Drill Pipe and Drill Collars from China

Determinations

On the basis of the record developed in the subject investigations, the United States International Trade Commission (Commission) determines, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671b(a) and 1673b(a)) (the Act), that there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is threatened with material injury by reason of imports from China of drill pipe and drill collars, provided for in subheadings 7304.22.00, 7304.23.30, 7304.23.60, and 8431.43.80 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) and subsidized by the Government of China.

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 sections 703(b) or 733(b) of the Act, or, if the preliminary determinations are negative, upon notice of affirmative final determinations in those investigations under sections 705(a) or 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 investigation 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 investigations.

Background

Effective December 31, 2009, a petition was filed with the Commission and Commerce by VAM Drilling USA Inc., Houston, TX; Rotary Drilling Tools, Beasley, TX; Texas Steel Conversions, Inc., Houston, TX; TMK IPSCO, Downers Grove, IL; and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO-CLC, Pittsburgh, PA, alleging that an industry in the United States is threatened with material injury by reason of LTFV and subsidized imports of drill pipe and drill collars from China. Accordingly, effective December 31, 2009, the Commission instituted countervailing duty investigation No. 701-TA-474 and antidumping duty investigation No. 731-TA-1176 (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 6, 2010 (75 FR 877). The conference was held in Washington, DC, on January 21, 2010, and all persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in person or by counsel.

The Commission transmitted its determination in these investigations to the Secretary of Commerce on February 22, 2010. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 4127 (March 2010), entitled Drill Pipe and Drill Collars from China: Investigation Nos. 701-TA-474 and 731-TA-1176 (Preliminary).