Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks From China and Mexico

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 19 U.S.C. 1673b(a)) (the Act), that there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured, or threatened with material injury by reason of imports from China and Mexico of certain magnesia carbon bricks, provided for in subheadings 6902.10.10, 6902.10.50, 6815.91.00, and 6815.99.00 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 Government of China.

Commencement of Final Phase Investigation

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 these investigations under sections 703(b) and 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) and 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 July 29, 2009, a petition was filed with the Commission and Commerce by Resco Products Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, alleging that an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of subsidized imports of certain magnesia carbon bricks from China and LTFV imports of certain magnesia carbon bricks from China and Mexico. Accordingly, effective July 29, 2009, the Commission instituted countervailing duty investigation No. 701-TA-468 (Preliminary) and antidumping duty investigation Nos. 731-TA-1166-1167 (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 August 10, 2009 (74 FR 39969). The conference was held in Washington, DC, on August 19, 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 September 14, 2009. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 4100 (September 2009), entitled Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks from China and Mexico: Investigation Nos. 701-TA-468 and 731-TA-1166-1167 (Preliminary).