The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today voted to conduct a full five-year ("sunset") review concerning the antidumping duty order on professional electric cutting tools from Japan (Inv. No. 731-TA-571 (Review)).

As a result of today's vote, the Commission will conduct a full review to determine whether revocation of the order on these products would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

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 notice of institution in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file with the Commission responses that discuss the likely effects of revoking the order and provide other pertinent 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.

Vice Chairman Marcia E. Miller and Commissioners Jennifer A. Hillman and Deanna Tanner Okun determined that the domestic group response in this review was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate, but that circumstances warranted a full review. Commissioner Thelma J. Askey determined that the domestic group response was adequate and did not make a determination concerning the respondent group response but found that circumstances warranted a full review. Chairman Lynn M. Bragg and Commissioner Stephen Koplan determined that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate and voted for an expedited review.

A record of the Commission's vote on this matter 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 vote is also posted on the ITC's Internet server at www.usitc.gov (under "Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews"/"Five-Year Reviews Listing"/"Professional Electric Cutting Tools from Japan").

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.