FACT SHEET

Preliminary Determinations of Antidumping Duty Investigations: 

Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand from Brazil, India, Mexico, Republic of Korea and Thailand

On July 11, the Department of Commerce (the Department) announced the preliminary determinations for the above-referenced investigations.  We found that producers/exporters of prestressed concrete steel wire strand (PC strand) from Brazil, India, Mexico, Republic of Korea (Korea), and Thailand sold their products in the United States at less than fair value.  Also, the petitioners alleged critical circumstances in Mexico and Thailand.  The Department  preliminarily determined that critical circumstances exist for one exporter in Mexico, and do not exist for Thailand.

Background:  On January 31, U.S. producers of PC strand filed petitions requesting the initiation of antidumping investigations of imports of PC strand from Brazil, India, Mexico, Korea, and Thailand.  On March 17, the U.S. International Trade Commission preliminarily determined that there is a reasonable indication that imports of the products subject to these investigations are materially injuring an industry in the United States that produces the domestic like product.

Petitioners:  The petition requesting these investigations was filed on January 31, by American Spring Wire Corp. (American Spring), (OH), Insteel Wire Products Company (Insteel), (NC) and Sumiden Wire Products Corp. (Sumiden), (TN).

Product Description:  For purposes of these investigations, PC strand is steel strand produced from wire of non-stainless, non-galvanized steel, which is suitable for use in prestressed concrete (both pretensioned and post-tensioned) applications.  The product definition encompasses covered and uncovered strand and all types, grades, and diameters of PC strand. 

The merchandise under these investigations is currently classifiable under subheadings 7312.10.3010 and 7312.10.3012 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).  Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and Customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise under investigation is dispositive.

Preliminary Margins:

Case Calender for Antidumping Duty Investigations:

*  The final determination has been extended for Mexico and Thailand, but it has not been extended for Brazil, India or Korea.  The ITA final determination date for Mexico and Thailand is approximately November 28, 2003.

**  This will take place only in the event of a final affirmative determination from the Department of Commerce.  The ITC final determination date for Mexico and Thailand is January 13, 2004. 

***  This will take place only in the event of a final affirmative determination from the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission.  The estimated order date for Mexico and Thailand is January 20, 2004.                

IMPORT STATISTICS: