1:24-cv-00069•Luscious Seafood LLC v. United States
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SlipȱOp.ȱ25Ȭ153ȱ UNITEDȱSTATESȱCOURTȱOFȱINTERNATIONALȱTRADEȱ LUSCIOUSȱSEAFOODȱLLC,ȱ Plaintiff,ȱ v.ȱ UNITEDȱSTATES,ȱ Defendant,ȱ andȱ NTSFȱSEAFOODSȱJOINTȱSTOCKȱ COMPANY,ȱetȱal.,ȱ DefendantȬIntervenors.ȱ ȱȱBefore:ȱȱTimothyȱC.ȱStanceu,ȱJudgeȱ ȱȱCourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱ OPINIONȱANDȱORDERȱ [Remandingȱanȱagencyȱdeterminationȱinȱanȱadministrativeȱreviewȱofȱanȱ antidumpingȱdutyȱorderȱonȱcertainȱfrozenȱfishȱfilletsȱfromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱ Vietnam]ȱ Dated:ȱDecemberȱ15,ȱ2025ȱ CameliaȱC.ȱMazard,ȱDoyle,ȱBarlowȱ&ȱMazardȱPLLC,ȱofȱWashington,ȱD.C.,ȱforȱ plaintiffȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱLLC.ȱȱWithȱherȱonȱtheȱbriefȱwasȱAndreȱP.ȱBarlow.ȱ CollinȱT.ȱMathias,ȱTrialȱAttorney,ȱCommercialȱLitigationȱBranch,ȱCivilȱDivision,ȱ U.S.ȱDepartmentȱofȱJustice,ȱofȱWashington,ȱD.C.,ȱforȱdefendant.ȱȱOnȱtheȱbriefȱwereȱBrettȱ A. Shumate,ȱAssistantȱAttorneyȱGeneral,ȱPatriciaȱM.ȱMcCarthy,ȱDirector,ȱandȱReginaldȱT. Blades,ȱJr.,ȱAssistantȱDirector.ȱȱOfȱcounselȱonȱtheȱbriefȱwasȱK.ȱGarrettȱKays,ȱAttorney, OfficeȱofȱtheȱChiefȱCounselȱforȱTradeȱEnforcementȱandȱCompliance,ȱU.S.ȱDepartmentȱof Commerce,ȱofȱWashington,ȱD.C. Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 1 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ2ȱ ȱ JonathanȱM.ȱFreed,ȱTradeȱPacificȱPLLC,ȱofȱWashington,ȱD.C.ȱforȱdefendantȬ intervenorsȱBienȱDongȱSeafoodȱCompanyȱLimitedȱandȱNTSFȱSeafoodsȱJointȱStockȱ Company.ȱȱWithȱhimȱonȱtheȱbriefȱwasȱMacKensieȱR.ȱSugama.ȱ ȱ NazakȱNikakhtar,ȱWileyȱReinȱLLP,ȱofȱWashington,ȱD.C.,ȱforȱdefendantȬintervenorsȱ CatfishȱFarmersȱofȱAmerica,ȱAmerica’sȱCatch,ȱInc.,ȱAlabamaȱCatfish,ȱLLCȱd/b/aȱHarvestȱ SelectȱCatfish,ȱInc.,ȱConsolidatedȱCatfishȱCompanies,ȱLLCȱd/b/aȱCountryȱSelectȱCatfish,ȱ DeltaȱPrideȱCatfish,ȱInc.,ȱGuidry’sȱCatfish,ȱInc.,ȱHeartlandȱCatfishȱCompany,ȱMagnoliaȱ Processing,ȱInc.ȱd/b/aȱPrideȱofȱtheȱPond,ȱandȱSimmonsȱFarmȱRaisedȱCatfish,ȱInc.ȱȱWithȱ herȱonȱtheȱbriefȱwereȱMaureenȱE.ȱThorsonȱandȱStephanieȱM.ȱBell.ȱ ȱ Stanceu,ȱJudge:ȱȱPlaintiffȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱLLCȱ(“LusciousȱSeafood”ȱorȱ “Luscious”)ȱcontestsȱaȱdecisionȱofȱtheȱInternationalȱTradeȱAdministration,ȱU.S.ȱ DepartmentȱofȱCommerceȱ(“Commerce”ȱorȱtheȱ“Department”)ȱdenyingȱitȱstatusȱasȱaȱ “domesticȱinterestedȱparty”ȱinȱanȱadministrativeȱreviewȱofȱanȱantidumpingȱdutyȱorderȱ onȱcertainȱfrozenȱfishȱfilletsȱfromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱVietnamȱ(“Vietnam”).ȱȱ CommerceȱdeniedȱstandingȱuponȱdeterminingȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱdidȱnotȱqualifyȱasȱ aȱ“bonaȱfideȱwholesaler.”ȱȱBeforeȱtheȱcourtȱisȱplaintiff’sȱmotionȱforȱjudgmentȱonȱtheȱ agencyȱrecord.ȱȱConcludingȱthatȱCommerceȱimpermissiblyȱreliedȱonȱcertainȱfindingsȱ andȱfailedȱtoȱprovideȱanȱadequateȱexplanationȱofȱitsȱreasoning,ȱtheȱcourtȱremandsȱtheȱ decisionȱtoȱCommerceȱforȱreconsideration.ȱ I.ȱȱBACKGROUNDȱ Theȱadministrativeȱdeterminationȱcontestedȱinȱthisȱcaseȱ(theȱ“FinalȱResults”)ȱwasȱ publishedȱasȱCertainȱFrozenȱFishȱFilletsȱFromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱVietnam:ȱFinalȱResultsȱ andȱPartialȱRescissionȱofȱAdministrativeȱReview;ȱ2021Ȭ2022,ȱ89ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱ18,595ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 2 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ3ȱ ȱ Admin.ȱMar.ȱ14,ȱ2024),ȱP.R.ȱDoc.ȱ561,ȱECFȱNo.ȱ43Ȭ1ȱ(“FinalȱResults”).1ȱȱCommerceȱissuedȱ theȱFinalȱResultsȱuponȱtheȱcompletionȱofȱtheȱnineteenthȱadministrativeȱreviewȱofȱtheȱ antidumpingȱdutyȱorderȱonȱcertainȱfrozenȱfishȱfilletsȱfromȱVietnamȱ(theȱ“Order”),ȱ whichȱCommerceȱissuedȱinȱ2003.2ȱȱNoticeȱofȱAntidumpingȱDutyȱOrder:ȱCertainȱFrozenȱFishȱ FilletsȱfromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱVietnam,ȱ68ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱ47,909ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱ Aug.ȱ12,ȱ2003)ȱ(“Order”).ȱȱCommerceȱincorporatedȱintoȱtheȱFinalȱResultsȱbyȱreferenceȱanȱ explanatoryȱdocument,ȱtheȱ“IssuesȱandȱDecisionȱMemorandum.”ȱȱDecisionȱMemorandumȱ forȱtheȱFinalȱResultsȱofȱtheȱAntidumpingȱDutyȱAdministrativeȱReview:ȱCertainȱFrozenȱFishȱ FilletsȱfromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱVietnam;ȱ2021–2022,ȱP.R.ȱDoc.ȱ556,ȱECFȱNo.ȱ43Ȭ1ȱ(Int’lȱ TradeȱAdmin.ȱMar.ȱ5,ȱ2024)ȱ(“FinalȱI&DȱMem.”).ȱ ȱ 1ȱDocumentsȱinȱtheȱJointȱAppendixȱ(Feb.ȱ27,ȱ2025),ȱECFȱNos.ȱ42ȱ(Conf.),ȱ43ȱ (Public)ȱareȱcitedȱhereinȱasȱ“P.R.ȱDoc.ȱ__.”ȱȱCitationsȱtoȱJointȱAppendixȱdocumentsȱareȱ toȱtheȱpublicȱversions.ȱ ȱ 2ȱTheȱOrderȱappliesȱtoȱtheȱfollowingȱproductsȱfromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱ Vietnamȱ(“Vietnam”):ȱ ȱ [F]rozenȱfishȱfillets,ȱincludingȱregular,ȱshank,ȱandȱstripȱfilletsȱandȱportionsȱ thereof,ȱwhetherȱorȱnotȱbreadedȱorȱmarinated,ȱofȱtheȱspeciesȱPangasiusȱBocourti,ȱ PangasiusȱHypophthalmusȱ(alsoȱknownȱasȱPangasiusȱPangasius),ȱandȱPangasiusȱ Micronemus.ȱȱFrozenȱfishȱfilletsȱareȱlengthwiseȱcutsȱofȱwholeȱfish.ȱȱTheȱfilletȱ productsȱcoveredȱbyȱtheȱscopeȱincludeȱbonelessȱfilletsȱwithȱtheȱbellyȱflapȱintactȱ (“regular”ȱfillets),ȱbonelessȱfilletsȱwithȱtheȱbellyȱflapȱremovedȱ(“shank”ȱfillets),ȱ bonelessȱshankȱfilletsȱcutȱintoȱstripsȱ(“filletȱstrips/finger”),ȱwhichȱincludeȱfilletsȱ cutȱintoȱstrips,ȱchunks,ȱblocks,ȱskewers,ȱorȱanyȱotherȱshape.ȱ ȱ NoticeȱofȱAntidumpingȱDutyȱOrder:ȱCertainȱFrozenȱFishȱFilletsȱfromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱ Vietnam,ȱ68ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱ47,909,ȱ47,909ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱAug.ȱ12,ȱ2003).ȱ ȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 3 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ4ȱ ȱ A.ȱȱProceedingsȱConductedȱbyȱCommerceȱ Inȱ2022,ȱCommerceȱpublishedȱaȱnoticeȱinvitingȱrequestsȱforȱanȱadministrativeȱ reviewȱofȱtheȱOrderȱforȱtheȱperiodȱofȱAugustȱ1,ȱ2021ȱtoȱJulyȱ31,ȱ2022ȱ(theȱ“periodȱofȱ review”ȱorȱ“POR”).ȱȱAntidumpingȱorȱCountervailingȱDutyȱOrder,ȱFinding,ȱorȱSuspendedȱ Investigation;ȱOpportunityȱToȱRequestȱAdministrativeȱReviewȱandȱJoinȱAnnualȱInquiryȱServiceȱ List,ȱ87ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱ47,187,ȱ47,188ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱAug.ȱ2,ȱ2022).ȱȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱ identifiedȱitselfȱasȱaȱ“domesticȱU.S.ȱwholesaler”ȱofȱdomesticȱfishȱfilletsȱ(specifically,ȱtheȱ “domesticȱlikeȱproduct”).ȱȱCertainȱFrozenȱFishȱFilletsȱfromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱVietnamȱ–ȱ AntidumpingȱDutyȱAdministrativeȱReviewȱRequestȱ1ȱ(Aug.ȱ31,ȱ2022),ȱP.R.ȱDoc.ȱ2,ȱECFȱ No.ȱ43Ȭ1.ȱȱItȱrequestedȱthatȱCommerceȱreviewȱallȱknownȱVietnameseȱproducersȱandȱ exporters,ȱincludingȱtheȱ“VietnamȬwideȱentity,”ȱofȱfrozenȱfishȱfilletsȱthatȱareȱsubjectȱtoȱ theȱOrderȱ(theȱ“subjectȱmerchandise”)ȱduringȱtheȱperiodȱofȱreview.3ȱȱId.ȱatȱ1–2ȱ&ȱ Attachment.ȱ Inȱtheȱpreliminaryȱresultsȱofȱtheȱreview,ȱCommerceȱpreliminarilyȱconcludedȱthatȱ LusciousȱSeafoodȱdidȱnotȱhaveȱstandingȱasȱaȱ“domesticȱinterestedȱparty”ȱbecauseȱitȱ ȱ 3ȱTheȱtermȱ“VietnamȬwideȱentity”ȱrefersȱcollectivelyȱtoȱVietnameseȱexportersȱandȱ producersȱofȱtheȱsubjectȱmerchandiseȱthatȱdidȱnotȱestablishȱindependenceȱfromȱ governmentȱcontrolȱandȱthereforeȱdidȱnotȱqualifyȱtoȱreceiveȱaȱ“separateȱrate,”ȱi.e.,ȱaȱrateȱ separateȱfromȱtheȱrateȱappliedȱtoȱtheȱVietnamȬwideȱentity.ȱȱSeeȱNonȬMarketȱEconomyȱ AntidumpingȱProceedings:ȱAssessmentȱofȱAntidumpingȱDuties,ȱ76ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱ65,694,ȱ65,694ȱ (Oct.ȱ24,ȱ2011);ȱDecisionȱMemorandumȱforȱtheȱPreliminaryȱResultsȱofȱtheȱAntidumpingȱDutyȱ AdministrativeȱReview:ȱCertainȱFrozenȱFishȱFilletsȱfromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱVietnam;ȱ 2021–2022ȱ7–8ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱAug.ȱ31,ȱ2023),ȱP.R.ȱDoc.ȱ498,ȱECFȱNo.ȱ43Ȭ1.ȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 4 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ5ȱ ȱ failedȱtoȱshowȱitȱwasȱaȱ“bonaȱfide”ȱwholesalerȱofȱtheȱdomesticȱlikeȱproduct,ȱand,ȱ accordingly,ȱcouldȱnotȱsubmitȱaȱvalidȱrequestȱforȱreviewȱofȱVietnameseȱproducersȱandȱ exporters.ȱȱSeeȱCertainȱFrozenȱFishȱFilletsȱFromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱVietnam:ȱPreliminaryȱ ResultsȱofȱAntidumpingȱDutyȱAdministrativeȱReview,ȱPreliminaryȱDeterminationȱofȱNoȱ Shipments,ȱandȱNoticeȱofȱIntentȱToȱRescind,ȱinȱPart;ȱ2021Ȭ2022,ȱ88ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱ61,525,ȱ61,526ȱ&ȱ n.10ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱSept.ȱ7,ȱ2023),ȱP.R.ȱDoc.ȱ499,ȱECFȱNo.ȱ43Ȭ1;ȱDecisionȱ MemorandumȱforȱtheȱPreliminaryȱResultsȱofȱtheȱAntidumpingȱDutyȱAdministrativeȱReview:ȱ CertainȱFrozenȱFishȱFilletsȱfromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱVietnam;ȱ2021–2022ȱ5–6ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱ Admin.ȱAug.ȱ31,ȱ2023),ȱP.R.ȱDoc.ȱ498,ȱECFȱNo.ȱ43Ȭ1.ȱȱForȱtheȱFinalȱResults,ȱCommerceȱ madeȱaȱfinalȱdeterminationȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱlackedȱstandingȱasȱaȱdomesticȱ interestedȱpartyȱandȱrescindedȱtheȱreviewȱofȱthoseȱcompaniesȱforȱwhichȱtheȱonlyȱ pendingȱrequestȱforȱreviewȱwasȱmadeȱbyȱLusciousȱSeafood.ȱȱFinalȱI&DȱMem.ȱ4–10,ȱ33;ȱ FinalȱResults,ȱ89ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱatȱ18,597.ȱ Commerceȱselectedȱtwoȱ“mandatory”ȱrespondentsȱforȱindividualȱexaminationȱinȱ theȱnineteenthȱreview,ȱassigningȱaȱweightedȱaverageȱdumpingȱmarginȱofȱ$0.00ȱperȱ kilogramȱtoȱaȱgroupȱofȱcompaniesȱidentifiedȱcollectivelyȱasȱVinhȱHoanȱCorporationȱandȱ aȱweightedȱaverageȱdumpingȱmarginȱofȱ$0.18ȱperȱkilogramȱtoȱCanȱThoȱImportȱExportȱ SeafoodȱJointȱStockȱCompany.ȱȱFinalȱResults,ȱ89ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱatȱ18,595,ȱ18,596ȱ&ȱn.12.ȱȱ Commerceȱchoseȱtheȱ$0.18ȱperȱkilogramȱrateȱasȱtheȱ“separateȱrate”ȱtoȱapplyȱtoȱfourȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 5 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ6ȱ ȱ otherȱentitiesȱthatȱwereȱnotȱindividuallyȱexaminedȱinȱtheȱreview.ȱȱId.ȱatȱ18,595,ȱ18,596ȱ &ȱn.13.ȱ B.ȱȱProceedingsȱBeforeȱtheȱCourtȱofȱInternationalȱTradeȱ LusciousȱSeafoodȱcommencedȱthisȱactionȱagainstȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱinȱAprilȱ2024.ȱȱ Summonsȱ(Apr.ȱ1,ȱ2024),ȱECFȱNo.ȱ1;ȱCompl.ȱ(Mayȱ1,ȱ2024),ȱECFȱNo.ȱ9.ȱ TheȱdefendantȬintervenorsȱareȱtwoȱVietnameseȱproducersȱ(NTSFȱSeafoodsȱJointȱ StockȱCompanyȱandȱBienȱDongȱSeafoodȱCompanyȱLimited)ȱandȱvariousȱdomesticȱ entitiesȱ(CatfishȱFarmersȱofȱAmerica,ȱAmerica’sȱCatch,ȱInc.,ȱAlabamaȱCatfish,ȱLLCȱd/b/aȱ HarvestȱSelectȱCatfish,ȱInc.,ȱConsolidatedȱCatfishȱCompanies,ȱLLCȱd/b/aȱCountryȱSelectȱ Catfish,ȱDeltaȱPrideȱCatfish,ȱInc.,ȱGuidry’sȱCatfish,ȱInc.,ȱHeartlandȱCatfishȱCompany,ȱ MagnoliaȱProcessing,ȱInc.ȱd/b/aȱPrideȱofȱtheȱPond,ȱandȱSimmonsȱFarmȱRaisedȱCatfish,ȱ Inc.).ȱȱOrderȱonȱInterventionȱ1ȱ(Mayȱ31,ȱ2024),ȱECFȱNo.ȱ24.ȱ PlaintiffȱmovedȱunderȱUSCITȱRuleȱ56.2ȱforȱjudgmentȱonȱtheȱagencyȱrecordȱinȱ Septemberȱ2024.ȱȱPl.’sȱMot.ȱforȱJ.ȱonȱtheȱAgencyȱR.ȱ(Sept.ȱ13,ȱ2024),ȱECFȱNos.ȱ33ȱ(Conf.),ȱ 34ȱ(Public)ȱ(“Pl.’sȱMot.”).ȱ Defendantȱopposedȱplaintiff’sȱmotion.ȱȱDef.’sȱResp.ȱtoȱPl.’sȱMot.ȱforȱJ.ȱonȱtheȱ AgencyȱR.ȱ(Dec.ȱ13,ȱ2024),ȱECFȱNos.ȱ35ȱ(Conf.),ȱ36ȱ(Public)ȱ(“Def.’sȱBr.”).ȱȱTheȱdomesticȱ defendantȬintervenorsȱalsoȱopposedȱtheȱmotion.ȱȱResp.ȱBr.ȱofȱDef.ȬInts.,ȱCatfishȱFarmersȱ ofȱAm.,ȱetȱal.ȱ(Jan.ȱ17,ȱ2025),ȱECFȱNos.ȱ37ȱ(Conf.),ȱ38ȱ(Public).ȱȱTheȱVietnameseȱ defendantȬintervenorsȱopposedȱtheȱmotionȱasȱwell.ȱȱResp.ȱofȱBienȱDongȱSeafoodȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 6 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ7ȱ ȱ Co.ȱLtd.ȱandȱNTSFȱSeafoodsȱJointȱStockȱCo.ȱinȱOpp’nȱtoȱPl.’sȱRuleȱ56.2ȱMot.ȱforȱJ.ȱonȱtheȱ AgencyȱR.ȱ(Jan.ȱ17,ȱ2025),ȱECFȱNo.ȱ39.ȱ PlaintiffȱrepliedȱinȱFebruaryȱ2025.ȱȱRepl.ȱbyȱPl.ȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱLLCȱtoȱtheȱ Resps.ȱbyȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱandȱDef.ȬInts.ȱinȱOpp’nȱtoȱPl.’sȱMot.ȱforȱJ.ȱonȱtheȱAgencyȱR.ȱ (Feb.ȱ13,ȱ2025),ȱECFȱNos.ȱ40ȱ(Conf.),ȱ41ȱ(Public)ȱ(“Pl.’sȱReply”).ȱ II.ȱȱDISCUSSIONȱ InȱmovingȱunderȱUSCITȱRuleȱ56.2,ȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱclaimsȱthatȱtheȱFinalȱResultsȱ areȱ“notȱinȱaccordanceȱwithȱtheȱlaw,ȱnorȱreasonable,ȱwithȱrespectȱtoȱtheȱdeterminationȱ thatȱLusciousȱdidȱnotȱqualifyȱasȱaȱbonaȱfideȱwholesalerȱofȱdomesticȱlikeȱproductȱduringȱ theȱPOR.”ȱȱPl.’sȱMot.ȱ24.ȱ A.ȱȱJurisdictionȱandȱStandardȱofȱReviewȱ Theȱcourtȱexercisesȱjurisdictionȱunderȱsectionȱ201ȱofȱtheȱCustomsȱCourtsȱActȱofȱ 1980,ȱ28ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1581(c),ȱpursuantȱtoȱwhichȱtheȱcourtȱreviewsȱactionsȱcommencedȱ underȱsectionȱ516AȱofȱtheȱTariěȱActȱofȱ1930ȱ(“TariěȱAct”),ȱ19ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1516a. 4ȱȱ Sectionȱ516AȱallowsȱaȱpartyȱtoȱcontestȱaȱęnalȱdeterminationȱthatȱCommerceȱissuesȱtoȱ concludeȱaȱreviewȱofȱanȱantidumpingȱdutyȱorder.ȱȱId.ȱ§ȱ1516a(a)(2)(B)(iii).ȱȱInȱreviewingȱ aȱęnalȱdeterminationȱaccordingȱtoȱSectionȱ516A,ȱtheȱcourtȱ“shallȱholdȱunlawfulȱanyȱ determination,ȱęnding,ȱorȱconclusionȱfoundȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱtoȱbeȱunsupportedȱbyȱsubstantialȱ ȱ 4ȱAllȱcitationsȱtoȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱCodeȱhereinȱareȱtoȱtheȱ2024ȱedition.ȱȱAllȱ citationsȱtoȱtheȱCodeȱofȱFederalȱRegulationsȱhereinȱareȱtoȱtheȱ2023ȱedition.ȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 7 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ8ȱ ȱ evidenceȱonȱtheȱrecord,ȱorȱotherwiseȱnotȱinȱaccordanceȱwithȱlaw.”ȱȱ19ȱU.S.C.ȱ §ȱ1516a(b)(1)(B)(i).ȱȱSubstantialȱevidenceȱrefersȱtoȱ“‘suchȱrelevantȱevidenceȱasȱaȱ reasonableȱmindȱmightȱacceptȱasȱadequateȱtoȱsupportȱaȱconclusion.’”ȱȱSKFȱUSA,ȱInc.ȱv.ȱ UnitedȱStates,ȱ537ȱF.3dȱ1373,ȱ1378ȱ(Fed.ȱCir.ȱ2008)ȱ(quotingȱConsol.ȱEdisonȱCo.ȱofȱN.Y.ȱv.ȱ Nat’lȱLab.ȱRels.ȱBd.,ȱ305ȱU.S.ȱ197,ȱ229ȱ(1938)).ȱ B.ȱȱStatutoryȱandȱRegulatoryȱProvisionsȱGoverningȱRequestsȱSubmiĴedȱbyȱDomesticȱ InterestedȱPartiesȱforȱReviewsȱofȱForeignȱExportersȱorȱProducersȱ ȱ Sectionȱ751(a)(1)ȱofȱtheȱTariffȱActȱdirectsȱCommerceȱtoȱconductȱaȱreviewȱ“[a]tȱ leastȱonceȱduringȱeachȱ12Ȭmonthȱperiodȱbeginningȱonȱtheȱanniversaryȱofȱtheȱdateȱofȱ publicationȱofȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱanȱantidumpingȱdutyȱorderȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱifȱaȱrequestȱforȱsuchȱaȱreviewȱhasȱbeenȱ received.”ȱȱ19ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1675(a)(1)ȱ(emphasisȱadded).ȱȱTheȱstatuteȱdirectsȱthatȱCommerce,ȱ inȱtheȱreview,ȱ“determineȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱtheȱamountȱofȱanyȱantidumpingȱduty”ȱbyȱdeterminingȱ “theȱnormalȱvalueȱandȱexportȱpriceȱ(orȱconstructedȱexportȱprice)ȱofȱeachȱentryȱofȱtheȱ subjectȱmerchandise.”ȱȱId.ȱ§ȱ1675(a)(1)–(2).ȱ Sectionȱ751(a)(1)ȱofȱtheȱTariffȱActȱdoesȱnotȱidentifyȱwhoȱmayȱrequestȱaȱ12Ȭmonthȱ (“periodic”)ȱreviewȱofȱanȱantidumpingȱdutyȱorder.ȱȱTheȱDepartment’sȱregulationsȱ provideȱthatȱaȱ“domesticȱinterestedȱparty”ȱmayȱrequestȱreviewȱ“ofȱspecifiedȱindividualȱ exportersȱorȱproducersȱcoveredȱbyȱanȱorderȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱifȱtheȱrequestingȱpersonȱstatesȱwhyȱtheȱ personȱdesiresȱtheȱSecretaryȱ[ofȱCommerce]ȱtoȱreviewȱthoseȱparticularȱexportersȱorȱ producers.”ȱȱ19ȱC.F.R.ȱ§ȱ351.213(b)(1).ȱȱȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 8 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ9ȱ ȱ Theȱregulationsȱprovideȱthatȱtheȱtermȱ“‘[d]omesticȱinterestedȱparty’ȱmeansȱanȱ interestedȱpartyȱdescribedȱinȱsubparagraphȱ(C),ȱ(D),ȱ(E),ȱ(F),ȱorȱ(G)ȱofȱsectionȱ771(9)ȱofȱ theȱ[Tariff]ȱActȱ[19ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1677(9)].”ȱȱId.ȱ§ȱ351.102(b)(17).ȱȱSubparagraphȱ(C)ȱofȱ sectionȱ771(9)ȱdefinesȱ“theȱtermȱ‘interestedȱparty’”ȱtoȱinclude,ȱinterȱalia,ȱ“aȱ manufacturer,ȱproducer,ȱorȱwholesalerȱinȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱofȱaȱdomesticȱlikeȱproduct.”ȱȱ 19ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1677(9)(C)ȱ(emphasisȱadded).ȱȱSectionȱ771(10)ȱofȱtheȱTariffȱActȱprovidesȱthatȱ “[t]heȱtermȱ‘domesticȱlikeȱproduct’ȱmeansȱaȱproductȱwhichȱisȱlike,ȱorȱinȱtheȱabsenceȱofȱ like,ȱmostȱsimilarȱinȱcharacteristicsȱandȱusesȱwith,ȱtheȱarticleȱsubjectȱtoȱanȱinvestigationȱ underȱthisȱsubtitle.” 5ȱȱId.ȱ§ȱ1677(10);ȱseeȱalsoȱ19ȱC.F.R.ȱ§ȱ351.102(a).ȱȱNeitherȱtheȱTariffȱActȱ norȱtheȱregulationsȱdefineȱtheȱtermȱ“wholesaler”ȱasȱusedȱinȱSectionȱ771(9)(C).ȱ C.ȱȱTheȱContestedȱDecisionȱtoȱDenyȱ“DomesticȱInterestedȱParty”ȱStatusȱtoȱLusciousȱ Seafoodȱ ȱ AfterȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱsubmittedȱitsȱAugustȱ31,ȱ2022ȱrequestȱforȱreviewȱofȱallȱ Vietnameseȱproducersȱandȱexportersȱofȱtheȱsubjectȱmerchandise,ȱCommerceȱsentȱ LusciousȱSeafoodȱtwoȱquestionnairesȱdirectedȱtoȱtheȱissueȱofȱstandingȱasȱaȱdomesticȱ ȱ 5ȱDuringȱanȱantidumpingȱdutyȱinvestigation,ȱtheȱ“domesticȱlikeȱproduct”ȱorȱ “products”ȱareȱinitiallyȱdeterminedȱbyȱtheȱU.S.ȱInternationalȱTradeȱCommissionȱinȱtheȱ preliminaryȱinvestigationȱitȱconductsȱaccordingȱtoȱ19ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1673bȱtoȱmakeȱaȱ preliminaryȱdeterminationȱofȱreasonableȱlikelihoodȱofȱinjuryȱorȱthreatȱofȱmaterialȱinjuryȱ toȱaȱdomesticȱindustryȱorȱofȱmaterialȱretardationȱofȱtheȱestablishmentȱofȱanȱindustry.ȱȱ TheȱCommissionȱconductsȱitsȱfinalȱinvestigationȱtoȱdetermineȱinjuryȱorȱthreatȱofȱ materialȱinjuryȱtoȱaȱdomesticȱindustryȱorȱmaterialȱretardationȱofȱtheȱestablishmentȱofȱanȱ industryȱaccordingȱtoȱ19ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1673d.ȱ ȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 9 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ10ȱ ȱ interestedȱparty.ȱȱCertainȱFrozenȱFishȱFilletsȱfromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱVietnam:ȱ QuestionnaireȱforȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱ1ȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱOctȱ14,ȱ2022),ȱP.R.ȱDoc.ȱ33,ȱECFȱ No.ȱ43Ȭ1ȱ(“InitialȱQuestionnaire”);ȱCertainȱFrozenȱFishȱFilletsȱfromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱ Vietnam:ȱSupplementalȱQuestionnaireȱforȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱ(Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱDec.ȱ13,ȱ 2022),ȱP.R.ȱDoc.ȱ121,ȱECFȱNo.ȱ43Ȭ1ȱ(“Supp.ȱQuestionnaire”).ȱ OnȱOctoberȱ25,ȱ2022,ȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱsubmittedȱitsȱresponseȱtoȱtheȱOctoberȱ14,ȱ 2022ȱ“InitialȱQuestionnaire,”ȱwithȱaccompanyingȱexhibits.ȱȱCertainȱFrozenȱFishȱFilletsȱ fromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱVietnamȱ–ȱWholesalerȱQuestionnaireȱResponseȱ(Oct.ȱ25,ȱ2022),ȱ P.R.ȱDoc.ȱ43,ȱECFȱNo.ȱ43Ȭ1ȱ(“InitialȱQuestionnaireȱResp.”).ȱȱTheȱDecemberȱ13,ȱ2022,ȱ “SupplementalȱWholesalerȱQuestionnaire”ȱrequestedȱ“additionalȱinformationȱregardingȱ LusciousȱSeafoods’ȱ[sic]ȱoperations”ȱandȱadditionalȱdocumentationȱsuchȱasȱtaxȱreturns,ȱ financialȱstatements,ȱandȱdocumentsȱrelatingȱtoȱLusciousȱSeafood’sȱpurchasesȱandȱsaleȱ ofȱtheȱdomesticȱlikeȱproductȱduringȱtheȱperiodȱofȱreview.ȱȱSupp.ȱQuestionnaireȱ1–4.ȱȱOnȱ Januaryȱ3,ȱ2023,ȱLuciousȱSeafoodȱsubmittedȱitsȱresponseȱtoȱtheȱSupplementalȱ WholesalerȱQuestionnaire.ȱȱCertainȱFrozenȱFishȱFilletsȱfromȱtheȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱVietnamȱ –ȱSupplementalȱQuestionnaireȱResponseȱ(Jan.ȱ3,ȱ2023),ȱP.R.ȱDoc.ȱ157,ȱECFȱNo.ȱ43Ȭ1ȱ(“Supp.ȱ QuestionnaireȱResp.”).ȱ OnȱJanuaryȱ27,ȱ2023,ȱCommerceȱissuedȱaȱ“StandingȱMemorandum”ȱfindingȱ preliminarilyȱthatȱ“theȱrecordȱdoesȱnotȱdemonstrateȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafood[]ȱwasȱaȱ bonaȱfideȱwholesalerȱofȱdomesticȱlikeȱproductȱduringȱtheȱPOR”ȱandȱwasȱthereforeȱnotȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 10 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ11ȱ ȱ “aȱdomesticȱinterestedȱpartyȱpursuantȱtoȱsectionȱ771(9)(C)ȱofȱtheȱActȱ[19ȱU.S.C.ȱ §ȱ1677(9)(C)].”ȱȱAntidumpingȱDutyȱAdministrativeȱReviewȱofȱCertainȱFrozenȱFishȱFilletsȱfromȱ theȱSocialistȱRepublicȱofȱVietnam,ȱ2021–2022:ȱLusciousȱSeafoods’ȱStandingȱtoȱRequestȱReviewȱ5ȱ (Int’lȱTradeȱAdmin.ȱJan.ȱ27,ȱ2023),ȱP.R.ȱDoc.ȱ196,ȱECFȱNo.ȱ43Ȭ1ȱ(“StandingȱMem.”).ȱȱ Commerceȱstatedȱthatȱitȱwouldȱ“treatȱLusciousȱSeafood[’s]ȱreviewȱrequestȱasȱvoid”ȱandȱ thatȱitsȱ“reviewȱwillȱbeȱrescindedȱwithȱrespectȱtoȱanyȱcompaniesȱthatȱareȱunderȱreviewȱ exclusivelyȱdueȱtoȱtheȱLusciousȱSeafood[]ȱrequest.”ȱȱId.ȱȱInȱtheȱFinalȱResults,ȱCommerceȱ “continue[d]ȱtoȱfindȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafood[]ȱdidȱnotȱqualifyȱasȱaȱbonaȱfideȱwholesalerȱofȱ domesticȱlikeȱproductȱduringȱtheȱPORȱand,ȱthus,ȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱdoesȱnotȱhaveȱ standingȱtoȱrequestȱaȱreviewȱasȱaȱdomesticȱinterestedȱparty.”ȱȱFinalȱI&DȱMem.ȱ7.ȱ Commerceȱgaveȱvariousȱreasonsȱforȱitsȱreachingȱitsȱultimateȱconclusionȱthatȱ LusciousȱSeafoodȱlackedȱstandingȱasȱaȱdomesticȱinterestedȱparty.ȱȱTheȱcourtȱ summarizesȱtheseȱreasonsȱbelow.ȱȱȱ ExplainingȱinȱtheȱIssuesȱandȱDecisionȱMemorandumȱthatȱ“[t]heȱfocusȱofȱtheȱ analysisȱisȱonȱtheȱpresenceȱofȱbonaȱfideȱwholesalingȱoperations,”ȱid.,ȱCommerceȱfirstȱ statedȱaȱgeneralȱconclusionȱthatȱ“theȱdetailsȱsurroundingȱLusciousȱSeafood[’s]ȱ operations,ȱwhenȱtakenȱasȱaȱwhole,ȱwarrantȱaȱfindingȱthatȱtheȱrecordȱdoesȱnotȱsupportȱ LusciousȱSeafood[’s]ȱclaimȱthatȱitȱwasȱaȱbonaȱfideȱwholesalerȱofȱdomesticȱlikeȱproductȱ duringȱtheȱPOR,”ȱid.ȱatȱ7–8ȱ(citingȱStandingȱMem.ȱ4).ȱȱTheȱIssuesȱandȱDecisionȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 11 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ12ȱ ȱ Memorandumȱconcluded,ȱinȱparticular,ȱthatȱ“Commerceȱwasȱnotȱableȱtoȱconfirmȱtheȱ bonaȱfidesȱofȱLusciousȱSeafood[’s]ȱcommercialȱtransactions.”ȱȱId.ȱatȱ10.ȱ Second,ȱCommerceȱfoundȱthatȱ“LusciousȱSeafood[]ȱfailedȱtoȱprovide,ȱatȱourȱ explicitȱrequest,ȱcertainȱinformationȱ(relatingȱtoȱtheȱcompany’sȱbanking)ȱasȱwellȱasȱ variousȱbusinessȱdocuments,ȱwhichȱweȱdeemedȱrelevantȱtoȱourȱanalysis.”ȱȱId.ȱatȱ8ȱ(citingȱ StandingȱMem.ȱ4).ȱ Commerceȱfound,ȱthird,ȱthatȱresponsesȱbyȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱtoȱtheȱDepartment’sȱ inquiriesȱ“containedȱinconsistenciesȱwithȱrespectȱtoȱtheȱtimingȱofȱitsȱinitialȱactivityȱandȱ theȱpersonnelȱinvolvedȱinȱtheȱcompany’sȱoperations.”ȱȱId.ȱ(citingȱStandingȱMem.ȱ4).ȱ Fourth,ȱCommerceȱfoundȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱ“mischaracterizedȱitsȱ relationshipȱwithȱanotherȱcompany,ȱleadingȱtoȱanȱinconsistentȱrecordȱinȱthisȱregard.”ȱȱ Id.ȱatȱ9ȱ(citingȱStandingȱMem.ȱ4).ȱ D.ȱȱHavingȱFailedȱtoȱDeęneȱWhatȱItȱMeantȱbyȱtheȱTermȱ“BonaȱFide”ȱWholesaler,ȱ CommerceȱProvidedȱNoȱConvincingȱExplanationȱofȱWhyȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱDidȱNotȱ QualifyȱasȱOneȱ ȱ Commerceȱdidȱnotȱdefineȱwhatȱitȱmeantȱwhenȱitȱusedȱtheȱtermȱ“bonaȱfideȱ wholesaler.”ȱȱTheȱliteralȱtranslationȱofȱtheȱLatinȱtermȱisȱ“goodȱfaith.”ȱȱSeeȱBonaȱFide,ȱ Black’sȱLawȱDictionaryȱ(12thȱed.ȱ2024)ȱ(“1.ȱMadeȱinȱgoodȱfaith;ȱwithoutȱfraudȱorȱdeceit.ȱȱ 2.ȱSincere;ȱgenuine.”).ȱ Commerceȱdidȱnotȱpointȱto,ȱorȱbaseȱitsȱdecisionȱon,ȱrecordȱevidenceȱthatȱLusciousȱ Seafood’sȱbusinessȱtransactionsȱduringȱtheȱPORȱwereȱfraudulent,ȱdeceitful,ȱorȱotherwiseȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 12 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ13ȱ ȱ madeȱonȱaȱfalseȱpretense.ȱȱAsȱaȱresult,ȱtheȱDepartment’sȱdecisionȱlacksȱfindingsȱorȱ reasoningȱunderȱwhichȱLusciousȱSeafood’sȱbusinessȱtransactionsȱduringȱtheȱPORȱwereȱ notȱmadeȱinȱgoodȱfaith.ȱȱInstead,ȱCommerceȱ“examinedȱinformationȱrelatingȱtoȱvariousȱ criteriaȱinȱourȱanalysis”ȱandȱexplainedȱthatȱ“[t]heseȱconsiderationsȱincludedȱtheȱ company’sȱlimitedȱhistoryȱandȱtimingȱofȱitsȱestablishment,ȱtheȱlimitedȱnumberȱofȱ transactionsȱduringȱtheȱPOR,ȱandȱtheȱextentȱtoȱwhichȱthoseȱlimitedȱtransactionsȱ reflectedȱaȱcommerciallyȱreasonableȱandȱsustainableȱbusinessȱactivity.”ȱȱFinalȱI&Dȱ Mem.ȱ8ȱ(citingȱStandingȱMem.ȱ3).ȱȱCommerceȱpointedȱtoȱtheȱfactȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱ “madeȱaȱsingleȱsaleȱofȱdomesticȱlikeȱproductȱtoȱaȱretailerȱduringȱtheȱPOR.”ȱȱId.ȱatȱ9.ȱȱ Commerceȱalsoȱnotedȱthatȱthisȱwasȱnotȱaȱprofitableȱsale.ȱȱStandingȱMem.ȱ3.ȱȱThereȱareȱ twoȱproblemsȱwithȱthisȱanalysis.ȱ First,ȱwhatȱCommerceȱdescribedȱasȱitsȱ“considerations”ȱareȱnotȱdirectedȱtoȱ whetherȱtheȱbusinessȱtransactionsȱwereȱmadeȱinȱgoodȱfaithȱbutȱinsteadȱpertainȱ generallyȱtoȱhowȱwellȬestablishedȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱwasȱasȱanȱenterpriseȱduringȱtheȱ POR.ȱȱTheȱIssuesȱandȱDecisionsȱMemorandumȱstates,ȱnevertheless,ȱthatȱ“[i]nȱanyȱcase,ȱ Commerce’sȱtreatmentȱofȱLusciousȱSeafood[]ȱwasȱclearlyȱnotȱbasedȱsolelyȱonȱitȱ[sic]ȱ beingȱaȱnewȱcompany.”ȱȱId.ȱatȱ8.ȱȱRegardless,ȱtheȱIssuesȱandȱDecisionȱMemorandumȱ doesȱnotȱexplainȱwhyȱLusciousȱSeafood’sȱinexperienceȱasȱaȱgoingȱconcernȱatȱtheȱtimeȱofȱ theȱPORȱwasȱaȱconvincingȱreasonȱsupportingȱdisqualificationȱasȱaȱdomesticȱinterestedȱ party.ȱȱInȱtheȱabsenceȱofȱaȱfinding,ȱorȱrecordȱevidence,ȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafood’sȱbusinessȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 13 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ14ȱ ȱ transactionsȱwereȱnotȱmadeȱinȱgoodȱfaith,ȱtheȱDepartment’sȱofferingȱasȱaȱreasonȱforȱitsȱ decisionȱthatȱ“itȱisȱincumbentȱuponȱCommerceȱtoȱprotectȱtheȱintegrityȱofȱitsȱ proceedings,”ȱid.ȱatȱ9ȱ(footnoteȱcitationȱomitted), 6ȱringsȱhollow.ȱ Second,ȱCommerceȱidentifiedȱtheȱsourceȱofȱitsȱconsiderationsȱasȱthoseȱitȱappliesȱ whenȱdeterminingȱwhetherȱaȱU.S.ȱsaleȱqualifiesȱasȱaȱbonaȱfideȱtransactionȱforȱpurposesȱofȱ qualifyingȱaȱpartyȱforȱaȱ“newȱshipper”ȱreview.ȱȱId.ȱatȱ8ȱ&ȱn.20ȱ(listing,ȱasȱnonȬexclusiveȱ “factors,”ȱ“theȱtimingȱofȱtheȱsale;ȱtheȱsaleȱpriceȱandȱquantity;ȱtheȱexpensesȱarisingȱfromȱ theȱsalesȱtransaction;ȱwhetherȱtheȱsaleȱwasȱsoldȱtoȱtheȱcustomerȱatȱaȱloss;ȱandȱwhetherȱ theȱsalesȱtransactionȱbetweenȱtheȱexporterȱandȱimporterȱwasȱexecutedȱonȱanȱarm’sȬ lengthȱbasis”).ȱȱInȱaȱnewȱshipperȱreview,ȱnewȱexportersȱandȱproducersȱmayȱrequestȱaȱ periodicȱreviewȱtoȱreceiveȱanȱindividualȱdumpingȱmarginȱorȱcountervailingȱdutyȱrate.ȱȱ 19ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1675(a)(2)(B)(i).ȱȱAnyȱrateȱassignedȱtoȱaȱnewȱshipperȱ“shallȱbeȱbasedȱsolelyȱ onȱtheȱbonaȱfideȱUnitedȱStatesȱsales”ȱitȱ“madeȱduringȱtheȱperiodȱcoveredȱbyȱtheȱ ȱ 6ȱInȱitsȱfootnote,ȱtheȱagencyȱcitedȱNewȱMexicoȱGarlicȱGrowersȱCoalitionȱv.ȱUnitedȱ States,ȱ953ȱF.3dȱ1358,ȱ1371ȱ(Fed.ȱCir.ȱ2020)ȱandȱHarmoniȱInternationalȱSpiceȱInc.ȱv.ȱHume,ȱ 914ȱF.3dȱ648ȱ(9thȱCir.ȱ2019).ȱȱNewȱMexicoȱGarlicȱGrowersȱisȱinappositeȱbecauseȱtheȱ domesticȱproducerȱthereȱdidȱnotȱcontestȱtheȱadministrativeȱdeterminationȱthatȱitsȱ reviewȱrequestȱcontainedȱmisrepresentations,ȱincludingȱthatȱitȱhadȱnotȱcolludedȱwithȱ theȱexporterȱforȱwhichȱitȱrequestedȱreview.ȱȱN.M.ȱGarlicȱGrowersȱCoal.,ȱ953ȱF.3dȱatȱ 1365–67,ȱ1370–71.ȱȱOnȱtheȱcurrentȱrecord,ȱCommerceȱhasȱnotȱidentifiedȱanyȱcollusionȱorȱ evidenceȱnecessitatingȱthatȱitȱdrawȱuponȱitsȱ“inherentȱauthorityȱtoȱdefendȱtheȱintegrityȱ ofȱitsȱproceedings.”ȱȱSeeȱid.ȱatȱ1371.ȱȱAlsoȱinappositeȱisȱHarmoniȱInt’lȱSpiceȱInc.,ȱaȱdecisionȱ byȱtheȱU.S.ȱCourtȱofȱAppealsȱforȱtheȱNinthȱCircuitȱwithȱnoȱbindingȱauthorityȱonȱthisȱ Court,ȱwhichȱanalyzedȱproximateȱcauseȱunderȱtheȱRacketeerȱInfluencedȱandȱCorruptȱ OrganizationsȱAct,ȱ18ȱU.S.C.ȱ§§ȱ1961–68.ȱȱHarmoniȱInt’lȱSpice,ȱ914ȱF.3dȱatȱ650.ȱ ȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 14 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ15ȱ ȱ review.”ȱȱId.ȱ§ȱ1675(a)(2)(B)(iv).ȱȱTheȱstatuteȱlistsȱsevenȱfactorsȱthatȱCommerceȱ“shallȱ consider”ȱinȱdeterminingȱwhetherȱtheȱU.S.ȱsalesȱwereȱbonaȱfide.7ȱȱId.ȱ §ȱ1675(a)(2)(B)(iv)(I)–(VII).ȱȱBecauseȱtheȱpricesȱinȱaȱU.S.ȱsaleȱorȱsalesȱformȱtheȱbasisȱforȱ theȱnewȱshipper’sȱrate,ȱCommerceȱmustȱensureȱthatȱtheȱsalesȱpriceȱorȱpricesȱareȱnotȱ basedȱonȱartificeȱorȱcollusion.ȱȱHere,ȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱdoesȱnotȱseekȱanȱindividualȱrateȱ forȱitselfȱasȱaȱforeignȱexporterȱorȱproducerȱbutȱinsteadȱclaimsȱaȱneedȱforȱprotectionȱfromȱ unfairlyȱtradedȱimports.ȱȱCommerceȱdidȱnotȱexplainȱhowȱtheȱ“newȱshipper”ȱfactorsȱ uponȱwhichȱitȱreliedȱrelatedȱtoȱtheȱdecisionȱonȱstandingȱitȱwasȱrequiredȱtoȱmakeȱinȱtheȱ review.ȱ E.ȱȱTheȱFindingȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱDidȱNotȱProvideȱRequestedȱInformationȱDidȱ NotȱSupportȱtheȱDepartment’sȱDecisionȱ ȱ CommerceȱdeterminedȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱlackedȱstandingȱbecauseȱitȱ“failedȱ toȱprovide,ȱatȱourȱexplicitȱrequest,ȱcertainȱinformationȱ(relatingȱtoȱtheȱcompany’sȱ ȱ 7ȱThoseȱfactorsȱare:ȱ ȱ (I)ȱtheȱpricesȱofȱsuchȱsales;ȱ (II)ȱwhetherȱsuchȱsalesȱwereȱmadeȱinȱcommercialȱquantities;ȱ (III)ȱtheȱtimingȱofȱsuchȱsales;ȱ (IV)ȱtheȱexpensesȱarisingȱfromȱsuchȱsales;ȱȱ (V)ȱwhetherȱtheȱsubjectȱmerchandiseȱinvolvedȱinȱsuchȱsalesȱwasȱresoldȱinȱ theȱUnitedȱStatesȱatȱaȱprofit;ȱ (VI)ȱwhetherȱsuchȱsalesȱwereȱmadeȱonȱanȱarmsȬlengthȱbasis;ȱandȱȱ (VII)ȱanyȱotherȱfactorȱtheȱadministeringȱauthorityȱdeterminesȱtoȱbeȱ relevantȱasȱtoȱwhetherȱsuchȱsalesȱare,ȱorȱareȱnot,ȱlikelyȱtoȱbeȱtypicalȱofȱ thoseȱtheȱexporterȱorȱproducerȱwillȱmakeȱafterȱcompletionȱofȱtheȱreview.ȱ ȱ 19ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ1675(a)(2)(B)(iv)(I)–(VII).ȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 15 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ16ȱ ȱ banking)ȱasȱwellȱasȱvariousȱbusinessȱdocuments,ȱwhichȱweȱdeemedȱrelevantȱtoȱourȱ analysis.”ȱȱFinalȱI&DȱMem.ȱ8ȱ(footnoteȱcitationȱomitted).ȱȱThoseȱdocumentsȱincludedȱ “copiesȱofȱallȱrequestedȱbusinessȱregistrationsȱandȱtaxȱdocuments,”ȱasȱwellȱasȱ “supportingȱdocumentsȱregardingȱtheȱsource(s)ȱofȱitsȱfunding.”ȱȱStandingȱMem.ȱ3–4.ȱ TheȱfindingȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱ“failedȱtoȱprovide”ȱtheȱrequestedȱbankingȱandȱ businessȱdocuments,ȱasȱstatedȱinȱtheȱIssuesȱandȱDecisionȱMemorandum,ȱFinalȱI&Dȱ Mem.ȱ8,ȱdoesȱnotȱsupportȱtheȱDepartment’sȱdenialȱofȱstanding.ȱȱItȱimplies,ȱwithoutȱ clearlyȱstating,ȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱ“failed”ȱtoȱcooperateȱwithȱCommerceȱorȱhinderedȱ theȱDepartment’sȱstandingȱinquiry.ȱȱTheȱIssuesȱandȱDecisionȱMemorandumȱdoesȱnotȱ demonstrateȱthatȱCommerceȱadequatelyȱconsideredȱrecordȱevidenceȱconsistingȱofȱtheȱ explanationsȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱprovidedȱinȱitsȱquestionnaireȱresponses.ȱ Specifically,ȱwithȱrespectȱtoȱ“businessȱdocuments,”ȱCommerceȱrequested,ȱ“[f]orȱ eachȱstateȱinȱwhichȱLusciousȱSeafood[]ȱdoesȱbusiness,ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱcompleteȱcopiesȱofȱallȱstateȱ filings,ȱincludingȱarticlesȱofȱincorporation,ȱbusinessȱlicenses,ȱandȱtaxȱdocumentsȱfromȱitsȱ initialȱregistrationȱtoȱpresent.”ȱȱSupp.ȱQuestionnaireȱ2.ȱȱInȱresponseȱtoȱtheȱrequest,ȱ LusciousȱSeafoodȱprovidedȱstateȱregistrationȱdocumentation,ȱaȱtaxȱreceiptȱpertainingȱtoȱ thatȱregistration,ȱandȱaȱcopyȱofȱtheȱlatestȱversionȱofȱaȱmunicipalȱbusinessȱlicenseȱthatȱitȱ statedȱthatȱitȱhadȱinȱitsȱpossession.ȱȱSupp.ȱQuestionnaireȱResp.ȱ1ȱ&ȱEx.ȱ1.ȱȱLusciousȱ Seafoodȱexplainedȱthatȱitȱhadȱrequestedȱaȱcopyȱofȱtheȱlatestȱbusinessȱlicenseȱbutȱhadȱnotȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 16 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ17ȱ ȱ yetȱreceivedȱit.ȱȱId.ȱatȱ1.ȱȱItȱexplained,ȱfurther,ȱthatȱitsȱbusinessȱactivitiesȱdidȱnotȱrequireȱ itȱtoȱfileȱanȱincomeȱtaxȱreturnȱduringȱtheȱrelevantȱtaxȱyear.ȱȱId.ȱȱ CommerceȱalsoȱrequestedȱcopiesȱofȱallȱofȱLusciousȱSeafood’sȱ“U.S.ȱgovernmentȱ licensingȱandȱregistrationȱfilings,ȱincludingȱFSISȱFormȱ5020Ȭ1ȱRegistrationȱofȱMeatȱandȱ PoultryȱHandlers.”ȱȱSupp.ȱQuestionnaireȱ2.ȱȱLusciousȱexplainedȱthatȱtheȱformȱCommerceȱ requestedȱwasȱinapplicableȱbecauseȱtheȱcompanyȱwasȱnotȱsubjectȱtoȱaȱregistrationȱorȱ inspectionȱrequirementȱofȱtheȱU.S.ȱDepartmentȱofȱAgricultureȱorȱofȱanyȱotherȱU.S.ȱ governmentȱagency.ȱȱSupp.ȱQuestionnaireȱResp.ȱ2.ȱ Withȱrespectȱtoȱbankingȱinformation,ȱCommerceȱrequestedȱ“[f]orȱallȱbankȱ accountsȱusedȱbyȱLusciousȱSeafood[]ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱcopiesȱofȱbankȱstatementsȱforȱeachȱmonthȱfromȱ theȱcompany’sȱinceptionȱtoȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱPOR,”ȱasȱwellȱasȱ“copiesȱofȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱdepositȱslipsȱ andȱchecksȱwhichȱfundedȱyourȱpurchasesȱofȱtheȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱdomesticȱlikeȱproductȱduringȱtheȱ POR.”ȱȱSupp.ȱQuestionnaireȱ4.ȱȱInȱresponse,ȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱprovidedȱ“screenshots”ȱofȱ itsȱbankȱtransactionȱrecords.ȱȱSupp.ȱQuestionnaireȱResp.ȱ5ȱ&ȱEx.ȱ5.ȱȱInȱtheȱStandingȱ Memorandum,ȱCommerceȱobjectedȱthatȱtheȱscreenshotsȱ“didȱnotȱidentifyȱtheȱownerȱofȱ theȱaccountsȱorȱtheȱsourceȱofȱtheȱfundsȱtherein.”ȱȱStandingȱMem.ȱ4.ȱȱTheȱcourtȱdoesȱnotȱ findȱinȱtheȱrecordȱaȱfactualȱbasisȱforȱCommerceȱtoȱconcludeȱthatȱtheȱscreenshotsȱdidȱnotȱ pertainȱtoȱLusciousȱSeafood.ȱȱCommerceȱdidȱnotȱsendȱfurtherȱinquiriesȱrequestingȱ documentsȱorȱclarifications.ȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 17 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ18ȱ ȱ F.ȱȱTheȱFindingȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafood’sȱResponsesȱ“ContainedȱInconsistencies”ȱ RegardingȱtheȱTimingȱofȱInitialȱActivitiesȱandȱPersonnelȱInvolvedȱinȱitsȱOperationsȱ DidȱNotȱSupportȱtheȱDepartment’sȱDecisionȱ ȱ CommerceȱdeterminedȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱlackedȱstandingȱbecauseȱitsȱ “variousȱresponsesȱcontainedȱinconsistenciesȱwithȱrespectȱtoȱtheȱtimingȱofȱitsȱinitialȱ activityȱandȱtheȱpersonnelȱinvolvedȱinȱtheȱcompany’sȱoperations.”ȱȱFinalȱI&DȱMem.ȱ8.ȱȱ Commerceȱfoundȱ“[t]heseȱfactorsȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱmeaningful,ȱespeciallyȱgivenȱtheȱcontextȱofȱtheȱ companyȱasȱaȱfirstȬtimeȱparticipantȱinȱtheȱproceeding.”ȱȱId.ȱ Theȱ“timingȱofȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱinitialȱactivity”ȱpertainsȱtoȱtheȱdateȱwhenȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱ beganȱoperatingȱasȱaȱdomesticȱwholesaler.ȱȱInȱtheȱInitialȱQuestionnaire,ȱCommerceȱ asked,ȱ“[p]leaseȱprovideȱaȱhistoryȱofȱLusciousȱSeafood[],ȱi.e.,ȱwhenȱyourȱcompanyȱwasȱ incorporated,ȱfirstȱstartedȱoperatingȱ(buyingȱandȱselling)ȱasȱaȱwholesaler,ȱandȱfirstȱ startedȱoperatingȱ(buyingȱandȱselling)ȱasȱaȱdomesticȱlikeȱproductȱwholesaler.”ȱȱInitialȱ Questionnaireȱ1.ȱȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱrespondedȱthatȱ“Lusciousȱwasȱincorporatedȱasȱaȱ DelawareȱdomesticȱlimitedȬliabilityȱcompanyȱonȱMayȱ4,ȱ2021.ȱȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱLusciousȱstartedȱ operatingȱasȱaȱwholesalerȱandȱstartedȱoperatingȱ(buyingȱandȱselling)ȱasȱaȱdomesticȱlikeȱ productȱwholesalerȱinȱ2021.”ȱȱInitialȱQuestionnaireȱResp.ȱ1.ȱȱCommerceȱfoundȱthatȱtheȱ documentationȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱprovidedȱisȱinconsistentȱwithȱanotherȱresponse,ȱwhichȱ disclosedȱthatȱtheȱwholesalingȱactivityȱbeganȱinȱ2022,ȱnotȱ2021.ȱȱStandingȱMem.ȱ4.ȱȱTheȱ courtȱagreesȱwithȱtheȱDepartment’sȱfindingȱthatȱtheȱrecordȱcontainsȱaȱdiscrepancyȱasȱtoȱ theȱdateȱonȱwhichȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱbeganȱoperatingȱasȱaȱwholesaler.ȱȱButȱtheȱcourtȱisȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 18 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ19ȱ ȱ notȱpersuadedȱthatȱthisȱdiscrepancyȱwasȱsufficientȱtoȱsupportȱaȱdenialȱofȱstanding.ȱȱInȱ otherȱquestionnaireȱresponses,ȱLusciousȱreportedȱpurchaseȱtransactions,ȱandȱoneȱsalesȱ transaction,ȱforȱtheȱdomesticȱlikeȱproduct,ȱallȱofȱwhichȱitȱreportedȱasȱtakingȱplaceȱinȱ 2022.ȱȱInitialȱQuestionnaireȱResp.ȱExs.ȱ2ȱ&ȱ4.ȱȱTheȱrecordȱdoesȱnotȱshowȱthatȱtheȱ discrepancyȱwasȱotherȱthanȱanȱinadvertentȱmisstatement.ȱȱHereȱalso,ȱCommerceȱdidȱnotȱ followȱupȱwithȱaȱrequestȱforȱclarification.ȱ Theȱinconsistencyȱregardingȱtheȱ“personnel”ȱinvolvedȱinȱLusciousȱSeafood’sȱ operationsȱpertainedȱtoȱtheȱidentitiesȱandȱnumberȱofȱtheȱcompany’sȱownersȱandȱ employees.ȱȱInȱresponseȱtoȱtheȱDepartment’sȱrequestȱtoȱ“provideȱaȱdetailedȱlistȱofȱallȱ yourȱowner(s)ȱandȱemployee(s)ȱfromȱyourȱinceptionȱtoȱpresent,”ȱSupp.ȱQuestionnaireȱ2,ȱ LusciousȱSeafoodȱidentifiedȱaȱsoleȱownerȱasȱitsȱonlyȱemployee,ȱSupp.ȱQuestionnaireȱ Resp.ȱ2.ȱȱCommerceȱfoundȱthatȱtheȱnameȱofȱtheȱsoleȱownerȱwasȱnotȱtheȱpersonȱidentifiedȱ asȱtheȱbillingȱcontactȱonȱaȱshippingȱinvoiceȱandȱthatȱtheȱphoneȱnumberȱonȱtheȱbusinessȱ licenseȱwasȱregisteredȱtoȱsomeoneȱotherȱthanȱtheȱsoleȱowner.ȱȱStandingȱMem.ȱ4ȱ(citingȱ FrozenȱFishȱFilletsȱfromȱVietnamȱ–ȱRebuttalȱFactualȱInformationȱtoȱLusciousȱSeafood’sȱ WholesalerȱSupplementalȱQuestionnaireȱResponseȱ6ȱ&ȱEx.ȱRFIȬ3ȱ(Jan.ȱ13,ȱ2023),ȱP.R.ȱ Doc.ȱ180–85,ȱECFȱNo.ȱ43Ȭ2);ȱSupp.ȱQuestionnaireȱResp.ȱEx.ȱ6.ȱȱHereȱagain,ȱtheȱflawȱinȱtheȱ Department’sȱanalysisȱisȱthatȱCommerceȱgaveȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱnoȱopportunityȱtoȱ addressȱtheseȱissuesȱbeforeȱdenyingȱitȱstanding.ȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 19 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ20ȱ ȱ G.ȱȱTheȱFindingȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱ“MischaracterizedȱitsȱRelationshipȱwithȱ AnotherȱCompany”ȱDidȱNotȱSupportȱtheȱDepartment’sȱDecisionȱ ȱ Inȱ“‘determiningȱwhetherȱLusciousȱSeafood[’s]ȱcommercialȱactivitiesȱareȱbonaȱ fide,’”ȱDef.’sȱBr.ȱ32ȱ(internalȱcitationȱomitted),ȱCommerceȱconsideredȱ“whetherȱtheȱsalesȱ transactionȱbetweenȱ[LusciousȱSeafood]ȱandȱ[oneȱofȱits]ȱsupplier[s]ȱwasȱexecutedȱonȱanȱ arm’sȬlengthȱbasis,”ȱFinalȱI&DȱMem.ȱ9.ȱȱInȱtheȱInitialȱQuestionnaire,ȱCommerceȱaskedȱ LusciousȱSeafoodȱtoȱ“provideȱtheȱtotalȱquantityȱandȱvalueȱofȱLusciousȱSeafood[’s]ȱ purchasesȱofȱtheȱdomesticȱlikeȱproductȱduringȱtheȱPORȱonȱaȱsupplierȬspecificȱbasis”ȱandȱ toȱ“provideȱadditionalȱdocumentationȱpertainingȱtoȱpurchasesȱofȱdomesticȱlikeȱ product.”ȱȱInitialȱQuestionnaireȱ2–3.ȱȱInȱresponse,ȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱidentifiedȱtheȱ quantityȱandȱvalueȱofȱtheȱpurchasesȱofȱdomesticȱlikeȱproductȱitȱmadeȱduringȱtheȱPORȱ andȱattachedȱ“allȱrelevantȱcommercialȱdocumentsȱgeneratedȱduringȱtheȱcourseȱofȱtheȱ purchase,ȱincluding:ȱpurchaseȬnegotiationȱemails;ȱsupplierȱinvoices;ȱproofȱofȱ payment/receipts,ȱandȱexcerptsȱfromȱtheȱrelevantȱfinancialȱaccounts.”ȱȱInitialȱ QuestionnaireȱResp.ȱ2–3ȱ&ȱEx.ȱ2.ȱ InȱtheȱSupplementalȱWholesalerȱQuestionnaire,ȱCommerceȱaskedȱLusciousȱ Seafoodȱtoȱdescribeȱtheȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱitsȱownerȱandȱtheȱownerȱofȱoneȱofȱitsȱ suppliersȱofȱtheȱdomesticȱlikeȱproduct.ȱȱSupp.ȱQuestionnaireȱ3.ȱȱItȱalsoȱaskedȱLusciousȱ Seafoodȱtoȱ“describeȱinȱdetailȱyourȱrelationshipȱwithȱ[theȱsupplier].”ȱȱId.ȱȱInȱresponse,ȱ LusciousȱSeafoodȱstatedȱthatȱ“[t]hereȱisȱnoȱrelationshipȱwithȱ[theȱsupplier]”ȱbutȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 20 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ21ȱ ȱ explainedȱthatȱtheȱsupplierȱwasȱownedȱbyȱtheȱstepfatherȱofȱLusciousȱSeafood’sȱowner.ȱȱ Supp.ȱQuestionnaireȱResp.ȱ3.ȱ TheȱfindingȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱ“mischaracterized”ȱitsȱrelationshipȱtoȱaȱ supplierȱisȱunsupportedȱbyȱtheȱrecord.ȱȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱdisclosedȱtheȱpersonalȱ relationshipȱbetweenȱtheȱownerȱofȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱandȱtheȱownerȱofȱoneȱofȱitsȱ suppliers.ȱȱLusciousȱSeafood’sȱstatingȱthatȱthereȱwasȱ“noȱrelationship”ȱwithȱtheȱsupplierȱ wasȱnotȱaȱmischaracterizationȱwhenȱinterpretedȱinȱlightȱofȱthatȱdisclosureȱandȱtheȱfactȱ thatȱtheȱrelationshipȱbeingȱdisclosedȱwasȱofȱitsȱowner,ȱnotȱaȱrelationshipȱofȱtheȱ corporateȱentityȱitself.ȱȱȱ TheȱIssuesȱandȱDecisionȱMemorandumȱstatedȱthatȱ“Commerceȱwasȱnotȱableȱtoȱ confirmȱtheȱbonaȱfidesȱofȱLusciousȱSeafood[’s]ȱcommercialȱtransactions,”ȱFinalȱI&Dȱ Mem.ȱ10,ȱbutȱevenȱwereȱitȱassumedȱthatȱtheȱpurchaseȱfromȱtheȱsupplierȱownedȱbyȱtheȱ stepfatherȱwasȱmadeȱatȱlessȱthanȱaȱmarketȱprice—andȱCommerceȱdidȱnotȱfindȱthatȱitȱ was—theȱpurchaseȱatȱissueȱdidȱnotȱmakeȱLusciousȱSeafood’sȱsingleȱsaleȱofȱtheȱdomesticȱ likeȱproductȱaȱprofitableȱsale.ȱȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱdisclosedȱthatȱitsȱsaleȱofȱtheȱdomesticȱ likeȱproduct,ȱwhichȱwasȱmadeȱtoȱanȱunrelatedȱparty,ȱwasȱnotȱmadeȱatȱaȱprofit,ȱandȱitȱ identifiedȱasȱtheȱreasonȱlogisticalȱissues,ȱincludingȱstorageȱcosts,ȱaffectingȱthatȱ transaction.ȱȱSupp.ȱQuestionnaireȱResp.ȱ5–6.ȱȱTheȱsaleȱwasȱforȱaȱsignificantȱquantityȱandȱ valueȱofȱaȱdomesticȱseafoodȱproduct.ȱȱConsideredȱonȱtheȱwhole,ȱtheȱdisclosedȱfactsȱ aboutȱtheȱdomesticȱsaleȱmadeȱbyȱLusciousȱSeafood,ȱincludingȱtheȱfactȱthatȱitȱwasȱnotȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 21 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ22ȱ ȱ madeȱatȱaȱprofit,ȱdoȱnotȱsupportȱaȱfindingȱthatȱtheȱsaleȱwasȱotherȱthanȱbonaȱfide.ȱȱNorȱdoȱ theȱrecordȱfactsȱconstituteȱsubstantialȱevidenceȱtoȱestablishȱaȱlackȱofȱbonaȱfidesȱforȱtheȱ purchaseȱtransactions.ȱ H.ȱȱPlaintiě’sȱRequestȱforȱaȱRemandȱ ȱ Asȱaȱremedy,ȱplaintiffȱȱ requestsȱthatȱtheȱCourtȱremandȱthisȱactionȱtoȱCommerceȱforȱ redeterminationȱwithȱinstructionsȱtoȱfindȱthatȱLusciousȱwasȱaȱdomesticȱ wholesalerȱinterestedȱpartyȱinȱtheȱnineteenthȱadministrativeȱreviewȱwithȱ standingȱtoȱrequestȱaȱreview—andȱthatȱCommerceȱshouldȱnotȱhaveȱ rescindedȱitsȱreviewȱregardingȱanyȱcompaniesȱnamedȱinȱLuscious’sȱ reviewȱrequestȱthatȱmadeȱreviewableȱentriesȱduringȱtheȱperiodȱofȱreview.ȱ ȱ Pl.’sȱMot.ȱ24.ȱ CommerceȱdidȱnotȱreviewȱtheȱVietnamȬwideȱentityȱinȱtheȱFinalȱResults,ȱfindingȱ asȱaȱfactȱthatȱ“[t]hereȱwereȱnoȱentriesȱofȱsubjectȱmerchandiseȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱforȱtheȱVietnamȬwideȱ entity,”ȱFinalȱResults,ȱ89ȱFed.ȱReg.ȱatȱ18,595,ȱandȱprovidedȱthatȱ“forȱallȱVietnameseȱ exportersȱofȱsubjectȱmerchandiseȱthatȱhaveȱnotȱbeenȱfoundȱtoȱbeȱentitledȱtoȱaȱseparateȱ rate,ȱtheȱcashȱdepositȱrateȱwillȱbeȱtheȱrateȱforȱtheȱVietnamȬwideȱentityȱ(i.e.,ȱ$2.39ȱperȱ kilogram),”ȱid.ȱatȱ18,596.ȱȱTheȱcourtȱreachesȱnoȱdecisionȱonȱtheȱvalidityȱofȱtheȱfindingȱ thatȱthereȱwereȱnoȱentriesȱforȱVietnamȬwideȱentityȱbecauseȱLusciousȱSeafood,ȱalthoughȱ havingȱrequestedȱaȱreviewȱofȱtheȱVietnamȬwideȱentityȱatȱtheȱoutsetȱofȱtheȱreview,ȱfailedȱ toȱcontestȱthatȱfindingȱinȱthisȱlitigation.ȱȱSeeȱUSCITȱRuleȱ56.2(c)ȱ(requiringȱaȱpartyȱ contestingȱanȱagencyȱdeterminationȱtoȱidentify,ȱwhereȱapplicable,ȱtheȱfindingsȱmadeȱbyȱ theȱagencyȱthatȱareȱclaimedȱtoȱbeȱ“unsupportedȱbyȱsubstantialȱevidence”).ȱȱTheȱcourtȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 22 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ23ȱ ȱ willȱnotȱorderȱCommerceȱtoȱreviewȱtheȱVietnamȬwideȱentityȱinȱanyȱfurtherȱremedyȱtheȱ courtȱmayȱorderȱinȱthisȱcase.ȱ Further,ȱinȱchallengingȱthatȱtheȱDepartment’sȱstandingȱdetermination,ȱLusciousȱ SeafoodȱdidȱnotȱcontestȱtheȱDepartment’sȱdecisionȱonȱmandatoryȱrespondentȱselectionȱ andȱdoesȱnotȱidentifyȱmandatoryȱrespondentȱselectionȱinȱitsȱrequestȱforȱaȱremedy.ȱȱ Therefore,ȱanyȱremedyȱtheȱcourtȱordersȱwillȱnotȱdirectȱCommerceȱtoȱreconsiderȱitsȱ selectionȱofȱmandatoryȱrespondents.8ȱ Forȱtheseȱreasons,ȱtheȱcourtȱwillȱorderȱCommerceȱtoȱreconsiderȱitsȱdecisionȱ denyingȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱstandingȱasȱaȱwholesalerȱofȱtheȱdomesticȱlikeȱproductȱand,ȱifȱ determiningȱonȱremandȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱhasȱsuchȱstanding,ȱtoȱidentifyȱthoseȱ exportersȱandȱproducersȱthatȱwereȱnotȱindividuallyȱexaminedȱandȱthatȱwouldȱreceiveȱ theȱseparateȱrateȱshouldȱtheȱRemandȱRedeterminationȱbeȱsustained. 9ȱ ȱ 8ȱDefendantȬintervenorȱCatfishȱFarmersȱofȱAmericaȱarguesȱthatȱ“Luscious’sȱ requestȱwouldȱhaveȱalteredȱCommerce’sȱmandatoryȱrespondentȱselection,ȱandȱwouldȱ thusȱhaveȱimpactedȱ(1)ȱtheȱagency’sȱoverallȱworkloadȱandȱmandatoryȱrespondentȱ calculationsȱbyȱeitherȱaddingȱorȱsubstitutingȱaȱmandatoryȱrespondent,ȱandȱ(2)ȱtheȱ calculationȱofȱtheȱseparateȱrate.”ȱȱResp.ȱBr.ȱofȱDef.ȬInts.,ȱCatfishȱFarmersȱofȱAm.,ȱetȱal.ȱ9ȱ (Jan.ȱ17,ȱ2025),ȱECFȱNos.ȱ37ȱ(Conf.),ȱ38ȱ(Public).ȱȱTheȱcourtȱdoesȱnotȱaddressȱtheȱ “mandatoryȱselection”ȱargumentȱbecause,ȱasȱnotedȱabove,ȱplaintiffȱdidȱnotȱcontestȱtheȱ Department’sȱdecisionȱonȱmandatoryȱrespondentȱselectionȱandȱdidȱnotȱseekȱaȱremedyȱ asȱtoȱthatȱdecision.ȱ ȱ 9ȱThisȱCourtȱcontemporaneouslyȱisȱorderingȱaȱremandȱinȱaȱcaseȱcontestingȱ aspectsȱofȱtheȱFinalȱResultsȱunrelatedȱtoȱthisȱlitigation.ȱȱCatfishȱFarmersȱofȱAm.ȱv.ȱUnitedȱ States,ȱCourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00082ȱ(Dec.ȱ15,ȱ2025).ȱȱItȱisȱpossibleȱthatȱtheȱ$0.18ȱperȱkilogramȱrateȱ assignedȱtoȱCanȱThoȱImportȱExportȱSeafoodȱJointȱStockȱCompanyȱandȱtoȱtheȱseparateȱ (Continued…)ȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 23 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ24ȱ ȱ III.ȱȱCONCLUSIONȱ TheȱcourtȱremandsȱtheȱFinalȱResultsȱtoȱCommerceȱforȱreconsideration,ȱinȱ accordanceȱwithȱthisȱOpinionȱandȱOrder,ȱofȱitsȱdeterminationȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱ lackedȱstandingȱasȱaȱwholesalerȱofȱtheȱdomesticȱlikeȱproduct.ȱ Therefore,ȱuponȱconsiderationȱofȱplaintiff’sȱmotionȱforȱjudgmentȱonȱtheȱagencyȱ record,ȱuponȱallȱpapersȱandȱproceedingsȱhadȱherein,ȱandȱuponȱdueȱdeliberation,ȱitȱisȱ herebyȱ ORDEREDȱthatȱPlaintiff’sȱMotionȱforȱJudgmentȱonȱtheȱAgencyȱRecordȱ(Sept.ȱ13,ȱ 2024),ȱECFȱNos.ȱ33ȱ(Conf.),ȱ34ȱ(Public)ȱbe,ȱandȱherebyȱis,ȱgranted;ȱitȱisȱfurtherȱ ȱ ORDEREDȱthatȱCommerceȱshallȱissueȱaȱnewȱdeterminationȱ(theȱ“Remandȱ Redetermination”)ȱinȱwhichȱitȱdecidesȱwhetherȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱhadȱstandingȱtoȱ requestȱanȱadministrativeȱreviewȱofȱcertainȱVietnameseȱexportersȱandȱproducers,ȱ ensuringȱthatȱanyȱfactualȱfindingsȱareȱsupportedȱbyȱsubstantialȱevidenceȱonȱtheȱrecordȱ andȱprovidingȱanȱexplanationȱofȱitsȱreasoning;ȱitȱisȱfurtherȱ ȱ ORDEREDȱthatȱifȱCommerceȱfindsȱthatȱLusciousȱSeafoodȱhadȱstandingȱasȱ describedȱabove,ȱtheȱRemandȱRedeterminationȱshallȱidentifyȱthoseȱexportersȱandȱ producersȱthatȱareȱtoȱreceiveȱtheȱseparateȱrateȱshouldȱtheȱRemandȱRedeterminationȱbeȱ sustained;ȱitȱisȱfurtherȱ ȱ ORDEREDȱthatȱtheȱRemandȱRedeterminationȱshallȱbeȱfiledȱwithȱthisȱCourtȱ withinȱ30ȱdaysȱofȱtheȱdateȱofȱthisȱOpinionȱandȱOrder;ȱitȱisȱfurtherȱ ȱ ORDEREDȱthatȱplaintiffȱandȱdefendantȬintervenorȱshallȱhaveȱ30ȱdaysȱfromȱtheȱ submissionȱofȱtheȱRemandȱRedeterminationȱtoȱsubmitȱtoȱtheȱcourtȱcommentsȱthereon;ȱ andȱitȱisȱfurtherȱ ȱ rateȱrespondentsȱwillȱchangeȱasȱaȱresultȱofȱtheȱoutcomeȱofȱthatȱremandȱproceeding.ȱȱ Shouldȱtheȱagencyȱsoȱchoose,ȱitȱmayȱissueȱaȱsingleȱredeterminationȱinȱresponseȱtoȱtheȱ court’sȱordersȱinȱbothȱcases.ȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 24 of 25
CourtȱNo.ȱ24Ȭ00069ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱPageȱ25ȱ ȱ ȱ ORDEREDȱthatȱdefendantȱshallȱhaveȱ15ȱdaysȱfromȱtheȱfilingȱofȱtheȱlastȱcommentȱ submissionȱtoȱfileȱitsȱresponseȱtoȱtheȱcommentsȱsubmitted.ȱ ȱ _/s/ȱTimothyȱC.ȱStanceu_ȱ TimothyȱC.ȱStanceuȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Judgeȱ Dated:ȱDecemberȱ15,ȱ2025ȱ ȱNewȱYork,ȱNewȱYorkȱ Case 1:24-cv-00069-TCS Document 56 Filed 01/06/26 Page 25 of 25
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