[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 24511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12184]



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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigations Nos. 731-TA-726, 727, and 729 (Final)]


Polyvinyl Alcohol from China, Japan, and Taiwan

Determinations

    On the basis of the record <SUP>1 developed in the subject 
investigations, the Commission determines,<SUP>2 pursuant to section 
735(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. Sec. 1673d(b)) (the Act), 
that an industry in the United States is materially injured or 
threatened with material injury by reason of imports from China, Japan, 
and Taiwan of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA),<SUP>3 provided for in subheading 
3905.30.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States,<SUP>4 that have been found by the Department of Commerce to be 
sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV).<SUP>5
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    \1\ The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR Sec. 207.2(f)).
     <SUP>2  Chairman Watson, Vice Chairman Nuzum, and Commissioner 
Rohr dissenting.
    \3\ The imported product subject to these investigations is PVA, 
which is a dry, white to cream-colored, water-soluble synthetic 
polymer. This product consists of PVA hydrolyzed in excess of 85 
percent, whether or not mixed or diluted with defoamer or boric 
acid. Excluded from the scope of the investigations is PVA 
covalently bonded with acetoacetylate, carboxylic acid, or sulfonic 
acid uniformly present on all polymer chains in a concentration 
equal to or greater than two mole percent, and PVA covalently bonded 
with silane uniformly present on all polymer chains in a 
concentration equal to or greater than one-tenth of one mole 
percent. PVA in fiber form is not included in the scope of these 
investigations.
    \4\ Prior to Jan. 1996, PVA was provided for in subheading 
3905.20.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
    \5\ Commissioner Newquist and Commissioner Bragg, who find that 
an industry in the United States is threatened with material injury, 
further determine pursuant to 19 U.S.C. Sec. 1673d(b)(4)(B), that 
they would not have found material injury but for the suspension of 
liquidation of entries of the merchandise under investigation.
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Background

    The Commission instituted these investigations effective October 5, 
1995, following preliminary determinations by the Department of 
Commerce that imports of PVA from China, Japan, and Taiwan were being 
sold at LTFV within the meaning of section 733(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 
Sec. 1673b(b)). Notice of the institution of the Commission's 
investigations and of a public hearing to be held in connection 
therewith was given by posting copies of the notice in the Office of 
the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, and 
by publishing the notice in the Federal Register of November 9, 1995 
(60 FR 56614). The hearing was held in Washington, DC, on March 26, 
1996, and all persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to 
appear in person or by counsel.
    The Commission transmitted its determinations in these 
investigations to the Secretary of Commerce on May 6, 1996. The views 
of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 2960 (May 1996), 
entitled ``Polyvinyl Alcohol from China, Japan, and Taiwan: 
Investigations Nos. 731-TA-726, 727, and 729 (Final).''

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: May 9, 1996.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-12184 Filed 5-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P