The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has initiated an interim review of its finding on dumped hot-rolled carbon steel plate from Brazil, Finland, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Ukraine, and subsidized hot-rolled carbon steel plate originating in or exported from India, Indonesia and Thailand.

The Tribunal had received a request from Anchor Lamina Inc. for an interim review in order to exclude calcium-argon-refined-Lukins Fineline (trade-mark) or equivalent grade, i.e. ASTM A516 grade 60 modified (desulphurized pressure vessel quality carbon steel plate). Acceptable carbon, manganese, phosphorus, silicon, and sulphur are defined according to plate thickness, and argon/equivalent refining is required for inclusion shape and sulphur control. Physical property certifications for the product are to include ultimate tensile strength and yield strength for longitudinal, transverse and through thickness directions relative to rolling direction. Through thickness certification is only required on plate 2.25 in. (55.625 mm) or thicker.

The Tribunal requested that Anchor Lamina Inc. provide an explanation of the grounds on which it believed that an interim review was warranted. After Anchor Lamina Inc. replied by letter, the Tribunal decided that the request was properly documented and invited comments from interested parties on Anchor Lamina Inc.'s request. Submissions were received from two domestic producers of carbon steel plate, Algoma Steel Inc. and Ipsco Inc., as well as from the Government of Indonesia. Algoma consented to the product exclusion. Ipsco Inc. argued that the request was incomplete because there was no explanation of the grounds for the interim review, as required under SIMA, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Rules and the Guideline for Interim Reviews. Nevertheless, Ipsco Inc. submitted that, if an interim review were to be initiated, it would not oppose the product exclusion. The Government of Indonesia submitted that, with the exception of 2002, Indonesia had not exported carbon steel plate to Canada from 2000 to 2003.

In light of Anchor Lamina Inc.'s request and the three submissions received from parties, the Tribunal decided that an interim review was warranted. The purpose of this interim review is to determine if the finding should be amended to exclude this product. Further submissions by interested parties should be filed no later than July 30, 2004. The Tribunal will proceed with a hearing by way of written submissions, and will make its decision on whether to amend the finding no later than August 23, 2004.