The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today voted to conduct full five-year ("sunset") reviews concerning the antidumping duty orders on stainless steel bar from Brazil, India, Japan, and Spain (Invs. Nos. 731-TA-678, 679, 681, and 682 (Review)).

As a result of today's votes, the Commission will conduct full reviews to determine whether revocation of the orders on this product 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 under review 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.

With respect to Spain, Chairman Lynn M. Bragg, Vice Chairman Marcia E. Miller, and Commissioners Jennifer A. Hillman, Stephen Koplan, Thelma J. Askey, and Deanna Tanner Okun concluded that both the domestic and the respondent group responses were adequate and voted for a full review.

With respect to Brazil, India, and Japan, all six Commissioners concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate, but that circumstances warranted full 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"/"Stainless Steel Bar from Brazil," "Stainless Steel Bar from India," "Stainless Steel Bar from Japan," and "Stainless Steel Bar from Spain").

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.