The US International Trade Commission (ITC) decided Monday to conduct an expedited sunset review of the antidumping (AD) orders on stainless steel bar from Brazil, India, Japan and Spain.
The ITC's decision was based on finding that the response of the domestic industry to the ITC's institution notice was adequate but that the response of the foreign producers was inadequate. All six commissioners voted for an expedited review.
The ITC's decision means that it will not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in connection with this review. Instead, the ITC will rely on facts available, including the ITC's prior injury and review determinations, the domestic industry's responses to the ITC's institution notice, and data already collected by the ITC staff. This expedited review is anticipated to take four months or less to complete, and the decision to conduct an expedited review virtually guarantees that the ITC will make an affirmative determination.
Given that the sunset procedures of the US Department of Commerce will almost always result in an affirmative determination, it is likely that these AD orders will remain in effect.
The merchandise subject to these orders is currently classifiable under subheadings 7222.11.00.05, 7222.11.00.50, 7222.19.00.05, 7222.19.00.50, 7222.20.00.05, 7222.20.00.45, 7222.20.00.75, and 7222.30.00.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).