2020-19410. Phosphate Fertilizers From the Kingdom of Morocco and the Russian Federation: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the Countervailing Duty Investigations  

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    AGENCY:

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

    DATES:

    Applicable September 2, 2020.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Bob Palmer at (202) 482-9068 (the Kingdom of Morocco (Morocco)) or George Ayache at (202) 482-2623 (the Russian Start Printed Page 54536Federation (Russia)), AD/CVD Operations, Office VIII, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Background

    On July 16, 2020, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of phosphate fertilizers from Morocco and Russia.[1] Currently, the preliminary determinations are due no later than September 21, 2020.[2]

    Postponement of Preliminary Determinations

    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 [3] 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.

    On August 20, 2020, the petitioner submitted a timely request that Commerce postpone the preliminary CVD determinations.[4] The petitioner stated that it requests postponement as “additional time is needed for {Commerce} to analyze fully the questionnaire responses, issue supplemental questionnaires as appropriate, and prepare an accurate preliminary determination.” [5]

    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 determinations to no later than 130 days after the date on which these investigations were initiated, i.e., November 23, 2020. Pursuant to section 705(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the final determinations of these investigations will continue to be 75 days after the date of the preliminary determinations.

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

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    Dated: August 28, 2020.

    Joseph A. Laroski Jr.,

    Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations.

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    Footnotes

    1.  See Phosphate Fertilizers from the Kingdom of Morocco and the Russian Federation: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigations, 85 FR 44505 (July 23, 2020) (Initiation Notice).

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    2.  The current deadline for the preliminary determination falls on September 19, 2020, which is a Saturday. Commerce's practice dictates that where a deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the appropriate deadline is the next business day, which is Monday, September 21, 2020. 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).

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    3.  The petitioner in these proceedings is the Mosaic Company.

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    4.  See Petitioner's Letters, “Phosphate Fertilizers from Morocco: Petitioner's Request for Postponement of the Preliminary Determination,” dated August 20, 2020; and “Phosphate Fertilizers from Russia: Petitioner's Request for Postponement of the Preliminary Determination,” dated August 20, 2020.

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    [FR Doc. 2020-19410 Filed 9-1-20; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P

Document Information

Published:
09/02/2020
Department:
International Trade Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
2020-19410
Dates:
Applicable September 2, 2020.
Pages:
54535-54536 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
C-714-001, C-821-825
PDF File:
2020-19410.Pdf
Supporting Documents:
» Requests for Nominations: Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee
» Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Drawn Stainless Steel Sinks from the People's Republic of China; Recission
» Determinations of Sales at Less than Fair Value: Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate from Brazil, South Africa, and Republic of Turkey
» Meetings: United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board
» Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Solid Fertilizer Grade Ammonium Nitrate from the Russian Federation
» Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Heavy Walled Rectangular Welded Carbon Steel Pipes and Tubes from Republic of Turkey
» Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate from People's Republic of China
» Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Pasta from Italy
» Determinations of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Truck and Bus Tires From People's Republic of China
» Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Initiation of Five-Year (Sunset) Review