Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2018

AGENCY:

Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to Hyundai Steel Co., Ltd. (Hyundai Steel), a producer and exporter of certain hot-rolled steel flat products (hot-rolled steel) from the Republic of Korea (Korea). The period of review (POR) is January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018.

DATES:

Applicable August 26, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nathan James, AD/CVD Operations, Office V, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Commerce published the Preliminary Results of this review on February 22, 2021. On June 8, 2021, Commerce extended the deadline for the final results of this administrative review until August 20, 2021. On June 24, 2021, Commerce issued a post-preliminary analysis relating to an electricity for less than adequate remuneration allegation. For a description of the events that occurred since the Preliminary Results, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Scope of the Order

The product covered by this order is hot-rolled steel. For a complete description of the scope of this order, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Analysis of Comments Received

We addressed all issues raised in interested parties' case briefs in the Issues and Decision Memorandum accompanying this notice. A list of the issues raised by parties, to which Commerce responded in the Issues and Decision Memorandum, is provided as an appendix to this notice. The Issues and Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at http://access.trade.gov. In addition, a complete version of the Issues and Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at http://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/.

Changes Since the Preliminary Results

After evaluating the comments received from interested parties and record information, we have made no changes to the net subsidy rate calculated for Hyundai Steel. For a discussion of these comments, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Methodology

Commerce conducted this review in accordance with section 751(a)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). For each of the subsidy programs found countervailable, we find that there is a subsidy, i.e., a government-provided financial contribution that gives rise to a benefit to the recipient, and that the subsidy is specific. For a description of the methodology underlying all of Commerce's conclusions, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Final Results of Administrative Review

We determine that, for the period January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018, the following net countervailable subsidy rate exists:

Disclosure

No changes were made to the calculations since the Preliminary Results and Post-Preliminary Analysis; therefore, there are no calculations to release for Hyundai Steel.

Assessment Rate

Pursuant to section 751(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.212(b)(2), Commerce will determine, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shall assess, countervailing duties on all appropriate entries of subject merchandise in accordance with the final results of this review, for Hyundai Steel at the applicable ad valorem assessment rate listed. Commerce intends to issue assessment instructions to CBP no earlier than 35 days after the date of publication of the final results of this review in the Federal Register. If a timely summons is filed at the U.S. Court of International Trade, the assessment instructions will direct CBP not to liquidate relevant entries until the time for parties to file a request for a statutory injunction has expired (i.e., within 90 days of publication).

Cash Deposit Rates

In accordance with section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act, Commerce intends to instruct CBP to collect cash deposits of estimated countervailing duties in the amounts shown for the company listed above. For all non-reviewed firms, we will instruct CBP to continue to collect cash deposits of estimated countervailing duties at the most recent company-specific or all-others rate applicable to the company, as appropriate. These cash deposits, when imposed, shall remain in effect until further notice.

Administrative Protective Order

This notice also serves as a final reminder to parties subject to administrative protective order (APO) of their responsibility concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of the return/destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a sanctionable violation.

Notice to Interested Parties

These final results are issued and published in accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.221(b)(5).

Appendix—List of Topics Discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum

I. Summary

II. List of Issues

III. Background

IV. Scope of the Order

V. Period of Review

VI. Subsidies Valuation Information

VII. Analysis of Programs

VIII. Discussion of Comments

Comment 1: Whether Electricity for LTAR Confers a Benefit

Comment 2: Whether Commerce Properly Countervailed the Port Usage Rights Program

Comment 3: Whether the Reduction for Sewerage Usage Fees Is Countervailable

IX. Recommendation