January 4, 2008
News Release 08-006
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-426 and 731-TA-984 and 985 (Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC or Commission) today voted to conduct full five-year ("sunset") reviews concerning the countervailing duty order on sulfanilic acid from Hungary and the antidumping duty orders on this product from Hungary and Portugal (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-426 and 731-TA-984 and 985 (Review)).

As a result of today's vote, the Commission will conduct full reviews to determine whether revocation of these orders 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.

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 Hungary, Chairman Daniel R. Pearson, Vice Chairman Shara L. Aranoff, and Commissioners Deanna Tanner Okun, Charlotte R. Lane, and Irving A. Williamson found that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate, but that circumstances warranted full reviews; Commissioner Dean A. Pinkert found that both the domestic and the respondent group responses were adequate and voted for full reviews. With respect to Portugal, all six Commissioners found that both the domestic and the respondent group responses were adequate and voted for a full review.

A record of the Commission's vote 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 vote is also posted on the ITC's Internet site at http://info.usitc.gov/oinv/sunset.NSF (under "Sulfanilic Acid - Hungary (CVD)," "Sulfanilic Acid - Hungary (AD)," and "Sulfanilic Acid - Portugal").

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.