On December 8, 1999, the Department of Commerce announced its preliminary determinations in the above-referenced antidumping duty (AD) investigations. The period of investigation for these cases is April 1, 1998, through March 31, 1999.

These investigations were initiated on July 20, 1999, along with companion AD investigations involving certain large diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line and pressure pipe from Mexico, and certain small diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line and pressure pipe the Czech Republic and Romania. The preliminary determinations in the investigations involving the Czech Republic, Mexico and Romania will be issued no later than January 26, 2000.

Petitioners

• Certain large diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line and pressure pipe

U.S. Steel Group (a unit of USX Corp. - Fairfield Seamless Pipe Mill), USS/Kobe Steel Company, and the United Steel Workers of America.

• Certain small diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line and pressure pipe

Koppel Steel Corporation, Sharon Tube Company, U.S. Steel Group, USS/Kobe Steel Company, Vision Metals, Inc.(Gulf States Tube Division) and the United Steel Workers of America

Respondents

Japan (both investigations):

Kawasaki Steel Corporation

Nippon Steel Corporation

Sumitomo Metal Industries

South Africa:

Iscor Ltd.

Case Calendar:

Petitions filed: June 30, 1999

Initiation: July 20, 1999

ITC Preliminary Determination: August 16, 1999

DOC Preliminary Determination: December 7, 1999

DOC Final Determination: February 22, 2000*

ITC Final Determination: April 7, 2000

Order: April 14, 2000

* U.S. law allows this date to be extended

If DOC makes an affirmative final determination, the ITC must make a final injury determination within 45 days. If that determination is affirmative, DOC will issue a duty order.

Product Description

The merchandise subject to these investigations is certain large (greater than 4.5 inches and up to 16 inches) and small (less than or equal to 4.5 inches) diameter seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line and pressure pipes. The technical language describing the scope of these investigations will be included in the notice of the preliminary determination which will be published in the Federal Register.

Margins: Preliminary Determination

None of the companies named as respondents in these cases responded to the Department's questionnaire, therefore, all of the margins are based on facts available.

Japan - large diameter

Nippon Steel Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107.80

Kawasaki Steel Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107.80

Sumitomo Metal Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107.80

All Others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68.88

Japan - small diameter

Nippon Steel Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106.07

Kawasaki Steel Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106.07

Sumitomo Metal Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106.07

All Others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70.43

South Africa - small diameter

Iscor Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80.67

All Others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.17