The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today voted to conduct full five-year ("sunset") reviews concerning the countervailing duty orders on brass sheet and strip from Brazil and France (Invs. Nos. 701-TA-269-270 (Review)) and the antidumping duty orders on brass sheet and strip from Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, Korea, Sweden, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands (Invs. Nos. 731-TA-311-317 and 379-380 (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 January 26, 2000, 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 brass sheet and strip from Canada and the Netherlands, the Commission's determinations resulted from 6-0 votes. 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 the domestic and the respondent group responses for these reviews were adequate and voted for full reviews.

With regard to brass sheet and strip from Brazil, France, Italy, Korea, Germany, and Japan, the Commission's determinations resulted from 5-1 votes. Chairman Bragg, Vice Chairman Miller, and Commissioners Hillman, Koplan, and Askey concluded that the domestic group responses for these reviews were adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate, but that circumstances warranted full reviews. Commissioner Carol T. Crawford determined that the domestic group responses for these reviews were adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews.

With regard to brass sheet and strip from Sweden, the Commission's determination resulted from a 5-1 vote. Chairman Bragg, Vice Chairman Miller, and Commissioners Hillman and Koplan determined that the domestic group response for this review was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate, but that circumstances warranted a full review. Commissioner Thelma J. Askey determined that both the domestic and the respondent group responses for this review were adequate and voted for a full review. Commissioner Carol T. Crawford determined that the domestic group response for this review was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate and voted for an expedited review.

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"/"Brass Sheet and Strip from Brazil," "Brass Sheet and Strip from Canada," Brass Sheet and Strip from France," "Brass Sheet and Strip from Italy," "Brass Sheet and Strip from Korea," "Brass Sheet and Strip from Sweden," "Brass Sheet and Strip from Germany," "Brass Sheet and Strip from Japan," and "Brass Sheet and Strip from the Netherlands").

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 reviews.