On February 4, 2002, the Department of Commerce ("the Department") announced preliminary determinations for the above-referenced investigations. We found that producers/exporters of carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod ("wire rod") from Canada, Germany, and Trinidad and Tobago have benefitted from countervailable subsidies during the period of investigation ("POI"). See table below for countervailable subsidy rates. The Department found that producers/exporters from Brazil and Turkey did not benefit from countervailable subsidies during the POI. The Department also preliminary determined that critical circumstances do not exist.

Background: On August 31, 2001, U.S. producers of wire rod filed petitions with the Department requesting the initiation of AD and CVD investigations. On September 24, 2001, the Department initiated antidumping ("AD") and countervailing duty ("CVD") investigations on imports of wire rod from Brazil, Canada, Germany and Trinidad & Tobago (both AD and CVD), Turkey (CVD only) and Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Moldova, South Africa, Ukraine and Venezuela (AD only). On October 15, 2001, the International Trade Commission issued preliminary determinations finding that there is a reasonable indication that imports of wire rod from the above-mentioned countries, with the exception of Egypt, South Africa, and Venezuela, are causing material injury, or threatening to cause material injury, to a U.S. industry.

Petitioners: Co-Steel Raritan, Inc., GS Industries, Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc., and North Star Steel Texas, Inc. Nucor Corporation is a supporter of the petitions.

Product Description: The merchandise subject to these investigations is certain hot-rolled products of carbon steel and alloy steel, in coils, of approximately round cross section, 5.00 mm or more, but less than 19.00 mm, in solid cross-sectional diameter. The technical language describing the scope of these investigations will be included in the preliminary determination notices which will be published in the Federal Register.

Case Calendar:

* These deadlines may be extended under the governing statute.

** This will take place only in the event of a final affirmative determination from the Department and the ITC.

(Source: ITC Dataweb)