99-23039. Final Results of Full Sunset Review: Sugar and Syrups From Canada  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 171 (Friday, September 3, 1999)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 48362-48367]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-23039]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    International Trade Administration
    [A-122-085]
    
    
    Final Results of Full Sunset Review: Sugar and Syrups From Canada
    
    AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
    Department of Commerce.
    
    ACTION: Notice of Final Results of Full Sunset Review: Sugar and Syrups 
    from Canada.
    
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    SUMMARY: On April 26, 1999, the Department of Commerce (``the 
    Department'') published a notice of preliminary results of the full 
    sunset review of the antidumping duty order on sugar and syrups from 
    Canada (64 FR 20253) pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 
    1930, as amended (``the Act''). We provided interested parties an 
    opportunity to comment on our preliminary results. We received comments 
    from both domestic and respondent interested parties. As a result of 
    this review, the Department finds that revocation of this order would 
    be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the 
    levels indicated in the Final Results of Review section of this notice.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott E. Smith or Melissa G. Skinner, 
    Office of Policy for Import Administration, International Trade 
    Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
    Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20230; telephone: (202) 482-
    6397 or (202) 482-1560, respectively.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: September 3, 1999.
    
    Statute and Regulations
    
        This review was conducted pursuant to sections 751(c) and 752 of 
    the Act. The Department's procedures for the conduct of sunset reviews 
    are set forth in Procedures for Conducting Five-year (``Sunset'') 
    Reviews of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, 63 FR 13516 
    (March 20, 1998) (``Sunset Regulations''). Guidance on methodological 
    or analytical issues relevant to the Department's conduct of sunset 
    reviews is set forth in the Department's Policy Bulletin 98:3--Policies 
    Regarding the Conduct of Five-year (``Sunset'') Reviews of Antidumping 
    and Countervailing Duty Orders; Policy Bulletin, 63 FR 18871 (April 16, 
    1998) (``Sunset Policy Bulletin'').
    
    Scope
    
        The merchandise subject to the antidumping duty order is sugar and 
    syrups from Canada produced from sugar cane and sugar beets. The sugar 
    is refined into granulated or powdered sugar, icing, or liquid 
    sugar.1 The subject merchandise is currently classified 
    under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS'') item 
    numbers 1701.99.0500, 1701.99.1000, 1701.99.5000, 1702.90.1000, and 
    1702.90.2000. Although the subheadings are provided for convenience and 
    customs purposes, the written description remains dispositive.
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        \1\ This order excludes icing sugar decorations as determined in 
    the U.S. Customs Classification of January 31, 1983 (CLA-2 
    CO:R:CV:G).
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        On March 24, 1987, the Department revoked the order, in part, with 
    respect to Redpath Sugar Ltd. (``Redpath'') (52 FR 9322). On January 7, 
    1988, the Department revoked the order, in part, with respect to Lantic 
    Sugar, Ltd. (``Lantic'') (53 FR 434). In 1996, the Department 
    determined that Rogers Sugar, Ltd. (``Rogers''), was the successor in 
    interest to British Columbia Sugar Refining Company, Ltd. (``BC
    
    [[Page 48363]]
    
    Sugar'').2 In its November 2, 1998, substantive response, 
    the United States Beet Sugar Association and its individual members 
    (collectively, the ``USBSA'') stated that three companies in Canada 
    constitute the Canadian domestic industry: Lantic, Redpath, and Rogers. 
    Because the order was revoked with respect to Lantic and Redpath, only 
    Rogers is currently subject to the order.
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        \2\ See Sugar and Syrups from Canada; Final Results of Changed 
    Circumstances Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 61 FR 51275 
    (October 1, 1996).
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    Background
    
        On April 26, 1999, the Department issued the Preliminary Results of 
    Full Sunset Review: Sugar and Syrups from Canada (64 FR 20253). Based 
    on the continued absence of a dumping margin for Rogers, the sole 
    producer/exporter subject to the order, and the continued existence of 
    imports from Rogers in substantial quantities, in our preliminary 
    results we found that revocation of the order is not likely to lead to 
    continuation or recurrence of dumping.
        We conducted verification in Taber, Alberta, of Rogers' response on 
    May 12, 1999, and issued our verification report on May 19, 1999. On 
    June 8, 1999, within the deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(i), 
    we received comments on behalf of the USBSA and on behalf of Rogers. On 
    June 15, 1999, within the deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.309(d), the 
    Department received rebuttal comments from both the USBSA and Rogers. 
    The Department held a public hearing on June 18, 1999.
        As a result of the comments, we have changed our determination. We 
    have addressed the comments received below.
    
    Likelihood of Continuation or Recurrence of Dumping
    
        Comment 1: The USBSA asserts that sugar produced at Rogers' Taber 
    facility will have to be sold below constructed value (``CV'') and 
    therefore will be dumped when it enters the U.S. market. The USBSA 
    asserts that, despite repeated requests, the Department did not conduct 
    a CV analysis in which an accurate calculation of CV could be compared 
    to Rogers' selling price on current U.S. sales. Relying on the 1998 
    cost of production (``COP'') contained in the verification report, 
    which the USBSA asserts does not include all costs, the USBSA states 
    that it calculated a CV. The USBSA asserts that this and evidence of 
    Rogers' pricing in 1996, which is on the record, demonstrates that 
    Rogers sold sugar in the United States at prices below CV. 
    Additionally, the USBSA argues, the recent improvements made at Rogers' 
    Taber facility will increase its COP and force Rogers to sell sugar at 
    below cost prices. Asserting that the recent downward spiral in world 
    prices makes dumping by Rogers more pervasive, the USBSA requests that 
    the Department revisit the CV analysis and conclude that dumping is 
    likely to continue or recur if the order is revoked.
        In its rebuttal brief Rogers cites to the Department's Policy 
    Bulletin 94-1 regarding COP and asserts that the Department found 
    USBSA's allegations of below-cost sales speculative correctly, thereby 
    falling short of the standard for providing reasonable grounds for 
    suspecting that Rogers made sales at below cost prices. Further, Rogers 
    argues, the Department is not required to do a COP investigation in 
    reviews when there is no earlier determination of below-cost sales and 
    there has been no reasonable evidence submitted which suggests that 
    sales at prices less than COP were made.
        Rogers notes that the Department looked correctly at the cost basis 
    for sugar beet production and at the audited financial statements of 
    Rogers during verification. Rogers asserts that the verified 
    information confirmed its submissions showing sales in Canada and the 
    United States at prices significantly above the COP. Additionally, 
    Rogers asserts that the verified information shows that profits were 
    made and distributed by Rogers in every year of the period covered by 
    the Department's sunset review. With respect to the Taber facility 
    expansion, Rogers argues that the consolidation and expansion of its 
    facilities has only increased its cost efficiencies. Rogers provided 
    information from an independent audit of the expansion in support of 
    this assertion. Further, Rogers argues that the wholly speculative CV 
    constructed by USBSA does not reflect actual numbers provided to, and 
    verified by, the Department. In conclusion Rogers asserts that there is 
    no credible evidence on the record that would lead to a decision by the 
    Department to conduct a CV analysis.
        Department's Position: The Department's Sunset Policy Bulletin 
    notes that the Department will consider other factors (such as prices 
    and costs) in full sunset reviews where an interested party identifies 
    good cause through the provision of information or evidence that would 
    warrant consideration of such factors. In our preliminary results, we 
    determined that the USBSA did not provide evidence of good cause to 
    support our consideration of other factors.
        Rogers, in its November 3, 1998, substantive response, provided 
    information to the Department concerning its COP for processed beets to 
    support its argument that prices were above cost. Although we had not 
    requested the information and had determined for the preliminary 
    results that there was no basis to consider such additional 
    information, because Rogers had presented the information in its 
    substantive and rebuttal responses, we conducted an on-site 
    verification of this information on May 12, 1999 (see Memorandum to 
    Jeffrey May, Re: Sunset Review: Sugar and Syrups from Canada, dated May 
    19, 1999). Therefore, we agree with both parties that verified 
    information related to Rogers' 1998 COP is now on the record in this 
    review. In addition, verified information on Rogers' Canadian and U.S. 
    sales prices for the years 1993 through 1997 is on the record.
        As noted above, the USBSA's pre-hearing brief contained an 
    allegation of sales below cost, based on verified information already 
    on the record. Rogers did not rebut this allegation; rather, Rogers 
    claimed that its verified submissions show sales in Canada and the 
    United States at prices significantly above COP. For the purpose of our 
    final results we considered this allegation.
        We have analyzed the verified information and find that it provides 
    sufficient support for a determination that dumping is likely to 
    continue or recur if the order were revoked. The Department normally 
    will not, and has no reason to, conduct a cost investigation in the 
    context of a sunset review. However, both USBSA and Rogers' arguments 
    concerning likelihood of continuation of dumping revolve around whether 
    or not pricing and cost data indicate that dumping has been taking 
    place. The Department, therefore, has conducted a sort of abbreviated 
    cost test with the limited data on the record.
        Specifically, using the verified information, the Department 
    constructed a COP and CV (per metric ton) of processed sugar (see 
    Memorandum to File, Re: Cost of Production, dated August 20, 1999). 
    Section 773(b)(1) of the Act provides that the Department will 
    disregard below cost sales made within an extended period of time in 
    substantial quantities and which were not made at prices which permit 
    recovery of all costs within a reasonable period of time. We compared 
    Rogers' verified weighted-average home market price to the COP and 
    found that it was below the COP.
    
    [[Page 48364]]
    
    Specifically, we compared a weighted-average home market price, based 
    on 1997 price data supplied by Rogers, with a COP based on 1998 costs 
    derived from Rogers' data. We found the weighted-average price to be 
    below the COP. Based on this limited data, we determine, therefore, 
    that Rogers made below cost sales within an extended period of time in 
    substantial quantities at prices which did not permit recovery of all 
    costs within a reasonable period of time. Because there are, in 
    essence, no remaining above cost sales, we compared Rogers' verified 
    average U.S. export selling price to the CV. We found that this average 
    price was below CV. Based on this comparison, we conclude that at least 
    some of Rogers sales to the United States are at prices below 
    CV.3 These calculations, using verified information, 
    therefore, provide a sufficient basis for determining that dumping is 
    likely to continue or recur if the order were revoked.
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        \3\ Absent specific information, we did not make any adjustments 
    to U.S. prices, as we would in an investigation or administrative 
    review conducted for the purpose of measuring dumping. Such 
    adjustments typically would result in a reduction of U.S. price and, 
    therefore, an increase in the magnitude of the dumping margin.
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        Comment 2: The USBSA disagrees with the Department's preliminary 
    decision that revocation of the order would not be likely to lead to 
    continuation or recurrence of dumping. The USBSA argues that the 
    Department incorrectly and unlawfully equated the domestic industry's 
    decision not to request an administrative review of this order over the 
    past 16 years as a lack of interest in the order. Furthermore, the 
    USBSA argues that its decision not to request an administrative review 
    does not indicate an absence of dumping by Rogers.
        Rogers, in its rebuttal comments, argues that the USBSA admits that 
    it was satisfied with the status quo and the status quo, with respect 
    to this order, was a deposit rate of zero. If the USBSA was satisfied 
    with this zero deposit rate, according to Rogers, it must have believed 
    that no dumping was occurring. Rogers argues further that it has been 
    the Department's practice to revoke orders where there have been 
    several years of zero margins. With respect to this sunset review, 
    Rogers argues that the burden is on the domestic industry to 
    demonstrate why the existence of a zero percent deposit rate for 16 
    years coupled with exports of the subject merchandise in substantial 
    quantities is not sufficient to determine that revocation of the order 
    would not be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping.
        Department's Position: We disagree with the USBSA's assertion that 
    we equated the domestic industry's decision not to request an 
    administrative review with a lack of interest in the order. Nowhere in 
    our preliminary results did we state that the domestic industry's 
    decision not to request an administrative review over the last 16 years 
    was tantamount to having no interest in the continuation of this order. 
    In our preliminary results we attempted to ascertain the likelihood of 
    continuation or recurrence of dumping. In doing so, the Department 
    examined the deposit rates over the life of the order for Rogers, the 
    only producer/exporter of Canadian sugar still subject to the order. 
    The deposit rate for Rogers has been zero percent for the past 16 
    years. Because there has been no request by the domestic industry for 
    an administrative review of this order for the past 16 years, we had no 
    reason to believe that Rogers had dumped sugar in the United States 
    during any part of this time period.
        Furthermore, the preamble to the Department's regulations 
    concerning revocation of orders states that ``it is reasonable to 
    presume that if subject merchandise, shipped in commercial quantities, 
    is being dumped or subsidized, domestic interested parties will react 
    by requesting an administrative review to ensure that duties are 
    assessed and that cash deposit rates are revised upward from zero. If 
    domestic interested parties do not request a review, presumably it is 
    because they acknowledge that subject merchandise continues to be 
    fairly traded'' (Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties; Final Rule, 
    62 FR 27296, 27326 (May 19, 1997)).
        Therefore, this factor points to a finding of no dumping since the 
    issuance of the zero deposit rate. This would generally be our 
    conclusion, except where, as here, information on the record is 
    sufficient to determine dumping is likely to continue or recur.
        Comment 3: The USBSA argues that the Department erred by making its 
    likelihood determination on an order-wide basis. It argues that, 
    although the Statement of Administrative Action (``the SAA'' 
    )4 at 879 states expressly that the Department will make its 
    sunset determinations on an order-wide basis, the Department improperly 
    compared recent import data for only one respondent (Rogers) to data 
    following the issuance of the order for one respondent (BC Sugar). If 
    the Department had made the proper comparison of total pre-order 
    imports to total post-order imports, according to the USBSA, the 
    Department would have no alternative but to conclude that import 
    volumes have declined significantly during the life of the order.
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        \4\ H.R. Doc. No. 103-316, vol. 1 (1994).
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        Rogers did not address this comment.
        Department's Position: The Department disagrees with the USBSA. 
    Prior to the issuance of the order, Rogers was not the only exporter of 
    subject merchandise. Other Canadian producers and exporters were 
    subject to the original investigation and subsequent order. In its 
    November 2, 1998, substantive response, however, the USBSA acknowledges 
    that only Rogers is currently subject to this antidumping duty order 
    (November 2, 1998, Substantive Response from the USBSA at 9). 
    Therefore, comparison of Rogers' pre-and post-order import volumes was 
    approriate.
        On October 1, 1996, the Department determined that Rogers was the 
    successor in interest to BC Sugar. In this determination, the 
    Department found that BC Sugar changed its name legally to Rogers 
    Sugar, Ltd. Because the structure and organization of the company did 
    not change and Rogers was, for all intents and purposes, BC Sugar, the 
    Department also determined that the deposit rate assigned to BC Sugar 
    was applicable to Rogers. Therefore, the Department determined that, 
    for the purposes of this antidumping duty order, BC Sugar and Rogers 
    were predecessor and successor companies, respectively, of the same 
    entity.
        Because Rogers (formerly BC Sugar) is the only producer/exporter of 
    sugar and syrups from Canada still subject to the order, the Department 
    finds that it would be unreasonable to compare the present import 
    volumes of Rogers with the pre-order import volumes of the four (or 
    more) producers/exporters which were subject to the order in 1980. If 
    it made this comparison, the Department would almost certainly find 
    that total imports had decreased over the life of the order not only 
    because there are fewer producers/exporters which are currently subject 
    to the order but also because the tariff rate quota (TRQ) currently in 
    effect restricts imports. Generally speaking, the purpose of the 
    Department's comparison of current and pre-order import volumes is to 
    determine whether companies (or the company) have been able to 
    consistently and continually sell subject merchandise in the United 
    States without dumping. Here, we compared the volume of BC Sugar's 1979 
    exports to the volume of Rogers' recent exports. Current imports of 
    subject merchandise from Rogers (formerly BC Sugar) are
    
    [[Page 48365]]
    
    substantially greater than the pre-order levels of BC Sugar (now 
    Rogers). Therefore, our examination of import levels of BC Sugar/Rogers 
    over the life of the order was appropriate.
        Comment 4: The USBSA argues that the Department should have 
    confirmed whether Canadian producers and refiners of subject 
    merchandise have imported at dumped prices since the discipline of the 
    order went into effect. The USBSA asserts that the Department's 
    comparison should have included imports of refined cane and beet sugar 
    from all Canadian exporters, except Lantic and Redpath, for which the 
    order has been revoked. Furthermore, the USBSA argues that the 
    Department never attempted to verify whether new Canadian sugar 
    refiners have entered the market and instead limited its review to 
    those producers previously involved in the initial investigation.
        Department's Position: In its November 2, 1998, substantive 
    response, the USBSA itself stated that only Rogers was subject to this 
    antidumping duty order (November 2, 1998, Substantive Response from the 
    USBSA at 9). There is no evidence on the record in this case of any 
    other Canadian producer/exporter of cane or beet sugar which is 
    currently subject to the order. Therefore, because we had no reason to 
    doubt the USBSA's claim that Rogers is the only producer/exporter of 
    subject merchandise still subject to this antidumping duty order, we 
    have not investigated whether other Canadian producers exported subject 
    merchandise to the United States.
        Comment 5: The USBSA argues that the Department included non-
    subject merchandise in its examination of imports of sugar and syrups 
    from Canada. The USBSA states further that increases in the imports of 
    non-subject merchandise are irrelevant to this sunset review and their 
    inclusion in the Department's examination is misrepresentation of the 
    true amount of imports of subject merchandise.
        Department's Position: Increases or decreases in non-subject 
    merchandise are irrelevant to our sunset determination. For this 
    reason, the Department has endeavored to determine an accurate amount 
    of import volumes of the subject merchandise.
        In the instant case, however, there are limitations to the data 
    which do not make an exact accounting of the import volumes possible. 
    The HTS item numbers used by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. 
    Customs Service with respect to imports of sugar and syrups from Canada 
    include some non-subject merchandise. Furthermore, the age of this 
    information in question and changes in the HTS system over the life of 
    this order make estimation of imports of subject merchandise necessary. 
    As noted above, the Department recognizes that there are data 
    limitations. The Department has, nevertheless, attempted to compile the 
    most accurate calculation of import volumes of subject merchandise over 
    the life of the order.
        Comment 6: The USBSA argues that the TRQ is no longer an effective 
    means of preventing surges in dumped sugar from entering the U.S. 
    market. The USBSA argues further that the U.S. Sugar Program is under 
    assault in an attempt to expand access to the U.S. market 
    significantly.
        Department's Position: We agree with the USBSA that the TRQ has 
    been effective in the past at limiting all imports of sugar. The TRQ, 
    as part of the U.S. Sugar program, was designed to provide protection 
    from imports of foreign sugar. However, the USBSA misunderstands the 
    intent behind the creation and implementation of an antidumping duty 
    order. The purpose behind this order is not to provide blanket 
    protection from all imports of Canadian sugar; rather, its purpose is 
    to counteract the effects of unfairly traded imports. This is evidenced 
    by the fact that this order has been revoked with respect to Redpath 
    and Lantic because the Department determined that these companies were 
    not selling sugar in the United States at less than fair value. In the 
    same vein, the TRQ was not created to be a substitute for an 
    antidumping duty order, nor should it be viewed as such. The TRQ 
    provides the U.S. industry protection from all imported sugar. It was 
    not intended to act as an antidumping duty order on sugar from all of 
    the world's sugar producers, whether their sugar was being sold at 
    dumped prices or not.
        The only issue in this sunset review is whether Canadian sugar and 
    syrups are likely to be dumped in the United States in the foreseeable 
    future. Whether the TRQ is no longer effective in limiting imports, 
    dumped or not, is irrelevant to this sunset review.
        Comment 7: The USBSA argues that the sugar market has fallen to 
    unprecedented levels and shows no signs of recovery in the foreseeable 
    future. The USBSA argues further that the Department, in its 
    preliminary results, quickly dismissed the USBSA's argument as 
    speculative when the conduct of sunset reviews is inherently 
    speculative.
        Rogers rebuts that an analysis of long-term trends in the history 
    of the international sugar market shows that price peaks and troughs 
    are characteristically short-lived. It states that the most recent 
    severe price trough was in 1985 when the annual average price for raw 
    sugar was $0.04/lb. Furthermore, Rogers argues that the current price 
    trough appears to have bottomed out in April 1999 at about $0.04/lb. 
    for raw sugar.
        Rogers continues by reiterating that the USBSA's arguments 
    concerning the declining world price for sugar are speculative and 
    subjective which, Rogers notes the USBSA admits, may change depending 
    on unpredictable events and changes in circumstances in producing and 
    importing countries.
        Department's Position: Sunset determinations are inherently 
    speculative and predictive and, in our preliminary results, we stated 
    that the USBSA's arguments concerning the decreases in world sugar 
    prices were speculative. We also believe that, since sunset reviews are 
    inherently predictive, the best predictor of future behavior is past 
    behavior. In examining the world sugar prices over the life of the 
    order, we find that, although prices in early 1999 are at their lowest 
    point in 12 years, generally prices have fluctuated over this time, 
    with prices in fiscal year 1998 being only marginally below fiscal year 
    1993 prices. We also find that the current prices for refined sugar are 
    not unprecedented, as Rogers' information concerning 1985 raw sugar 
    prices demonstrates.
        Comment 8: The USBSA argues that the recent downward spiral of the 
    world refined-sugar price has a direct impact on Canadian prices and 
    incentives to export to the United States. According to the USBSA, with 
    a world price standing near $0.09/lb. and a Canadian price that Rogers 
    argues mimics the world price, it is inescapable that Rogers' home 
    market sales in Canada are today priced at less than cost and will be 
    so priced in the future. As the record in this proceeding shows, the 
    USBSA contends, not even the most efficient sugar producers can produce 
    sugar for around $0.09/lb.
        Rogers argues that it has had a zero margin through 16 years of 
    world price fluctuations, including times of prices lower than at 
    present, while maintaining a dumping margin of zero. It states that the 
    Department verified its information and that the verification 
    demonstrated that sales in Canada and the United States are at prices 
    significantly above cost of production.
        Furthermore, Rogers states that, since prices in the United States 
    were verified as higher than prices in Canada, there is no credible way 
    Rogers could have been selling below the COP.
    
    [[Page 48366]]
    
        Department's Position: The recent decreases in the world refined-
    sugar price undoubtedly affected the Canadian price of refined sugar 
    because the Canadian price parallels the world price. Although the 
    Canadian price parallels the world price, it is not the same as the 
    world price. Therefore, it is quite reasonable to assume, given Rogers' 
    costs of manufacturing and the transportation costs associated with the 
    location of its sales within Canada, that the selling price of its 
    product could be above its cost of manufacturing and still be 
    competitive with other producers/exporters.
        The world price of refined sugar obviously affects the selling 
    price of sugar in Canada and, thus, indirectly, may affect Rogers' 
    selling price. Nevertheless, the salient issue for this sunset review 
    is not the world price of refined sugar but, rather, Rogers' costs and 
    prices. Thus, we have limited our examination to Rogers' costs and 
    prices.
        Comment 9: The USBSA states that, as the United States slowly 
    reduces the Canadian tier-2 tariff rate through 2008, the U.S. market 
    will become increasingly vulnerable to imports of Canadian sugar if the 
    world price of sugar falls below certain levels. Specifically, the 
    USBSA argues that, given the world refined price of $0.0913/lb., the 
    ability of Canadian producers to export refined sugar to the United 
    States profitably while paying the tier-2 tariff is already becoming a 
    reality.
        Rogers argues that, given the current U.S. selling price of $0.28/
    lb., with the addition of the tier-2 duty of $0.1621/lb., Rogers would 
    be required to sell in the United States at prices significantly below 
    the lowest price it now receives for the same product in Canada. 
    Furthermore, Rogers asserts, its production is not in excess of market 
    demand in Western Canada. Finally, according to Rogers, the refusal of 
    sugar beet growers to participate and support prices low enough to take 
    account of the tier-2 level (which would be necessary to sell any 
    product in the United States) would make such sales prohibitive.
        Department's Position: The Department finds no evidence to suggest 
    that Rogers would sell sugar in the United States above the country-
    specific quota established for Canada (i.e., paying the tier-2 tariff 
    rate).5 In order for Rogers to sell sugar in the United 
    States and pay the tier-2 tariff rate, Rogers would have to sell its 
    product (1) at prices substantially less than the lowest price it 
    receives for a similar product sold in Canada, (2) at prices far below 
    its costs of production, and (3) at prices far below the current world 
    price of refined sugar. The Department finds it extremely unlikely that 
    Canadian producers could export refined sugar to the United States 
    profitably while paying the tier-2 tariff.
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        \5\ The Department notes that the USBSA has examined the effects 
    of the Canadian tier-2 tariff rate on the possibility of increased 
    imports from Canada through the year 2008. However, the USBSA has 
    stringently argued that the TRQ will be phased out by the year 2002.
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    Magnitude of the Margin
    
        Neither party addressed this issue in its case or rebuttal briefs. 
    Therefore, we have relied on the arguments submitted prior to the 
    preliminary results.
        Comment 1: In its substantive response, the USBSA argued that the 
    dumping margin likely to prevail is at least as large as the margin 
    that prevailed at the time of the original investigation; the highest 
    dumping margin established in the original investigation was US$0.0237/
    lb.6 Further, based on current U.S. and Canadian pricing, 
    the USBSA estimated dumping margins ranging from 9.3 percent to 409.0 
    percent. As noted above, the USBSA did not comment on the margin likely 
    to prevail in either its case or rebuttal brief.
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        \6\ See Antidumping Duty Order; Sugar and Syrups from Canada, 45 
    FR 24128 (April 9, 1980).
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        In its substantive response, Rogers argued that, given the price 
    spread between the U.S. supply-managed sugar market and the Canadian 
    market based on world pricing, the dumping margin likely to prevail if 
    the order were to be revoked is zero. Rogers argued that, because of 
    its limited access to the U.S. market, it is motivated to sell subject 
    merchandise at U.S. refined-sugar prices to maximize returns. Rogers 
    provided a chart depicting sugar prices in the Canadian and U.S. 
    markets and its price into the United States for the past eight years, 
    as well as a calculation for producing processed beet sugar at its 
    facility in Canada. Rogers contended that the chart indicates that 
    Rogers' price into the United States has been above its prices in 
    Western Canada. In its case and rebuttal briefs, Rogers also asserted 
    that there is no likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping if 
    the order were to be revoked.
        Department's Position: The Department disagrees with Rogers. As 
    discussed in detail above, evidence placed on the record of this sunset 
    review by Rogers, and verified by the Department, indicates that there 
    is a likelihood that dumping would continue or recur if the order were 
    to be revoked.
        In the Sunset Policy Bulletin, the Department stated that it will 
    normally provide to the International Trade Commission (the 
    ``Commission'') the margin that was determined in the final 
    determination in the original investigation because that is the only 
    calculated rate that reflects the behavior of exporters absent the 
    discipline of the order. (See section II.B.1 of the Sunset Policy 
    Bulletin.) Exceptions to this policy include the use of a more recently 
    calculated margin, where appropriate, and consideration of duty 
    absorption determinations. (See sections II.B.2 and 3 of the Sunset 
    Policy Bulletin.)
        In our preliminary results, we determined that the use of a more 
    recently calculated rate was appropriate and that such rate reflected 
    an absence of dumping. However, as noted above, for our final results, 
    we find that verified information demonstrates the likelihood of 
    dumping. Therefore, we conclude that the more recently calculated rate 
    from an administrative review can no longer be considered the magnitude 
    of the margin likely to prevail if the order were revoked.
        We agree with the USBSA that the dumping margin likely to prevail 
    if the order were to be revoked is at least as high as the dumping 
    margin determined in the original investigation for BC Sugar. We 
    recognize that our dumping calculation for purposes of determining 
    likelihood of future dumping is not as accurate as a determination 
    which would reflect the adjustments typically made in an investigation 
    or administrative review. Therefore, the Department finds that the 
    margins calculated in the original investigation (45 FR 24126, April 9, 
    1980)7 are probative of the behavior of Canadian producers/
    exporters of the subject merchandise. As such, the Department will 
    report to the Commission the company-specific and all others rates from 
    the original investigation as the magnitude of the margin likely to 
    prevail if the order were revoked.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \7\ As the Department noted in its preliminary results (see 
    Preliminary Results of Full Sunset Review: Sugar and Syrups from 
    Canada, 64 FR 20253 (April 26, 1999)) and above, Rogers (formerly BC 
    Sugar) is the only known producer/exporter of the subject 
    merchandise currently subject to the order.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Final Results of Review
    
        As a result of this review, the Department finds that revocation of 
    the antidumping duty order would be likely to lead to continuation or 
    recurrence of dumping at the margins listed below:
    
    [[Page 48367]]
    
    
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Manufacturer/exporter                       Margin
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Rogers (B.C. Sugar).....................................   $0.010105/lb.
    All Others..............................................    0.023700/lb.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        This notice serves as the only reminder to parties subject to 
    administrative protective order (APO) of their responsibility 
    concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under 
    APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305 of the Department's regulations. 
    Timely notification of return/destruction of APO materials or 
    conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to 
    comply with the regulations and the terms of an APO is a sanctionable 
    violation.
        This five-year (``sunset'') review and notice are in accordance 
    with sections 751(c), 752, and 777(i)(1) of the Act.
    
        Dated: August 27, 1999.
    Bernard T. Carreau,
    Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
    [FR Doc. 99-23039 Filed 9-2-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
9/3/1999
Published:
09/03/1999
Department:
International Trade Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of Final Results of Full Sunset Review: Sugar and Syrups from Canada.
Document Number:
99-23039
Dates:
September 3, 1999.
Pages:
48362-48367 (6 pages)
Docket Numbers:
A-122-085
PDF File:
99-23039.pdf