Certain Coated Paper Suitable for High-Quality Print Graphics Using Sheet-Fed Presses From China and Indonesia

Determinations

On the basis of the record developed in the subject investigations, the United States International Trade Commission (Commission) determines, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671b(a) and 1673b(a)) (the Act), that there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports from China and Indonesia of certain coated paper suitable for high-quality print graphics using sheet-fed presses (“certain coated paper”), provided for in subheadings 4810.14.11, 4810.14.19, 4810.14.20, 4810.14.50, 4810.14.60, 4810.14.70, 4810.19.11, 4810.19.19, 4810.19.20, 4810.22.10, 4810.22.50, 4810.22.60, 4810.22.70, 4810.29.10, 4810.29.50, 4810.29.60, and 4810.29.70 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that are alleged to be sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV) and subsidized by the Governments of China and Indonesia.

Commencement of Final Phase Investigations

Pursuant to section 207.18 of the Commission's rules, the Commission also gives notice of the commencement of the final phase of its investigations. The Commission will issue a final phase notice of scheduling, which will be published in the Federal Register as provided in section 207.21 of the Commission's rules, upon notice from the Department of Commerce (Commerce) of affirmative preliminary determinations in the investigations under sections 703(b) or 733(b) of the Act, or, if the preliminary determinations are negative, upon notice of affirmative final determinations in those investigations under sections 705(a) or 735(a) of the Act. Parties that filed entries of appearance in the preliminary phase of the investigations need not enter a separate appearance for the final phase of the investigations. Industrial users, and, if the merchandise under investigation is sold at the retail level, representative consumer organizations have the right to appear as parties in Commission antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. The Secretary will prepare a public service list containing the names and addresses of all persons, or their representatives, who are parties to the investigations.

Background

On September 23, 2009, a petition was filed with the Commission and Commerce by Appleton Coated, LLC, Kimberly, WI; NewPage Corp., Miamisburg, OH; Sappi Fine Paper North America, Boston, MA; and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (“USW”), alleging that an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of LTFV and subsidized imports of certain coated paper from China and Indonesia. Accordingly, effective September 23, 2009, the Commission instituted countervailing duty investigation Nos. 701-TA-470-471 and antidumping duty investigation Nos. 731-TA-1169-1170 (Preliminary).

Notice of the institution of the Commission's investigations and of a public conference to be held in connection therewith was given by posting copies of the notice in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, and by publishing the notice in the Federal Register of September 30, 2009 (74 FR 50243). The conference was held in Washington, DC on October 14, 2009, and all persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in person or by counsel.

The Commission transmitted its determinations in these investigations to the Secretary of Commerce on November 9, 2009. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 4108 (November 2009), entitled Certain Coated Paper Suitable for High-Quality Print Graphics Using Sheet-Fed Presses from China and Indonesia: Investigation Nos. 701-TA-470-471 and 731-TA-1169-1170 (Preliminary).