Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules, From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With Final Determination of Investigation and Notice of Amended Final Determination of Investigation Pursuant to Court Decision

AGENCY:

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

SUMMARY:

On October 5, 2015, the United States Court of International Trade (“CIT”) issued its final judgment in Jiangsu Jiasheng Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd. v. United States Consol. Court No. 13-00012 sustaining the Department of Commerce's (“the Department”) final results of remand redetermination. Consistent with the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“CAFC”) in Timken Co. v. United States, 893 F.2d 337 (Fed. Cir. 1990) (“Timken”), as clarified by Diamond Sawblades Mfrs. Coalition v. United States, 626 F.3d 1374 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (“Diamond Sawblades”), the Department is notifying the public that the final judgment in this case is not in harmony with the Department's Final Determination and Amended Final Determination in the antidumping duty investigation of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules (“solar cells”), from the People's Republic of China (“PRC”), and is amending its determination with respect to granting separate rates to three specific respondents: Tianwei New Energy (Chengdu) PV Module Co., Ltd. (“Tianwei New Energy”), Dongfang Electric (Yixing) MAGI Solar Power Technology Co., Ltd. (“Dongfang Electric”), and Sumec Hardware & Tools Co., Ltd. (“Sumec Hardware”).

DATES:

Effective Date: October 15, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeff Pedersen, AD/CVD Operations, Office IV, Enforcement and Compliance—International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC, 20230; telephone (202) 482-2769.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Subsequent to the publication of the Amended Final Determination, SolarWorld Americas, Inc. filed a complaint with the CIT challenging, in part, the Department's determination that certain separate-rate applicants were eligible for a separate rate.

On June 6, 2014, the United States requested a voluntary remand to reconsider and reevaluate its determination to grant a separate rate to four specific respondents: Tianwei New Energy, Dongfang Electric, Sumec Hardware, and Ningbo ETDZ Holdings Ltd. (“Ningbo ETDZ”). On November 20, 2014, the CIT granted the Department's request for a voluntary remand.

On April 20, 2015, the Department issued its Remand Results, in which the Department determined that Tianwei New Energy, Dongfang Electric, and Sumec Hardware did not meet the criteria for a separate rate, but that Ningbo ETDZ did meet the criteria for a separate rate.

On October 5, 2015, the Court issued its decision in Jiangsu II sustaining the Department's Remand Results.

Timken Notice

In its decision in Timken, 893 F.2d at 341, as clarified by Diamond Sawblades, the CAFC held that, pursuant to section 516A(e) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“the Act”), the Department must publish a notice of a court decision that is not “in harmony” with a Department determination and must suspend liquidation of entries pending a “conclusive” court decision. The CIT's October 5, 2015, judgment sustaining the Department's Remand Results to not grant separate rates to Tianwei New Energy, Dongfang Electric, and Sumec Hardware, constitutes a final decision of that court that is not in harmony with the Department's Investigation Final Determination. This notice is published in fulfillment of the publication requirements of Timken. Accordingly, the Department will continue the suspension of liquidation of the subject merchandise pending the expiration of the period of appeal, or if appealed, pending a final and conclusive court decision.

Amended Final Determination

Because there is now a final court decision with respect to this case, the Department is amending its Investigation Final Determination with respect to granting separate rates to Tianwei New Energy, Dongfang Electric, and Sumec Hardware. We have found that Tianwei New Energy, Dongfang Electric, and Sumec Hardware do not meet the criteria for a separate rate. Accordingly, these companies are part of the PRC-wide entity. Additionally, the Department will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from Tianwei New Energy, Dongfang Electric, and Sumec Hardware at the cash deposit rate applicable to the PRC-wide entity, effective October 15, 2015. The current cash deposit rate applicable to the PRC-wide entity is 238.95 percent.

This notice is issued and published in accordance with sections 516A(e)(1), 735(d), and 777(i)(1) of the Act.