Search Results for agency_names:"Commerce Department"

The Pacific Fishery Management Council is organizing an online meeting focused on Pacific halibut management. This meeting will take place on January 16, 2025, and the public is welcome to attend. The main goal is to prepare recommendations for the International Pacific Halibut Commission's annual meeting in Vancouver. People interested in attending should visit the Council’s website or contact Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt for details on how to join the meeting.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, has received petitions from several firms seeking Trade Adjustment Assistance. These petitions claim that increased imports have negatively affected their businesses and their employees. The EDA is investigating whether these claims are valid and if the firms deserve assistance. People interested in this matter can request a public hearing by following the procedures outlined in EDA's regulations.

The Department of Commerce has preliminarily found that certain steel wire rods from Mexico were sold in the U.S. at prices below normal value between October 2018 and September 2019. They are also partly ending the review of ArcelorMittal Las Truchas, a company that no longer operates, and have confirmed that Grupo Villacero did not sell any of the subject wire rods in the U.S. during this period. People can comment on these preliminary findings, which will affect future duties and deposits for these products.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is opening applications for permits to use deep-set buoy gear to catch fish like swordfish off the coasts of California and Oregon. This is part of a plan to support sustainable fishing and was authorized by amendments to the fisheries management plan. Applicants have from February 1 to March 31, 2025, to apply for these limited entry permits online. The NMFS will issue up to 25 permits annually on a first-come, first-served basis, and priorities will be given in subsequent years to those who applied but didn't receive a permit in the previous year.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has initiated an investigation to determine if ceramic abrasive grains from China are being sold in the U.S. at less-than-fair value (LTFV), which may be harming the U.S. ceramic abrasive grains industry. The investigation stems from a petition filed by Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc., a U.S. producer of these grains. The company claims that these Chinese imports are damaging the U.S. industry by underselling local products and reducing market share. Commerce will evaluate the petition, conduct a preliminary investigation, and identify specific exporters from China to address these concerns.

The Department of Commerce is delaying the final decision on the investigation of copper pipes and tubes from Vietnam, which are suspected of being sold at unfairly low prices in the U.S. market. Initially set to conclude sooner, the decision is postponed until June 16, 2021, following requests from both the exporters and the American Copper Tube Coalition. These parties also requested that provisional measures against these imports be extended from four to six months. The preliminary investigation results were affirmative, prompting this extension to ensure fair trade practices.

The Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Defense, is conducting the Military Panel survey to collect data from active-duty service members and their spouses. The survey is part of a project that aims to recruit at least 2,000 participants to provide nationwide estimates on topics like food security readiness, voting, and harassment and discrimination. Participants will receive surveys bi-monthly, primarily responded to online, with incentives offered for completion. The survey seeks public comments to help reduce the reporting burden and assess the impact of the information collection.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has reviewed an agreement that suspends the investigation of antidumping duties on fresh tomatoes from Mexico. During the period from September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022, the selected companies, Ceuta Produce and VALHPAC, mostly complied with the terms of the agreement except for some minor issues. The agreement still meets important legal standards, like preventing price drops, and no serious violations occurred. The document also reminds parties of their responsibilities regarding handling and disposing of confidential information.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing to issue a permit that would allow for the unintentional capturing or harming of certain endangered marine mammals during commercial fishing activities, specifically in the California thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet fishery. This permit is valid for three years and would authorize incidental takes of humpback and sperm whales, ensuring they meet criteria related to negligible impact and recovery plans. NMFS is seeking public comments on the proposed permit, and detailed information is available for review online.

The U.S. Department of Commerce concluded that dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) from Malaysia is sold in the U.S. at prices lower than its fair value. This investigation covers sales from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. The department will continue suspending liquidation and will notify the U.S. International Trade Commission about their findings to determine if U.S. industries are harmed by these imports. If harm is confirmed, antidumping duties will be set; if not, the case will be closed, and cash deposits refunded.