Certain Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings From Germany, Italy, Malaysia, and the Philippines

Determinations

On the basis of the record developed in the subject investigations, the United States International Trade Commission determines, pursuant to section 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1673b(a)), that there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports from Germany, Italy, Malaysia, and the Philippines of certain stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings, provided for in subheading 7307.23.00 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).

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 section 733(b) of the Act, or, if the preliminary determinations are negative, upon notice of affirmative final determinations in those investigations under section 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 investigations 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 investigation.

Background

On December 29, 1999, a petition was filed with the Commission and the Department of Commerce on behalf of Alloy Piping Products, Inc., Shreveport, LA; Flowline Division of Markovitz Enterprises, Inc., New Castle, PA; Gerlin, Inc., Carol Stream, IL; and Taylor Forge Stainless, Inc., North Branch, NJ, alleging that an industry in the United States is materially injured and threatened with material injury by reason of LTFV imports of certain stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings from Germany, Italy, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Accordingly, effective December 29, 1999, the Commission instituted antidumping duty investigations Nos. 731-TA-864-867 (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 January 7, 2000 (65 FR 1174). The conference was held in Washington, DC, on January 19, 2000, 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 February 14, 2000. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 3281 (February 2000), entitled Certain Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from Germany, Italy, Malaysia, and the Philippines: Investigations Nos. 731-TA-864-867 (Preliminary).