82 FR 57727 - Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin From India: Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the Countervailing Duty Investigation

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 234 (December 7, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 234 (Thursday, December 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57727-57728]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26382]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-533-880]


Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin From India: Postponement of 
Preliminary Determination in the Countervailing Duty Investigation

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

DATES: Applicable December 7, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toby Vandall at (202) 482-1664, or 
Aimee Phelan at (202) 482-0697, AD/CVD Operations, Office I, 
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On October 18, 2017, the Department of Commerce (the Department) 
initiated a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of 
polytetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE resin) from India.\1\ Currently, 
the preliminary determination is due no later than December 22, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin from India: Initiation of 
Countervailing Duty Investigation, 82 FR 49592 (October 26, 2017) 
(Initiation Notice).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Postponement of Preliminary Determination

    Section 703(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), 
requires the Department to issue the preliminary determination in a 
countervailing duty investigation within 65 days after the date on 
which the Department initiated the investigation. However, section 
703(c)(1) of the Act permits the Department to postpone the preliminary 
determination until no later than 130 days after the date on which the 
Department initiated the investigation if: (A) The petitioner \2\ makes 
a timely request for a postponement; or (B) the Department 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. The Department will grant the 
request unless

[[Page 57728]]

it finds compelling reasons to deny the request.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The petitioner is The Chemours Company FC LLC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On November 27, 2017, the petitioner submitted a timely request 
that the Department postpone the preliminary CVD determination.\3\ The 
petitioner stated that it requests postponement because of the 
complexity of the investigation and the schedule.\4\ Further, the 
petitioner stated that ``the deadlines for responding to Sections II 
and III of the questionnaire fall after the scheduled preliminary 
determination. Without extending the preliminary determination, 
Chemours would be unable to comment on the responses or suggest follow-
up questions prior to a preliminary determination. The Department would 
be similarly unable to issue supplemental questionnaires.'' \5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Letter from the petitioner, ``Polytetrafluoroethylene 
(PTFE) Resin from India: Petitioner's Request for Extension of the 
Countervailing Duty Investigation Preliminary Determination,'' 
(November 27, 2017).
    \4\ Id.
    \5\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner has stated the 
reasons for requesting a postponement of the preliminary determination, 
and the Department finds no compelling reason to deny the request. 
Therefore, in accordance with section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act, the 
Department is postponing the deadline for the preliminary determination 
to no later than 130 days after the date on which this investigation 
was initiated, i.e., to February 26, 2018.\6\ Pursuant to section 
705(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the 
final determination of this investigation will continue to be 75 days 
after the date of the preliminary determination.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Postponing the preliminary determination to 130 days after 
initiation would place the deadline on Sunday, February 25, 2018. 
The Department's practice dictates that where a deadline falls on a 
weekend or Federal holiday, the appropriate deadline is the next 
business day. See Notice of Clarification: Application of ``Next 
Business Day'' Rule for Administrative Determination Deadlines 
Pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, As Amended, 70 FR 24533 (May 10, 
2005).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    Dated: November 30, 2017.
Gary Taverman,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Operations performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the 
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2017-26382 Filed 12-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P