circumstances determination are not likely to undermine seriously the remedial effect of the countervailing and antidumping duty orders on stainless steel sheet and strip from China.