The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today voted to conduct full five-year ("sunset") reviews concerning the countervailing duty and antidumping duty orders on gray Portland cement and clinker from Japan, Mexico, and Venezuela (Invs. Nos. 303-TA-21 (Review) and 731-TA-451, 461, and 519 (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 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.

With regard to Venezuela and Mexico, 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 were adequate and voted for full reviews. Chairman Lynn M. Bragg is not participating in these reviews.

With regard to Japan, Vice Chairman Miller and Commissioners Crawford, Hillman, Koplan, and Askey concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and that the respondent group response was inadequate, but that circumstances warranted a full review. Chairman Bragg is not participating in this 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"/"Gray Portland Cement and Clinker from Venezuela (CVD)," "Gray Portland Cement and Clinker from Venezuela," "Gray Portland Cement and Clinker from Japan," and "Gray Portland Cement and Clinker from Mexico").

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.