1:20-cv-00166•Productos Laminados de Monterrey S.A. de C.V. v. United States
Productos Laminados de Monterrey S.A. de C.V. v. United States
1:20-cv-00166CitDec 17, 2021
Full text
SlipȱOp.ȱNo.ȱ21Ȭ170ȱ UNITEDȱSTATESȱCOURTȱOFȱINTERNATIONALȱTRADEȱ PRODUCTOSȱLAMINADOSȱDEȱ MONTERREYȱS.A.ȱDEȱC.V.,ȱ Plaintiff,ȱ v.ȱ UNITEDȱSTATES,ȱ Defendant,ȱ andȱ NUCORȱTUBULARȱPRODUCTSȱINC.ȱ andȱATLASȱTUBEȱANDȱSEARINGȱ INDUSTRIES,ȱ DefendantȬIntervenors.ȱ Before:ȱTimothyȱC.ȱStanceu,ȱJudgeȱ CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ OPINIONȱANDȱORDERȱ [Remandingȱforȱreconsiderationȱanȱagencyȱdecisionȱconcludingȱanȱ administrativeȱreviewȱofȱanȱantidumpingȱdutyȱorder.]ȱ Dated:ȱȱDecemberȱ17,ȱ2021ȱ DavidȱE.ȱBond,ȱWhiteȱandȱCaseȱLLP,ȱofȱWashington,ȱD.C.,ȱforȱplaintiffsȱProductosȱ LaminadosȱdeȱMonterreyȱS.A.ȱdeȱC.V.ȱȱWithȱhimȱonȱtheȱbriefȱwasȱAllisonȱJ.G.ȱKepkay.ȱ KaraȱM.ȱWestercamp,ȱTrialȱAttorney,ȱCommercialȱLitigationȱBranch,ȱCivilȱ Division,ȱU.S.ȱDepartmentȱofȱJustice,ȱofȱWashington,ȱD.C.,ȱforȱdefendantȱtheȱUnitedȱ StatesȱofȱAmerica.ȱȱWithȱherȱonȱtheȱbriefȱwereȱBrianȱM.ȱBoynton,ȱActingȱAssistantȱ AttorneyȱGeneral,ȱJeanneȱE.ȱDavidson,ȱDirector,ȱandȱClaudiaȱBurke,ȱAssistanceȱDirector.ȱȱ OfȱcounselȱonȱtheȱbriefȱwasȱAyatȱMujais,ȱAttorney,ȱOfficeȱofȱtheȱChiefȱCounselȱforȱTradeȱ Enforcementȱ&ȱCompliance,ȱU.S.ȱDepartmentȱofȱCommerce.ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 1 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ2ȱ ȱ AlanȱH.ȱPrice,ȱWileyȱReinȱLLP,ȱofȱWashington,ȱD.C.,ȱforȱdefendantȬintervenorȱ NucorȱTubulorȱProductsȱInc.ȱȱWithȱhimȱonȱtheȱbriefȱwereȱRobertȱE.ȱDeFrancesco,ȱIIIȱandȱ JakeȱR.ȱFrischknecht.ȱ ȱ ChristopherȱT.ȱCloutier,ȱSchagrinȱAssociates,ȱofȱWashington,ȱD.C.,ȱforȱdefendantȬ intervenorsȱAtlasȱTubeȱandȱSearingȱIndustries.ȱȱWithȱhimȱonȱtheȱbriefȱwereȱRogerȱB.ȱ Schagrin,ȱLukeȱA.ȱMeisner,ȱandȱKelseyȱM.ȱRule.ȱ ȱ Stanceu,ȱJudge:ȱȱInȱthisȱactionȱbroughtȱunderȱSectionȱ516AȱofȱtheȱTariffȱActȱofȱ 1930,ȱasȱamendedȱ(theȱ“TariffȱAct”),ȱ19ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1516a, 1ȱplaintiffȱProductosȱLaminadosȱdeȱ MonterreyȱS.A.ȱdeȱC.V.ȱ(“Prolamsa”)ȱcontestsȱaȱfinalȱdeterminationȱofȱtheȱInternationalȱ TradeȱAdministration,ȱU.S.ȱDepartmentȱofȱCommerceȱ(“Commerce”ȱorȱtheȱ “Department”)ȱthatȱconcludedȱtheȱsecondȱadministrativeȱreviewȱofȱanȱantidumpingȱ dutyȱorderȱonȱcertainȱheavyȱwalledȱrectangularȱcarbonȱweldedȱsteelȱpipesȱandȱtubesȱ fromȱMexicoȱ(“HWR,”ȱ“HWRT,”ȱorȱtheȱ“subjectȱmerchandise”).ȱ BeforeȱtheȱcourtȱisȱProlamsa’sȱmotionȱforȱjudgmentȱonȱtheȱagencyȱrecord,ȱ broughtȱunderȱUSCITȱRuleȱ56.2,ȱinȱwhichȱitȱclaimsȱthatȱCommerceȱerredȱinȱdenyingȱitsȱ requestȱforȱaȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱadjustmentȱrelatedȱtoȱtheȱsubjectȱmerchandiseȱthatȱitȱsoldȱinȱ itsȱhomeȱmarketȱofȱMexico.ȱȱOpposingȱtheȱmotionȱareȱdefendantȱUnitedȱStatesȱandȱ defendantȬintervenorsȱNucorȱTubularȱProductsȱInc.ȱ(“Nucor”)ȱandȱAtlasȱTubeȱandȱ SearingȱIndustries.ȱȱRulingȱthatȱtheȱDepartment’sȱdecisionȱtoȱdenyȱProlamsa’sȱrequestȱ forȱaȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱadjustmentȱinȱtheȱFinalȱResultsȱreliedȱuponȱaȱfactualȱfindingȱthatȱisȱ ȱ 1ȱAllȱcitationsȱtoȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱCodeȱhereinȱareȱtoȱtheȱ2018ȱeditionȱandȱallȱ citationsȱtoȱtheȱCodeȱofȱFederalȱRegulationsȱhereinȱareȱtoȱtheȱ2020ȱedition.ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 2 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ3ȱ ȱ notȱsupportedȱbyȱsubstantialȱevidenceȱonȱtheȱrecordȱofȱtheȱadministrativeȱreviewȱandȱaȱ secondȱfindingȱthatȱisȱvagueȱandȱconclusory,ȱtheȱcourtȱgrantsȱplaintiff’sȱmotionȱandȱ remandsȱtheȱcontestedȱdecisionȱtoȱCommerceȱforȱreconsideration.ȱ I.ȱȱBACKGROUNDȱ A.ȱȱTheȱContestedȱAgencyȱDeterminationȱ Theȱcontestedȱadministrativeȱdeterminationȱ(theȱ“FinalȱResults”)ȱwasȱpublishedȱ asȱHeavyȱWalledȱRectangularȱWeldedȱCarbonȱSteelȱPipesȱandȱTubesȱFromȱMexico:ȱFinalȱ ResultsȱofȱAntidumpingȱDutyȱAdministrativeȱReviewȱandȱFinalȱDeterminationȱofȱNoȱ Shipments;ȱ2017–2018,ȱ85ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱ41,962ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱJulyȱ13,ȱ2020)ȱ (“FinalȱResults”).ȱȱTheȱFinalȱResultsȱincorporateȱbyȱreferenceȱaȱ“FinalȱIssuesȱandȱ DecisionȱMemorandum”ȱcontainingȱexplanatoryȱdiscussion.ȱȱIssuesȱandȱDecisionȱ MemorandumȱforȱtheȱAntidumpingȱDutyȱAdministrativeȱReview:ȱHeavyȱWalledȱRectangularȱ WeldedȱCarbonȱSteelȱPipesȱandȱTubesȱfromȱMexico;ȱ2017Ȭ2018ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱJulyȱ6,ȱ 2020)ȱ(P.R.ȱ173,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ530)ȱ(“FinalȱI&DȱMem.”).2ȱ ȱ 2ȱTheȱinformationȱdisclosedȱinȱthisȱOpinionȱandȱOrderȱisȱincludedȱinȱpublicȱ versionsȱofȱrecordȱdocuments,ȱpublicȱversionsȱofȱtheȱparties’ȱsubmissions,ȱandȱotherȱ informationȱsubsequentlyȱmadeȱpublicȱinȱissuancesȱbyȱCommerce.ȱȱAllȱcitationsȱtoȱ recordȱdocumentsȱareȱtoȱtheȱpublicȱversionsȱofȱthoseȱdocuments.ȱȱAllȱcitationsȱtoȱ “J.ȱApp.”ȱareȱtoȱtheȱpublicȱversionȱofȱtheȱJointȱAppendixȱ(Juneȱ25,ȱ2021),ȱECFȱNo.ȱ47Ȭ1ȱ (public).ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 3 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ4ȱ ȱ B.ȱȱTheȱPartiesȱ PlaintiffȱisȱaȱMexicanȱproducerȱandȱexporterȱofȱtheȱsubjectȱmerchandiseȱthatȱ participatedȱinȱtheȱDepartment’sȱsecondȱadministrativeȱreview.ȱȱCompl.ȱ¶ȱ3ȱ(Sept.ȱ28,ȱ 2020),ȱECFȱNo.ȱ12.ȱȱDefendantȱisȱtheȱUnitedȱStates.ȱȱDefendantȬintervenorsȱNucorȱandȱ AtlasȱTubeȱandȱSearingȱIndustriesȱareȱdomesticȱproducersȱofȱHWRȱpipesȱandȱtubes.ȱȱ ConsentȱMot.ȱtoȱInterveneȱasȱaȱMatterȱofȱRightȱ2ȱ(Oct.ȱ7,ȱ2020),ȱECFȱNo.ȱ13;ȱConsentȱ Mot.ȱtoȱInterveneȱasȱDef.ȬIntervenorȱ1–2ȱ(Oct.ȱ23,ȱ2020),ȱECFȱNo.ȱ18.ȱ C.ȱȱProceedingsȱBeforeȱCommerceȱ Commerceȱissuedȱtheȱantidumpingȱdutyȱorderȱ(theȱ“Order”)ȱinȱ2016.ȱȱHeavyȱ WalledȱRectangularȱWeldedȱCarbonȱSteelȱPipesȱandȱTubesȱFromȱtheȱRepublicȱofȱKorea,ȱMexico,ȱ andȱtheȱRepublicȱofȱTurkey:ȱAntidumpingȱDutyȱOrders,ȱ81ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱ62,865ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱ Admin.ȱSept.ȱ13,ȱ2016)ȱ(“Order”).ȱȱInȱtheȱOrder,ȱCommerceȱdescribedȱtheȱsubjectȱ merchandiseȱasȱ“certainȱheavyȱwalledȱrectangularȱweldedȱsteelȱpipesȱandȱtubesȱofȱ rectangularȱ(includingȱsquare)ȱcrossȱsection,ȱhavingȱaȱnominalȱwallȱthicknessȱofȱnotȱlessȱ thanȱ4ȱmm.”ȱȱId.ȱatȱ62,865.ȱȱTheseȱproducts,ȱwhichȱtypicallyȱareȱsuppliedȱinȱlengths,ȱ commonlyȱfromȱ20ȱtoȱ42ȱfeet,ȱtoȱmanufacturersȱwhoȱfurtherȱprocessȱthem,ȱ“areȱusedȱinȱ constructionȱforȱsupportȱandȱforȱloadȬbearingȱpurposes,ȱasȱwellȱasȱinȱtransportation,ȱ farm,ȱandȱmaterialȱhandlingȱequipment.”ȱȱHeavyȱWalledȱRectangularȱWeldedȱCarbonȱSteelȱ PipesȱandȱTubesȱfromȱKorea,ȱMexico,ȱandȱTurkey,ȱInv.ȱNos.ȱ701ȬTAȬ539,ȱ731ȬTAȬ1280Ȭ1282,ȱ USITCȱPub.ȱ4633,ȱatȱIȬ12ȱ(Sept.ȱ2016)ȱ(Final).ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 4 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ5ȱ ȱ OnȱNovemberȱ15,ȱ2018,ȱCommerceȱinitiatedȱtheȱsecondȱadministrativeȱreviewȱofȱ theȱOrder,ȱwhichȱcoveredȱentriesȱmadeȱduringȱtheȱperiodȱofȱSeptemberȱ1,ȱ2017ȱtoȱ Augustȱ31,ȱ2018ȱ(theȱ“periodȱofȱreview”ȱorȱ“POR”).ȱȱInitiationȱofȱAntidumpingȱandȱ CountervailingȱDutyȱAdministrativeȱReviews,ȱ83ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱ57,411,ȱ57,413ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱ Admin.).ȱȱCommerceȱchoseȱProlamsaȱandȱaȱsecondȱexporter/producer,ȱMaquilaceroȱS.A.ȱ deȱC.V.,ȱasȱ“mandatory”ȱrespondents,ȱi.e.,ȱrespondentsȱforȱwhichȱCommerceȱintendedȱ toȱconductȱanȱindividualȱexaminationȱofȱsalesȱandȱdetermineȱindividualȱdumpingȱ margins,ȱforȱtheȱreview.ȱȱHeavyȱWalledȱRectangularȱWeldedȱCarbonȱSteelȱPipesȱandȱTubesȱ fromȱMexico;ȱSelectionȱofȱRespondentsȱforȱIndividualȱReviewȱ(Feb.ȱ7,ȱ2019)ȱ(P.R.ȱ21,ȱatȱ1,ȱ J.ȱApp.ȱatȱ16).ȱ CommerceȱpublishedȱpreliminaryȱresultsȱforȱtheȱsecondȱreviewȱonȱNovemberȱ18,ȱ 2019ȱ(theȱ“PreliminaryȱResults”),ȱinȱwhichȱCommerceȱpreliminarilyȱcalculatedȱaȱ dumpingȱmarginȱofȱ0.8%ȱforȱentriesȱofȱsubjectȱmerchandiseȱproducedȱandȱexportedȱbyȱ Prolamsa.ȱȱHeavyȱWalledȱRectangularȱWeldedȱCarbonȱSteelȱPipesȱandȱTubesȱfromȱMexico:ȱ PreliminaryȱResultsȱofȱAntidumpingȱDutyȱAdministrativeȱReviewȱandȱPreliminaryȱ DeterminationȱofȱNoȱShipments;ȱ2017–2018,ȱ84ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱ63,610ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.)ȱ (“PreliminaryȱResults”).ȱȱIncorporatedȱbyȱreferenceȱinȱtheȱPreliminaryȱResultsȱisȱanȱ explanatoryȱdocument,ȱtheȱ“PreliminaryȱDecisionȱMemorandum.”ȱȱDecisionȱ MemorandumȱforȱtheȱPreliminaryȱResultsȱofȱtheȱ2017Ȭ2018ȱAdministrativeȱReviewȱofȱtheȱ AntidumpingȱDutyȱOrderȱonȱHeavyȱWalledȱRectangularȱWeldedȱCarbonȱSteelȱPipesȱandȱTubesȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 5 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ6ȱ ȱ fromȱMexicoȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱNov.ȱ6,ȱ2019)ȱ(P.R.ȱ147,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ479)ȱ(“Prelim.ȱDecisionȱ Mem.”).ȱȱCommerceȱpreliminarilyȱfoundȱthatȱProlamsaȱhadȱmadeȱsalesȱatȱtwoȱlevelsȱofȱ tradeȱ(“LOTs”)ȱinȱitsȱhomeȱmarketȱofȱMexicoȱduringȱtheȱperiodȱofȱreviewȱand,ȱonȱthatȱ basis,ȱmadeȱaȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱadjustmentȱinȱcalculatingȱtheȱ0.8%ȱpreliminaryȱdumpingȱ margin.ȱȱId.ȱatȱ15,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ483.ȱ OnȱJulyȱ13,ȱ2020,ȱCommerceȱpublishedȱtheȱFinalȱResults,ȱinȱwhichȱitȱassignedȱ Prolamsaȱaȱweightedȱaverageȱdumpingȱmarginȱofȱ7.47%.ȱȱFinalȱResults,ȱ85ȱFed.ȱ Reg.ȱatȱ41,963.ȱȱInȱtheȱFinalȱResults,ȱCommerce,ȱchangingȱitsȱpriorȱposition,ȱdeniedȱ Prolamsa’sȱrequestȱforȱaȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱadjustmentȱuponȱdecidingȱthatȱProlamsaȱsoldȱtheȱ foreignȱlikeȱproductȱatȱaȱsingleȱLOTȱinȱitsȱhomeȱmarket.ȱȱCommerceȱmadeȱtwoȱotherȱ changesȱaffectingȱProlamsa’sȱmargin,ȱneitherȱofȱwhichȱProlamsaȱcontestsȱbeforeȱtheȱ court.ȱȱSeeȱFinalȱI&DȱMem.ȱatȱ3,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ533.ȱȱTherefore,ȱtheȱDepartment’sȱdecisionȱnotȱ toȱallowȱaȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱadjustmentȱforȱProlamsaȱisȱatȱissueȱinȱthisȱlitigation.ȱ D.ȱȱProceedingsȱBeforeȱtheȱCourtȱ PlaintiffȱbroughtȱthisȱactionȱinȱSeptemberȱ2020.ȱȱSummonsȱ(Sept.ȱ1,ȱ2020),ȱ ECFȱNo.ȱ1;ȱCompl.ȱ(Sept.ȱ28,ȱ2020),ȱECFȱNo.ȱ12.ȱȱOnȱMarchȱ5,ȱ2021,ȱplaintiffȱfiledȱtheȱ instantȱmotionȱforȱjudgmentȱonȱtheȱagencyȱrecordȱandȱaccompanyingȱbrief.ȱȱRuleȱ56.2ȱ Mot.ȱforȱJ.ȱonȱtheȱAgencyȱR.,ȱECFȱNos.ȱ31ȱ(conf.),ȱ32ȱ(public);ȱMem.ȱofȱP.ȱ&ȱA.ȱinȱSupp.ȱ ofȱPl.’sȱRuleȱ56.2ȱMot.ȱforȱJ.ȱuponȱtheȱAgencyȱR.,ȱECFȱNos.ȱ31Ȭ1ȱ(conf.),ȱ32Ȭ1ȱ(public)ȱ (“Pl.’sȱBr.”).ȱȱOnȱMayȱ4,ȱ2021,ȱAtlasȱTubeȱandȱSearingȱIndustriesȱfiledȱaȱresponseȱinȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 6 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ7ȱ ȱ oppositionȱtoȱplaintiff’sȱmotion.ȱȱDef.ȬIntervenorsȱAtlasȱTubeȱandȱSearingȱIndustries’ȱ Resp.ȱinȱOpp’nȱtoȱRuleȱ56.2ȱMot.ȱforȱJ.ȱonȱtheȱAgencyȱR.,ȱECFȱNos.ȱ37ȱ(conf.),ȱ38ȱ(public)ȱ (“AtlasȱTube’sȱResp.”).ȱȱNucorȱandȱtheȱgovernmentȱeachȱsubmittedȱtheirȱrespectiveȱ responsesȱonȱMayȱ7,ȱ2021.ȱȱDef.ȬIntervenorȱNucorȱTubularȱProductsȱInc.’sȱResp.ȱBr.,ȱ ECFȱNos.ȱ40ȱ(conf.),ȱ41ȱ(public)ȱ(“Nucor’sȱResp.”);ȱDef.’sȱResp.ȱtoȱPl.’sȱRuleȱ56.2ȱMot.ȱforȱ J.ȱuponȱtheȱAgencyȱR.,ȱECFȱNo.ȱ42ȱ(“Def.’sȱResp.”).ȱȱOnȱJuneȱ11,ȱ2021,ȱProlamsaȱfiledȱitsȱ replyȱbrief.ȱȱReplyȱBr.ȱinȱSupp.ȱofȱPl.’sȱRuleȱ56.2ȱMot.ȱforȱJ.ȱuponȱtheȱAgencyȱR.,ȱECFȱ No.ȱ45.ȱ OnȱJulyȱ2,ȱ2021,ȱplaintiffȱfiledȱanȱunopposedȱmotionȱforȱoralȱargumentȱonȱitsȱRuleȱ 56.2ȱmotion.ȱȱPl.’sȱUnopposedȱMot.ȱforȱOralȱArg.,ȱECFȱNo.ȱ49.ȱ II.ȱȱDISCUSSIONȱ A.ȱȱJurisdictionȱandȱStandardȱofȱReviewȱ ȱ Theȱcourtȱexercisesȱjurisdictionȱunderȱsectionȱ201ȱofȱtheȱCustomsȱCourtsȱActȱofȱ 1980,ȱ28ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1581(c),ȱpursuantȱtoȱwhichȱtheȱcourtȱreviewsȱactionsȱcommencedȱ underȱsectionȱ516AȱofȱtheȱTariffȱAct,ȱ19ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1516a,ȱincludingȱanȱactionȱcontestingȱaȱ finalȱdeterminationȱthatȱCommerceȱissuesȱtoȱconcludeȱanȱadministrativeȱreviewȱofȱanȱ antidumpingȱdutyȱorder.ȱ Inȱreviewingȱaȱfinalȱdetermination,ȱtheȱcourtȱ“shallȱholdȱunlawfulȱanyȱ determination,ȱfinding,ȱorȱconclusionȱfoundȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱtoȱbeȱunsupportedȱbyȱsubstantialȱ evidenceȱonȱtheȱrecord,ȱorȱotherwiseȱnotȱinȱaccordanceȱwithȱlaw.”ȱȱ19ȱU.S.C.ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 7 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ8ȱ ȱ §ȱ1516a(b)(1)(B)(i).ȱȱSubstantialȱevidenceȱrefersȱtoȱ“suchȱrelevantȱevidenceȱasȱaȱ reasonableȱmindȱmightȱacceptȱasȱadequateȱtoȱsupportȱaȱconclusion.”ȱȱSKFȱUSA,ȱInc.ȱv.ȱ UnitedȱStates,ȱ537ȱF.3dȱ1373,ȱ1378ȱ(Fed.ȱCir.ȱ2008)ȱ(quotingȱConsol.ȱEdisonȱCo.ȱv.ȱNLRB,ȱ 305ȱU.S.ȱ197,ȱ229ȱ(1938)).ȱ B.ȱȱLevelsȱofȱTradeȱinȱCalculationsȱofȱDumpingȱMarginsȱ Sectionȱ751(a)(1)ȱofȱtheȱTariffȱActȱrequiresȱCommerce,ȱuponȱaȱproperȱrequest,ȱtoȱ conductȱaȱperiodicȱadministrativeȱreviewȱatȱleastȱonceȱduringȱeachȱ12Ȭmonthȱperiodȱ beginningȱonȱtheȱanniversaryȱofȱtheȱdateȱofȱpublicationȱofȱanȱantidumpingȱdutyȱorder.ȱȱ 19ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1675(a)(1).ȱȱInȱaȱreview,ȱCommerceȱisȱdirectedȱtoȱmakeȱcomparisonsȱbetweenȱ theȱnormalȱvalueȱofȱtheȱsubjectȱmerchandiseȱandȱtheȱ“U.S.ȱprice”ȱ(i.e.,ȱtheȱ“exportȱprice”ȱ (“EP”)ȱorȱ“constructedȱexportȱprice”ȱ(“CEP”))ȱandȱdetermineȱtheȱdumpingȱmarginȱforȱ “eachȱentry”ȱofȱtheȱsubjectȱmerchandise.ȱȱId.ȱ§ȱ1675(a)(2)(A)(i),ȱ(ii).ȱ TheȱTariffȱActȱdirectsȱthatȱCommerce,ȱinȱtheȱordinaryȱinstanceȱinȱwhichȱnormalȱ valueȱisȱbasedȱonȱtheȱpriceȱofȱtheȱforeignȱlikeȱproductȱinȱtheȱhomeȱmarket,ȱdetermineȱ normalȱvalueȱbeginningȱwithȱtheȱpriceȱ(oftenȱreferredȱtoȱasȱtheȱ“startingȱprice”)ȱ “atȱwhichȱtheȱforeignȱlikeȱproductȱisȱfirstȱsoldȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱforȱconsumptionȱinȱtheȱexportingȱ country,ȱinȱtheȱusualȱcommercialȱquantitiesȱandȱinȱtheȱordinaryȱcourseȱofȱtradeȱand,ȱtoȱ theȱextentȱpracticable,ȱatȱtheȱsameȱlevelȱofȱtradeȱasȱtheȱexportȱpriceȱorȱconstructedȱexportȱ price.”ȱȱId.ȱ§ȱ1677b(a)(1)(B)(i)ȱ(emphasisȱadded).ȱȱTheȱstatuteȱprovidesȱforȱvariousȱtypesȱ ofȱadjustmentsȱtoȱtheȱstartingȱpriceȱinȱtheȱdeterminationȱofȱnormalȱvalue.ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 8 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ9ȱ ȱ Oneȱofȱtheȱtypesȱofȱadjustmentsȱtoȱtheȱstartingȱpriceȱisȱknownȱasȱaȱ“levelȬofȬ trade”ȱadjustment,ȱwhichȱCommerceȱmustȱmakeȱaccordingȱtoȱ19ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1677b(a)(7)ȱ underȱcertainȱconditions.ȱȱWhenȱcalculatingȱnormalȱvalue,ȱCommerceȱisȱrequiredȱtoȱ makeȱanȱupwardȱorȱdownwardȱadjustmentȱtoȱtheȱstartingȱpriceȱ“toȱmakeȱdueȱallowanceȱ forȱanyȱdifferenceȱ(orȱlackȱthereof)ȱbetweenȱtheȱexportȱpriceȱorȱconstructedȱexportȱ price”ȱandȱtheȱstartingȱpriceȱ“(otherȱthanȱaȱdifferenceȱforȱwhichȱallowanceȱisȱotherwiseȱ madeȱunderȱthisȱsection)ȱthatȱisȱshownȱtoȱbeȱwhollyȱorȱpartlyȱdueȱtoȱaȱdifferenceȱinȱlevelȱ ofȱtradeȱbetweenȱtheȱexportȱpriceȱorȱconstructedȱexportȱpriceȱandȱnormalȱvalue”ȱifȱbothȱ ofȱtwoȱconditionsȱareȱmet.ȱȱId.ȱ§ȱ1677b(a)(7)(A).ȱ Theȱfirstȱconditionȱisȱmetȱifȱtheȱdifferenceȱinȱtheȱlevelȱofȱtradeȱbetweenȱtheȱexportȱ priceȱorȱconstructedȱexportȱpriceȱandȱnormalȱvalueȱ“involvesȱtheȱperformanceȱofȱ differentȱsellingȱactivities.”ȱȱId.ȱ§ȱ1677b(a)(7)(A)(i).ȱȱTheȱsecondȱconditionȱisȱmetȱifȱtheȱ differenceȱinȱtheȱlevelȱofȱtradeȱbetweenȱtheȱEPȱorȱtheȱCEPȱandȱnormalȱvalueȱ“isȱ demonstratedȱtoȱaffectȱpriceȱcomparability,ȱbasedȱonȱaȱpatternȱofȱconsistentȱpriceȱ differencesȱbetweenȱsalesȱatȱdifferentȱlevelsȱofȱtradeȱinȱtheȱcountryȱinȱwhichȱnormalȱ valueȱisȱdetermined.”ȱȱId.ȱ§ȱ1677b(a)(7)(A)(ii).ȱȱTheȱstatuteȱprovidesȱthatȱ“[i]nȱaȱcaseȱ describedȱinȱtheȱprecedingȱsentence,ȱtheȱamountȱofȱtheȱadjustmentȱshallȱbeȱbasedȱonȱtheȱ priceȱdifferencesȱbetweenȱtheȱtwoȱlevelsȱofȱtradeȱinȱtheȱcountryȱinȱwhichȱnormalȱvalueȱ isȱdetermined.”ȱȱId.ȱ§ȱ1677b(a)(7)(A).ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 9 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ10ȱ ȱ TheȱDepartment’sȱregulationsȱexplainȱthatȱ“[i]nȱcomparingȱUnitedȱStatesȱsalesȱ withȱforeignȱmarketȱsalesȱ[i.e.,ȱsalesȱinȱtheȱcomparisonȱmarket,ȱwhichȱtypicallyȱisȱtheȱ homeȱmarketȱofȱtheȱexportingȱcountry],ȱtheȱSecretaryȱmayȱdetermineȱthatȱsalesȱinȱtheȱ twoȱmarketsȱwereȱnotȱmadeȱatȱtheȱsameȱlevelȱofȱtrade,ȱandȱthatȱtheȱdifferenceȱhasȱanȱ effectȱonȱcomparabilityȱofȱtheȱprices,”ȱaddingȱthatȱ“[t]heȱSecretaryȱisȱauthorizedȱtoȱ adjustȱnormalȱvalueȱtoȱaccountȱforȱsuchȱaȱdifference.”ȱȱ19ȱC.F.R.ȱ§ȱ351.412(a).ȱȱTheȱ regulationsȱprovideȱthatȱ“[t]heȱSecretaryȱwillȱdetermineȱthatȱsalesȱareȱmadeȱatȱdifferentȱ levelsȱofȱtradeȱifȱtheyȱareȱmadeȱatȱdifferentȱmarketingȱstagesȱ(orȱtheirȱequivalent).”ȱȱId.ȱ §ȱ351.412(c)(2)ȱ(emphasisȱadded).ȱȱTheȱCommerceȱregulationsȱdoȱnotȱincludeȱaȱ definitionȱforȱtheȱtermȱ“marketingȱstages”ȱorȱtheȱtermȱ“equivalentȱofȱmarketingȱstages”ȱ inȱtheȱ“definitions”ȱsectionȱofȱtheȱregulations,ȱ19ȱC.F.R.ȱ§ȱ351.102(b).ȱȱTheȱpreambleȱtoȱ theȱDepartment’sȱ1997ȱpromulgationȱofȱtheȱregulationsȱexplainsȱthatȱ“Sectionȱ351.412(c)ȱ statesȱthatȱanȱLOTȱisȱaȱmarketingȱstageȱ‘orȱtheȱequivalent’ȱ(whichȱmeansȱthatȱtheȱ merchandiseȱdoesȱnotȱnecessarilyȱhaveȱtoȱchangeȱhandsȱmoreȱthanȱtwiceȱinȱorderȱtoȱ reachȱtheȱmoreȱremoteȱLOT).”ȱȱAntidumpingȱDuties;ȱCountervailingȱDuties,ȱ62ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱ 27,296,ȱ27,371ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱMayȱ19,ȱ1997).ȱȱWhileȱaddressingȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱissuesȱ involvingȱaȱremoteȱLOT,ȱtheȱpreambleȱinstructsȱthatȱ“[s]ubstantialȱdifferencesȱinȱtheȱ amountȱofȱsellingȱexpensesȱassociatedȱwithȱtwoȱgroupsȱofȱsalesȱalsoȱmayȱindicateȱthatȱ theȱtwoȱgroupsȱareȱatȱdifferentȱlevelsȱofȱtrade,”ȱid.,ȱbutȱtheȱregulationsȱfurtherȱprovide,ȱ inȱ§ȱ351.412(c)(2),ȱthatȱ“[s]ubstantialȱdifferencesȱinȱsellingȱactivitiesȱareȱaȱnecessary,ȱbutȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 10 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ11ȱ ȱ notȱsufficient,ȱconditionȱforȱdeterminingȱthatȱthereȱisȱaȱdifferenceȱinȱtheȱstageȱofȱ marketing.”ȱȱId.ȱȱItȱalsoȱexplainsȱthatȱ“[s]omeȱoverlapȱinȱsellingȱactivitiesȱwillȱnotȱ precludeȱaȱdeterminationȱthatȱtwoȱsalesȱareȱatȱdifferentȱstagesȱofȱmarketing.”ȱȱId.ȱ C.ȱȱTheȱDepartment’sȱPreliminaryȱDeterminationȱofȱTwoȱLevelsȱofȱTradeȱinȱ Prolamsa’sȱHomeȱMarketȱSalesȱandȱitsȱLevelȬofȬTradeȱAdjustmentȱtoȱNormalȱValueȱ ȱ Inȱquestionnaireȱresponsesȱitȱsubmittedȱduringȱtheȱreview,ȱProlamsaȱinformedȱ Commerceȱthatȱitsȱhomeȱmarketȱsalesȱoccurredȱinȱfourȱchannelsȱofȱdistribution,ȱ identifyingȱitsȱsalesȱinȱwhatȱitȱtermedȱ“HMȱ[homeȱmarket]ȱChannelȱ4”ȱasȱsalesȱofȱ customȬdesignedȱpartsȱthatȱwereȱmadeȱfromȱHWRȱpipesȱandȱtubesȱandȱthatȱwereȱ producedȱfor,ȱandȱsoldȱto,ȱoriginalȱequipmentȱmanufacturersȱ(“OEMs”).ȱȱHeavyȱWalledȱ RectangularȱWeldedȱCarbonȱSteelȱPipesȱandȱTubesȱfromȱMexico:ȱResponseȱtoȱSectionȱAȱofȱtheȱ Questionnaireȱ(Mar.ȱ15,ȱ2019)ȱ(P.R.ȱ46–56,ȱatȱAȬ18,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ34)ȱ(“SectionȱAȱResp.”).ȱȱ ProlamsaȱcontrastedȱitsȱHMȱChannelȱ4ȱsales,ȱtoȱwhichȱitȱreferredȱasȱitsȱ“industrial”ȱ sales,ȱwithȱthoseȱsoldȱthroughȱitsȱotherȱthreeȱchannelsȱofȱdistribution,ȱtoȱwhichȱitȱ referredȱasȱitsȱ“commercial”ȱsalesȱofȱHWRȱpipesȱandȱtubes,ȱandȱwhichȱitȱdescribedȱasȱ follows:ȱdirectȱsalesȱtoȱunaffiliatedȱcustomersȱfromȱinventoryȱstoredȱatȱitsȱplantsȱ(“HMȱ Channelȱ1”);ȱdirectȱsalesȱtoȱunaffiliatedȱcustomersȱfromȱinventoryȱstoredȱatȱitsȱ warehousesȱ(“HMȱChannelȱ2”);ȱandȱsalesȱtoȱaffiliatedȱresellers,ȱwhichȱproductsȱ subsequentlyȱwereȱresoldȱtoȱunaffiliatedȱhomeȱmarketȱcustomersȱ(“HMȱChannelȱ3”).ȱȱ Pl.’sȱBr.ȱ7–9.ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 11 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ12ȱ ȱ Prolamsaȱpointsȱtoȱrecordȱevidenceȱinȱarguingȱthatȱ“salesȱthroughȱHMȱChannelȱ4ȱ requiredȱsubstantiallyȱmoreȱsellingȱactivities”ȱthanȱdidȱitsȱsalesȱthroughȱtheȱotherȱthreeȱ channels.ȱȱPl.’sȱBr.ȱ8.ȱ Onȱtheȱissueȱofȱpriceȱcomparability,ȱProlamsaȱinformedȱCommerceȱthatȱitsȱ “[h]omeȱmarketȱsalesȱpricesȱdidȱnotȱvaryȱbasedȱonȱwhetherȱtheȱHWRTȱwasȱsoldȱ throughȱHMȱChannelȱ1,ȱHMȱChannelȱ2,ȱorȱHMȱChannelȱ3,”ȱthatȱ“[h]omeȬmarketȱsalesȱ pricesȱinȱHMȱChannelȱ4ȱwereȱsignificantlyȱhigherȱthanȱsalesȱthroughȱHMȱChannelȱ1,ȱ HMȱChannelȱ2,ȱandȱHMȱChannelȱ3”ȱandȱthatȱ“[t]heȱhigherȱpricesȱreflectedȱtheȱ significant,ȱadditionalȱsellingȱactivitiesȱperformedȱinȱrelationȱtoȱsalesȱthroughȱ HMȱChannelȱ4,ȱasȱwellȱasȱtheȱadditionalȱproductionȱcostsȱincurredȱtoȱmanufactureȱtheȱ parts.”ȱȱSectionȱAȱResp.ȱatȱAȬ22,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ38.ȱ WithȱrespectȱtoȱitsȱU.S.ȱsalesȱofȱsubjectȱmerchandise,ȱProlamsaȱexplainedȱtoȱ CommerceȱduringȱtheȱreviewȱthatȱitȱsoldȱHWRȱpipesȱandȱtubesȱthroughȱthreeȱchannelsȱ ofȱdistribution. 3ȱȱProlamsaȱarguedȱthatȱallȱofȱitsȱU.S.ȱsalesȱwereȱmoreȱsimilar,ȱinȱtermsȱofȱ ȱ 3ȱProlamsaȱhadȱbothȱexportȱpriceȱ(“EP”)ȱandȱconstructedȱexportȱpriceȱ(“CEP”)ȱ salesȱinȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱduringȱtheȱperiodȱofȱreviewȱforȱtheȱsecondȱreview.ȱȱAsȱstatedȱ inȱtheȱPreliminaryȱDecisionȱMemorandum:ȱ WithȱrespectȱtoȱtheȱU.S.ȱmarket,ȱProlamsaȱreportedȱthatȱitȱmadeȱ salesȱthroughȱthreeȱchannelsȱofȱdistribution:ȱ(1)ȱdirectȱEPȱsalesȱofȱHWRȱ pipeȱandȱtubeȱtoȱunaffiliatedȱU.S.ȱcustomersȱforȱwhichȱProlamsaȱknewȱtheȱ finalȱdestinationȱwasȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱ(i.e.,ȱU.S.ȱchannelȱ1);ȱ(2)ȱdirectȱCEPȱ salesȱofȱHWRȱpipeȱandȱtubeȱtoȱunaffiliatedȱU.S.ȱcustomersȱfromȱ Prolamsa’sȱinventoryȱsoldȱthroughȱitsȱU.S.ȱaffiliate,ȱProlamsa,ȱInc.ȱ(i.e.,ȱ U.S.ȱchannelȱ2);ȱandȱ(3)ȱdirectȱCEPȱsalesȱofȱHWRȱpipeȱandȱtubeȱtoȱ (continuedȱ.ȱ.ȱ.)ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 12 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ13ȱ ȱ characteristicsȱandȱsellingȱfunctions,ȱtoȱitsȱHMȱChannelsȱ1,ȱ2,ȱandȱ3ȱsales,ȱi.e.,ȱitsȱ “commercial”ȱsales,ȱthanȱtheyȱwereȱtoȱitsȱ“industrial”ȱsalesȱofȱHMȱChannelȱ4.ȱȱHeavyȱ WalledȱRectangularȱWeldedȱCarbonȱSteelȱPipesȱandȱTubesȱfromȱMexico:ȱResponseȱtoȱSectionsȱBȱ andȱCȱofȱtheȱQuestionnaireȱ(Apr.ȱ8,ȱ2019)ȱ(P.R.ȱ69–71,ȱatȱBȬ35,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ202).ȱȱProlamsaȱ contendedȱthatȱitsȱU.S.ȱsalesȱshouldȱbeȱcomparedȱtoȱHMȱChannelsȱ1–3,ȱandȱthatȱ HMȱChannelȱ4ȱsalesȱshouldȱnotȱbeȱusedȱforȱcomparisonȱpurposesȱunlessȱsalesȱinȱ HMȱChannelsȱ1–3ȱareȱunavailable,ȱandȱthatȱinȱsuchȱanȱinstanceȱCommerceȱshouldȱmakeȱ aȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱadjustment.ȱȱId.ȱ Forȱpurposesȱofȱcalculatingȱtheȱ0.8%ȱpreliminaryȱdumpingȱmarginȱforȱProlamsaȱ inȱtheȱPreliminaryȱResults,ȱCommerceȱagreed.ȱȱCommerceȱpreliminarilyȱdetermined,ȱ first,ȱthatȱallȱofȱProlamsa’sȱU.S.ȱsalesȱoccurredȱatȱaȱsingleȱLOT.ȱȱPrelim.ȱDecisionȱ Mem.ȱatȱ15,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ483.ȱȱItȱpreliminarilyȱdetermined,ȱnext,ȱ“thatȱsalesȱtoȱtheȱhomeȱ marketȱnonȬOEMȱcustomersȱ(i.e.,ȱinȱHMȱchannelsȱ1ȱthroughȱ3)ȱduringȱtheȱPORȱwereȱnotȱ madeȱatȱaȱdifferentȱLOTȱthanȱsalesȱtoȱtheȱUnitedȱStates.”ȱȱId.ȱatȱ16,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ484.ȱȱ RegardingȱtheȱrequestedȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱadjustment,ȱCommerceȱstatedȱthatȱ“[i]nȱ instancesȱwhereȱweȱwereȱunableȱtoȱmakeȱpriceȬtoȬpriceȱcomparisonsȱatȱtheȱsameȱLOTȱ ȱ (.ȱ.ȱ.ȱcontinued)ȱ unaffiliatedȱU.S.ȱcustomersȱsoldȱfromȱProlamsaȱInc.’sȱwarehouseȱthroughȱ Prolamsa,ȱInc.ȱ(i.e.,ȱU.S.ȱchannelȱ3).ȱȱȱ DecisionȱMemorandumȱforȱtheȱPreliminaryȱResultsȱofȱtheȱ2017Ȭȱ2018ȱAdministrativeȱ ReviewȱofȱtheȱAntidumpingȱDutyȱOrderȱonȱHeavyȱWalledȱRectangularȱWeldedȱCarbonȱSteelȱ PipesȱandȱTubesȱfromȱMexicoȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱNov.ȱ6,ȱ2019)ȱ(P.R.ȱ147,ȱatȱ15,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱ atȱ485).ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 13 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ14ȱ ȱ (i.e.,ȱcomparisonsȱinvolvingȱOEMȱsalesȱinȱHMȱchannelȱ4)ȱweȱmadeȱanȱLOTȱadjustment.”ȱȱ Id.ȱȱInȱsummary,ȱforȱtheȱPreliminaryȱResultsȱCommerceȱusedȱProlamsa’sȱHMȱChannelȱ4ȱ salesȱforȱpriceȱcomparisonsȱwithȱU.S.ȱsalesȱonlyȱwhenȱnoȱHMȱChannelȱ1,ȱ2,ȱorȱ3ȱsalesȱ wereȱavailableȱforȱcomparisonȱwithȱU.S.ȱsales,ȱandȱwhenȱitȱusedȱanȱHMȱChannelȱ4ȱsaleȱ forȱthatȱpurpose,ȱitȱmadeȱanȱadjustment,ȱi.e.,ȱaȱreduction,ȱinȱnormalȱvalueȱtoȱaccountȱforȱ theȱdifferenceȱinȱlevelȱofȱtrade.ȱ D.ȱȱTheȱDepartment’sȱDecisionȱinȱtheȱFinalȱResultsȱtoȱDenyȱProlamsa’sȱRequestȱforȱaȱ LevelȬofȬTradeȱAdjustmentȱ ȱ FollowingȱtheȱDepartment’sȱissuanceȱofȱtheȱPreliminaryȱResults,ȱPetitionersȱ IndependenceȱTubeȱCorporation,ȱaȱNucorȱcompany,ȱandȱSouthlandȱTube,ȱInc.,ȱaȱNucorȱ company,ȱ(theȱcorporateȱpredecessorsȱtoȱdefendantȬintervenorȱNucor)ȱfiledȱaȱcaseȱbriefȱ withȱCommerceȱinȱwhichȱtheyȱopposedȱtheȱdecisionȱinȱtheȱPreliminaryȱResultsȱthatȱ wouldȱallowȱProlamsaȱaȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱadjustment.ȱȱSeeȱFinalȱI&DȱMem.ȱatȱ16–20,ȱ J.ȱApp.ȱatȱ546–50.ȱȱTheyȱcharacterizedȱtheȱdifferenceȱbetweenȱHMȱChannelȱ4ȱsalesȱandȱ theȱsalesȱinȱHMȱChannelsȱ1ȱthroughȱ3ȱasȱdemonstratingȱonlyȱ“minorȱdifferences”ȱinȱtheȱ customerȱbasesȱandȱmerchandiseȱthatȱtheyȱarguedȱdidȱnotȱamountȱtoȱaȱdifferentȱstageȱofȱ marketing.ȱȱOverall,ȱtheyȱarguedȱthatȱProlamsaȱprovidedȱinsufficient,ȱandȱinadequatelyȱ documented,ȱproofȱforȱitsȱrequestȱthatȱCommerceȱrecognizeȱaȱsecondȱlevelȱofȱtradeȱinȱitsȱ homeȱmarket.ȱȱInȱitsȱcaseȱbrief,ȱProlamsaȱmadeȱargumentsȱinȱrebuttal.ȱȱId.ȱatȱ20–23,ȱ J.ȱApp.ȱatȱ550–53.ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 14 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ15ȱ ȱ Commerce,ȱreversingȱitsȱpreliminaryȱdecisionȱinȱtheȱFinalȱResults,ȱstatedȱthatȱ “[b]asedȱuponȱtheȱparties’ȱcommentsȱandȱourȱreexaminationȱofȱtheȱevidenceȱonȱtheȱ record,ȱweȱfindȱthatȱProlamsaȱhasȱnotȱdemonstratedȱthatȱitȱsoldȱHWRȱpipeȱandȱtubeȱatȱ twoȱdifferentȱLOTsȱinȱtheȱhomeȱmarket.”ȱȱId.ȱatȱ23,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ553.ȱȱ“Accordingly,ȱforȱ theseȱfinalȱresultsȱweȱhaveȱtreatedȱallȱsalesȱmadeȱinȱtheȱhomeȱmarketȱatȱaȱsingleȱLOTȱ duringȱtheȱPOR.”ȱȱId.ȱ E.ȱȱTheȱDepartment’sȱDenialȱofȱtheȱRequestedȱLevelȬofȬTradeȱAdjustmentȱIsȱNotȱ SupportedȱbyȱSubstantialȱEvidenceȱ ȱ InȱtheȱFinalȱIssuesȱandȱDecisionsȱMemorandum,ȱCommerceȱstatedȱasȱ backgroundȱthatȱ“relianceȱonȱqualitativeȱevidence,ȱsuchȱasȱnarrativeȱdescriptionsȱofȱ differencesȱinȱsellingȱfunctions,ȱcustomerȱcorrespondence,ȱsampleȱsalesȱrecords,ȱ meetingȱpresentationsȱandȱtheȱlike,ȱwithoutȱsupportingȱquantitativeȱevidenceȱ frequentlyȱdoesȱnotȱpresentȱaȱcompleteȱunderstandingȱofȱaȱrespondent’sȱsellingȱ activities.”ȱȱFinalȱI&DȱMem.ȱatȱ25,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ555.ȱȱCommerceȱcitedȱaȱchangeȱofȱpracticeȱ underȱwhichȱ“[s]inceȱ2018,ȱCommerceȱhasȱrequiredȱrespondentsȱtoȱprovideȱquantitativeȱ evidenceȱinȱsupportȱofȱtheirȱLOTȱclaims.”ȱȱId.ȱatȱ26,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ556.ȱȱItȱfurtherȱexplainedȱ thatȱ“[s]ignificantly,ȱCommerce’sȱrequirementȱthatȱrespondentsȱsupportȱLOTȱclaimsȱ withȱquantitativeȱevidenceȱinȱallȱproceedingsȱwasȱimplementedȱinȱ2018ȱtoȱenhanceȱ Commerce’sȱabilityȱtoȱdetermineȱwhetherȱreportedȱdifferencesȱinȱsellingȱfunctionsȱareȱ substantialȱenoughȱtoȱwarrantȱaȱfindingȱthatȱsalesȱwereȱmadeȱatȱdifferentȱLOTs.”ȱȱ Id.ȱatȱ25,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ555ȱ(footnoteȱomitted).ȱȱCommerceȱaddedȱthatȱ“[a]lthoughȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 15 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ16ȱ ȱ qualitativeȱinformationȱisȱhelpfulȱandȱrelevantȱtoȱtheȱLOTȱanalysis,ȱrelianceȱonȱthisȱ informationȱaloneȱlimitsȱCommerce’sȱabilityȱtoȱanalyzeȱsellingȱfunctionsȱtoȱdetermineȱifȱ LOTsȱidentifiedȱbyȱaȱpartyȱareȱmeaningfulȱandȱtoȱevaluateȱwhetherȱaȱrespondent’sȱLOTȱ claimsȱareȱreasonableȱandȱaccurate.”ȱȱId.ȱ Afterȱdiscussingȱitsȱgeneralȱrequirementȱforȱ“quantitativeȱinformation,”ȱ CommerceȱbasedȱitsȱdecisionȱdenyingȱProlamsa’sȱrequestȱforȱaȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱ adjustmentȱonȱaȱfindingȱthatȱ“[w]hileȱProlamsaȱassertsȱthatȱitȱfullyȱdemonstratedȱthatȱ thereȱwereȱsignificantȱdifferencesȱinȱtheȱsellingȱactivitiesȱperformedȱbetweenȱhomeȱ marketȱchannelsȱduringȱtheȱPOR,ȱnoneȱofȱtheȱdocumentsȱprovidedȱdemonstrateȱdirectȱ quantitativeȱsupportȱforȱsuchȱclaims.”ȱȱId.ȱatȱ27,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ557.ȱȱ“Therefore,ȱforȱtheseȱ finalȱresults,ȱCommerceȱfindsȱthatȱProlamsaȱhasȱnotȱshownȱthatȱitȱmadeȱsalesȱinȱtheȱ homeȱmarketȱatȱmoreȱthanȱoneȱLOTȱbecauseȱitȱhasȱnotȱsupportedȱitsȱLOTȱclaimsȱwithȱ quantitativeȱevidence.”ȱȱId.ȱ Beforeȱtheȱcourt,ȱProlamsaȱarguesȱthatȱCommerceȱ“completelyȱoverlookedȱtheȱ quantitativeȱinformationȱsubmittedȱbyȱProlamsa.”ȱȱPl.’sȱBr.ȱ14.ȱȱTheȱcourtȱagrees.ȱȱ EvidenceȱonȱtheȱrecordȱcontradictsȱtheȱDepartment’sȱfindingȱthatȱnoneȱofȱtheȱ documentsȱProlamsaȱprovidedȱ“demonstrateȱdirectȱquantitativeȱsupport”ȱforȱ Prolamsa’sȱassertionȱ“thatȱthereȱwereȱsignificantȱdifferencesȱinȱtheȱsellingȱactivitiesȱ performedȱbetweenȱhomeȱmarketȱchannelsȱduringȱtheȱPOR.”ȱȱFinalȱI&DȱMem.ȱatȱ27,ȱ J.ȱApp.ȱatȱ557.ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 16 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ17ȱ ȱ WithȱitsȱresponseȱtoȱtheȱDepartment’sȱsupplementalȱSectionȱAȱquestionnaire,ȱ Prolamsaȱprovidedȱquantitativeȱdataȱillustratingȱdifferencesȱbetweenȱtheȱstaffingȱandȱ expensesȱitȱincurredȱinȱmakingȱitsȱhomeȱmarketȱ“industrial”ȱsales,ȱi.e.,ȱitsȱOEMȱsalesȱofȱ partsȱmadeȱfromȱHWRȱpipeȱandȱtubeȱinȱHMȱChannelȱ4,ȱandȱitsȱsalesȱofȱstandardȱHWRȱ pipeȱandȱtubeȱinȱtheȱotherȱthreeȱchannels,ȱtoȱwhichȱitȱreferredȱinȱtheȱresponseȱasȱitsȱ “commercial”ȱsales.ȱȱHeavyȱWalledȱRectangularȱWeldedȱCarbonȱSteelȱPipesȱandȱTubesȱfromȱ Mexico:ȱResponseȱtoȱtheȱFirstȱSectionȱAȱSupplementalȱQuestionnaireȱ(Oct.ȱ21,ȱ2019)ȱ(P.R.ȱ135– 37,ȱatȱ7–8,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ307–08)ȱ(“Supp.ȱSectionȱAȱResp.”).ȱȱInȱcolumnsȱinȱSupplementalȱ ExhibitȱAȬ4,ȱProlamsaȱpresentedȱdataȱforȱtheȱ“Commercial”ȱandȱ“Industrial”ȱsalesȱ activities,ȱbrokenȱdownȱbyȱ“TotalȱSalesȱPersonnelȱ(Directors,ȱManagers,ȱStaff)ȱ (Headcount),”ȱ“TotalȱSellingȱExpensesȱ(MXNȱ[apparently,ȱ‘Mexican’]),”ȱandȱ“Salesȱ Team’sȱSalariesȱ&ȱBenefitsȱ(MXN).”ȱȱId.ȱatȱEx.ȱSupp.ȱAȬ4,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ325.ȱȱProlamsaȱ summarizedȱthisȱconfidentialȱbusinessȱdataȱonȱpageȱ8ȱofȱtheȱresponse.ȱȱId.ȱatȱ8,ȱ J.ȱApp.ȱatȱ308.ȱȱTheȱdataȱshowȱgenerallyȱthatȱtheȱindustrialȱsalesȱaccountedȱforȱstaffingȱ andȱstaffingȱexpensesȱ(salaryȱandȱbenefits)ȱandȱtotalȱsellingȱexpensesȱthat,ȱwhenȱrelatedȱ toȱtotalȱhomeȱmarketȱ(“MXN”)ȱsalesȱinȱeachȱofȱtheseȱtwoȱcategories,ȱwereȱ proportionallyȱhigherȱbyȱaȱsubstantialȱamountȱthanȱthoseȱofȱtheȱcommercialȱsales.ȱȱId.ȱȱ Describingȱtheseȱquantitativeȱdataȱtoȱtheȱcourt,ȱProlamsaȱdescribesȱthisȱsupplementalȱ questionnaireȱresponseȱasȱpresentingȱ“comparisonsȱofȱsellingȱexpenses,ȱ salaries/benefits,ȱandȱheadcount,ȱallȱdemonstratingȱtheȱsubstantiallyȱhigherȱexpensesȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 17 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ18ȱ ȱ incurredȱforȱsalesȱmadeȱthroughȱHMȱChannelȱ4ȱdueȱtoȱtheȱhigherȱintensityȱofȱsellingȱ activities,ȱsuchȱasȱthoseȱrequiredȱtoȱqualifyȱasȱaȱsupplierȱandȱtoȱcoordinateȱcustomerȬ specificȱinventoryȱandȱjustȬinȬtimeȱdelivery.”ȱȱPl.’sȱBr.ȱ10ȱ(citingȱSupp.ȱSectionȱAȱResp.ȱ atȱ7–8ȱ&ȱEx.ȱSupp.ȱAȬ4,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ307–08ȱ&ȱ325).ȱ Prolamsaȱprovidedȱaȱsecondȱsetȱofȱquantitativeȱdataȱonȱinventoryȱturnoverȱtoȱ illustrateȱthatȱtheȱindustrialȱsalesȱinvolvedȱsubstantiallyȱlongerȱaverageȱinventoryȱ turnoverȱperiodsȱthanȱtheȱcommercialȱsales.ȱȱProlamsaȱarguesȱthatȱtheseȱdataȱ“supportȱ theȱconclusionȱthatȱtheȱsalesȱthroughȱHMȱChannelȱ4ȱhadȱaȱslowerȱinventoryȱturnover,ȱ whichȱresultedȱinȱhigherȱinventoryȱcosts,ȱasȱcomparedȱtoȱsalesȱthroughȱHMȱchannelsȱ 1ȱthroughȱ3”ȱandȱthatȱ“[t]heȱslowerȱinventoryȱturnoverȱwasȱbecauseȱofȱadditionalȱ inventoryȱrequirementsȱforȱjustȬinȬtimeȱdeliveryȱrequirementsȱofȱOEMsȱandȱtoȱ compensateȱforȱspecificȱcustomerȱneeds.”ȱȱPl.’sȱBr.ȱ15ȱ(citingȱSupp.ȱSectionȱAȱResp.ȱatȱ17ȱ &ȱEx.ȱSupp.ȱAȬ8,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ317ȱ&ȱ360).ȱ TheȱFinalȱIssuesȱandȱDecisionȱMemorandumȱdoesȱnotȱspecificallyȱaddressȱtheȱ quantitativeȱdataȱonȱsellingȱexpensesȱandȱinventoryȱturnover.ȱȱInstead,ȱtheȱ Department’sȱanalysisȱproceedsȱdirectlyȱfromȱitsȱinvalidȱfindingȱthatȱProlamsaȱfailedȱtoȱ provideȱdocumentsȱthatȱ“demonstrateȱdirectȱquantitativeȱsupport”ȱforȱProlamsa’sȱ assertionȱ“thatȱthereȱwereȱsignificantȱdifferencesȱinȱtheȱsellingȱactivitiesȱperformedȱ betweenȱhomeȱmarketȱchannelsȱduringȱtheȱPOR.”ȱȱFinalȱI&DȱMem.ȱatȱ27,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ557.ȱȱ Inȱadditionȱtoȱthatȱspecificȱfinding,ȱCommerceȱofferedȱonlyȱoneȱotherȱfindingȱinȱsupportȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 18 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ19ȱ ȱ ofȱitsȱultimateȱconclusion.ȱȱReferringȱtoȱitsȱ“analyticalȱframework”ȱsinceȱtheȱ2018ȱchangeȱ ofȱpractice,ȱCommerceȱconcludedȱthatȱ“[i]nȱapplyingȱthisȱanalyticalȱframeworkȱtoȱtheȱ recordȱevidence,ȱCommerceȱhasȱreachedȱaȱdifferentȱconclusionȱinȱtheȱfinalȱresultsȱofȱthisȱ reviewȱthanȱitȱreachedȱinȱtheȱPreliminaryȱResultsȱbecauseȱitȱhasȱfoundȱthatȱtheȱtotalityȱofȱ theȱrecordȱevidenceȱcontainsȱinadequateȱsupportȱforȱProlamsa’sȱLOTȱclaims.”ȱȱId.ȱatȱ27Ȭ 28,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ557–58.ȱȱThisȱsecondȱfindingȱisȱunsatisfactoryȱinȱtwoȱrespects.ȱȱFirst,ȱitȱisȱ entirelyȱconclusory,ȱhidingȱbehindȱaȱvagueȱandȱunexplainedȱ“totalityȱofȱtheȱrecordȱ evidence.”ȱȱSecond,ȱtheȱactualȱ“totalityȱofȱtheȱrecordȱevidence”ȱwouldȱappearȱtoȱincludeȱ circumstancesȱCommerceȱdescribedȱinȱaȱnumberȱofȱspecificȱfactualȱfindingsȱthatȱ Commerceȱstated,ȱandȱgroundedȱinȱrecordȱevidence,ȱinȱtheȱPreliminaryȱResultsȱbutȱdidȱ notȱidentifyȱinȱtheȱFinalȱResultsȱasȱfindingsȱthatȱitȱwasȱreversingȱorȱabandoning.ȱ Forȱexample,ȱregardingȱ“intensity”ȱofȱsellingȱactivities,ȱCommerceȱstatedȱinȱtheȱ PreliminaryȱResultsȱthatȱProlamsaȱhadȱ“providedȱcertainȱadditionalȱdocumentationȱ adequatelyȱdemonstratingȱthatȱitȱperformedȱ9ȱoutȱofȱ14ȱsellingȱactivitiesȱforȱitsȱHMȱ channelȱ4ȱsalesȱatȱaȱhighȱlevelȱofȱintensityȱ(i.e.,ȱpersonalȱtraining/exchange,ȱengineeringȱ services,ȱqualificationȱrequirements,ȱorderȱinput/processing,ȱinventoryȱmaintenance,ȱ freightȱandȱdelivery,ȱjustȬinȬtimeȱdelivery,ȱtechnicalȱassistance,ȱandȱafterȬsalesȱ services).”ȱȱPrelim.ȱDecisionȱMem.ȱatȱ14,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ482ȱ(footnoteȱomitted).ȱȱForȱtheȱ PreliminaryȱResults,ȱCommerceȱalsoȱfoundȱthatȱProlamsaȱperformedȱcertainȱsellingȱ activitiesȱforȱitsȱ“industrial”ȱsalesȱofȱHMȱChannelȱ4,ȱwhichȱwereȱsalesȱofȱcustomȱ“HWRȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 19 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ20ȱ ȱ pipeȱandȱtubeȱparts,”ȱthatȱitȱdidȱnotȱperformȱforȱitsȱother,ȱi.e.,ȱ“commercial”ȱsalesȱofȱHMȱ Channelsȱ1–3,ȱwhichȱwereȱofȱ“standardȱHWRȱpipeȱandȱtube.”ȱȱId.ȱȱCommerceȱdevotedȱ detailedȱdiscussionȱinȱtheȱPreliminaryȱDecisionȱMemorandumȱtoȱtheseȱ“OEMȬspecificȱ sellingȱactivitiesȱnotȱperformedȱforȱtheȱrestȱofȱProlamsa’sȱhomeȱmarketȱsales.”ȱȱSeeȱid.ȱȱInȱ theȱPreliminaryȱDecisionȱMemorandum,ȱCommerceȱstatedȱthatȱ“Prolamsaȱundertakesȱ significantȱsellingȱactivitiesȱwhenȱsellingȱHWRȱpipeȱandȱtubeȱpartsȱtoȱOEMsȱandȱthatȱ “[b]ecauseȱcertainȱofȱtheseȱOEMȬspecificȱsellingȱactivitiesȱareȱnotȱperformedȱforȱtheȱrestȱ ofȱProlamsa’sȱhomeȱmarketȱsales,ȱitȱisȱclearȱthatȱsubstantialȱdifferencesȱinherentlyȱexistȱ betweenȱhomeȱmarketȱsalesȱofȱstandardȱHWRȱpipeȱandȱtubeȱandȱHWRȱpipeȱandȱtubeȱ parts.”ȱȱId.ȱȱCommerceȱfound,ȱspecifically,ȱthatȱ“[c]riticalȱtoȱtheseȱsalesȱisȱtheȱsuccessfulȱ completionȱofȱtheȱProductionȱPartsȱApprovalȱProcessȱ(PPAP),ȱanȱindustryȬspecificȱ qualificationȱprocessȱthatȱensuresȱqualityȱandȱestablishedȱprocessesȱforȱOEMȱcustomersȱ toȱcertifyȱmanufacturersȱonȱaȱcustomȬ‘part’ȱbasis.”ȱȱId.ȱ(footnoteȱomitted).ȱȱCommerceȱ alsoȱstatedȱthatȱ“ProlamsaȱprovidedȱcontemporaneousȱPPAPȱdocumentationȱ supportingȱcertainȱactivitiesȱperformedȱinȱHMȱchannelȱ4ȱthatȱareȱnotȱperformedȱwithȱ respectȱtoȱotherȱhomeȱmarketȱsales.”ȱȱId.ȱȱ“Forȱexample,ȱwithȱrespectȱtoȱengineeringȱ services,ȱweȱfindȱthatȱtheȱPPAPȱdocumentationȱprovidedȱisȱrepresentative”ȱandȱthatȱ “withȱrespectȱtoȱtechnicalȱassistance,ȱProlamsaȱprovidedȱdocumentationȱdetailingȱwaysȱ toȱreȬengineerȱproductsȱorȱproductionȱprocessesȱinȱorderȱtoȱreduceȱproductionȱprocessȱ costsȱasȱrequiredȱbyȱanȱOEMȱcustomersȱ[sic].”ȱȱId.ȱ(footnoteȱomitted).ȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 20 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ21ȱ ȱ Inȱsummary,ȱtheȱDepartment’sȱanalysisȱrestsȱonȱoneȱfindingȱthatȱisȱcontradictedȱ byȱtheȱrecordȱevidenceȱandȱanotherȱthatȱisȱvagueȱandȱconclusoryȱinȱinvokingȱtheȱ “totalityȱofȱtheȱrecordȱevidence.”ȱȱTheȱcourt,ȱtherefore,ȱmustȱremandȱforȱreconsiderationȱ theȱDepartment’sȱdecisionȱthatȱallȱhomeȱmarketȱsalesȱoccurredȱatȱaȱsingleȱLOTȱandȱtoȱ rejectȱProlamsa’sȱrequestȱforȱaȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱadjustment.ȱ DefendantȱarguesȱthatȱtheȱcourtȱshouldȱsustainȱtheȱDepartment’sȱdecisionȱonȱtheȱ groundȱthatȱ“inȱreachingȱitsȱconclusionȱthatȱtheȱrecordȱevidenceȱwasȱinsufficientȱtoȱ supportȱProlamsa’sȱlevelȱofȱtradeȱclaim,ȱCommerceȱexplainedȱinȱtheȱfinalȱresultsȱthatȱ thereȱwasȱnoȱquantitativeȱevidenceȱthatȱwouldȱallowȱCommerceȱtoȱdetermineȱifȱ Prolamsa’sȱclaimedȱlevelsȱofȱtradeȱwereȱmeaningful.”ȱȱDef.’sȱResp.ȱ12ȱ(citingȱ FinalȱI&DȱMem.ȱatȱ23,ȱ25,ȱJ.ȱApp.ȱatȱ553,ȱ555)ȱ(emphasisȱinȱoriginal).ȱȱThisȱisȱnotȱanȱ accurateȱparaphraseȱofȱtheȱdiscussionȱinȱtheȱFinalȱIssuesȱandȱDecisionȱMemorandum.ȱȱ CommerceȱruledȱasȱitȱdidȱuponȱaȱfindingȱthatȱProlamsaȱfailedȱtoȱprovideȱdocumentsȱ thatȱdemonstratedȱdirectȱquantitativeȱsupportȱforȱProlamsa’sȱassertionȱthatȱthereȱwereȱ significantȱdifferencesȱinȱtheȱsellingȱactivitiesȱperformedȱbetweenȱtheȱindustrialȱandȱtheȱ commercialȱhomeȱmarketȱsalesȱandȱuponȱaȱconclusionȱthatȱtheȱtotalityȱofȱtheȱrecordȱ evidenceȱwasȱinsufficientȱtoȱsupportȱaȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱadjustment.ȱ Evenȱwereȱdefendant’sȱcharacterizationȱofȱtheȱDepartment’sȱdecisionȱcorrect,ȱtheȱ courtȱwouldȱnotȱagreeȱwithȱdefendant’sȱargument.ȱȱTheȱrecordȱevidenceȱdefendantȱ impliesȱisȱnotȱ“meaningful”ȱincludes,ȱinterȱalia,ȱquantitativeȱandȱqualitativeȱevidenceȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 21 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ22ȱ ȱ concerningȱaȱnumberȱofȱsellingȱactivitiesȱthat,ȱaccordingȱtoȱfindingsȱinȱtheȱPreliminaryȱ ResultsȱthatȱCommerceȱdidȱnotȱabandon,ȱuniquelyȱcharacterizedȱtheȱhomeȱmarketȱ industrialȱsalesȱandȱdistinguishedȱthemȱfromȱtheȱotherȱhomeȱmarketȱsalesȱandȱtheȱU.S.ȱ sales.ȱȱInȱsummary,ȱthereȱisȱrecordȱevidenceȱthatȱsalesȱinȱHMȱChannelȱ4ȱinvolvedȱ differentȱandȱmoreȱintenseȱsellingȱactivities,ȱaȱdifferentȱtypeȱofȱcustomerȱ(OEMs),ȱandȱ differentȱproductsȱ(whatȱCommerceȱinȱtheȱPreliminaryȱResultsȱtermedȱcustomȱ“HWRȱ pipeȱandȱtubeȱparts”)ȱthanȱdidȱtheȱ“commercial”ȱsalesȱofȱHMȱChannelsȱ1–3ȱ(whichȱwereȱ ofȱ“standardȱHWRȱpipeȱandȱtube”).ȱ DefendantȬintervenors’ȱargumentsȱparallelȱdefendant’sȱinȱsomeȱrespectsȱbutȱalsoȱ restȱuponȱcertainȱotherȱfindingsȱandȱconclusionsȱuponȱwhichȱCommerceȱdidȱnotȱbaseȱitsȱ decision.ȱȱSeeȱNucor’sȱResp.ȱ11–24;ȱseeȱalsoȱAtlasȱTube’sȱResp.ȱ9–10.ȱȱTheȱcourtȱcannotȱ sustainȱanȱagencyȱdeterminationȱuponȱpostȱhocȱreasoning.ȱȱBurlingtonȱTruckȱLines,ȱInc.ȱv.ȱ UnitedȱStates,ȱ371ȱU.S.ȱ156,ȱ168ȱ(1962)ȱ(“Theȱcourtsȱmayȱnotȱacceptȱappellateȱcounsel’sȱ postȱhocȱrationalizationsȱforȱagencyȱactionȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”).ȱȱInstead,ȱ“[t]heȱgroundsȱuponȱwhichȱanȱ administrativeȱorderȱmustȱbeȱjudgedȱareȱthoseȱuponȱwhichȱtheȱrecordȱdisclosesȱthatȱ [agency]ȱactionȱwasȱbased.”ȱȱSECȱv.ȱCheneryȱCorp.,ȱ318ȱU.S.ȱ80,ȱ87ȱ(1943).ȱ III.ȱȱCONCLUSIONȱANDȱO RDERȱ Commerce,ȱonȱremand,ȱmustȱreconsiderȱitsȱdecisionȱfindingȱaȱsingleȱhomeȱ marketȱlevelȱofȱtradeȱandȱdecliningȱtoȱmakeȱaȱlevelȬofȬtradeȱadjustment.ȱȱThatȱdecisionȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 22 of 23
CourtȱNo.ȱ20Ȭ00166ȱ Pageȱ23ȱ ȱ restsȱsolelyȱuponȱaȱfactualȱfindingȱthatȱisȱnotȱsupportedȱbyȱsubstantialȱevidenceȱandȱaȱ vagueȱandȱconclusoryȱstatementȱdirectedȱtoȱtheȱ“totalityȱofȱtheȱrecordȱevidence.”ȱ Therefore,ȱuponȱconsiderationȱofȱallȱpapersȱandȱproceedingsȱherein,ȱandȱuponȱ dueȱdeliberation,ȱitȱisȱherebyȱ ORDEREDȱthatȱplaintiff’sȱRuleȱ56.2ȱMotionȱforȱJudgmentȱonȱtheȱAgencyȱRecord,ȱ ECFȱNos.ȱ30ȱ(initialȱconf.)ȱ(Mar.ȱ5,ȱ2021),ȱ31ȱ(conf.)ȱ(Mar.ȱ8,ȱ2021),ȱ32ȱ(public)ȱ(Mar.ȱ8,ȱ 2021),ȱbe,ȱandȱherebyȱis,ȱgranted;ȱitȱisȱfurtherȱ ȱ ORDEREDȱthatȱCommerce,ȱwithinȱ90ȱdaysȱfromȱtheȱdateȱofȱissuanceȱofȱthisȱ OpinionȱandȱOrder,ȱshallȱsubmitȱaȱredeterminationȱuponȱremandȱ(“Remandȱ Redetermination”)ȱthatȱcompliesȱwithȱthisȱOpinionȱandȱOrder;ȱitȱisȱfurtherȱ ȱ ORDEREDȱthatȱplaintiffȱandȱdefendantȬintervenorsȱshallȱhaveȱ30ȱdaysȱfromȱtheȱ filingȱofȱtheȱRemandȱRedeterminationȱinȱwhichȱtoȱsubmitȱcommentsȱtoȱtheȱcourt;ȱitȱisȱ furtherȱ ȱ ORDEREDȱthatȱshouldȱplaintiffȱorȱdefendantȬintervenorsȱsubmitȱcomments,ȱ defendantȱshallȱhaveȱ15ȱdaysȱfromȱtheȱdateȱofȱfilingȱofȱtheȱlastȱcommentȱtoȱsubmitȱaȱ response;ȱandȱitȱisȱfurtherȱ ȱ ORDEREDȱthatȱplaintiff’sȱUnopposedȱMotionȱforȱOralȱArgumentȱ(Julyȱ2,ȱ2021),ȱ ECFȱNo.ȱ49,ȱbe,ȱandȱherebyȱis,ȱdenied.ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ /s/ȱTimothyȱC.ȱStanceuȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ TimothyȱC.ȱStanceu,ȱJudgeȱ ȱ Dated:ȱȱDecemberȱ17,ȱ2021ȱ ȱȱNewȱYork,ȱNewȱYorkȱ Case 1:20-cv-00166-TCS Document 53 Filed 12/17/21 Page 23 of 23
Wondering how this text applies to your situation?
Free consultation, no commitment
Describe your situation. Our team will contact you by email about your consultation.
Continue your research in ChatGPT or Claude
Connect Omnilex to search the legal corpus from your AI assistant.