The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today voted to conduct full five-year ("sunset") reviews concerning the countervailing duty orders on iron metal castings from India (Inv. No. 303-TA-13 (Review)) and heavy iron construction castings from Brazil (Inv. No. 701-TA-249 (Review)) and on the antidumping duty orders on heavy iron construction castings from Brazil, Canada, and China (Invs. Nos. 731-TA-262, 263, and 265 (Review)).

As a result of today's votes, the Commission will conduct full reviews to determine whether revocation of the countervailing duty and antidumping duty orders on these products would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. The Commission's reviews in these cases will be completed no later than October 28, 1999, unless extended.

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the ITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (ITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time. Reviews of outstanding antidumping and countervailing duty orders in existence as of January 1, 1995, began in July 1998.

The Commission's institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the ITC's notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

The Commission's determinations to conduct full reviews resulted as follows.

With regard to iron metal castings from India, the Commission's determination resulted from a 6-0 vote. Chairman Lynn M. Bragg, Vice Chairman Marcia E. Miller, and Commissioners Carol T. Crawford, Jennifer A. Hillman, Stephen Koplan, and Thelma J. Askey concluded that both domestic and respondent group responses for this review were adequate and voted for a full review.

With regard to heavy iron construction castings from Brazil and iron construction castings from Brazil, Canada, and China, the Commission's determinations resulted from 5-1 votes. Chairman Bragg, Vice Chairman Miller, and Commissioners Hillman, Koplan, and Askey concluded that domestic group responses for these reviews were adequate and respondent group responses were inadequate, but that circumstances warranted full reviews. Commissioner Crawford concluded that domestic group responses for these reviews were adequate and respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews.

A record of the Commission's votes on these matters is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The record of the Commission's votes is also posted on the ITC's Internet server at www.usitc.gov (under "Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews"/"Five-Year Reviews Listing"/"Iron Metal Castings from India," "Heavy Iron Construction Castings from Brazil," and "Iron Construction Castings from Brazil, Canada, and China").

The Federal Register notice will indicate whether any further information or statements will be available. The Commission will issue a report after it completes its review.