Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from Belgium, Canada, Italy, South Africa, South Korea and Taiwan; Notice of Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in Antidumping Duty Investigations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-423-808, A-122-830, A-475-822, A-791-805, A-580-831 and A-583-830]

Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from Belgium, Canada, Italy, South

Africa, South Korea and Taiwan; Notice of Postponement of Preliminary

Determinations in Antidumping Duty Investigations

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration,

Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Postponement of Preliminary Determinations for

Antidumping Duty Investigations of Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from

Belgium, Canada, Italy, South Africa, South Korea and Taiwan.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (``the Department'') is postponing

the preliminary determinations of the antidumping duty investigations

of stainless steel plate in coils from Belgium, Canada, Italy, South

Africa, South Korea and Taiwan. These investigations cover 10

manufacturers and exporters of the subject merchandise during the

period January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1997.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 21, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Presing (Belgium), at (202) 482-

0194; Maureen McPhillips (Canada), at (202) 482-0193; Rick Johnson

(Italy, South Korea, and Taiwan), at (202) 482-3818; Robert James

(Republic of South Africa) at (202) 482-5222, Import Administration,

International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th

Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230.

POSTPONEMENT OF PRELIMINARY DETERMINATIONS: On April 20, 1998, the

Department initiated antidumping duty investigations of imports of

stainless steel plate in coils from Belgium, Canada, Italy, South

Africa, South Korea, and Taiwan. The notice of initiation stated that

we would issue our preliminary determinations by September 8, 1998 (63

FR 20585; April 27, 1998).

On July 28, 1998, petitioners made a timely request pursuant to 19

CFR 351.205(e) of the Department's regulations for a 30 day

postponement, pursuant to section 733(c)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act of

1930 (the Act), as amended by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.

Petitioners stated that a postponement of the preliminary

determinations is necessary in order to give the Department time to

address the many issues raised by these investigations. For example,

petitioners indicated that they may, if warranted, file cost

allegations in cases currently not subject to cost allegations. They

added that if such allegations are filed, the additional time would

benefit all parties. Indeed, on July 28, 1998, petitioners filed a cost

allegation against a respondent from Canada.

Additionally, we have determined that these investigations are

extraordinarily complicated and that additional time is necessary

beyond the 30 days requested by petitioners for the Department to make

its preliminary determinations. Among other considerations, there is a

large number of respondents and a complex model match program.

In the investigation of stainless steel plate in coils from Italy,

the respondent has informed the Department that it is not cooperating

in the investigation; as a result, the Department will have no choice

but to use adverse facts available in its determination. Although no

additional time is likely to be needed for the Department to prepare

its preliminary determination in the Italy investigation, the

Department is postponing the preliminary determination in this case as

well so that all of the antidumping cases will remain on the same

schedule.

Therefore, the Department is postponing the preliminary

determinations of the aforementioned investigations 50 days, to October

27, 1998. See Memorandum from Joseph A. Spetrini to Robert S. LaRussa,

which is on file in Room B-099 at the Main Commerce Building.

This notice is published pursuant to section 733(c)(2) of the Act

and 19 CFR 351.205(f).

Dated: August 14, 1998.

Joseph A. Spetrini,

Deputy Assistant Secretary, AD/CVD Enforcement Group III.

[FR Doc. 98-22548 Filed 8-20-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P