Part I—Imposition of Countervailing Duties
Editorial Notes
Codification
The designations "SUBTITLE IV" and "
§1671. Countervailing duties imposed
(a) General rule
If—
(1) the administering authority determines that the government of a country or any public entity within the territory of a country is providing, directly or indirectly, a countervailable subsidy with respect to the manufacture, production, or export of a class or kind of merchandise imported, or sold (or likely to be sold) for importation, into the United States, and
(2) in the case of merchandise imported from a Subsidies Agreement country, the Commission determines that—
(A) an industry in the United States—
(i) is materially injured, or
(ii) is threatened with material injury, or
(B) the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded,
by reason of imports of that merchandise or by reason of sales (or the likelihood of sales) of that merchandise for importation,
then there shall be imposed upon such merchandise a countervailing duty, in addition to any other duty imposed, equal to the amount of the net countervailable subsidy. For purposes of this subsection and
(b) Subsidies Agreement country
For purposes of this subtitle, the term "Subsidies Agreement country" means—
(1) a WTO member country,
(2) a country which the President has determined has assumed obligations with respect to the United States which are substantially equivalent to the obligations under the Subsidies Agreement, or
(3) a country with respect to which the President determines that—
(A) there is an agreement in effect between the United States and that country which—
(i) was in force on December 8, 1994, and
(ii) requires unconditional most-favored-nation treatment with respect to articles imported into the United States, and
(B) the agreement described in subparagraph (A) does not expressly permit—
(i) actions required or permitted by the GATT 1947 or GATT 1994, as defined in
(ii) nondiscriminatory prohibitions or restrictions on importation which are designed to prevent deceptive or unfair practices.
(c) Countervailing duty investigations involving imports not entitled to a material injury determination
In the case of any article or merchandise imported from a country which is not a Subsidies Agreement country—
(1) no determination by the Commission under
(2) an investigation may not be suspended under
(3) no determination as to the presence of critical circumstances shall be made under
(4)
(5) any reference to a determination described in paragraph (1) or (3), or to the suspension of an investigation under
(6)
(d) Treatment of international consortia
For purposes of this part, if the members (or other participating entities) of an international consortium that is engaged in the production of subject merchandise receive countervailable subsidies from their respective home countries to assist, permit, or otherwise enable their participation in that consortium through production or manufacturing operations in their respective home countries, then the administering authority shall cumulate all such countervailable subsidies, as well as countervailable subsidies provided directly to the international consortium, in determining any countervailing duty upon such merchandise.
(e) Upstream subsidies
Whenever the administering authority has reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that an upstream subsidy, as defined in section 1677–1(a)(1) 1 of this title, is being paid or bestowed, the administering authority shall investigate whether an upstream subsidy has in fact been paid or bestowed, and if so, shall include the amount of the upstream subsidy as provided in section 1677–1(a)(3) 2 of this title.
(f) Applicability to proceedings involving nonmarket economy countries
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the merchandise on which countervailing duties shall be imposed under subsection (a) includes a class or kind of merchandise imported, or sold (or likely to be sold) for importation, into the United States from a nonmarket economy country.
(2) Exception
A countervailing duty is not required to be imposed under subsection (a) on a class or kind of merchandise imported, or sold (or likely to be sold) for importation, into the United States from a nonmarket economy country if the administering authority is unable to identify and measure subsidies provided by the government of the nonmarket economy country or a public entity within the territory of the nonmarket economy country because the economy of that country is essentially comprised of a single entity.
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title VII, §701, as added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2012—Subsec. (f).
1994—Subsecs. (a) to (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (f).
1988—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
1986—Subsecs. (c), (d), (g).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (g).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2012 Amendment
"(1) all proceedings initiated under subtitle A of title VII of that Act (
"(2) all resulting actions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and
"(3) all civil actions, criminal proceedings, and other proceedings before a Federal court relating to proceedings referred to in paragraph (1) or actions referred to in paragraph (2)."
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 261(d)(1)(B)(iii) of
"(a)
"(1) investigations initiated—
"(A) on the basis of petitions filed under section 702(b), 732(b), or 783(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 [
"(B) by the administering authority under section 702(a) or 732(a) of such Act after such date,
"(2) reviews initiated under section 751 of such Act [
"(A) by the administering authority or the Commission on their own initiative after such date, or
"(B) pursuant to a request filed after such date,
"(3) investigations initiated under section 753 of such Act [
"(4) petitions filed under section 780 of such Act [
"(5) inquiries initiated under section 781 of such Act [
"(A) by the administering authority on its own initiative after such date, or
"(B) pursuant to a request filed after such date.
"(b)
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) investigations initiated after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 23, 1988], and
"(2) reviews initiated under section 736(c) or 751 of the Tariff Act of 1930 [
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
"(1) reviews initiated under section 736(c) or 751 of the Tariff Act of 1930 [
"(2) reviews initiated under such sections—
"(A) which are pending on the date of enactment of this Act, and
"(B) in which a request for revocation is pending on the date of enactment of this Act."
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
"(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), this Act [probably should be "this title"], and the amendments made by it [enacting
"(b)(1) The amendments made by sections 602, 609, 611, 612, and 620 [enacting
"(2) The amendments made by section 623 [amending
"(3) The administering authority may delay implementation of any of the amendments referred to in subsections (a) and (b)(1) with respect to any investigation in progress on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 30, 1984] if the administering authority determines that immediate implementation would prevent compliance with a statutory deadline in title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 [this subtitle] that is applicable to that investigation.
"(4) The amendment made by section 621 [amending
"(c)(1) No provision of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 [this subtitle] shall be interpreted to prevent the refiling of a petition under section 702 or 732 of that title [
"(2) The amendment made by section 612(a)(1) shall not apply with respect to petitions filed (or refiled under paragraph (1)) under section 702 or 732 of the Tariff Act of 1930 after September 30, 1986."
Effective Date
"(1) the Agreement on Interpretation and Application of Articles VI, XVI, and XXIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (relating to subsidies and countervailing measures), and
"(2) the Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (relating to antidumping measures),
approved by the Congress under section 2(a) of this Act [
[These agreements entered into force with respect to the United States on Dec. 17, 1979.]
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1801–1899A] of
Investigations Pending on January 1, 1980
"(a)
"(1) If the Secretary of the Treasury has not yet made a preliminary determination under section 303 of that Act [
"(2) If the Secretary has made a preliminary determination under such section 303 [
"(b)
"(1) If the Secretary has not yet made a preliminary determination under the Antidumping Act, 1921 [
"(2) If the Secretary has made under the Antidumping Act, 1921 [
"(c)
"(1) treat any final determination of the Secretary of the Treasury under section 303 [
"(2) treat any final determination of the Secretary of the Treasury under the Antidumping Act, 1921 [
Transition Rules for Countervailing Duty Orders
"(a)
"(1)
"(A)(i) for which the Secretary of the Treasury has waived the imposition of countervailing duties under section 303(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
"(ii) which applies to merchandise other than quota cheese (as defined in section 701(c)(1) of this Act) [subsec. (c)(1) of this section], which is a product of a country under the Agreement,
"(B) published on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 26, 1979], and before January 1, 1980, with respect to products of a country under the Agreement (as defined in section 701(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930) [subsec. (b) of this section], or
"(C) applicable to frozen, boneless beef from the European Communities under Treasury Decision 76–109,
and shall furnish to the Commission the most current information it has with respect to the net subsidy benefitting the merchandise subject to the countervailing duty order.
"(2)
"(A) an industry in the United States—
"(i) is materially injured, or
"(ii) is threatened with material injury, or
"(B) the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded,
by reason of imports of the merchandise subject to the order.
"(3)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) which is not a countervailing duty order to which subsection (a) applies,
"(B) which applies to merchandise which is the product of a country under the Agreement, and
"(C) which is in effect on January 1, 1980, or which is issued pursuant to court order in an action brought under section 516(d) of that Act [
the Commission, upon the request of the government of such a country or of exporters accounting for a significant proportion of exports to the United States of merchandise which is covered by the order, submitted within 3 years after the effective date of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 [see Effective Date note set out above] shall make a determination under paragraph (2) of this subsection.
"(2)
"(A) an industry in the United States—
"(i) would be materially injured, or
"(ii) would be threatened with material injury, or
"(B) the establishment of an industry in the United States would be materially retarded,
by reason of imports of the merchandise covered by the countervailing duty order if the order were to be revoked. A negative determination by the Commission under this paragraph shall not be based, in whole or in part, on any export taxes, duties, or other charges levied on the export of merchandise to the United States specifically intended to offset the subsidy received.
"(3)
"(4)
"(c)
"(1) in effect on the effective date of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 [see Effective Date note set out above] (as added by section 101 of this Act), or
"(2) issued pursuant to court order in a proceeding brought before that date under section 516(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930 [
shall remain in effect after that date and shall be subject to review under section 751 of the Tariff Act of 1930 [
"(d)
"(e)
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
Functions of President under subsec. (b) of this section delegated to United States Trade Representative, see section 1–103(b) of Ex. Ord. No. 12188, Jan. 2, 1980, 45 F.R. 990, set out as a note under
1 So in original. Probably should be section "1677–1(a)".
2 So in original. Probably should be section "1677–1(c)".
§1671a. Procedures for initiating a countervailing duty investigation
(a) Initiation by administering authority
A countervailing duty investigation shall be initiated whenever the administering authority determines, from information available to it, that a formal investigation is warranted into the question of whether the elements necessary for the imposition of a duty under
(b) Initiation by petition
(1) Petition requirements
A countervailing duty proceeding shall be initiated whenever an interested party described in subparagraph (C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) of
(2) Simultaneous filing with Commission
The petitioner shall file a copy of the petition with the Commission on the same day as it is filed with the administering authority.
(3) Petition based upon a derogation of an international undertaking on official export credits
If the sole basis of a petition filed under paragraph (1) is the derogation of an international undertaking on official export credits, the Administering Authority shall immediately notify the Secretary of the Treasury who shall, in consultation with the Administering Authority, within 5 days after the date on which the administering authority initiates an investigation under subsection (c), determine the existence and estimated value of the derogation, if any, and shall publish such determination in the Federal Register.
(4) Action with respect to petitions
(A) Notification of governments
Upon receipt of a petition filed under paragraph (1), the administering authority shall—
(i) notify the government of any exporting country named in the petition by delivering a public version of the petition to an appropriate representative of such country; and
(ii) provide the government of any exporting country named in the petition that is a Subsidies Agreement country an opportunity for consultations with respect to the petition.
(B) Acceptance of communications
The administering authority shall not accept any unsolicited oral or written communication from any person other than an interested party described in
(C) Nondisclosure of certain information
The administering authority and the Commission shall not disclose information with regard to any draft petition submitted for review and comment before it is filed under paragraph (1).
(c) Petition determination
(1) In general
(A) Time for initial determination
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), within 20 days after the date on which a petition is filed under subsection (b), the administering authority shall—
(i) after examining, on the basis of sources readily available to the administering authority, the accuracy and adequacy of the evidence provided in the petition, determine whether the petition alleges the elements necessary for the imposition of a duty under
(ii) determine if the petition has been filed by or on behalf of the industry.
(B) Extension of time
In any case in which the administering authority is required to poll or otherwise determine support for the petition by the industry under paragraph (4)(D), the administering authority may, in exceptional circumstances, apply subparagraph (A) by substituting "a maximum of 40 days" for "20 days".
(C) Time limits where petition involves same merchandise as an order that has been revoked
If a petition is filed under this section with respect to merchandise that was the subject merchandise of—
(i) a countervailing duty order that was revoked under
(ii) a suspended investigation that was terminated under
the administering authority and the Commission shall, to the maximum extent practicable, expedite any investigation initiated under this section with respect to the petition.
(2) Affirmative determinations
If the determinations under clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(A) are affirmative, the administering authority shall initiate an investigation to determine whether a countervailable subsidy is being provided with respect to the subject merchandise.
(3) Negative determinations
If the determination under clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(A) is negative, the administering authority shall dismiss the petition, terminate the proceeding, and notify the petitioner in writing of the reasons for the determination.
(4) Determination of industry support
(A) General rule
For purposes of this subsection, the administering authority shall determine that the petition has been filed by or on behalf of the industry, if—
(i) the domestic producers or workers who support the petition account for at least 25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product, and
(ii) the domestic producers or workers who support the petition account for more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for or opposition to the petition.
(B) Certain positions disregarded
(i) Producers related to foreign producers
In determining industry support under subparagraph (A), the administering authority shall disregard the position of domestic producers who oppose the petition, if such producers are related to foreign producers, as defined in
(ii) Producers who are importers
The administering authority may disregard the position of domestic producers of a domestic like product who are importers of the subject merchandise.
(C) Special rule for regional industries
If the petition alleges that the industry is a regional industry, the administering authority shall determine whether the petition has been filed by or on behalf of the industry by applying subparagraph (A) on the basis of production in the region.
(D) Polling the industry
If the petition does not establish support of domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of the total production of the domestic like product, the administering authority shall—
(i) poll the industry or rely on other information in order to determine if there is support for the petition as required by subparagraph (A), or
(ii) if there is a large number of producers in the industry, the administering authority may determine industry support for the petition by using any statistically valid sampling method to poll the industry.
(E) Comments by interested parties
Before the administering authority makes a determination with respect to initiating an investigation, any person who would qualify as an interested party under
(5) "Domestic producers or workers" defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term "domestic producers or workers" means those interested parties who are eligible to file a petition under subsection (b)(1).
(d) Notification to Commission of determination
The administering authority shall—
(1) notify the Commission immediately of any determination it makes under subsection (a) or (c) of this section, and
(2) if the determination is affirmative, make available to the Commission such information as it may have relating to the matter under investigation, under such procedures as the administering authority and the Commission may establish to prevent disclosure, other than with the consent of the party providing it or under protective order, of any information to which confidential treatment has been given by the administering authority.
(e) Information regarding critical circumstances
If, at any time after the initiation of an investigation under this part, the administering authority finds a reasonable basis to suspect that the alleged countervailable subsidy is inconsistent with the Subsidies Agreement, the administering authority may request the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to compile information on an expedited basis regarding entries of the subject merchandise. Upon receiving such request, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall collect information regarding the volume and value of entries of the subject merchandise and shall transmit such information to the administering authority at such times as the administering authority shall direct (at least once every 30 days), until a final determination is made under
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title VII, §702, as added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (c)(5).
1994—Subsecs. (a), (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c).
"(1) determine whether the petition alleges the elements necessary for the imposition of a duty under
"(2) if the determination is affirmative, commence an investigation to determine whether a subsidy is being provided with respect to the class or kind of merchandise described in the petition, and provide for the publication of notice of the determination to commence an investigation in the Federal Register, and
"(3) if the determination is negative, dismiss the petition, terminate the proceeding, notify the petitioner in writing of the reasons for the determination, and provide for the publication of notice of the determination in the Federal Register."
Subsec. (e).
1988—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (e).
1986—Subsec. (b)(1).
1983—Subsec. (b)(3).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
"Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection" substituted for "Commissioner of Customs" in two places in subsec. (e) on authority of section 802(d)(2) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by section 1324(a)(1) of
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1801–1899A] of
§1671b. Preliminary determinations
(a) Determination by Commission of reasonable indication of injury
(1) General rule
Except in the case of a petition dismissed by the administering authority under
(A) an industry in the United States—
(i) is materially injured, or
(ii) is threatened with material injury, or
(B) the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded,
by reason of imports of the subject merchandise and that imports of the subject merchandise are not negligible. If the Commission finds that imports of the subject merchandise are negligible or otherwise makes a negative determination under this paragraph, the investigation shall be terminated.
(2) Time for Commission determination
The Commission shall make the determination described in paragraph (1)—
(A) in the case of a petition filed under
(i) within 45 days after the date on which the petition is filed, or
(ii) if the time has been extended pursuant to
(B) in the case of an investigation initiated under
(b) Preliminary determination by administering authority; expedited determinations; waiver of verification
(1) Within 65 days after the date on which the administering authority initiates an investigation under
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), when the petition is one subject to
(3) Within 55 days after the initiation of an investigation the administering authority shall cause an official designated for such purpose to review the information concerning the case received during the first 50 days of the investigation, and, if there appears to be sufficient information available upon which the determination can reasonably be based, to disclose to the petitioner and any interested party, then a party to the proceedings that requests such disclosure, all available nonconfidential information and all other information which is disclosed pursuant to
(4)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(i) a least developed country, as determined by the Trade Representative in accordance with
(ii) a developing country with respect to which the Trade Representative has notified the administering authority that the country has eliminated its export subsidies on an expedited basis within the meaning of Article 27.11 of the Subsidies Agreement,
subparagraph (B) shall be applied by substituting "3 percent" for "2 percent".
(D)
(i)
(ii)
(I) the date that is 8 years after the date the WTO Agreement enters into force, or
(II) the date on which the Trade Representative notifies the administering authority that such country is providing an export subsidy.
(5)
(c) Extension of period in extraordinarily complicated cases
(1) In general
If—
(A) the petitioner makes a timely request for an extension of the period within which the determination must be made under subsection (b), or
(B) the administering authority concludes that the parties concerned are cooperating and determines that—
(i) the case is extraordinarily complicated by reason of—
(I) the number and complexity of the alleged countervailable subsidy practices;
(II) the novelty of the issues presented;
(III) the need to determine the extent to which particular countervailable subsidies are used by individual manufacturers, producers, and exporters; or
(IV) the number of firms whose activities must be investigated; and
(ii) additional time is necessary to make the preliminary determination,
then the administering authority may postpone making the preliminary determination under subsection (b) until not later than the 130th day after the date on which the administering authority initiates an investigation under
(2) Notice of postponement
The administering authority shall notify the parties to the investigation, not later than 20 days before the date on which the preliminary determination would otherwise be required under subsection (b), if it intends to postpone making the preliminary determination under paragraph (1). The notification shall include an explanation of the reasons for the postponement. Notice of the postponement shall be published in the Federal Register.
(d) Effect of determination by the administering authority
If the preliminary determination of the administering authority under subsection (b) is affirmative, the administering authority—
(1)(A) shall—
(i) determine an estimated individual countervailable subsidy rate for each exporter and producer individually investigated, and, in accordance with
(ii) if
(B) shall order the posting of a cash deposit, bond, or other security, as the administering authority deems appropriate, for each entry of the subject merchandise in an amount based on the estimated individual countervailable subsidy rate, the estimated all-others rate, or the estimated country-wide subsidy rate, whichever is applicable,
(2) shall order the suspension of liquidation of all entries of merchandise subject to the determination which are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the later of—
(A) the date on which notice of the determination is published in the Federal Register, or
(B) the date that is 60 days after the date on which notice of the determination to initiate the investigation is published in the Federal Register, and
(3) shall make available to the Commission all information upon which its determination was based and which the Commission considers relevant to its injury determination, under such procedures as the administering authority and the Commission may establish to prevent disclosure, other than with the consent of the party providing it or under protective order, of any information to which confidential treatment has been given by the administering authority.
The instructions of the administering authority under paragraphs (1) and (2) may not remain in effect for more than 4 months.
(e) Critical circumstances determinations
(1) In general
If a petitioner alleges critical circumstances in its original petition, or by amendment at any time more than 20 days before the date of a final determination by the administering authority, then the administering authority shall promptly (at any time after the initiation of the investigation under this part) determine, on the basis of the information available to it at that time, whether there is a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that—
(A) the alleged countervailable subsidy is inconsistent with the Subsidies Agreement, and
(B) there have been massive imports of the subject merchandise over a relatively short period.
(2) Suspension of liquidation
If the determination of the administering authority under paragraph (1) is affirmative, then any suspension of liquidation ordered under subsection (d)(2) shall apply, or, if notice of such suspension of liquidation is already published, be amended to apply, to unliquidated entries of merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the later of—
(A) the date which is 90 days before the date on which the suspension of liquidation was first ordered, or
(B) the date on which notice of the determination to initiate the investigation is published in the Federal Register.
(f) Notice of determination
Whenever the Commission or the administering authority makes a determination under this section, the Commission or the administering authority, as the case may be, shall notify the petitioner, and other parties to the investigation, and the Commission or the administering authority (whichever is appropriate) of its determination. The administering authority shall include with such notification the facts and conclusions on which its determination is based. Not later than 5 days after the date on which the determination is required to be made under subsection (a)(2), the Commission shall transmit to the administering authority the facts and conclusions on which its determination is based.
(g) Time period where upstream subsidization is involved
(1) In general
Whenever the administering authority concludes prior to a preliminary determination under subsection (b), that there is a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that an upstream subsidy is being bestowed, the time period within which a preliminary determination must be made shall be extended to 250 days after the filing of a petition under
(2) Exceptions
Whenever the administering authority concludes, after a preliminary determination under subsection (b), that there is a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that an upstream subsidy is being bestowed—
(A) in cases in which the preliminary determination was negative, the time period within which a final determination must be made shall be extended to 165 or 225 days, as appropriate, under
(B) in cases in which the preliminary determination is affirmative, the determination concerning upstream subsidization—
(i) need not be made until the conclusion of the first annual review under
(ii) will be made in the investigation and the time period within which a final determination must be made shall be extended to 165 or 225 days, as appropriate, under
There may be an extension of time for the making of a final determination under this subsection only if the administering authority determines that such additional time is necessary to make the required determination concerning upstream subsidization.
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title VII, §703, as added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (b)(1).
1994—Subsec. (a).
"(1) an industry in the United States—
"(A) is materially injured, or
"(B) is threatened with material injury, or
"(2) the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded,
by reason of imports of the merchandise which is the subject of the investigation by the administering authority. If that determination is negative, the investigation shall be terminated."
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (e)(1).
"(A) the alleged subsidy is inconsistent with the Agreement, and
"(B) there have been massive imports of the class or kind of merchandise which is the subject of the investigation over a relatively short period."
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(1).
1988—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (e)(1).
1986—Subsecs. (g), (h).
1984—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (h).
1983—Subsec. (b).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by section 1324(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1801–1899A] of
Executive Documents
Uruguay Round Agreements: Entry Into Force
The Uruguay Round Agreements, including the World Trade Organization Agreement and agreements annexed to that Agreement, as referred to in
1 So in original. The words "as appropriate," probably should not appear.
§1671c. Termination or suspension of investigation
(a) Termination of investigation upon withdrawal of petition
(1) In general
(A) Withdrawal of petition
Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), an investigation under this part may be terminated by either the administering authority or the Commission, after notice to all parties to the investigation, upon withdrawal of the petition by the petitioner or by the administering authority if the investigation was initiated under
(B) Refiling of petition
If, within 3 months after the withdrawal of a petition under subparagraph (A), a new petition is filed seeking the imposition of duties on both the subject merchandise of the withdrawn petition and the subject merchandise from another country, the administering authority and the Commission may use in the investigation initiated pursuant to the new petition any records compiled in an investigation conducted pursuant to the withdrawn petition. This subparagraph applies only with respect to the first withdrawal of a petition.
(2) Special rules for quantitative restriction agreements
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the administering authority may not terminate an investigation under paragraph (1) by accepting, with the government of the country in which the countervailable subsidy practice is alleged to occur, an understanding or other kind of agreement to limit the volume of imports into the United States of the subject merchandise unless the administering authority is satisfied that termination on the basis of that agreement is in the public interest.
(B) Public interest factors
In making a decision under subparagraph (A) regarding the public interest, the administering authority shall take into account—
(i) whether, based upon the relative impact on consumer prices and the availability of supplies of the merchandise, the agreement would have a greater adverse impact on United States consumers than the imposition of countervailing duties;
(ii) the relative impact on the international economic interests of the United States; and
(iii) the relative impact on the competitiveness of the domestic industry producing the like merchandise, including any such impact on employment and investment in that industry.
(C) Prior consultations
Before making a decision under subparagraph (A) regarding the public interest, the administering authority shall, to the extent practicable, consult with—
(i) potentially affected consuming industries; and
(ii) potentially affected producers and workers in the domestic industry producing the like merchandise, including producers and workers not party to the investigation.
(3) Limitation on termination by Commission
The Commission may not terminate an investigation under paragraph (1) before a preliminary determination is made by the administering authority under
(b) Agreements to eliminate or offset completely a countervailable subsidy or to cease exports of subject merchandise
The administering authority may suspend an investigation if the government of the country in which the countervailable subsidy practice is alleged to occur agrees, or exporters who account for substantially all of the imports of the subject merchandise agree—
(1) to eliminate the countervailable subsidy completely or to offset completely the amount of the net countervailable subsidy, with respect to that merchandise exported directly or indirectly to the United States, within 6 months after the date on which the investigation is suspended, or
(2) to cease exports of that merchandise to the United States within 6 months after the date on which the investigation is suspended.
(c) Agreements eliminating injurious effect
(1) General rule
If the administering authority determines that extraordinary circumstances are present in a case, it may suspend an investigation upon the acceptance of an agreement from a government described in subsection (b), or from exporters described in subsection (b), if the agreement will eliminate completely the injurious effect of exports to the United States of the subject merchandise.
(2) Certain additional requirements
Except in the case of an agreement by a foreign government to restrict the volume of imports of the subject merchandise into the United States, the administering authority may not accept an agreement under this subsection unless—
(A) the suppression or undercutting of price levels of domestic products by imports of that merchandise will be prevented, and
(B) at least 85 percent of the net countervailable subsidy will be offset.
(3) Quantitative restrictions agreements
The administering authority may accept an agreement with a foreign government under this subsection to restrict the volume of imports of subject merchandise into the United States, but it may not accept such an agreement with exporters.
(4) Definition of extraordinary circumstances
(A) Extraordinary circumstances
For purposes of this subsection, the term "extraordinary circumstances" means circumstances in which—
(i) suspension of an investigation will be more beneficial to the domestic industry than continuation of the investigation, and
(ii) the investigation is complex.
(B) Complex
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "complex" means—
(i) there are a large number of alleged countervailable subsidy practices and the practices are complicated,
(ii) the issues raised are novel, or
(iii) the number of exporters involved is large.
(d) Additional rules and conditions
(1) Public interest; monitoring
The administering authority shall not accept an agreement under subsection (b) or (c) unless—
(A) it is satisfied that suspension of the investigation is in the public interest, and
(B) effective monitoring of the agreement by the United States is practicable.
Where practicable, the administering authority shall provide to the exporters who would have been subject to the agreement the reasons for not accepting the agreement and, to the extent possible, an opportunity to submit comments thereon. In applying subparagraph (A) with respect to any quantitative restriction agreement under subsection (c), the administering authority shall take into account, in addition to such other factors as are considered necessary or appropriate, the factors set forth in subsection (a)(2)(B)(i), (ii), and (iii) as they apply to the proposed suspension and agreement, after consulting with the appropriate consuming industries, producers, and workers referred to in subsection (a)(2)(C)(i) and (ii).
(2) Exports of merchandise to United States not to increase during interim period
The administering authority may not accept any agreement under subsection (b) unless that agreement provides a means of ensuring that the quantity of the merchandise covered by that agreement exported to the United States during the period provided for elimination or offset of the countervailable subsidy or cessation of exports does not exceed the quantity of such merchandise exported to the United States during the most recent representative period determined by the administering authority.
(3) Regulations governing entry or withdrawals
In order to carry out an agreement concluded under subsection (b) or (c), the administering authority is authorized to prescribe regulations governing the entry, or withdrawal from warehouse, for consumption of subject merchandise.
(e) Suspension of investigation procedure
Before an investigation may be suspended under subsection (b) or (c) the administering authority shall—
(1) notify the petitioner of, and consult with the petitioner concerning, its intention to suspend the investigation, and notify other parties to the investigation and the Commission not less than 30 days before the date on which it suspends the investigation,
(2) provide a copy of the proposed agreement to the petitioner at the time of the notification, together with an explanation of how the agreement will be carried out and enforced (including any action required of foreign governments), and of how the agreement will meet the requirements of subsections (b) and (d) or (c) and (d), and
(3) permit all interested parties described in
(f) Effects of suspension of investigation
(1) In general
If the administering authority determines to suspend an investigation upon acceptance of an agreement described in subsection (b) or (c), then—
(A) it shall suspend the investigation, publish notice of suspension of the investigation, and issue an affirmative preliminary determination under
(B) the Commission shall suspend any investigation it is conducting with respect to that merchandise, and
(C) the suspension of investigation shall take effect on the day on which such notice is published.
(2) Liquidation of entries
(A) Cessation of exports; complete elimination of net countervailable subsidy
If the agreement accepted by the administering authority is an agreement described in subsection (b), then—
(i) notwithstanding the affirmative preliminary determination required under paragraph (1)(A), the liquidation of entries of subject merchandise shall not be suspended under
(ii) if the liquidation of entries of such merchandise was suspended pursuant to a previous affirmative preliminary determination in the same case with respect to such merchandise, that suspension of liquidation shall terminate, and
(iii) the administering authority shall refund any cash deposit and release any bond or other security deposited under
(B) Other agreements
If the agreement accepted by the administering authority is an agreement described in subsection (c), then the liquidation of entries of the subject merchandise shall be suspended under
(3) Where investigation is continued
If, pursuant to subsection (g), the administering authority and the Commission continue an investigation in which an agreement has been accepted under subsection (b) or (c), then—
(A) if the final determination by the administering authority or the Commission under
(B) if the final determinations by the administering authority and the Commission under such section are affirmative, the agreement shall remain in force, but the administering authority shall not issue a countervailing duty order in the case so long as—
(i) the agreement remains in force,
(ii) the agreement continues to meet the requirements of subsections (b) and (d) or (c) and (d), and
(iii) the parties to the agreement carry out their obligations under the agreement in accordance with its terms.
(g) Investigation to be continued upon request
If the administering authority, within 20 days after the date of publication of the notice of suspension of an investigation, receives a request for the continuation of the investigation from—
(1) the government of the country in which the countervailable subsidy practice is alleged to occur, or
(2) an interested party described in subparagraph (C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) of
then the administering authority and the Commission shall continue the investigation.
(h) Review of suspension
(1) In general
Within 20 days after the suspension of an investigation under subsection (c), an interested party which is a party to the investigation and which is described in subparagraph (C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) of
(2) Commission investigation
Upon receipt of a review petition under paragraph (1), the Commission shall, within 75 days after the date on which the petition is filed with it, determine whether the injurious effect of imports of the subject merchandise is eliminated completely by the agreement. If the Commission's determination under this subsection is negative, the investigation shall be resumed on the date of publication of notice of such determination as if the affirmative preliminary determination under
(3) Suspension of liquidation to continue during review period
The suspension of liquidation of entries of the subject merchandise shall terminate at the close of the 20-day period beginning on the day after the date on which notice of suspension of the investigation is published in the Federal Register, or, if a review petition is filed under paragraph (1) with respect to the suspension of the investigation, in the case of an affirmative determination by the Commission under paragraph (2), the date on which notice of the affirmative determination by the Commission is published. If the determination of the Commission under paragraph (2) is affirmative, then the administering authority shall—
(A) terminate the suspension of liquidation under
(B) release any bond or other security, and refund any cash deposit, required under
(i) Violation of agreement
(1) In general
If the administering authority determines that an agreement accepted under subsection (b) or (c) is being, or has been, violated, or no longer meets the requirements of such subsection (other than the requirement, under subsection (c)(1), of elimination of injury) and subsection (d), then, on the date of publication of its determination, it shall—
(A) suspend liquidation under
(i) the date which is 90 days before the date of publication of the notice of suspension of liquidation, or
(ii) the date on which the merchandise, the sale or export to the United States of which was in violation of the agreement, or under an agreement which no longer meets the requirements of subsections (b) and (d) or (c) and (d), was first entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption,
(B) if the investigation was not completed, resume the investigation as if its affirmative preliminary determination under
(C) if the investigation was completed under subsection (g), issue a countervailing duty order under
(D) if it considers the violation to be intentional, notify the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection who shall take appropriate action under paragraph (2), and
(E) notify the petitioner, interested parties who are or were parties to the investigation, and the Commission of its action under this paragraph.
(2) Intentional violation to be punished by civil penalty
Any person who intentionally violates an agreement accepted by the administering authority under subsection (b) or (c) shall be subject to a civil penalty assessed in the same amount, in the same manner, and under the same procedure, as the penalty imposed for a fraudulent violation of
(j) Determination not to take agreement into account
In making a final determination under
(k) Termination of investigations initiated by administering authority
The administering authority may terminate any investigation initiated by the administering authority under
(l) Special rule for regional industry investigations
(1) Suspension agreements
If the Commission makes a regional industry determination under
(2) Requirements for suspension agreements
Any agreement described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to all the requirements imposed under this section for other agreements under subsection (b) or (c), except that if the Commission makes a regional industry determination described in paragraph (1) in the final affirmative determination under
(3) Effect of suspension agreement on countervailing duty order
If an agreement described in paragraph (1) is accepted after the countervailing duty order is published, the administering authority shall rescind the order, refund any cash deposit and release any bond or other security deposited under
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title VII, §704, as added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1), (2).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(i).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (f)(1)(A).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(i), (iii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (l).
1988—Subsecs. (g)(2), (h)(1).
1986—Subsec. (d)(2), (3).
Subsec. (i)(1)(D).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2), (3).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsecs. (g)(2), (h)(1).
Subsec. (i)(1)(D), (E).
Subsec. (k).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
"Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection" substituted for "Commissioner of Customs" in subsec. (i)(1)(D) on authority of section 802(d)(2) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 604(a) of
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1801–1899A] of
§1671d. Final determinations
(a) Final determination by administering authority
(1) In general
Within 75 days after the date of the preliminary determination under
(2) Critical circumstances determinations
If the final determination of the administering authority is affirmative, then that determination, in any investigation in which the presence of critical circumstances has been alleged under
(A) the countervailable subsidy is inconsistent with the Subsidies Agreement, and
(B) there have been massive imports of the subject merchandise over a relatively short period.
Such findings may be affirmative even though the preliminary determination under
(3) De minimis countervailable subsidy
In making a determination under this subsection, the administering authority shall disregard any countervailable subsidy that is de minimis as defined in
(b) Final determination by Commission
(1) In general
The Commission shall make a final determination of whether—
(A) an industry in the United States—
(i) is materially injured, or
(ii) is threatened with material injury, or
(B) the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded,
by reason of imports, or sales (or the likelihood of sales) for importation, of the merchandise with respect to which the administering authority has made an affirmative determination under subsection (a). If the Commission determines that imports of the subject merchandise are negligible, the investigation shall be terminated.
(2) Period for injury determination following affirmative preliminary determination by administering authority
If the preliminary determination by the administering authority under
(A) the 120th day after the day on which the administering authority makes its affirmative preliminary determination under
(B) the 45th day after the day on which the administering authority makes its affirmative final determination under subsection (a).
(3) Period for injury determination following negative preliminary determination by administering authority
If the preliminary determination by the administering authority under
(4) Certain additional findings
(A)
(i)
(ii)
(I) the timing and the volume of the imports,
(II) any rapid increase in inventories of the imports, and
(III) any other circumstances indicating that the remedial effect of the countervailing duty order will be seriously undermined.
(B) If the final determination of the Commission is that there is no material injury but that there is threat of material injury, then its determination shall also include a finding as to whether material injury by reason of imports of the merchandise with respect to which the administering authority has made an affirmative determination under subsection (a) would have been found but for any suspension of liquidation of entries of that merchandise.
(c) Effect of final determinations
(1) Effect of affirmative determination by the administering authority
If the determination of the administering authority under subsection (a) is affirmative, then—
(A) the administering authority shall make available to the Commission all information upon which such determination was based and which the Commission considers relevant to its determination, under such procedures as the administering authority and the Commission may establish to prevent disclosure, other than with the consent of the party providing it or under protective order, of any information to which confidential treatment has been given by the administering authority,
(B)(i) the administering authority shall—
(I) determine an estimated individual countervailable subsidy rate for each exporter and producer individually investigated, and, in accordance with paragraph (5), an estimated all-others rate for all exporters and producers not individually investigated and for new exporters and producers within the meaning of
(II) if
(ii) shall order the posting of a cash deposit, bond, or other security, as the administering authority deems appropriate, for each entry of the subject merchandise in an amount based on the estimated individual countervailable subsidy rate, the estimated all-others rate, or the estimated country-wide subsidy rate, whichever is applicable, and
(C) in cases where the preliminary determination by the administering authority under
(2) Issuance of order; effect of negative determination
If the determinations of the administering authority and the Commission under subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) are affirmative, then the administering authority shall issue a countervailing duty order under
(A) terminate the suspension of liquidation under
(B) release any bond or other security and refund any cash deposit required under
(3) Effect of negative determinations under subsections (a)(2) and (b)(4)(A)
If the determination of the administering authority or the Commission under subsection (a)(2) and (b)(4)(A), respectively, is negative, then the administering authority shall—
(A) terminate any retroactive suspension of liquidation required under paragraph (4) or
(B) release any bond or other security, and refund any cash deposit required, under
(4) Effect of affirmative determination under subsection (a)(2)
If the determination of the administering authority under subsection (a)(2) is affirmative, then the administering authority shall—
(A) in cases where the preliminary determinations by the administering authority under
(B) in cases where the preliminary determination by the administering authority under
(C) in cases where the preliminary determination by the administering authority under
(5) Method for determining the all-others rate and the country-wide subsidy rate
(A) All-others rate
(i) General rule
For purposes of this subsection and
(ii) Exception
If the countervailable subsidy rates established for all exporters and producers individually investigated are zero or de minimis rates, or are determined entirely under
(B) Country-wide subsidy rate
The administering authority may calculate a single country-wide subsidy rate, applicable to all exporters and producers, if the administering authority limits its examination pursuant to
(d) Publication of notice of determinations
Whenever the administering authority or the Commission makes a determination under this section, it shall notify the petitioner, other parties to the investigation, and the other agency of its determination and of the facts and conclusions of law upon which the determination is based, and it shall publish notice of its determination in the Federal Register.
(e) Correction of ministerial errors
The administering authority shall establish procedures for the correction of ministerial errors in final determinations within a reasonable time after the determinations are issued under this section. Such procedures shall ensure opportunity for interested parties to present their views regarding any such errors. As used in this subsection, the term "ministerial error" includes errors in addition, subtraction, or other arithmetic function, clerical errors resulting from inaccurate copying, duplication, or the like, and any other type of unintentional error which the administering authority considers ministerial.
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title VII, §705, as added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(i)(II).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
Subsec. (c)(5).
1988—Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
"(i) there is material injury which will be difficult to repair, and
"(ii) the material injury was by reason of such massive imports of the subsidized merchandise over a relatively short period."
Subsec. (e).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by section 1333(a) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 602(a)(2) of
§1671e. Assessment of duty
(a) Publication of countervailing duty order
Within 7 days after being notified by the Commission of an affirmative determination under
(1) directs customs officers to assess a countervailing duty equal to the amount of the net countervailable subsidy determined or estimated to exist, within 6 months after the date on which the administering authority receives satisfactory information upon which the assessment may be based, but in no event later than 12 months after the end of the annual accounting period of the manufacturer or exporter within which the merchandise is entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption,
(2) includes a description of the subject merchandise, in such detail as the administering authority deems necessary, and
(3) requires the deposit of estimated countervailing duties pending liquidation of entries of merchandise at the same time as estimated normal customs duties on that merchandise are deposited.
(b) Imposition of duties
(1) General rule
If the Commission, in its final determination under
(2) Special rule
If the Commission, in its final determination under
(c) Special rule for regional industries
(1) In general
In an investigation under this part in which the Commission makes a regional industry determination under
(2) Exception for new exporters and producers
After publication of the countervailing duty order, if the administering authority finds that a new exporter or producer is exporting the subject merchandise for sale in the region concerned, the administering authority shall direct that duties be assessed on the subject merchandise of the new exporter or producer consistent with the provisions of
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title VII, §706, as added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2) to (4).
"(2) shall presumptively apply to all merchandise of such class or kind exported from the country investigated, except that if—
"(A) the administering authority determines there is a significant differential between companies receiving subsidy benefits, or
"(B) a State-owned enterprise is involved,
the order may provide for differing countervailing duties,".
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c).
1986—Subsec. (a)(2).
1984—Subsec. (a)(2) to (4).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1801–1899A] of
§1671f. Treatment of difference between deposit of estimated countervailing duty and final assessed duty under countervailing duty order
(a) Deposit of estimated countervailing duty under section 1671b(d)(1)(B) of this title
If the amount of a cash deposit, or the amount of any bond or other security, required as security for an estimated countervailing duty under
(1) disregarded, to the extent that the cash deposit, bond, or other security is lower than the duty under the order, or
(2) refunded or released, to the extent that the cash deposit, bond, or other security is higher than the duty under the order.
(b) Deposit of estimated countervailing duty under section 1671e(a)(3) of this title
If the amount of an estimated countervailing duty deposited under
(1) collected, to the extent that the deposit under
(2) refunded, to the extent that the deposit under
together with interest as provided by
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title VII, §707, as added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (a).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
§1671g. Effect of derogation of Export-Import Bank financing
Nothing in this subtitle shall be interpreted as superseding the provisions of
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title VII, §708, as added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—
1986—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1801–1899A] of
§1671h. Conditional payment of countervailing duty
(a) In general
For all entries, or withdrawals from warehouse, for consumption of merchandise subject to a countervailing duty order on or after the date of publication of such order, no customs officer may deliver merchandise of that class or kind to the person by whom or for whose account it was imported unless that person complies with the requirement of subsection (b) and deposits with the appropriate customs officer an estimated countervailing duty in an amount determined by the administering authority.
(b) Importer requirements
In order to meet the requirements of this subsection, a person shall—
(1) furnish, or arrange to have furnished, to the appropriate customs officer such information as the administering authority deems necessary for ascertaining any countervailing duty to be imposed under this part,
(2) maintain and furnish to the customs officer such records concerning such merchandise as the administering authority, by regulation, requires, and
(3) pay, or agree to pay on demand, to the customs officer the amount of countervailing duty imposed under this part on that merchandise.
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title VII, §709, as added
Editorial Notes
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 30, 1984, see section 626(a) of