SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Petitions

On July 29, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) received countervailing duty (CVD) petitions concerning imports of certain linear hydraulic cylinders and parts thereof (linear hydraulic cylinders) from China, India, and Mexico, filed in proper form on behalf of the Hydraulic Cylinders Fair Trade Coalition and its individual members, Aggressive Hydraulics Inc., Hol-Mac Corporation, Ligon Hydraulics, Prince Manufacturing Corporation, PTC Alliance LLC, Rosenboom Machine and Tool Inc., Scot Industries Inc., Stillwell Inc., and Texas Hydraulics Inc. (collectively, the petitioners), domestic producers of hydraulic cylinders.^[1] The Petitions were accompanied by antidumping duty (AD) petitions concerning imports of linear hydraulic cylinders from Canada, China, India, the Republic of Korea, and Mexico.^[2]

Between August 3 and September 2, 2026, Commerce requested supplemental information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petitions in supplemental questionnaires.^[3] Between August 6 and September 4, 2026, the petitioners filed timely responses to these requests for additional information.^[4]

On August 18, 2026, Commerce extended the initiation deadline by 20 days to poll the domestic industry in accordance with subsections 702(c)(1)(B) and (4)(D) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), because “it is not clear from the Petitions whether the industry support criteria have been met. . . .” ^[5]

In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Act, the petitioners allege that the Government of China (GOC), the Government of India (GOI), and the Government of Mexico (GOI) are providing countervailable subsidies, within the meaning of sections 701 and 771(5) of the Act, to producers of linear hydraulic cylinders in the respective countries and that such imports are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the domestic industry producing linear hydraulic cylinders in the United States. Consistent with section 702(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(b), for those alleged programs on which we are initiating CVD investigations, the Petitions were accompanied by information reasonably available to the petitioners supporting their allegations.

Commerce finds that the petitioners filed the Petitions on behalf of the domestic industry, because the petitioners are interested parties, as defined in sections 771(9)(C) and (F) of the Act. Commerce also finds that the petitioners demonstrated sufficient industry support with respect to the initiation of the requested CVD investigations.^[6]

Periods of Investigation (POI)

Because the Petitions were filed on July 29, 2026, the POI for each of the CVD investigations is January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.^[7]

Scope of the Investigation

The products covered by these investigations are linear hydraulic cylinders from China, India, and Mexico. For a full description of the scope of these investigations, see the appendix to this notice.

Comments on the Scope of the Investigations

Between August 3 and September 2, 2026, Commerce requested information and clarification from the petitioners regarding the proposed scope to ensure that the scope language in the Petitions is an accurate reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is seeking relief.^[8] Between August 11 and September 4, 2026, the petitioners provided clarifications and revised the scope.^[9] The description of merchandise covered by these investigations, as described in the appendix to this notice, reflects these clarifications.

Commerce has concerns related to the administrability of certain provisions in the proposed scope. For example, we find that language pertaining to the definition of covered steel barrels ( i.e., “{c}overed steel barrels . . . have otherwise been processed to the point of having as their sole or predominant use a barrel for an in-scope hydraulic cylinder” and “the addition of any part of a hydraulic cylinder to a barrel has thereby been processed to the point of having its sole or predominant use as a barrel for an in-scope hydraulic cylinder”) remains an outstanding issue. While Commerce has adopted this language for purposes of initiation, we intend to continue evaluating the scope of these investigations, with the possibility of making additional modifications to further clarify what products are covered or not covered by the scope of these investigations. We ( printed page 58068) invite parties to this proceeding to comment on this language along with their scope comments (as detailed below).

As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding product coverage ( i.e., scope).^[10] Commerce will consider all scope comments received from interested parties and, if necessary, will consult with interested parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary determinations. If scope comments include factual information, all such factual information should be limited to public information.^[11] Commerce requests that interested parties provide at the beginning of their scope comments a public executive summary for each comment or issue raised in their submission. Commerce further requests that interested parties limit their public executive summary of each comment or issue to no more than 450 words, not including citations. Commerce intends to use the public executive summaries as the basis of the comment summaries included in the analysis of scope comments. To facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests that scope comments be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on September 28, 2026, which is 20 calendar days from the signature date of this notice. Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual information, and should also be limited to public information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on October 8, 2026, which is 10 calendar days from the initial comment deadline.

Commerce requests that any factual information that parties consider relevant to the scope of these investigations be submitted during that period. However, if a party subsequently finds that additional factual information pertaining to the scope of the investigations may be relevant, the party must contact Commerce and request permission to submit the additional information. All scope comments must be filed simultaneously on the records of the concurrent AD and CVD investigations.

Filing Requirements

All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), unless an exception applies.^[12] An electronically filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by the date and time it is due.

Consultations

Pursuant to sections 702(b)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Act, Commerce notified the GOC, GOI, and GOM of the receipt of the Petitions and provided an opportunity for consultations with respect to the Petitions.^[13] Commerce held consultations with the GOI on August 12, 2026,^[14] with the GOC on August 13, 2026,^[15] and with the GOM on August 14, 2026.^[16]

Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions

Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on behalf of the domestic industry. Section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) at least 25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and (ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of the total production of the domestic like product, Commerce shall: (i) poll the industry or rely on other information in order to determine if there is support for the petition, as required by subparagraph (A); or (ii) determine industry support using a statistically valid sampling method to poll the “industry.”

Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the “industry” as the producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute directs Commerce to look to producers and workers who produce the domestic like product. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), which is responsible for determining whether “the domestic industry” has been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like product in order to define the industry. While both Commerce and the ITC apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic like product,^[17] they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a separate and distinct authority. In addition, Commerce's determination is subject to limitations of time and information. Although this may result in different definitions of the like product, such differences do not render the decision of either agency contrary to law.^[18]

Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as “a product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation under this title.” Thus, the reference point from which the domestic like product analysis begins is “the article subject to an investigation” ( i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the petition).

With regard to the domestic like product, the petitioners do not offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope of the investigations.^[19] Based on our analysis of the information submitted on the ( printed page 58069) record, we have determined that linear hydraulic cylinders, as defined in the scope, constitute a single domestic like product, and we have analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like product.^[20]

On August 18, 2026, after considering comments regarding industry support filed by several interested parties,^[21] Commerce extended the initiation deadline by 20 days to poll the industry in accordance with section 732(c)(4)(D) of the Act, because it was “not clear from the Petitions whether the industry support criteria have been met. . . .” ^[22] On August 20, 2026, Commerce issued polling questionnaires to all known producers identified in the Petitions.^[23] We requested that the companies complete the polling questionnaire and certify their responses by the due date specified in the cover letter to the questionnaire.^[24] The petitioners provided comments on the polling questionnaire responses on August 31, 2026.^[25]

Our analysis of the data we received in the polling questionnaire responses indicates that the domestic producers and workers who support the Petitions account for at least 25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product and more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the Petitions.^[26] Accordingly, Commerce determines that the industry support requirements of section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act have been met and that the Petitions were filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of section 702(b)(1) of the Act.^[27]

Injury Test

Because China, India, and Mexico are “Subsidies Agreement Countries” within the meaning of section 701(b) of the Act, section 701(a)(2) of the Act applies to these investigations. Accordingly, the ITC must determine whether imports of the subject merchandise from China, India, and/or Mexico materially injure, or threaten material injury to, a U.S. industry.

Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation

The petitioners allege that imports of the subject merchandise are benefiting from countervailable subsidies and that such imports are causing, or threaten to cause, material injury to the U.S. industry producing the domestic like product. In addition, the petitioners allege that subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.^[28]

The petitioners contend that the industry's injured condition is illustrated by a significant increase in the volume of subject imports; reduced market share; underselling and price depression and suppression; lost sales and revenues; decline in U.S. shipments, production, capacity utilization; and negative impact on financial performance.^[29] We assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding material injury, threat of material injury, causation, as well as negligibility, and we have determined that these allegations are properly supported by adequate evidence, and meet the statutory requirements for initiation.^[30]

Initiation of CVD Investigations

Based upon the examination of the Petitions and supplemental responses, we find that they meet the requirements of section 702 of the Act. Therefore, we are initiating CVD investigations to determine whether imports of linear hydraulic cylinders from China, India, and Mexico benefit from countervailable subsidies conferred by the GOC, GOI, and GOM. In accordance with section 703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our preliminary determinations no later than 65 days after the date of this initiation.

China

Based on our review of the Petitions, we find that there is sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 21 programs alleged by the petitioners. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision to initiate on each program, see the China CVD Initiation Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for this investigation is available on ACCESS.

India

Based on our review of the Petitions, we find that there is sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 33 programs alleged by the petitioners. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision to initiate on each program, see the India CVD Initiation Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for this investigation is available on ACCESS.

Mexico

Based on our review of the Petitions, we find that there is sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 23 programs alleged by the petitioners. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision to initiate on each program, see the Mexico CVD Initiation Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for this investigation is available on ACCESS.

Respondent Selection

In the Petitions, the petitioners identified 38 companies in China, 42 companies in India, and 55 companies in Mexico as producers/exporters of linear hydraulic cylinders.^[31] Commerce intends to follow its standard practice in CVD investigations and calculate company-specific subsidy rates in these investigations. In the event that Commerce determines that the number of companies is large, and it cannot individually examine each company based upon Commerce's resources, Commerce intends to select mandatory respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data for U.S. imports of linear hydraulic cylinders from China, India, and Mexico during the POI under the appropriate Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States subheading(s) listed in the “Scope of the Investigations” in the appendix.

On September 8, 2026, Commerce released CBP data on imports of linear hydraulic cylinders from China, India, and Mexico under administrative protective order (APO) to all parties with access to information protected by APO and indicated that interested parties wishing to comment on CBP data and/or respondent selection must do so within three business days of the publication date of the notice of initiation of these investigations.^[32] Comments must be filed electronically using ACCESS. An electronically filed ( printed page 58070) document must be received successfully in its entirety via ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. ET on the specified deadline. Commerce will not accept rebuttal comments regarding the CBP data or respondent selection.

Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(b). Instructions for filing such applications may be found on Commerce's website at www.trade.gov/​administrative-protective-orders.

Distribution of Copies of the Petitions

In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(f), a copy of the public version of the Petitions have been provided to the GOC, GOI, and GOM via ACCESS. To the extent practicable, we will attempt to provide a copy of the public version of the Petitions to each exporter named in the Petitions, as provided under 19 CFR 351.203(c)(2).

ITC Notification

Commerce will notify the ITC of its initiation, as required by section 702(d) of the Act.

Preliminary Determinations by the ITC

The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 25 days after the date on which the ITC receives notice from Commerce of initiation of the investigations, whether there is a reasonable indication that imports of linear hydraulic cylinders from China, India, and/or Mexico are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, a U.S. industry.^[33] A negative ITC determination for any country will result in the investigation being terminated with respect to that country.^[34] Otherwise, these CVD investigations will proceed according to statutory and regulatory time limits.

Submission of Factual Information

Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i) evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available information to value factors of production under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other than factual information described in (i)-(iv). Section 351.301(b) of Commerce's regulations requires any party, when submitting factual information, to specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted ^[35] and, if the information is submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information already on the record, to provide an explanation identifying the information already on the record that the factual information seeks to rebut, clarify, or correct.^[36] Time limits for the submission of factual information are addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, which provides specific time limits based on the type of factual information being submitted. Interested parties should review the regulations prior to submitting factual information in these investigations.

Extensions of Time Limits

Parties may request an extension of time limits before the expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as otherwise specified by Commerce. In general, an extension request will be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as otherwise specified by Commerce.^[37] For submissions that are due from multiple parties simultaneously, an extension request will be considered untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date. Under certain circumstances, Commerce may elect to specify a different time limit by which extension requests will be considered untimely for submissions which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such a case, we will inform parties in a letter or memorandum of the deadline (including a specified time) by which extension requests must be filed to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in a separate, standalone submission; under limited circumstances we will grant untimely filed requests for the extension of time limits, where we determine, based on 19 CFR 351.302, that extraordinary circumstances exist. Parties should review Commerce's regulations concerning the extension of time limits and the Time Limits Final Rule prior to submitting factual information in these investigations.^[38]

Certification Requirements

Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.^[39] Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 351.303(g).^[40] Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification requirements.

Notification to Interested Parties

Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Parties wishing to participate in these investigations should ensure that they meet the requirements of 19 CFR 351.103(d) ( e.g., by filing the required letters of appearance). Note that Commerce has amended certain of its requirements pertaining to the service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f).^[41]

This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702 and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).

Appendix

Scope of the Investigations

The scope of these investigations covers certain linear acting hydraulic cylinders (also known as hydraulic power engines) and certain components thereof. Covered linear acting hydraulic cylinders have barrels made of steel, a bore size (inner diameter) of 25.4 mm (one inch) or more, and a return (retracted) length of 101.6 mm (four inches) or more (hydraulic cylinders). For purposes of this scope, the return (retracted) length is the overall end-to-end measurement of the hydraulic cylinder unit when in the retracted position. The scope covers all hydraulic cylinders meeting the physical description above, including but not limited to the following hydraulic cylinder designs: tie-rod, welded body, telescopic, plunger, rodless, differential, position sensing, single acting, double acting, displacement, ram type, piggy-back, double rod, rod-fed, and spring return hydraulic cylinders. All hydraulic cylinders are hydraulically activated. The incorporation of a spring into the design of a hydraulic cylinder otherwise meeting the description above does not exclude a product from the scope. ( printed page 58071)

The scope also covers the following components of hydraulic cylinders: (1) steel barrels, (2) steel piston rods, and (3) any part or component of a hydraulic cylinder that is attached to, assembled with or shipped with a covered steel barrel or a covered piston rod.

Covered steel barrels include processed welded or seamless steel tubes four inches (101.6 mm) or more in length with an inner diameter of one inch (25.4 mm) or more, that have had their inner diameter precision machined (such as through honing or skiving and burnishing), and have otherwise been processed to the point of having as their sole or predominant use a barrel for an in-scope hydraulic cylinder. Such processing may include but is not limited to cutting-to-length, end finishing ( e.g., machine-threading, chamfering, etc.), port drilling, and the addition of any weldments, ports, valves, sensors, end caps, gaskets, seals, rings, or any other part, component or attachment for a hydraulic cylinder, or any combination thereof. The addition of any part of a hydraulic cylinder to a barrel has thereby been processed to the point of having as its sole or predominant use as a barrel for an in-scope hydraulic cylinder.

Covered piston rods are solid or hollow steel bars or steel tubes at least four inches (101.6 mm) in length that have been hard chrome plated or chrome coated, cut to length, and machined to be a piston rod.

Included in the scope are any other attachments, parts, or components that are imported with, attached to, or invoiced with a hydraulic cylinder or covered barrel or rod, including but not limited to cylinder mounting parts ( e.g., flanges, trunnions, clevises, lugs, etc.), connectors attached to pistons or piston rods, pistons, rings, gaskets, seals, valves, sensors or hydraulic tubing or hydraulic lines (regardless of material) such as for connections to a hydraulic pump. The scope does not cover such attachments, parts, or components when imported or invoiced separately from a hydraulic cylinder.

Also included in the scope are any hydraulic cylinders and parts meeting the physical description above attached to or imported with any equipment or parts of equipment classified in Chapter 84 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). When a hydraulic cylinder is attached to or imported with any equipment or parts of equipment classified in Chapter 84 of the HTSUS, only the hydraulic cylinder is covered by the scope. The covered hydraulic cylinder in that regard includes everything in between and including the mounting pins ( e.g., cylinder pin and rod pin) on either end of the cylinder.

Subject merchandise also includes covered hydraulic cylinders, barrels and rods that undergo assembly or minor processing in a third country in any manner that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of these investigations if performed in the country of manufacture of the in-scope hydraulic cylinder. Subject merchandise also includes covered hydraulic cylinders, barrels and rods that are attached to any imported equipment or parts of equipment classified in Chapter 84, as discussed in the immediately preceding paragraph, if such attachment occurs in a third country.

The products subject to these investigations are currently classified in the HTSUS under statistical reporting numbers 8412.21.0015, 8412.21.0030, 8412.21.0045, 8412.21.0060, 8412.21.0075, and 8412.90.9005. The HTSUS subheadings above are provided for convenience and Customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.

91 FR 58067