Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules, From Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the Countervailing Duty Investigations

AGENCY:

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

DATES:

Applicable July 3, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dusten Hom or Garry Kasparov (Cambodia), Preston Cox or Scarlet Jaldin (Malaysia), Shane Subler or Henry Wolfe (Thailand), and Frank Schmitt (the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam)), AD/CVD Operations, Offices I, VI, and VIII, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-5075, (202) 482-1397, (202) 482-5041, (202) 482-4275, (202) 482-6241, (202) 482-0574, and (202) 482-4880, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On May 14, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules (solar cells), from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Currently, the preliminary determinations are due no later than July 18, 2024.

Postponement of Preliminary Determinations

Section 703(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), requires Commerce to issue the preliminary determination in a CVD investigation within 65 days after the date on which Commerce initiated the investigation. However, section 703(c)(1) of the Act permits Commerce to postpone the preliminary determination until no later than 130 days after the date on which Commerce initiated the investigation if: (A) the petitioner makes a timely request for a postponement; or (B) Commerce concludes that the parties concerned are cooperating, that the investigation is extraordinarily complicated, and that additional time is necessary to make a preliminary determination. Under 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner must submit a request for postponement 25 days or more before the scheduled date of the preliminary determination and must state the reasons for the request. Commerce will grant the request unless it finds compelling reasons to deny the request.

On June 18, 2024, the petitioner submitted timely requests that Commerce postpone the preliminary CVD determinations. The petitioner stated that it requests postponement for Commerce to receive and analyze initial responses, to allow petitioner's counsel and other interested parties to analyze responses, and for Commerce to issue supplemental questionnaires and receive responses prior to making its preliminary CVD determinations.

In accordance with 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner has stated the reasons for requesting a postponement of the preliminary determinations, and Commerce finds no compelling reason to deny the requests. Therefore, in accordance with section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act, Commerce is postponing the deadline for the preliminary determinations to no later than 130 days after the date on which these investigations were initiated, i.e., September 23, 2024. Pursuant to section 705(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the final determinations of these investigations will continue to be 75 days after the date of the preliminary determinations.

Notification to Interested Parties

This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 703(c)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(f)(1).