Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip From Italy, France, Germany, Mexico, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and Taiwan; Notice of Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in Antidumping Duty Investigations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

(A-201-822, A-412-818, A-427-814, A-428-825, A-475-824, A-588-845, A-

580-834, A-583-831)

Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip From Italy, France, Germany,

Mexico, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom 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 sheet and strip from

Italy, France, Germany, Mexico, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the

United Kingdom 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 sheet and strip from Italy, France, Germany, Mexico,

Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and Taiwan. These

investigations cover manufacturers and exporters of the subject

merchandise during the period April 1, 1997 through March 31, 1998.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 23, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Doyle (Japan and France) at (202)

482-0159; Linda Ludwig (United Kingdom) at (202) 482-3833; Rick Johnson

(South Korea) (202) 482-3818; John Kugelman (Germany and Mexico) at

(202) 482-0649; and Maureen Flannery (Italy and Taiwan) at (202) 482-

3020; 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 June 30, 1998, the Department initiated antidumping duty

investigations of imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from

Italy, France, Germany, Mexico, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the

United Kingdom and Taiwan. The notice of initiation stated that we

would issue our preliminary determinations by November 17, 1998 (63 FR

37521; July 13, 1998).

On October 6, 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 noted that seven of the eight investigations involve below-

cost allegations. In addition to the cost allegations cited by

petitioners, these cases involve complex issues, including those

related to downstream sales, affiliation, limited reporting and country

of origin.

Therefore, the Department is postponing the preliminary

determinations of the aforementioned investigations 30 days, to

December 17, 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: October 16, 1998.

Joseph A. Spetrini,

Deputy Assistant Secretary, AD/CVD Enforcement Group III.

[FR Doc. 98-28503 Filed 10-22-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P