TRADE. Changed Circumstances for Wire Rod The US Commerce Department recently announced its final results in the "changed circumstances" review of carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from Trinidad and Tobago. The Department has found that Mittal Steel Point Lisas Limited is the successor-in-interest to Caribbean Ispat Limited for purposes of applying the dumping duty deposit rate and dumping margin in this antidumping proceeding. Accordingly, Mittal Steel Point Lisas Limited will receive Caribbean Ispat Limited's dumping duty deposit rate of 3.61%. The Department is currently conducting an administrative review of the antidumping duty order against Trinidad and Tobago covering the period from October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004. According to the Department, Mittal Steel Point Lisas is participating in the review. The Commerce Department also announced the final results in the "changed circumstances" review of carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from Canada. The Department has found that Mittal Canada Inc. is the successor-in-interest to Ispat Sidbec for purposes of applying the dumping duty deposit rate and dumping margin in this antidumping proceeding. Accordingly, Mittal Canada Inc. will receive Ispat Sidbec's dumping duty deposit rate of 3.86%. Finally, Commerce announced the final results of its administrative review of stainless steel wire rod from India. The review covered three Indian manufacturers/exporters - Chandan Steel Ltd., Isibars Ltd., and the Viraj Group Ltd. - during the period from December 1, 2002 through November 30, 2003. The Commerce Department has calculated the following weighted-average dumping margins: a) Chandan Steel Ltd - 2.10%; b) Isibars Ltd. (including its affiliated companies Zenstar Impex and Shaktiman Steel Casting Pvt. Ltd.) - 27.20%; and c) the Viraj Group Ltd (including its affiliated companies Viraj Alloys Ltd. And VSL Wires Ltd.) - 0.00%. In addition, Commerce has decided to revoke the antidumping order with respect to stainless steel wire rod produced and exported by Viraj. The basis for this decision is that Viraj was found not to be dumping in three consecutive administrative reviews and that the merchandise under review was sold in "commercial quantities" in all three review periods. Accordingly, effective July 13, 2005, the dumping duty deposit rates for these companies will be the margins found in the review. The previous dumping duty deposit rates were 0.00% for Viraj and 48.80% for Chandan and Isibars. . Trade Promotion Authority Renewed for Two Years The President's authority to negotiate trade agreements that Congress can approve or reject but not amend was renewed for another two years on July 1st. The 2002 law granting Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) provided that it would automatically be extended until July 1, 2007, unless either the House or Senate passed a resolution of disapproval by July 1, 2005, which did not happen. A brand new TPA bill will have to be written and approved by 2007. ENVIRONMENTAL. Hexavalent Chrome Rule Could Cost Billions An Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposal to lower the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for worker exposure to hexavalent chromium would cost manufacturers nearly $2.9 billion per year in compliance costs, according to an economist who testified on behalf of industry groups at a Government Reform Committee subcommittee hearing. This OSHA rule would lower the allowable 8-hour exposure for hexavalent chromium - a known carcinogen - from 52 micrograms per cubic meter of air to 1 microgram, a change that according to industry officials is far too drastic. Economist Stuart Sessions told the Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee that the rule would impose the largest costs on aerospace manufacturing, metal finishing and steel industries. Industry's estimate of $2.9 billion per year is well above Office of Management and Budget (OMB) estimates of between $223 million and $1 billion per year, as noted by subcommittee Chairwoman Candice Miller (R-MI). Sessions said the discrepancy is the result of strong disagreements about technology and unit costs. Citing the high costs associated with containing the carcinogen, ranking member Stephen Lynch (D-MA) asked Sessions whether a tax credit for ventilation equipment would help industry comply. Sessions said that would be very helpful for most of the industries affected by the chemical.   American Wire Producers Association |
