Mexico Steel Wire Rod: Initiation of AD Anti-Circumvention Inquiry
The International Trade Administration is initiating an anti-circumvention inquiry to determine whether wire rod with an actual diameter between 4.75 and 5.00 millimeters is circumventing the antidumping duty order on carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from Mexico (A-201-830).
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ITA to Determine Whether 2 Firms' Rod Diameter is "Minor Alteration"
The ITA is initiating this "minor alteration"1 anti-circumvention inquiry with regard to two Mexican firms, Deacero S.A. de C.V. and Ternium Mexico S.A. de C.V., to determine whether wire rod with an actual diameter measuring between 4.75 mm and 5.00 mm results from a minor alteration, and thus, a change so insignificant as to render such wire rod subject to the AD duty order on carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from Mexico.
(Wire rod with an actual diameter that is less than 5.00 mm is not within the scope of the subject AD duty order; however, the order does not specifically exclude wire rod with an actual diameter between 4.75 mm and 5.00 mm.)
Add'l Manufacturers May be Examined if ITA Receives Timely Requests
The ITA states that it is initiating this anti-circumvention inquiry on Deacero and Ternium, the Mexican firms identified by petitioners in their circumvention allegations. However, if the ITA receives sufficient evidence within 45 days of initiation that other Mexican manufacturers are involved in the production of wire rod with an actual diameter between 4.75 mm and 5.00 mm, it will consider examining such additional manufacturers.
If Prelim Affirmative Determination, Suspension of Liquidation, Cash Deposit
If the ITA issues a preliminary affirmative determination, it will then instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to suspend liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated duties on the merchandise from firms covered by the determination.
1In a minor alteration inquiry, the ITA may find circumvention of an AD order when products which are of the class or kind of merchandise subject to an AD order have been “altered in form or appearance in minor respects…whether or not included in the same tariff classification.”
(See ITA notice for more information, including the scope of the order, etc.)
Contact -- Jolanta Lawska (202) 482-8262
(FR Pub 06/08/11, ITA Case Nos. A-201-830)