FR 2021-01673

The document from the Federal Register describes a decision by the Department of Commerce regarding an antidumping review concerning frozen warmwater shrimp imported from Thailand. Specifically, it covers the partial rescission of an administrative review related to this matter, initially set for the period between February 1, 2019, and January 31, 2020. The rescission comes after most of the parties who requested the review withdrew their requests, although the review will continue for a single entity named Thai Union. This decision will affect how U.S. Customs and Border Protection assess antidumping duties on these imports.

Summary of the Document

The primary focus of the document is to inform the public about the partial cancellation (rescission) of an ongoing administrative review concerning antidumping duties. These duties are imposed on imported goods to ensure that they are not being sold at unfairly low prices in the U.S., potentially harming local businesses and industries. Initially, a wide array of companies were under this review; however, following the withdrawal of many requests, the review will only continue for Thai Union. The Department of Commerce will guide customs to apply antidumping duties based on prior deposit rates for these entries.

Significant Issues or Concerns

Several concerns are inherent in this document, primarily due to its use of heavy legal and trade jargon. Terms like "antidumping duties," "partial rescission," and "tolling of deadlines" might not be easily accessible to readers not versed in international trade law or economic policy. The document includes references to specific legal codes and regulations, which require expert knowledge or further research to fully comprehend. Additionally, the background context involving previous decisions, such as the 2012-2013 review of Thai Union, is assumed known but might not be clear to the unacquainted reader.

The extensive list of companies for which the review has been rescinded could be overwhelming without offering substantial explanations for each listing. This document's implicit expectations for the reader’s familiarity with previous administrative decisions and legal references could reduce its clarity and effectiveness.

Impact on the Public Broadly

For the general public, this document has limited immediate impact. However, its implications on imported seafood prices could indirectly affect consumer choices and seafood-related businesses. Prices for certain shrimp products may fluctuate, depending on how these antidumping duties influence market dynamics.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders in the seafood industry, especially those involved in importing Thai shrimp, this document presents both challenges and opportunities. Importing companies excluded from the review may experience more stability in duty assessments, avoiding extended administrative scrutiny. Meanwhile, Thai Union, under continued review, might face uncertainties regarding potential duty alterations impacting their economic and operational strategies.

Moreover, stakeholders involved in U.S. shrimp production may view these duties as beneficial, potentially protecting domestic industries from unfair competition. Conversely, U.S. import businesses relying on Thai imports may see this as a hurdle impacting their cost and supply.

Overall, while the partial rescission eases some companies’ administrative loads, the continuation of the review for Thai Union underscores ongoing scrutiny emphasizing adherence to trade regulations.