Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Second Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order

AGENCY:

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

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) finds that revocation of the antidumping duty order on certain potassium phosphate (salts) from the People's Republic of China (China) would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the levels indicated in the “Final Results of Sunset Review” section of this notice.

DATES:

Applicable March 8, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Emily Halle, 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) 482-0176.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On July 22, 2010, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) published the antidumping duty order on salts from China. On November 3, 2020, Commerce initiated the second sunset review of the Order pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). On November 18, 2020, Commerce received a notice of intent to participate in this sunset review from ICL Performance Products LP and Prayon, Inc. (collectively, Domestic Industry), within the deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(i). The members of the Domestic Industry claimed interested party status under section 771(9)(C) of the Act as producers of the domestic like product in the United States. On December 3, 2020, Commerce received a substantive response from the Domestic Industry within the 30-day deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.218(d)(3)(i). Commerce received no substantive responses from respondent interested parties, nor was a hearing requested. On December 23, 2020, Commerce notified the U.S. International Trade Commission that it did not receive an adequate substantive response from respondent interested parties. As a result, pursuant to section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C)(2), Commerce conducted an expedited (120-day) sunset review of the Order.

Scope of the Order

The products covered by the Order include anhydrous Dipotassium Phosphate (DKP) and Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP), whether anhydrous or in solution (collectively “phosphate salts”).

TKPP, also known as normal potassium pyrophosphate, Diphosphoric acid or Tetrapotassium salt, is a potassium salt with the formula K₄ P₂ O₇. The CAS registry number for TKPP is 7320-34-5. TKPP is typically 18.7 percent phosphorus and 47.3 percent potassium. It is generally greater than or equal to 43.0 percent P₂ O₅ content. TKPP is classified under subheading 2835.39.1000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).

DKP, also known as Dipotassium salt, Dipotassium hydrogen orthophosphate or Potassium phosphate, dibasic, has a chemical formula of K₂ HPO₄. The CAS registry number for DKP is 7758-11-4. DKP is typically 17.8 percent phosphorus, 44.8 percent potassium and 40 percent P₂ O₅ content. DKP is classified under subheading 2835.24.0000 HTSUS.

The products covered by the Order include the foregoing phosphate salts in all grades, whether food grade or technical grade. The products covered by the Order also include anhydrous DKP without regard to the physical form, whether crushed, granule, powder or fines. Also covered are all forms of TKPP, whether crushed, granule, powder, fines or solution.

For purposes of the Order, the narrative description is dispositive, and not the tariff heading, American Chemical Society, CAS registry number or CAS name, or the specific percentage chemical composition identified above.

Analysis of Commerce Received

All issues raised in this review, including the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping in the event of revocation and the magnitude of the margins likely to prevail if the Order were revoked, are addressed in the accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum. A list of topics discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum is included 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/. The signed and the electronic version of the Issues and Decision Memorandum are identical in content.

Final Results of Sunset Review

Pursuant to sections 751(c)(1) and 752(c)(1) and (3) of the Act, Commerce determines that revocation of the antidumping duty order on salts from China would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and that the magnitude of the margins is up to 95.40 percent.

Administrative Protective Order (APO)

This notice serves as the only reminder to interested parties subject to an APO of their responsibility concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Timely notification of the return or 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 violation which is subject to sanction.

Notification to Interested Parties

We are issuing and publishing these final results and notice in accordance with sections 751(c), 752(c), and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218.

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

I. Summary

II. Background

III. Scope of the Order

IV. History of the Order

V. Legal Framework

VI. Discussion of the Issues

1. Likelihood of Continuation or Recurrence of Dumping

2. Magnitude of the Margins Likely to Prevail

VII. Final Results of Sunset Review

VIII. Recommendation