Nippon Steel Corp. v. United States

Slip Op. 02-153
UNITED STATES COURT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
BEFORE: RICHARD K. EATON, JUDGE
__________________________________________
:
NIPPON STEEL CORP., KAWASAKI STEEL :
CORP., THYSSENKRUPP ACCIAI :
SPECIALI TERNI S.p.A. and ACCIAI :
SPECIALI TERNI USA, INC., :
:
Plaintiffs, :
:
v. : Consol. Court No. 01-00103
:
UNITED STATES, :
:
Defendant, :
:
and :
:
ALLEGHENY LUDLUM CORP., AK STEEL :
CORP., BUTLER ARMCO INDEPENDENT :
UNION, ZANESVILLE ARMCO :
INDEPENDENT UNION, and :
UNITED STEELWORKERS OF :
AMERICA, AFL-CIO/CLC, :
:
Defendant-Intervenors. :
__________________________________________:
[United States International Trade Commission’s countervailing and antidumping duty order
sunset review determination remanded with instructions to conduct further proceedings in
conformity with this opinion.]
Dated: December 24, 2002
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP (Joseph H. Price, Douglas R. Cox, Gracia M. Berg,
Gregory C. Gerdes), for Plaintiff Nippon Steel Corporation.
Arent Fox Kintner Plotkin & Kahn, PLLC (Robert H. Huey, Matthew J. Clark, Nancy A.
Noonan, Steven F. Hill, Timothy D. Osterhaus), for Plaintiff Kawaski Steel Corporation.
Hogan & Hartson, LLP (Lewis E. Leibowitz, Steven J. Routh, David G. Leitch, T. Clark
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 2
Weymouth, David P. Kassebaum), for Plaintiffs ThyssenKrupp Acciai Speciali Terni S.p.A. and
Acciai Speciali Terni USA, Inc.
Lyn M. Schlitt, General Counsel, United States International Trade Commission; James
M. Lyons, Deputy General Counsel, United States International Trade Commission (Gracemary
Rizzo Roth-Roffy, Mark B. Rees), for Defendant United States International Trade Commission.
Collier Shannon Scott, PLLC (Kathleen W. Cannon, Michael J. Coursey, Eric R.
McClafferty, John M. Herrmann, Grace W. Kim, David A. Hartquist), for Defendant-Intervenors
Allegheny Ludlum Corporation, AK Steel Corporation, Butler Armco Independent Union,
Zanesville Armco Independent Union, and the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO/CLC.
OPINION AND ORDER
EATON, Judge: This matter is before the court on motion for judgment upon the agency record
pursuant to USCIT R. 56.2, as to counts three through nine of the Complaints filed by Nippon
Steel Corporation (“Nippon”); Kawasaki Steel Corporation; ThyssenKrupp Acciai Speciali Terni
S.p.A., and Acciai Speciali Terni USA, Inc. (collectively “Plaintiffs”).1
The court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1581(c) (2000) and 19
U.S.C. § 1516a(a)(2)(A)(i)(I) (2000). In the context of an antidumping and countervailing duty
review, the court will hold unlawful “any determination, finding, or conclusion found . . . to be
unsupported by substantial evidence on the record, or otherwise not in accordance with law . . . .”
19 U.S.C. § 1516a(b)(1)(B)(i).
1
Each Plaintiff filed a Complaint in this consolidated action. Plaintiffs make
substantially identical allegations challenging several aspects of the United States International
Trade Commission’s sunset review determination concerning certain antidumping and
countervailing duty orders on imports of grain-oriented silicon electrical steel from Italy and
Japan. For purposes of this opinion, the court follows the Nippon Complaint.
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 3
BACKGROUND
On December 1, 1999, the United States International Trade Commission (“ITC” or
“Commission”) instituted five year sunset reviews of the countervailing duty order on grain-
oriented silicon electrical steel (“GOES”)2 from Italy, and the antidumping duty orders on GOES
from Italy and Japan (the “Subject Orders”), pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930,
as amended, 19 U.S.C. § 1675(c) (2000). See Grain-Oriented Silicon Elect. Steel From Italy and
Japan, 64 Fed. Reg. 67,318 (Int’l Trade Comm’n Dec. 1, 1999) (initiation of sunset rev.). Notice
of the ITC’s determination that revocation of the Subject Orders would be likely to lead to
continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a
reasonably foreseeable time was published at 66 Fed. Reg. 12,958. Grain-Oriented Silicon Elect.
Steel From Italy and Japan, 66 Fed. Reg. 12,958 (Int’l Trade Comm’n Mar. 1, 2001) (final
determ.); Grain-Oriented Silicon Elect. Steel From Italy and Japan, USITC Pub. 3369, Inv. Nos.
701-TA-355 and 731-TA-659-660 (Review) (Feb. 2001) (“Final Determination”). On August
30, 2002, this court denied Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment as to counts one and two of
the Complaints, dealing with the validity of Dennis M. Devaney’s appointment as a
2
The United States Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) has defined GOES:
[A] flat-rolled alloy steel product containing by weight at least 0.6
percent of silicon, not more than 0.08 percent of carbon, not more
than 1.0 percent of aluminum, and no other element in an amount
that would give the steel the characteristics of another alloy steel,
of a thickness of no more than 0.56 millimeters, in coils of any
width, or in straight lengths which are of a width measuring at least
10 times the thickness . . . .
Grain-Oriented Elect. Steel From Italy and Japan, 65 Fed. Reg. 41,433, 41,433 (Dep’t Commerce
July 5, 2000) (final results of expedited sunset reviews of antidumping duty orders).
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 4
Commissioner of the ITC and the lawfulness of his vote with respect to the Final Determination,
and granted the ITC’s cross-motion for summary judgment as to the same. See Nippon Steel
Corp. v. United States Int’l Trade Comm’n, 26 CIT __, Slip Op. 02-100 (Aug. 30, 2002). Counts
three through nine, which concern matters found in the Final Determination itself, are now before
the court. For the reasons set forth below, the court remands this matter to the ITC with
instructions to conduct further proceedings in conformity with this opinion.
DISCUSSION
Plaintiffs contend that the Final Determination is not in accordance with law in three
respects: (1) the ITC “misconstrued the nature of its inquiry” in applying the “likely” standard in
19 U.S.C. §§ 1675(c) and 1675a(a) by “engag[ing] in an analysis of what was possible or
conceivable” rather than “determining what was likely or probable” (Pls.’ Non-Conf. Mem.
Supp. Mot. J. Agency R. at 6 (“Pls.’ Mem.”) (emphasis in original)); (2) the ITC failed to
consider the four factors set forth in 19 U.S.C. § 1675a(a)(2)(A)–(D) in making its determination
as to the significance of likely volume if the Subject Orders were revoked (id. at 7); and (3) the
ITC failed to consider whether the likely volume of subject imports would be significant in either
absolute or relative terms in accordance with 19 U.S.C. § 1675a(a)(2). (Id.)
In addition, Plaintiffs challenge various other aspects of the Final Determination as
unsupported by substantial evidence on the record, including: (1) the ITC’s cumulation
determination (Pls.’ Mem. at 6); and (2) the ITC’s findings that, were the Subject Orders
revoked, the likely volume would be significant, there likely would be significant price
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 5
underselling and price suppression or depression, and subject imports likely would have a
significant adverse impact on the domestic industry within a reasonably foreseeable time. (Id. at
7.)
Common to each of Plaintiffs’ Complaints, with respect to the ITC’s methodology and its
assessment of the evidence on the record, is the meaning of the word “likely” found in 19 U.S.C.
§§ 1675(c) and 1675a(a). Section 1675(c) provides in relevant part:
[Five] years after the date of publication of—
(A) a countervailing duty order . . . [or] an
antidumping duty order . . .
the Commission shall conduct a review to determine, in
accordance with [19 U.S.C. § 1675a], whether revocation of the
countervailing or antidumping duty order . . . would be likely to
lead to continuation or recurrence . . . of material injury.
19 U.S.C. § 1675(c)(1) (2000). Section 1675a(a)(1) provides in relevant part:
The Commission shall consider the likely volume, price effect, and
impact of imports of the subject merchandise on the industry if the
order is revoked . . . . The Commission shall take into account—
(A) its prior injury determinations, including the
volume, price effect, and impact of imports of the
subject merchandise on the industry before the order
was issued . . . ,
(B) whether any improvement in the state of the
industry is related to the order . . . ,
(C) whether the industry is vulnerable to material
injury if the order is revoked . . . , and
(D) in an antidumping proceeding under [19 U.S.C.
§ 1675(c)], the findings of the administering
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 6
authority regarding duty absorption under [19
U.S.C. § 1675(a)(4)].
19 U.S.C. § 1675a(a)(1)(A)–(D) (2000).
Plaintiffs urge that the language of the statute and case law interpreting the word “likely”
impose a “probable” standard and not a “possible” standard when evaluating likely volume, price
effect, and impact of the subject imports, and when determining whether revocation of the
Subject Orders would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to the
domestic industry. In keeping with this view, Plaintiffs maintain that:
[T]he correct legal standard is whether, based on the findings made
by the ITC and the record evidence in this case, it was reasonable
for the ITC to have found that revocation of the subject orders
would be likely – i.e., probable – to lead to recurrence of material
injury to the U.S. GOES industry within a reasonably foreseeable
time.
(Pls.’ Non-Conf. Reply to Def.’s and Def-Ints.’ Resp. to Pls.’ Mot. J. Agency R. at 3 (citing
Usinor Industeel, S.A. v. United States, 26 CIT __, __, Slip Op. 02-39 at 25 (Apr. 29, 2002)
(emphasis omitted).) Accordingly, Plaintiffs contend that “[i]f the Commission does not find it
‘likely’ – i.e., probable – that such injury will occur, the statute is clear: the orders must be
removed.” (Pls.’ Mem. at 6.)
The ITC argues that “a reading of the statute and the [Statement of Administrative
Action] quickly dispels any notion that Congress intended the term ‘likely’ to mean
‘probable’ . . . .” (Def.’s Non-Conf. Resp. to Pls.’ Mot. J. Agency R. at 15 (“Def.’s Resp.”).)
The ITC claims that, by arguing that Congress used the word “likely” to mean probable,
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 7
Plaintiffs misstate the likelihood standard, and that “plaintiffs are effectively arguing that the
record must weigh in one direction, and one direction only . . . a higher standard than is required
for Commission determinations, which need be supported by substantial evidence . . . .” (Id.
(citing Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. United States, 750 F.2d 927, 933 (Fed. Cir. 1984).)
Moreover, the ITC argues that had Congress intended likely to mean probable it would have used
the word “probable.” (Id.)
In support of its argument, the ITC quotes the Statement of Administrative Action
accompanying the Uruguay Round Agreements Act:
The determination called for in these types of reviews is inherently
predictive and speculative. There may be more than one likely
outcome following revocation or termination. The possibility of
other likely outcomes does not mean that a determination that
revocation or termination is likely to lead to continuation or
recurrence of dumping or countervailable subsidies, or injury, is
erroneous, as long as the determination of likelihood of
continuation or recurrence is reasonable in light of the facts of the
case. In such situations, the order or suspended investigation will
be continued.
Statement of Administrative Action, accompanying H.R. Rep. No. 103-826(I), at 883, reprinted
in 1994 U.S.C.C.A.N. 4040, 4208–09 (“SAA”); (Def.’s Resp. at 16). Highlighting the phrase
“[t]here may be more than one likely outcome,” the ITC urges that this language militates against
a finding that likely means probable and that “[a]s statutory interpretation requires, the SAA’s
instructions must be adhered to in defining ‘likely.’” (Def.’s Resp. at 15 (emphasis omitted).)
The court finds that likely means probable within the context of 19 U.S.C. §§ 1675(c) and
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 8
1675a(a). It is well settled that “in all statutory construction cases, we begin with the language of
the statute.” Barnhart, Comm’r of Soc. Sec. v. Sigmon Coal Co., Inc., 534 U.S. 438, 450 (2002).
“We have stated time and again that courts must presume that a legislature says in a statute what
it means and means in a statute what it says there. When the words of a statute are unambiguous,
then this first canon is also the last: ‘judicial inquiry is complete.’” Id. at 461–62 (citing Conn.
Nat. Bank v. Germain, 503 U.S. 249, 253–54 (1992). Thus, the court must determine “whether
the language at issue has a plain and unambiguous meaning with regard to the particular dispute
in the case.” Robinson v. Shell Oil Co., 519 U.S. 337, 340 (1997), quoted in Barnhart, 534 U.S.
at 450; see also Francis J. McCaffrey, Statutory Construction 4 (1953) (“A statute has a single
meaning when its terms are plain and free from ambiguity, and do not admit of another meaning
by the context.” (citing People v. Schoonmaker, 63 Barb. 44 (N.Y. Gen. Term 1871)). Although
the word “likely” is not defined by statute, its meaning is not ambiguous. “[U]ndefined terms in
a statute are deemed to have their ordinarily understood meaning.” Koyo Seiko Co. v. United
States, 36 F.3d 1565, 1571 n.9 (Fed. Cir. 1994) (citing United States v. James, 478 U.S. 597, 604
(1986)). The common dictionary meaning of likely is probable. See, e.g., Webster’s Third New
International Dictionary 1310 (1981) (“[O]f such a nature or so circumstanced as to make
something probable . . . .”); Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary 673 (10th ed. 2001)
(“[H]aving a high probability of occurring or being true . . . .”); Black’s Law Dictionary 925 (6th
ed. 1990) (“Probable.”).3
3
It might be argued that, although all dictionary sources examined define likely as
meaning probable, the presence of other definitions introduces ambiguity as to the word’s true
meaning. An example of this is the definition of likely as “plausible” found in certain sources.
See, e.g., Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary (1994). Words, however, have
meaning in context. Thus, words with multiple definitions gain their sense from their
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 9
Indeed, this court has previously found likely to mean probable within the context of 19
U.S.C. § 1675. In Usinor Industeel, S.A. v. United States, the court, examining likely in the
context of a finding by the ITC that subject imports would be likely to compete with each other,
held that the language of the statute was clear and unambiguous and that “‘[l]ikely’ means
‘likely’– that is, probable.” 26 CIT __, __, Slip Op. 02-39 at 13 (Apr. 29, 2002) (“Industeel I”)
(emphasis in original). In Usinor v. United States, the court, relying on the ordinary dictionary
meaning of likely, held that the meaning of likely is probable, not merely possible. 26 CIT __,
__, Slip Op. 02-70 at 43 (July 19, 2002) (“Usinor”); see also AG der Dillinger Hüttenwerke v.
United States, 26 CIT __, __, Slip Op. 02-107 at 18 & n.14 (Sept. 5, 2002) (finding in the context
of a countervailing duty sunset review determination that “[i]t is not sufficient for Commerce
surroundings, i.e., “the language surrounding and accompanying the terms in question.”
McCaffrey, at 4.
Therefore, an examination of whether some other definition of likely could introduce
ambiguity into the meaning of that word as being probable, requires asking if this other definition
could validly be used in the context of the statute. Thus, plausible, which means “superficially
fair,” see Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, at 890, could not be said to be a substitute
for likely in the context of the subject statutes: “[T]he Commission shall conduct a review to
determine, in accordance with [19 U.S.C. § 1675a], whether revocation of the countervailing or
antidumping duty order . . . would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence . . . of material
injury”; “The Commission shall consider the likely volume, price effect, and impact of imports
of the subject merchandise on the industry if the order is revoked . . . .” 19 U.S.C. §§ 1675(c),
1675a(a)(1) (emphasis added). It is evident that the idea of superficial fairness is not
accommodated by the context provided by the statutes. As the two meanings stand alone when
each is used in its proper context, one cannot be said to influence the meaning of the other. Nor
can the definitions of likely as both probable and plausible be added together and averaged to
arrive at the definition proposed by counsel for the ITC that likely means “‘more than a mere
possibility,’ but certainly less than ‘probable.’” Tr. at 121:2–3. Simply put, no amount of
argument can change the meaning of likely in sections 1675(c) and 1675a(a) to anything other
than probable. Moreover, this a not case where some public policy would compel a different
result, as it does not present the “rare and exceptional circumstances” that would justify
overlooking the plain, unambiguous words of the statute. See Crooks v. Harrelson, 282 U.S. 55,
60 (1930).
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 10
merely to indicate the possibility that benefits [under an alleged subsidy program] could still be
given under the program. Rather, Commerce must make factual findings that would indicate
whether such benefits would be probable” or “more likely so than not.” (emphasis in original)).
Moreover, the ITC’s reliance on the SAA to define “likely” is misplaced. The SAA is
“an authoritative expression by the United States concerning the interpretation and application of
the Uruguay Round Agreements and [the Uruguay Round Agreements] Act in any judicial
proceeding in which a question arises concerning such interpretation or application.” 19 U.S.C.
§ 3512(d) (2000) (emphasis added). However, while it is “an authoritative expression . . .
concerning [the] interpretation” of the statute, it does not replace the clear language of the statute
itself. Resort to the SAA is unnecessary where the statutory term is unambiguous. See Usinor
Industeel, S.A. v. United States, 26 CIT __, __, Slip Op. 02-75 at 3 (July 30, 2002) (“Industeel
II”) (“If a statutory term or phrase were ambiguous and in need of interpretation, the court would
look to the SAA first and foremost for direction.” (citing Taiwan Semiconductor Indus. Ass’n v.
United States, 23 CIT 410, 413 n.6, 59 F. Supp. 2d 1324, 1328 n.6 (1999)). As the court finds
that the statutory term is clear, it is not necessary to consult the SAA, and “‘judicial inquiry is
complete . . . .’” Rubin v. United States, 449 U.S. 424, 430 (1981), cited in Barnhart, 534 U.S. at
462; see Industeel II, 26 CIT at __, Slip Op. 02-75 at 4 (finding “likely” as it appears in statute is
clear, thus resort to SAA unnecessary); see also Usinor, 26 CIT at __, Slip Op. 02-70 at 43–44
(concluding “that the meaning of [likely] is clear and terminat[ing] its inquiry there.”); cf.
Pesquera Mares Australes Ltda. v. United States, 266 F.3d 1372, 1383–84 (Fed. Cir. 2001)
(upholding Commerce’s reasonable interpretation of an ambiguous statutory term made in the
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 11
course of an antidumping determination where more than one possible dictionary meaning
applied).
The ITC does not expressly state which standard it applied in the Final Determination
itself. In its brief and at oral argument, however, counsel for the ITC made it clear that the ITC
did not apply the probable standard. (See Def.’s Resp. at 16 (“[T]he Commission made its
determinations based on what the record indicated were the ‘likely’ outcomes.”)); Tr. at
119:19–20 (“‘Likely’ means it’s likely.”); Tr. at 121:1–3 (“‘[L]ikely’ would be something to the
effect that it’s ‘more than a mere possibility,’ but certainly less than ‘probable.’”). This being the
case, on remand, the ITC shall reconsider its findings made pursuant to sections 1675(c) and
1675a(a) using the probable standard.
In addition to their more general claims with respect to the meaning of the word likely,
Plaintiffs challenge the ITC’s determination as to likely volume as not being in accordance with
law in two respects: (1) the ITC failed to “consider[] the four requisite statutory economic factors
[found in section 1675a(a)(2)] in assessing the likely volume of subject imports”; and (2) the ITC
“fail[ed] to determine whether the likely volume of subject imports ‘would be significant . . .
either in absolute terms or relative to production or consumption in the United States,’” as
section 1675a(a)(2) requires. (Pls.’ Mem. at 19, 21 (emphasis omitted).)
The ITC claims that the Final Determination satisfies the requirements of section
1675a(a)(2). As to Plaintiffs’ first argument, the ITC maintains that “it must consider ‘all
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 12
relevant economic factors’ including the four enumerated statutory factors,” and that “the
operative word is consider.” (Def.’s Resp. at 31 (emphasis in original).) As to Plaintiffs’ second
argument, the ITC contends that “it is quite evident from the Commission’s determination that it
considered likely volume significant relative to production and consumption.” (Id.)
Section 1675a(a)(2) provides in relevant part:
In evaluating the likely volume of imports of the subject
merchandise if the order is revoked . . . the Commission shall
consider whether the likely volume of imports of the subject
merchandise would be significant if the order is revoked . . . either
in absolute terms or relative to production or consumption in the
United States. In so doing, the Commission shall consider all
relevant economic factors, including—
(A) any likely increase in production capacity or
existing unused production capacity in the exporting
country,
(B) existing inventories of the subject merchandise,
or likely increases in inventories,
(C) the existence of barriers to the importation of
such merchandise into countries other than the
United States, and
(D) the potential for product-shifting if production
facilities in the foreign country, which can be used
to produce the subject merchandise, are currently
being used to produce other products.
19 U.S.C. § 1675a(a)(2)(A)–(D) (2000). As for consideration of the factors enumerated in
section 1675a(a)(2)(A)–(D), the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has held that relevant
economic factors set out in a statute, as those which the ITC “shall consider,” represent the
“Congressionally mandated ‘minimum’ analysis” that shall be undertaken in making an injury
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 13
determination. See Trent Tube Div., Crucible Materials Corp. v. Avesta Sandvik Tube AB, 975
F.2d 807, 814 (Fed. Cir. 1992) (stating that the “core factors” set forth in 19 U.S.C. §
1677(7)(B)(iii) and (C)(iii), which the ITC “shall” consider, represent the requisite minimum
analysis to be undertaken by the agency); see Ad Hoc Comm. of Domestic Uranium Prod. v.
United States, 25 CIT __, __, 162 F. Supp. 2d 649, 655 (2001) (noting that the ITC considered
“capacity utilization, . . . inventories, and . . . projected increase in production capacity . . . each
of which it is required to consider under § 1675[a](a)(2).”). While the ITC is not required to
mechanistically recite the statutorily enumerated factors, the ITC is required to consider all
relevant economic factors, including those set out in the statute, and to do so in such a way that
their consideration is discernible. Ceramica Regiomontana, S.A. v. United States, 810 F.2d
1137, 1139 (Fed. Cir. 1987) (per curiam) (“A court may ‘uphold [an agency’s] decision of less
than ideal clarity if the agency’s path may reasonably be discerned.’”(quoting Bowman Transp. v.
Ark.-Best Freight Sys., 419 U.S. 281, 286 (1974)).
In the Final Determination, the ITC concluded “that the likely volume of cumulated
subject imports from Italy and Japan would be significant within a reasonably foreseeable time if
the orders were revoked.” Final Determination, at 18. A reading of the ITC’s volume analysis
reveals that the ITC has not provided any indication that it gave consideration to the factors
outlined in 19 U.S.C. § 1675a(a)(2)(A)–(D). First, as to production capacity, the ITC found that
“there is considerable capacity to produce GOES in the subject countries.” Id. at 17. Nowhere in
its analysis, however, did the ITC give consideration to “any likely increase” in production
capacity or existing unused capacity in the subject countries as 19 U.S.C. § 1675a(a)(2)(A)
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 14
requires. Second, the ITC neither addresses “existing inventories of the subject merchandise, or
likely increases in inventories” nor mentions the existence of barriers to the importation of GOES
into countries other than the United States. On the contrary, the ITC acknowledges that “a
substantial portion of their exports that were being shipped to the United States have made their
way to other markets.” Id. Finally, the ITC does not discuss potential product shifting among
facilities in Italy and Japan that can produce the subject merchandise. Thus, it is unclear how, if
at all, consideration of these factors weighed in the ITC’s determination as to significance of
likely volume, and on remand, the ITC shall demonstrate that it considered those factors set out
in 19 U.S.C. § 1675a(a)(2)(A)–(D), such that this consideration is reasonably discernible. See
Ceramica Regiomontana, 810 F.2d at 1139.
In examining whether the ITC has satisfied the statutory injunction to “consider whether
the likely volume of imports of the subject merchandise would be significant if the order is
revoked . . . either in absolute terms or relative to production or consumption in the United
States,” it is not necessary to find that at each point the ITC clearly labeled its findings by
appending statutory language as a marker. As with the court’s holding with respect to the factors
set out in 19 U.S.C. § 1675a(a)(2), however, such consideration must be reasonably discernible.
Id.
Here, despite the ITC’s argument to the contrary, it is not apparent that the ITC
“consider[ed] whether the likely volume of imports of the subject merchandise would be
significant if the order[s were] revoked . . . either in absolute terms or relative to production or
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 15
consumption in the United States.” 19 U.S.C. § 1675a(a)(2). While the ITC considered the
percentage of U.S. consumption represented by Italy’s and Japan’s production capacities, there is
nothing to indicate that it considered “whether the likely volume of imports of the subject
merchandise would be significant” either in absolute terms or relative to United States
production or consumption. Id. (emphasis added). In fact, the only reference to this factor found
in the Final Determination is: “In 1999 reported GOES production capacity in the subject
countries totaled [ ] short tons, almost [ ] U.S. apparent consumption for the same year.” Final
Determination, at 17. By its terms, the statute requires a comparison of likely imports, not of
existing capacity, to U.S. production or consumption. By merely selecting one of the statutory
factors relevant to its volume determination and making a comparison with U.S. “apparent”
consumption, the ITC fell short of satisfying the statutory requirement. Thus, on remand, the
ITC shall demonstrate that it considered whether the likely volume of imports of the subject
merchandise would be significant if the Subject Orders were revoked either in absolute terms or
relative to production or consumption in the United States, such that this consideration is
reasonably discernible.
In light of the court’s finding with respect to the Plaintiffs’ in accordance with law
arguments, it would be premature to address Plaintiffs’ substantial evidence arguments at this
time. The court notes, however, that a reading of the dissenting views of Commissioners Okun
and Hillman, and the Staff Report on which they rely, raises serious questions concerning the
determination that likely volume would be significant.
Consol. Court No. 01-00103 Page 16
CONCLUSION
This matter is remanded to the ITC so that it shall: (1) determine, in accordance with the
court’s finding as to the meaning of “likely” within the context of sections 1675(c) and 1675a(a),
whether revocation of the Subject Orders would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of
material injury, upon consideration of the likely volume, price effect, and impact of imports of
the subject merchandise on the industry; and (2) demonstrate, in conformity with this opinion, (a)
that it performed the requisite analysis by considering each of the four factors outlined in 19
U.S.C. § 1675a(a)(2)(A)–(D); and (b) that it considered whether, were the Subject Orders
revoked, the likely volume of imports of the subject merchandise would be significant either in
absolute terms or relative to production or consumption in the United States, pursuant to 19
U.S.C. § 1675a(a)(2). Such remand results are due within 90 days of this opinion, comments are
due thirty days thereafter, and replies to such comments 11 days from their filing.
______________________________
Richard K. Eaton
Dated: December 24, 2002
New York, New York