Notice2025-04942
Certain Chassis and Subassemblies Thereof From Mexico and Thailand: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigations
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 24, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentInternational Trade Administration
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 55 (Monday, March 24, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 55 (Monday, March 24, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13452-13457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-04942]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[C-201-866, C-549-855]
Certain Chassis and Subassemblies Thereof From Mexico and
Thailand: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigations
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
DATES: Applicable March 18, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jose Rivera at (202) 482-0842 (Mexico)
and Ian Riggs at (202) 482-3810 (Thailand), AD/CVD Operations,
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S.
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Petitions
On February 26, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce)
received countervailing duty (CVD) petitions concerning imports of
certain chassis and subassemblies thereof (chassis) from Mexico and
Thailand filed in proper form on behalf of the U.S. Chassis
Manufacturers Coalition (the petitioner),\1\ the members of which are
domestic producers of chassis.\2\ The CVD Petitions were accompanied by
antidumping duty (AD) petitions concerning imports of chassis from
Mexico, Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.\3\
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\1\ The members of the U.S. Chassis Manufacturers Coalition are
Cheetah Chassis Corporation and Stoughton Trailers, LLC.
\2\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Petitions for the Imposition of
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties,'' dated February 26, 2025
(Petitions).
\3\ Id.
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Between February 28, and March 10, 2025, Commerce requested
supplemental information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petitions
in supplemental questionnaires.\4\ Between March 4 and 11, 2025, the
petitioner filed timely responses to these requests for additional
information.\5\
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\4\ See Commerce's Letters, ``Supplemental Questions,'' dated
February 28, 2025 (First General Issues Questionnaire); see also
Country-Specific Supplemental Questionnaires: Mexico Supplemental
and Thailand Supplemental, dated March 3, 2025; Memorandum, ``Phone
Call with Counsel to the Petitioner,'' dated March 7, 2025 (March 7,
2025 Scope Memorandum); and Commerce's Letter, ``Supplemental
Questions,'' dated March 10, 2025 (Third General Issues
Questionnaire).
\5\ See Petitioner's Letters, ``Petitioner Response to 1st
Supplemental Questionnaire Regarding Common Issues and Injury Volume
I of the Petition,'' dated March 4, 2025 (First General Issues
Supplement); Country-Specific CVD Supplemental Responses: Mexico CVD
Supplement, dated March 5, 2025; First Thailand CVD Supplement,
dated March 7, 2025; and Second Thailand CVD Supplement, dated March
10, 2025; ``Petitioner Response to 2nd Supplemental Questionnaire
Regarding Common Issues and Injury Volume I of the Petition,'' dated
March 10, 2025 (Second General Issues Supplement); and ``Petitioner
Response to 3rd Supplemental Questionnaire Regarding Common Issues
and Injury Volume I of the Petition,'' dated March 11, 2025 (Third
General Issues Supplement). The petitioner also filed a supplement
correcting a clerical error and providing a complete replacement of
Exhibit I-13 of Volume I of the Petitions. See Petitioner's Letter,
``Supplement to Exhibit I-13 of Volume I General Issues Petition,''
dated February 27, 2025 (Revised Exhibit I-13).
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In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (the Act), the petitioner alleges that the Government of Mexico
(GOM) and Government of Thailand (GOT) (collectively, Governments) are
providing countervailable subsidies, within the meaning of sections 701
and 771(5) of the Act, to producers of chassis in Mexico and Thailand,
and that such imports are materially injuring, or threatening material
injury to, the domestic industry producing chassis in the United
States. Consistent with section 702(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.202(b), for those alleged programs on which we are initiating CVD
investigations, the Petitions were accompanied by information
reasonably available to the petitioner supporting its allegations.
Commerce finds that the petitioner filed the Petitions on behalf of
the domestic industry, because the petitioner is an interested party,
as defined in section 771(9)(F) of the Act.\6\ Commerce also finds that
the petitioner
[[Page 13453]]
demonstrated sufficient industry support with respect to the initiation
of the requested CVD investigations.\7\
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\6\ The members of the petitioning coalition are interested
parties under section 771(9)(C) of the Act.
\7\ See section on ``Determination of Industry Support for the
Petitions,'' infra.
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Periods of Investigation
Because the Petitions were filed on February 26, 2025, the period
of investigation for the Mexico and Thailand CVD investigations is
January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.\8\
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\8\ See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(2).
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Scope of the Investigations
The products covered by these investigations are chassis from
Mexico and Thailand. For a full description of the scope of these
investigations, see the appendix to this notice.
Comments on the Scope of the Investigations
On February 28, and March 7, 2025, Commerce requested information
and clarification from the petitioner regarding the proposed scope to
ensure that the scope language in the Petition is an accurate
reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is seeking
relief.\9\ On March 4, and 10, 2025, the petitioner provided
clarifications and revised the scope.\10\ The description of
merchandise covered by these investigations, as described in the
appendix to this notice, reflects these clarifications.
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\9\ See First General Issues Questionnaire; see also March 7,
2025, Memorandum.
\10\ See First General Issues Supplement at 2-6 and Exhibits I-
Supp-4 through I-Supp-6; see also Second General Issues Supplement
at 1-8 and Exhibits I-Supp2-1 and I-Supp2-2.
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As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are
setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding
product coverage (i.e., scope).\11\ Commerce will consider all comments
received from interested parties and, if necessary, will consult with
interested parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary
determinations. If scope comments include factual information, all such
factual information should be limited to public information.\12\
Commerce requests that interested parties provide at the beginning of
their scope comments a public executive summary for each comment or
issue raised in their submission. Commerce further requests that
interested parties limit their public executive summary of each comment
or issue to no more than 450 words, not including citations. Commerce
intends to use the public executive summaries as the basis of the
comment summaries included in the analysis of scope comments. To
facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests that
scope comments be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on April 7,
2025, which is 20 calendar days from the signature date of this notice.
Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual information, and
should also be limited to public information, must be filed by 5:00
p.m. ET on April 17, 2025, which is 10 calendar days from the initial
comment deadline.
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\11\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties; Final Rule,
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble).
\12\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ``factual
information'').
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Commerce requests that any factual information that parties
consider relevant to the scope of these investigations be submitted
during that time period. However, if a party subsequently finds that
additional factual information pertaining to the scope of the
investigations may be relevant, the party must contact Commerce and
request permission to submit the additional information. All scope
comments must be filed simultaneously on the records of the concurrent
AD and CVD investigations.
Filing Requirements
All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically via
Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), unless an exception
applies.\13\ An electronically filed document must be received
successfully in its entirety by the time and date it is due.
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\13\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order
Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011); see also Enforcement and
Compliance; Change of Electronic Filing System Name, 79 FR 69046
(November 20, 2014), for details of Commerce's electronic filing
requirements, effective August 5, 2011. Information on using ACCESS
can be found at <a href="https://access.trade.gov/help.aspx">https://access.trade.gov/help.aspx</a> and a handbook
can be found at <a href="https://access.trade.gov/help/Handbook_on_Electronic_Filing_Procedures.pdf">https://access.trade.gov/help/Handbook_on_Electronic_Filing_Procedures.pdf</a>.
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Consultations
Pursuant to sections 702(b)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Act, Commerce
notified the GOM and GOT of the receipt of the Petitions and provided
an opportunity for consultations with respect to the Petition.\14\
Commerce held consultations with the GOM on March 14, 2025,\15\ and the
GOT on March 12, 2025.\16\
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\14\ See Commerce's Letters, ``Invitation for Consultations to
Discuss the Countervailing Duty Petition,'' dated February 27, 2025.
\15\ See Memorandum, ``Consultations with the Government of
Mexico,'' dated March 14, 2025; see also GOM's Letter, ``GOM's
Submission,'' dated March 14, 2025.
\16\ See Memorandum, ``Consultations with the Government of
Thailand,'' dated March 12, 2025; see also GOT's Letter, ``Statement
for the Consultations Regarding the Petition to Initiate a
Countervailing Duty Investigation,'' dated March 12, 2025.
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Additionally, given the nature of certain subsidy programs alleged
in the Petitions, on February 27, 2025, Commerce issued a letter to the
Government of the People's Republic of China (China), providing the
Government of China (GOC) with the opportunity to meet with Commerce
officials.\17\ The GOC did not request to meet with meet with Commerce
officials.\18\
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\17\ See Commerce's Letter, ``Alleged Transnational Subsidy
Programs,'' dated February 27, 2025.
\18\ The GOC submitted comments on the CVD petitions. See GOC's
Letters, ``Alleged Transnational Subsidy Programs,'' dated March 14,
2025.
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Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions
Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act
provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic
producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) at least
25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and
(ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like
product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support
for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 702(c)(4)(D) of
the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of
domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of
the total production of the domestic like product, Commerce shall: (i)
poll the industry or rely on other information in order to determine if
there is support for the petition, as required by subparagraph (A); or
(ii) determine industry support using a statistically valid sampling
method to poll the ``industry.''
Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ``industry'' as the
producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine
whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute
directs Commerce to look to producers and workers who produce the
domestic like product. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC),
which is responsible for determining whether ``the domestic industry''
has been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like
product in
[[Page 13454]]
order to define the industry. While both Commerce and the ITC apply the
same statutory definition regarding the domestic like product,\19\ they
do so for different purposes and pursuant to a separate and distinct
authority. In addition, Commerce's determination is subject to
limitations of time and information. Although this may result in
different definitions of the like product, such differences do not
render the decision of either agency contrary to law.\20\
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\19\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
\20\ See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1, 8 (CIT
2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United States, 688 F.
Supp. 639, 644 (CIT 1988), aff'd Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United
States, 865 F.2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
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Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ``a
product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in
characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation
under this title.'' Thus, the reference point from which the domestic
like product analysis begins is ``the article subject to an
investigation'' (i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be
investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the
petition).
With regard to the domestic like product, the petitioner does not
offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope
of the investigations.\21\ Based on our analysis of the information
submitted on the record, we have determined that chassis, as defined in
the scope, constitute a single domestic like product, and we have
analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like product.\22\
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\21\ See Petition at Volume I (pages 22-26 and Exhibits I-3, I-
17, and I-18); see also First General Issues Supplement at 8-10; and
Third General Issues Supplement at 1-4 and Exhibits I-Supp3-1 and I-
Supp3-2.
\22\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as
applied to these cases and information regarding industry support,
see Checklists, ``Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiation
Checklists: Certain Chassis and Subassemblies Thereof from Mexico,
Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,'' dated
concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Country-
Specific CVD Initiation Checklists), at Attachment II, Analysis of
Industry Support for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Petitions Covering Certain Chassis and Subassemblies Thereof from
Mexico, Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Attachment
II). These checklists are on file electronically via ACCESS.
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In determining whether the petitioner has standing under section
702(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data
contained in the Petitions with reference to the domestic like product
as defined in the ``Scope of the Investigations,'' in the appendix to
this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioner provided the
2024 production of the domestic like product for the U.S. producers
that support the Petitions and compared this to the estimated total
production of the domestic like product in 2024 by the entire U.S.
chassis industry.\23\ We relied on data provided by the petitioner for
purposes of measuring industry support.\24\
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\23\ Id.
\24\ For further discussion, see Attachment II of the Country-
Specific CVD Initiation Checklists.
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Our review of the data provided in the Petitions, the First General
Issues Supplement, and other information readily available to Commerce
indicates that the petitioner has established industry support for the
Petitions.\25\ First, the Petitions established support from domestic
producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50 percent of the total
production of the domestic like product and, as such, Commerce is not
required to take further action in order to evaluate industry support
(e.g., polling).\26\ Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have
met the statutory criteria for industry support under section
702(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers)
who support the Petitions account for at least 25 percent of the total
production of the domestic like product.\27\ Finally, the domestic
producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry
support under section 702(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic
producers (or workers) who support the Petitions account for more than
50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by
that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to,
the Petitions.\28\ Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petitions
were filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of
section 702(b)(1) of the Act.\29\
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\25\ Id.
\26\ Id.; see also section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act.
\27\ See Attachment II of the Country-Specific CVD Initiation
Checklists.
\28\ Id.
\29\ Id.
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Injury Test
Because Mexico and Thailand are ``Subsidies Agreement Countries''
within the meaning of section 701(b) of the Act, section 701(a)(2) of
the Act applies to these investigations. Accordingly, the ITC must
determine whether imports of the subject merchandise from Mexico and/or
Thailand materially injure, or threaten material injury to, a U.S.
industry.
Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation
The petitioner alleges that imports of the subject merchandise are
benefiting from countervailable subsidies and that such imports are
causing, or threaten to cause, material injury to the U.S. industry
producing the domestic like product. In addition, the petitioner
alleges that subject imports from Mexico and Thailand exceed the
negligibility threshold provided for under section 771(24)(A) of the
Act.\30\
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\30\ For further information regarding negligibility and the
injury allegation, see Country-Specific CVD Initiation Checklists at
Attachment III, Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material
Injury and Causation for the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing
Duty Petitions Covering Certain Chassis and Subassemblies Thereof
from Mexico, Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
(Attachment III).
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The petitioner contends that the industry's injured condition is
illustrated by the significant increase in the volumes of subject
imports; reduced market share; underselling and price depression and/or
suppression; lost sales and revenues; declines in domestic producers'
U.S. shipments, production, and capacity utilization; decline in
employment variables; adverse impact on financial performance; and
negative impact on the existing development and production efforts of
the domestic industry.\31\ We assessed the allegations and supporting
evidence regarding material injury, threat of material injury,
causation, cumulation, as well as negligibility, and we have determined
that these allegations are properly supported by adequate evidence and
meet the statutory requirements for initiation.\32\
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\31\ Id.
\32\ Id.
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Initiation of CVD Investigations
Based upon the examination of the Petitions and supplemental
responses, we find that they meet the requirements of section 702 of
the Act. Therefore, we are initiating CVD investigations to determine
whether imports of chassis from Mexico and Thailand benefit from
countervailable subsidies conferred by the GOM and GOT, respectively.
In accordance with section 703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our preliminary
determinations no later than 65 days after the date of this initiation.
Mexico
Based on our review of the Petitions, we find that there is
sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 19 of the 19
programs
[[Page 13455]]
alleged by the petitioner. For a full discussion of the basis for our
decision to initiate on each program, see the Mexico CVD Initiation
Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for this
investigation is available on ACCESS.
Thailand
Based on our review of the Petitions, we find that there is
sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 20 of the 20
programs alleged by the petitioner. For a full discussion of the basis
for our decision to initiate on each program, see the Thailand CVD
Initiation Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for
this investigation is available on ACCESS.
Respondent Selection
In the Petitions, the petitioner identified 13 companies in Mexico
and three companies in Thailand as producers and/or exporters of
chassis.\33\ Commerce intends to follow its standard practice in CVD
investigations and calculate company-specific subsidy rates in these
investigations. In the event that Commerce determines that the number
of companies is large and it cannot individually examine each company
based on Commerce's resources, Commerce normally selects mandatory
respondents in CVD investigations using U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) entry data for U.S. imports under the appropriate
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading(s)
listed in the ``Scope of the Investigations'' in the appendix. However,
for these investigations, the main HTSUS subheadings under which the
subject merchandise would enter (8716.39.0090 and 8716.90.5060) are
basket categories under which non-subject merchandise may also enter.
Therefore, instead of relying on CBP entry data in selecting
respondents, we intend to issue quantity and value (Q&V) questionnaires
to each potential respondent for which there is complete address
information on the record.
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\33\ See Petitions at Volume I (page 18 and Exhibit I-13); see
also Revised Exhibit I-13; and First General Issues Supplement at 1-
2 and Exhibits I-Supp-1 and I-Supp-17.
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Commerce will post the Q&V questionnaires along with filing
instructions on Commerce's website at <a href="https://www.trade.gov/ec-adcvd-case-announcements">https://www.trade.gov/ec-adcvd-case-announcements</a>. Producers/exporters of chassis from Mexico and
Thailand that do not receive Q&V questionnaires may still submit a
response to the Q&V questionnaire and can obtain a copy of the Q&V
questionnaire from Commerce's website. Responses to the Q&V
questionnaire must be submitted by the relevant producers/exporters no
later than 5:00 p.m. ET on April 1, 2025, which is two weeks from the
signature date of this notice. All Q&V questionnaire responses must be
filed electronically via ACCESS. An electronically filed document must
be received successfully, in its entirety, by ACCESS no later than 5:00
p.m. ET on the deadline noted above.
Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under
administrative protective order (APO) in accordance with 19 CFR
351.305(b). Instructions for filing such applications may be found on
Commerce's website at <a href="https://www.trade.gov/administrative-protective-orders">https://www.trade.gov/administrative-protective-orders</a>.
Distribution of Copies of the Petitions
In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.202(f), a copy of the public version of the Petitions has been
provided to the GOM and GOT via ACCESS. To the extent practicable, we
will attempt to provide a copy of the public version of the Petitions
to each exporter named in the Petitions, as provided under 19 CFR
351.203(c)(2).
ITC Notification
Commerce will notify the ITC of its initiation, as required by
section 702(d) of the Act.
Preliminary Determinations by the ITC
The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date
on which the Petitions were filed, whether there is a reasonable
indication that imports of chassis from Mexico and/or Thailand are
materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, a U.S.
industry.\34\ A negative ITC determination for either country will
result in the investigation being terminated with respect to that
country.\35\ Otherwise, these CVD investigations will proceed according
to statutory and regulatory time limits.
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\34\ See section 703(a)(1) of the Act.
\35\ Id.
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Submission of Factual Information
Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i)
evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence
submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available
information to value factors of production under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or
to measure the adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2);
(iv) evidence placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other
than factual information described in (i)-(iv). Section 351.301(b) of
Commerce's regulations requires any party, when submitting factual
information, to specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21)
the information is being submitted \36\ and, if the information is
submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information already on
the record, to provide an explanation identifying the information
already on the record that the factual information seeks to rebut,
clarify, or correct.\37\ Time limits for the submission of factual
information are addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, which provides specific
time limits based on the type of factual information being submitted.
Interested parties should review the regulations prior to submitting
factual information in these investigations.
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\36\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b).
\37\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b)(2).
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Time Limits for Submission of Factual Information in Response to
Questionnaires
Section 351.301(c) of Commerce's regulations states that during a
proceeding, Commerce may issue to any person questionnaires, which
includes both and initial and supplemental questionnaires. For all
investigations initiated after January 15, 2025, the following time
limits apply: \38\
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\38\ See 19 CFR 351.301(c)(1)(i)-(v).
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(i) Initial questionnaire responses are due 30 days from the date
of receipt of such questionnaire. The time limit for response to
individual sections of the questionnaire, if Commerce requests a
separate response to such sections, may be less than the 30 days
allotted for response to the full questionnaire. In general, the date
of receipt will be considered to be seven days from the date on which
the initial questionnaire was transmitted.
(ii) Supplemental questionnaire responses are due on the date
specified by Commerce.
(iii) A notification by an interested party, under section
782(c)(1) of the Act, of difficulties in submitting information in
response to a questionnaire issued by Commerce is to be submitted in
writing within 14 days after the date of the questionnaire or, if the
questionnaire is due in 14 days or less, within the time specified by
Commerce.
(iv) A respondent interested party may request in writing that
Commerce conduct a questionnaire presentation. Commerce may conduct a
questionnaire presentation if Commerce notifies the government of the
affected country and that government does not object.
[[Page 13456]]
(v) Factual information submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct
questionnaire responses. Within 14 days after an initial questionnaire
response and within 10 days after a supplemental questionnaire response
has been filed with Commerce, an interested party other than the
original submitter is permitted one opportunity to submit factual
information to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information contained
in the questionnaire response. Within seven days of the filing of such
rebuttal, clarification, or correction to a questionnaire response, the
original submitter of the questionnaire response is permitted one
opportunity to submit factual information to rebut, clarify, or correct
factual information submitted in the interested party's rebuttal,
clarification or correction. Commerce will reject any untimely filed
rebuttal, clarification, or correction submission and provide, to the
extent practicable, written notice stating the reasons for rejection.
If insufficient time remains before the due date for the final
determination or final results of review, Commerce may specify shorter
deadlines under this section.
Extensions of Time Limits
Parties may request an extension of time limits before the
expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as
otherwise specified by Commerce. In general, an extension request will
be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the time
limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as otherwise specified by
Commerce.\39\ For submissions that are due from multiple parties
simultaneously, an extension request will be considered untimely if it
is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date. Under certain
circumstances, Commerce may elect to specify a different time limit by
which extension requests will be considered untimely for submissions
which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such a case, we
will inform parties in a letter or memorandum of the deadline
(including a specified time) by which extension requests must be filed
to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in a
separate, standalone submission; under limited circumstances we will
grant untimely filed requests for the extension of time limits, where
we determine, based on 19 CFR 351.302, that extraordinary circumstances
exist. Parties should review Commerce's regulations concerning the
extension of time limits and the Time Limits Final Rule prior to
submitting factual information in these investigations.\40\
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\39\ See 19 CFR 351.302.
\40\ See 19 CFR 351.301; see also Extension of Time Limits;
Final Rule, 78 FR 57790 (September 20, 2013) (Time Limits Final
Rule), available at <a href="https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm">https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm</a>.
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Certification Requirements
Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding
must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.\41\
Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR
351.303(g).\42\ Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the
submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification
requirements.
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\41\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
\42\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (Final Rule); see also
frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule, available at
<a href="https://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf">https://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf</a>.
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Notification to Interested Parties
Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Parties wishing to participate
in these investigations should ensure that they meet the requirements
of 19 CFR 351.103(d) (e.g., by filing the required letters of
appearance). Note that Commerce has amended certain of its requirements
pertaining to the service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f).\43\
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\43\ See Administrative Protective Order, Service, and Other
Procedures in Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings, 88 FR
67069 (September 29, 2023).
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This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702 and
777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).
Dated: March 18, 2025.
Christopher Abbott,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, performing the
non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for
Enforcement and Compliance.
Appendix
Scope of the Investigations
The merchandise covered by these investigations consists of
chassis and subassemblies thereof, whether finished or unfinished,
whether assembled or unassembled, whether coated or uncoated,
regardless of the number of axles, for carriage of containers, or
other payloads (including self-supporting payloads) for road, marine
roll-on/roll-off (RORO) and/or rail transport. Chassis are
typically, but are not limited to, rectangular framed trailers with
a suspension and axle system, wheels and tires, brakes, a lighting
and electrical system, a coupling for towing behind a truck tractor,
and a locking system or systems to secure the shipping container or
containers to the chassis using twistlocks, slide pins or similar
attachment devices to engage the corner fittings on the container or
other payload.
Subject merchandise includes, but is not limited to, the
following subassemblies:
<bullet> Chassis frames, or sections of chassis frames,
including kingpin assemblies, bolsters consisting of transverse
beams with locking or support mechanisms, goosenecks, drop
assemblies, extension mechanisms and/or rear impact guards;
<bullet> Running gear assemblies or axle assemblies for
connection to the chassis frame, whether fixed in nature or capable
of sliding fore and aft or lifting up and lowering down, which may
or may not include suspension(s) (mechanical or pneumatic), wheel
end components, slack adjusters, dressed axles, brake chambers,
locking pins, and tires and wheels; and
<bullet> Assemblies that connect to the chassis frame or a
section of the chassis frame, such as but not limited to, pintle
hooks or B-trains (which include a fifth wheel), which are capable
of connecting a chassis to a converter dolly or another chassis.
Importation of any of these subassemblies, whether assembled or
unassembled, constitutes an unfinished chassis for purposes of these
investigations.
Subject merchandise also includes chassis, whether finished or
unfinished, entered with components such as, but not limited to: hub
and drum assemblies, brake assemblies (either drum or disc), bare
axles, brake chambers, suspensions and suspension components, wheel
end components, landing gear legs, spoke or disc wheels, tires,
brake control systems, electrical harnesses and lighting systems.
Processing of finished and unfinished chassis and components
such as trimming, cutting, grinding, notching, punching, drilling,
painting, coating, staining, finishing, assembly, or any other
processing either in the country of manufacture of the in-scope
product or in a third country does not remove the product from the
scope. Inclusion of other components not identified as comprising
the finished or unfinished chassis does not remove the product from
the scope.
Individual components entered and sold by themselves are not
subject to the investigations, but components entered with a
finished or unfinished chassis are subject merchandise. A finished
chassis is ultimately comprised of several different types of
subassemblies. Within each subassembly there are numerous components
that comprise a given subassembly.
This scope excludes dry van trailers, refrigerated van trailers
and flatbed trailers. Dry van trailers are trailers with a wholly
enclosed cargo space comprised of fixed sides, nose, floor and roof,
with articulated panels (doors) across the rear and occasionally at
selected places on the sides, with the cargo space being permanently
incorporated in the trailer itself. Refrigerated van trailers are
trailers with a wholly enclosed cargo space comprised of fixed
sides, nose, floor and roof, with articulated panels (doors) across
the rear and occasionally at selected places on the sides, with the
cargo space being permanently
[[Page 13457]]
incorporated in the trailer and being insulated, possessing specific
thermal properties intended for use with self-contained
refrigeration systems. Flatbed (or platform) trailers consist of
load carrying main frames and a solid, flat or stepped loading deck
or floor permanently incorporated with and supported by frame rails
and cross members.
The finished and unfinished chassis subject to these
investigations are typically classified in the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheadings: 8716.39.0090
and 8716.90.5060. Imports of finished and unfinished chassis may
also enter under HTSUS subheading 8716.90.5010. While the HTSUS
subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the
written description of the merchandise under investigation is
dispositive.
[FR Doc. 2025-04942 Filed 3-21-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 24, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.