01-22030. Hot Rolled Steel Products From Argentina and South Africa

Determinations

On the basis of the record^[1] developed in the subject investigations, the United States International Trade Commission determines, pursuant to sections 705(b) and 735(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671d(b) and 1673d(b)) (the Act), that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports from Argentina of hot rolled steel products, provided for in subheadings 7208.10.15, 7208.10.30, 7208.10.60, 7208.25.30, 7208.25.60, 7208.26.00, 7208.27.00, 7208.36.00, 7208.37.00, 7208.38.00, 7208.39.00, 7208.40.60, 7208.53.00, 7208.54.00, 7208.90.00, 7211. 14.00, 7211.19.15, 7211.19.20, 7211.19.30, 7211.19.45, 7211.19.60, and 7211.19.75,^[2] of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), that have been found by the Department of Commerce to be subsidized by the Government of Argentina and sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV).

The Commission also determines, pursuant to section 735(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1673d(b)), that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports from South Africa of hot rolled steel products, provided for in the HTS subheadings listed above, that have been found by the Department of Commerce to be sold in the United States at LTFV.

Background

The Commission instituted these investigations effective November 13, 2000, following receipt of a petition filed with the Commission and Commerce on behalf of Bethlehem Steel Corp.; Gallatin Steel Co.; IPSCO Steel, Inc.; LTV Steel Co., Inc., National Steel Corp.; Nucor Corp.; Steel Dynamics, Inc.; U.S. Steel Group of USX Corp.; Weirton Steel Corp; and the labor union representing the organized workers at Weirton Steel Corp. known as the Independent Steelworkers Union. The final phase of the investigations was scheduled by the Commission following notification of preliminary determinations by Commerce that imports of hot rolled steel products from Argentina were being subsidized and sold at LTFV within the meaning of sections 703(b) and 733(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1671b(b) and 1673b(b)) and that imports of hot rolled steel products from South Africa were being sold at LTFV within the meaning of section 733(b) of the Act. Notice of the scheduling 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 of May 10, 2001 (66 FR 23950). The hearing was held in Washington, DC, on July 17, 2001, and all persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in person or by counsel.

The Commission transmitted its determinations in these investigations to the Secretary of Commerce on August 27, 2001. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 3446 (August 2001), entitled Hot Rolled steel Products from Argentina, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Romania, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and Ukraine: Investigations Nos. 701-TA-404-408 (Final) and 731-TA-898-908 (Final).

By order of the Commission.

Issued: August 28, 2001.

Donna R. Koehnke,

Secretary.

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.  Certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel covered by these investigations, including vacuum degassed fully stabilized, high strength low alloy, and the substrate for motor lamination steel, may also enter under the following tariff numbers: 7225.11.00, 7225.19.00, 7225.30.30, 7225.30.70, 7225.40.70, 7225.99.00, 7226.11.10, 7226.11.90, 7226.19.10, 7226.19.90, 7226.91.50, 7226.91.70, 7226.91.80, and 7226.99.00. Subject merchandise may also enter under 7210.70.30, 7210.90.90, 7211.14.00, 7212.40.10, 7212.40.50, and 7212.50.00.