June 5, 2017

News Release 17-083

Inv. No. 731-TA-472 (Fourth Review)

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

USITC WILL CONDUCT A FULL FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING SILICON METAL FROM CHINA

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) has voted to conduct a full five-year (“sunset”) review concerning the antidumping duty order on Silicon Metal from China.

As a result of the vote, the Commission will conduct a full review to determine whether revocation of the order would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission’s notice of institution in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file with the Commission responses that discuss the likely effects of revoking the order under review and provide other pertinent information.  Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review.  If responses to the USITC's notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

Vice Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson and Meredith M. Broadbent concluded that the domestic group response for this review was adequate and the respondent group response was adequate and voted for a full review.  Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein concluded that the domestic group response for this review was adequate and that the respondent group response was inadequate and voted for an expedited review.  Commissioner F. Scott Kieff did not participate.

A record of the Commission’s vote on this matter is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC  20436.  Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The record of the Commission's vote is also posted on the USITC's Internet site athttp://pubapps2.usitc.gov/sunset/caseProf/list?sort=caseTitle&order=asc.  From this page, search “silicon metal” using the search box in the upper right corner.

The Federal Register notice will indicate whether any further information or statements will be available.  Only parties that filed adequate responses and filed timely notices of appearance are eligible to participate further in this review.  The Commission will issue a report after it completes its review.