The International Trade Administration posted its preliminary results of the changed circumstances review of fresh tomatoes from Mexico (A-201-820) for publication in the Oct. 2 Federal Register. The ITA preliminarily determined to terminate the agreement suspending an antidumping investigation of Mexican tomatoes. If this determination is unchanged in the final results, it could pave the way for a new antidumping investigation and the imposition of AD duties. (See ITT’s Online Archives 12092821 for summary of these preliminary results.)
The International Trade Administration initiated a changed circumstances review to consider whether to revoke the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on Honey from Argentina (A-357-812 / C-357-813). The American Honey Producers Association and the Sioux Honey Association, the domestic petitioners in the original AD investigation, requested the review because they have no interest in continuing the imposition of AD/CV duties.
The International Trade Administration announced its affirmative preliminary determination in the antidumping duty investigation of drawn stainless steel sinks from China (A-570-983), which found preliminary AD rates of 54.25 percent to 76.53 percent. The official notice of the ITA's preliminary determination, which will trigger the implementation of the AD cash deposit requirements for subject merchandise, will be published in the Federal Register soon.
The FCC approved a notice of proposed rulemaking on measuring spectrum aggregation over concerns raised by Commissioners Ajit Pai and Robert McDowell. But FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said a review was overdue, especially as the FCC prepares for an incentive auction of broadcast spectrum. Pai had considered a dissent, but instead concurred (CD Sept 20 p1).
Shipments of wire rod with an actual diameter of 4.75mm to 5mm exported by Deacero S.A. de C.V. are included in the scope of the antidumping duty order on carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from Mexico (A-201-830), said the International Trade Administration in the final results of an anti-circumvention inquiry. According to the ITA, the physical characteristics of the merchandise are indistinguishable from products covered by the order, and the 0.25mm difference between Deacero’s wire rod and wire rod subject to the order doesn’t alter the expectations of users.
The International Trade Administration said it intends to terminate the agreement suspending the antidumping investigation on tomatoes from Mexico, in the preliminary results of its changed circumstances review. The ITA preliminarily found that 85 percent of domestic producers support ending the suspension agreement. Termination of the agreement in the final results of the ITA’s changed circumstances review would pave the way for a new antidumping investigation on tomatoes from Mexico and the possible imposition of duties.
The International Trade Administration’s proposed changes to the definition of factual information and time limits for its submission in antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings would limit the ability of both foreign respondents and domestic interested parties “to provide accurate information and meaningful comment, and to correct errors,” said trade attorney Jeffrey Winton in comments on the ITA’s July 10 proposed rule. Comments were generally opposed to the proposal as it currently stands, particularly those by representatives of domestic industry.
JACKSON, Miss. -- Dish Network was looking for lightning to strike a third time by holding the launch event for its new dishNET satellite-based broadband service at the Cowboy Maloney’s Electric City flagship store on Thursday, Dish CEO Joseph Clayton told reporters. The service will launch nationwide in the U.S. Monday, but the Mississippi retail chain was selected for the launch, in part because it previously played a key role in the launch of DirecTV and Sirius Satellite Radio.
The preliminary agenda for the FCC’s Oct. 17 meeting includes an order to streamline reporting requirements for international phone traffic, “significantly reducing” filing burdens, the agenda said. Another order would adopt a “do-not-call” registry to protect public safety answering points from autodialed calls that could tie up emergency phone lines. Also tentatively set for a vote is an order to facilitate use of 30 MHz of spectrum for wireless broadband service while protecting satellite radio from harmful interference. (See separate report above.)
A data aggregation company failed to show sufficient evidence of discriminatory treatment to justify a court’s grant of a preliminary injunction against Comcast, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday (http://xrl.us/bnriij). The case involved directory assistance data, provided to third-party aggregators and used for directory-related services. Comcast signed an agreement with the aggregator LSSi in 2007, but terminated the arrangement four years later, and said it would provide access to its data only through a new company, Targus. LSSi filed suit, alleging Comcast’s new arrangement was discriminatory under certain nondiscrimination provisions of the Communications Act -- Sections 202, 222(e) and 251(b)(3). The district court granted a preliminary injunction to LSSi, finding a “substantial likelihood of success” on the merits of its claim. But the 11th Circuit said the decision was an abuse of discretion: LSSi did not show it was likely to succeed, because it had not yet shown substantial evidence of discriminatory treatment. “Asking what we understand to be the correct question -- whether Comcast through its agent Targus will discriminate between itself and LSSi -- we conclude that LSSi has not shown a substantial likelihood of success on the merits,” the appeals court wrote. The “potential” for unlawful discrimination is present, but further discovery is necessary to determine that, the court wrote.