Agilent Techs. v. United States

335 F. Supp. 3d 1347, 2018 CIT 131

• Court: United States Court of International Trade
• Decided: October 1, 2018
• Docket: Slip Op. 18-131; Court 16-00183
• Status: Published

Opinion

Choe-Groves, Judge:

Plaintiff Agilent Technologies ("Agilent"), a manufacturer of electronic and bio-analytical measurement instruments, challenges a scope ruling on Agilent's mass filter radiator issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce ("Department" or "Commerce"). Before the court are the results of redetermination on remand filed by Commerce pursuant to the court's prior opinion, Agilent Techs. v. United States , 41 CIT ----, 256 F.Supp.3d 1338 (2017) (" Agilent I "). See Results Redetermination Pursuant Court Remand, Dec. 15, 2017, ECF No. 40-1 (" Remand Results ").

In its initial scope ruling, Commerce determined that the mass filter radiator is covered by the scope of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders (collectively, "Orders") on aluminum extrusions from the People's Republic of China ("China"). See Final Scope Ruling on Agilent Technologies, Inc.'s Mass Filter Radiator, A-570-967 and C-570-968, (Aug. 10, 2016), available at http://enforcement.trade.gov/download/prc-ae/scope/97-mass-filter-radiator-10aug16.pdf (last visited Sept. 26, 2018) ("Final Scope Ruling"); see also Aluminum Extrusions from the People's Republic of China , 76 Fed. Reg. 30,650 (Dep't Commerce May 26, 2011) (antidumping duty order) (" Antidumping Duty Order "); Aluminum Extrusions from the People's Republic of China , 76 Fed. Reg. 30,653 (Dep't Commerce May 26, 2011) (countervailing duty order) (" Countervailing Duty Order "). Plaintiff filed a Rule 56.2 motion for judgment on the agency record, and the court remanded Commerce's Final Scope Ruling with instructions for Commerce to fully address the evidence on the record relating to the applicability of the finished heat sink exclusion. See Agilent I , 41 CIT at ----, 256 F.Supp.3d at 1345 . Commerce issued its Results of Redetermination Pursuant to Court Remand on December 15, 2017. See Remand Results . Agilent contests the Remand Results. See Pl.'s Comments Def.'s Redetermination Remand, Jan. 16, 2018, ECF No. 42 ("Pl.'s Comments"). Defendant United States ("Government") and Defendant-Intervenor Aluminum Extrusions Fair Trade Committee support Commerce's Remand Results. See Def.'s Resp. Comments Department Commerce's Remand Results, Jan. 29, 2018, ECF No. 43 ("Def.'s Comments"); Def.-Intervenor Aluminum Extrusions Fair Trade Committee's Reply Comments Final Results Redetermination Pursuant Ct. Remand, Jan. 30, 2018, ECF No. 46 ("Def.-Intervenor's Comments").

ISSUE PRESENTED

The court considers whether Commerce's scope redetermination on remand regarding Plaintiff's mass filter radiator is supported by substantial evidence.

For the reasons set forth below, the court concludes that Commerce's redetermination results are not supported by substantial evidence and remands this matter for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

BACKGROUND

The court presumes familiarity with the facts of this case. See Agilent I , 41 CIT at ----, 256 F.Supp.3d at 1340-41 . Commerce issued two Orders on aluminum extrusions from China on May 26, 2011. See Antidumping Duty Order , 76 Fed. Reg. at 30,650 ; Countervailing Duty Order , 76 Fed. Reg. at 30,653. Both Orders have identical scope language, which provide the following description of the subject merchandise:

The merchandise covered by this order is aluminum extrusions which are shapes and forms, produced by an extrusion process, made from aluminum alloys having metallic elements corresponding to the alloy series designations published by The Aluminum Association commencing with the numbers 1, 3, and 6 (or proprietary equivalents or other certifying body equivalents).

Antidumping Duty Order , 76 Fed. Reg. at 30,650 ; Countervailing Duty Order , 76 Fed. Reg. at 30,653.

The Orders explicitly exclude "finished heat sinks." See Antidumping Duty Order , 76 Fed. Reg. at 30,651 ; Countervailing Duty Order , 76 Fed. Reg. at 30,654. "Finished heat sinks" are defined as follows:

Finished heat sinks are fabricated heat sinks made from aluminum extrusions the design and production of which are organized around meeting certain specified thermal performance requirements and which have been fully, albeit not necessarily individually, tested to comply with such requirements.

Antidumping Duty Order , 76 Fed. Reg. at 30,651 ; Countervailing Duty Order , 76 Fed. Reg. at 30,654.

Plaintiff manufactures a mass filter radiator, which houses the central components of a mass spectrometer and plays an important role in transferring heat from critical components. See Scope Inquiry on Certain Finished Aluminum Components from the People's Republic of China (Case Nos. A-570-967 and C-570-968): Mass Filter Radiator at 5, PD 1, bar code 3245192-01 (Dec. 3, 2014) ("Agilent's Scope Ruling Request"). Agilent asserts that its mass filter radiator should be excluded from the scope of the Orders because it is a finished heat sink designed, produced, and tested to meet specified thermal resistance properties to remove damaging heat from electronic equipment. See id. at 5-12.

The court remanded the Final Scope Ruling after determining that Commerce failed to consider certain record evidence in support of Agilent's position that the mass filter radiator is covered by the finished heat sink exclusion. Agilent I , 41 CIT at ----, 256 F.Supp.3d at 1345 . The court instructed Commerce to consider Agilent's R & D Declaration, scope ruling request, questionnaire response, presentation slides, responses to Petitioner's comments, and two supplemental questionnaire responses. Id.

On December 15, 2017, Commerce issued its Remand Results, finding that Agilent's mass filter radiator is covered by the scope of the Orders and does not qualify for the finished heat sink exclusion. See Remand Results 2. Agilent submitted comments to the court arguing that the Remand Results were not supported by substantial evidence on the record and were contrary to the law. See Pl.'s Comments 6. Defendant argues that Commerce was reasonable in determining that the mass filter radiator does not meet the finished heat sink exclusion. See Def.'s Comments 28. The court held oral argument on June 5, 2018. See Oral Argument, Jun. 5, 2018, ECF No. 53.

JURISDICTION AND STANDARD OF REVIEW

The court has jurisdiction to review Commerce's scope determination pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1581 (c) (2012). Commerce's final scope determination will be upheld unless it is unsupported by substantial evidence on the record, or otherwise not in accordance with the law. 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(b)(1)(B)(i).

ANALYSIS

In determining whether a product is within scope of the Orders, "the scope of a final order may be clarified, [but] it can not be changed in a way contrary to its terms." Duferco Steel, Inc. v. United States , 296 F.3d 1087 , 1097 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (quoting Smith Corona Corp. v. United States , 915 F.2d 683 , 686 (Fed. Cir. 1990) ). Because the descriptions of subject merchandise contained in Commerce's determinations must be written in general terms, it is often difficult to determine whether a particular product is included within the scope of an antidumping or countervailing duty order. See 19 C.F.R. § 351.225 (a) (2016) ; Duferco Steel , 296 F.3d at 1096 .

Antidumping and countervailing duty orders "may be interpreted as including subject merchandise only if they contain language that specifically includes the subject merchandise or may be reasonably interpreted to include it." Duferco Steel , 296 F.3d at 1089 . Generally, Commerce "enjoys substantial freedom to interpret and clarify its antidumping orders." Id. (quoting Novosteel SA v. United States, Bethlehem Steel Corp. , 284 F.3d 1261 , 1269 (Fed. Cir 2002) ). Commerce is given "substantial deference" to interpret its own antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders. King Supply Co. v. United States , 674 F.3d 1343 , 1348 (Fed. Cir. 2012). If the Department fails "to consider or discuss record evidence which, on its face, provides significant support for an alternative conclusion[,] [the Department's determination is] unsupported by substantial evidence." Ceramark Tech., Inc. v. United States , 38 CIT ----, ----, 11 F.Supp.3d 1317 , 1323 (2014) (quoting Allegheny Ludlum Corp. v. United States , 24 CIT 452 , 479, 112 F.Supp.2d 1141 , 1165 (2000) ). Although Commerce's "explanations do not have to be perfect, the path of Commerce's decision must be reasonably discernable to a reviewing court." NMB Singapore Ltd. v. United States, 557 F.3d 1316 , 1319-20 (Fed. Cir. 2009) (citing Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Ass'n v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. , 463 U.S. 29 , 43, 103 S.Ct. 2856 , 77 L.Ed.2d 443 (1983) ).

Agilent argues that Commerce's Remand Results are unsupported by substantial evidence and are contrary to the law. See Pl.'s Comments 6. Plaintiff argues that the mass filter radiator meets all of the criteria identified by Commerce to qualify as a finished heat sink and should be excluded from the scope of the Orders. See id. at 25-28. The Government counters that Commerce's determination is supported by substantial evidence because the record demonstrates that the mass filter radiator does not qualify for the finished heat sink exclusion. See Def.'s Comments 11-24. Commerce focuses on its assertion that Agilent's mass filter radiator does not meet the definition of a finished heat sink because it was not designed and produced to meet specified thermal performance requirements and was not tested for compliance with specified design requirements. See id.

When interpreting the antidumping duty order's scope, Commerce first examines the scope of the Order to determine if that language "is ambiguous and open to interpretation." Kirovo-Chepetsky Khimichesky Kombinat, JSC v. United States , 39 CIT ----, ----, 58 F.Supp.3d 1397 , 1402 (2015) (citing Mid Continent Nail Corp. v. United States , 725 F.3d 1295 , 1302 (Fed. Cir. 2013) ); see also Duferco Steel , 296 F.3d at 1097 ("[A] predicate for the interpretative process is language in the order that is subject to interpretation."). If Commerce finds that scope language is subject to interpretation, Commerce may turn to the (k)(1) factors, i.e. , "[t]he descriptions of the merchandise contained in the petition, the initial investigation, and the determinations of [Commerce] (including prior scope determinations) and the [U.S. International Trade] Commission" for clarification. 19 C.F.R. § 351.225 (k)(1) ; see also Tak Fat Trading Co. v. United States , 396 F.3d 1378 , 1382 (Fed. Cir. 2005). While these (k)(1) sources may provide valuable guidance as to the interpretation of the final order, "they cannot substitute for language in the order itself." Duferco Steel , 296 F.3d at 1097 .

Pursuant to its regulation, if Commerce is able to interpret the scope of the Order after examination of the (k)(1) factors-that is, if Commerce finds that the (k)(1) factors are dispositive-then its inquiry ends, and Commerce will issue a final scope ruling regarding whether the subject merchandise is covered by the Order. See 19 C.F.R. § 351.225 (d). For a (k)(1) determination "to be dispositive, the permissible sources examined by Commerce 'must be controlling of the scope inquiry in the sense that they definitely answer the scope question.' " OTR Wheel Eng'g, Inc. v. United States , 36 CIT ----, ----, 853 F.Supp.2d 1281 , 1287-88 (2012) (quoting Sango Int'l L.P. v. United States , 484 F.3d 1371 , 1379 (Fed. Cir. 2007) ) (emphasis added). Should Commerce find that the (k)(1) factors are not dispositive, however, it must further consider the (1) "physical characteristics of the product"; (2) "expectations of the ultimate purchasers"; (3) "ultimate use of the product"; (4) "channels of trade in which the product is sold"; and (5) "manner in which the product is advertised and displayed" ( i.e. , the (k)(2) factors). 19 C.F.R. § 351.225 (k)(2). Where a scope determination is challenged, the Court's purpose is to determine whether the scope of the Order "contain[s] language that specifically includes the subject merchandise or may be reasonably interpreted to include it." Duferco Steel , 296 F.3d at 1089 .

Commerce's Final Scope Ruling found that the mass filter radiator was covered by the scope of the Orders. Remand Results 9. Commerce determined that the mass filter radiator "consisted entirely of a single piece of extruded aluminum which is further processed, including being [computerized numerical control] machined and plated with a proprietary material, in a manner consistent with the scope of the Orders ." Id. Commerce continued to find that the mass filter radiator does not meet the requirements of the heat sink exclusion. Id. at 49-50.

To determine whether Plaintiff's product is included within the scope of the Order, Commerce first looks to the plain language of the Order. The scope of the Orders includes "aluminum extrusions which are shapes and forms, produced by an extrusion process, made from aluminum alloys having metallic elements corresponding to the alloy series designations published by The Aluminum Association commencing with the numbers 1, 3, and 6 (or proprietary equivalents or other certifying body equivalents)." Antidumping Duty Order , 76 Fed. Reg. at 30,651 ; Countervailing Duty Order , 76 Fed. Reg. at 30,654. Agilent's mass filter radiator is created by machining and plating a single piece extruded aluminum tube. See Agilent's Scope Ruling Request at 3. Based on Agilent's Scope Ruling Request, Commerce determined that Agilent's mass filter radiator is covered by the plain language of the Orders. See Final Scope Ruling at 17. Commerce concluded that unless otherwise excluded as "finished merchandise" or a "finished heat sink," the mass filter radiator is covered by the scope of the Orders. See id.

Commerce continued its analysis by examining the exclusion language for "finished heat sink" to determine whether the mass filter radiator was expressly excluded from the scope of the Orders. See Remand Results 11. In the Remand Results, Commerce identified five requirements that must be present for a product to qualify for the "finished heat sink" exclusion:

1) the product must be a "fabricated heat sink{} made from aluminum extrusions;" 2) specified thermal performance requirements must exist; 3) the product's design must have been organized around meeting those specified thermal performance requirements; 4) the product's production must be organized around meeting the specified thermal performance requirements; and 5) the product must have been fully, albeit not necessarily individually, tested to comply with the specified thermal performance requirements. We have determined that in accordance with the language of the scope, all five of these elements must be present for the [mass filter radiator] to be a finished heat sink.

Id. ; see also Final Scope Ruling at 21.

Pursuant to a (k)(1) analysis, Commerce considers the descriptions of the merchandise contained in the petition, the initial investigation, and the determinations of Commerce and the Commission, including prior scope determinations, when analyzing whether a particular product is included within the scope of an Order. 19 C.F.R. § 351.225 (k)(1). Only when a (k)(1) analysis is not dispositive will Commerce "further consider: (i) The physical characteristics of the product; (ii) The expectations of the ultimate purchasers; (iii) The ultimate use of the product; (iv) The channels of trade in which the product is sold; and (v) The manner in which the product is advertised and displayed." Id. § 351.225(k)(2).

In its Remand Results, Commerce concluded that Agilent did not provide evidence of any specified thermal performance requirements, particularly related to the design, production, and testing of its products to meet the specified thermal performance requirements. See Remand Results 42-43. Commerce determined that "dimensional tolerances, regardless of precision, and regardless of documentation, even those established pursuant to enhancing thermal performance, are not 'specified thermal performance requirements,' and do not turn ... [products] into finished heat sinks for purposes of the scope exclusion at issue." Id. at 25 . The Department noted that the use of computer controlled milling machine processing to produce a product also does not make it a finished heat sink. Id. at 24-25 . Commerce disregarded much of the evidence submitted by Agilent regarding the existence of specified thermal performance requirements. Id. at 25-35 . Based on this perceived lack of evidence, Commerce concluded that Agilent's mass filter radiator did not meet the finished heat sink exclusion requirements and was included in the scope of the Orders. Id. at 32-37 .

Agilent argues that its mass filter radiator is designed, produced, and tested around a specified 200 degrees Celsius thermal performance requirement that must be met in order to absorb a specific amount of heat and to function properly as a finished heat sink. See Pl.'s Comments 15-28; see also Oral Argument at 19:56-20:01, 21:26-21:40, 22:08-22:26, 40:27-40:46, 1:26:31-1:26:55, 1:29:00-1:29:11. Agilent asserts that its product was developed decades ago, and that the specified thermal performance requirements remain the same today as when the product was developed originally. See Pl.'s Comments 16-17, 23. Agilent states that the quadrupole temperature must be 200 degrees Celsius for the thermal absorption and heat transfer properties of the mass filter radiator to function properly as designed. See id. at 22-23 . Plaintiff explained that it uses specific dimensional tolerances in order to achieve the required thermal absorption of its mass filter radiator. See id. at 19-20 . Agilent contends that it provided documents to support its position. See id. at 31 . Commerce largely ignored Agilent's arguments and evidence regarding the specified thermal performance requirements of its mass filter radiator.

For a (k)(1) determination "to be dispositive, the permissible sources examined by Commerce must be controlling of the scope inquiry in the sense that they definitely answer the scope question." OTR Wheel Eng'g , 36 CIT ----, ----, 853 F.Supp.2d at 1287-88 (quoting Sango Int'l , 484 F.3d at 1379 ). The exclusionary provision of the Orders does not unambiguously define "the design and production of which are organized around meeting certain specified thermal performance requirements," Antidumping Duty Order , 76 Fed. Reg. at 30,651 ; Countervailing Duty Order , 76 Fed. Reg. at 30,654. Commerce conducted a (k)(1) analysis, but discounted most of Plaintiff's evidence regarding specified thermal performance requirements and related physical design properties of the mass filter radiator. Commerce did not reach the 19 C.F.R. § 351.225 (k)(2) factors.

Both parties discuss at length the meaning of the exclusion term "specified thermal performance requirements." The Parties differ in their understanding of how the thermal performance requirements may be met, and it is unclear how the industry views "specified thermal performance requirements." Commerce concludes merely that "dimensional tolerances, regardless of precision, and regardless of documentation, even those established pursuant to enhancing thermal performance, are not 'specified thermal performance requirements,' and do not turn ... [products] into finished heat sinks for purposes of the scope exclusion at issue." Remand Results 25.

Commerce relies heavily on the prior Final ECCO Light Bars Scope Ruling for support that "dimensional or other physical tolerances" are not specified thermal performance requirements "even if such physical tolerances are specifically identified, are precise, and are established explicitly to enhance thermal performance." Id. at 24 (citing Final ECCO Light Bars Scope Ruling at 17-21, PD 35, bar code 3523146-02 (Nov. 24, 2014) ("ECCO") ). Commerce's reliance on ECCO is misplaced. In ECCO, Commerce found that "ECCO fail[ed] to demonstrate how these identified specifications translate into ECCO's product meeting specified thermal performance requirements." Id. The key element is apparently the need for a "translation" or explanation of how the physical design meets specified thermal performance requirements. See id. ECCO supports an analysis of specific facts to determine whether physical design requirements can establish the existence of specified thermal performance requirements. A company must provide information explaining how the physical elements lead to specified thermal performance requirements-a "translation"-something that ECCO failed to do, but the possibility is not precluded. See id. at 19-24 .

The court concludes that Commerce was unreasonable when it discounted Agilent's evidence of a target quadrupole temperature of 200 degrees Celsius for the mass filter radiator to pass user-selected tests, and evidence of dimensional or other physical tolerances that were designed to meet specified thermal performance requirements. Commerce's determination lacks substantial evidence that Agilent did not meet the specified thermal performance requirement of the finished heat sink exclusion. The sources used by Commerce, including the Department's reliance on the prior ECCO scope ruling, do not definitively answer the question of whether Agilent's mass filter radiator is excluded from the scope of the Orders. It seems quite unlikely that Commerce can confine itself to a limited 19 C.F.R. § 351.225 (k)(1) analysis here and reach a supported conclusion for the question of whether Agilent's products are designed and produced around meeting specified thermal performance requirements. Numerous questions remain. For example: What are specified thermal performance requirements? How does the industry view products that are designed and produced around meeting specified thermal performance requirements? What are the expectations of the ultimate purchasers? What is the ultimate use of the mass filter radiator? These are the types of questions that would appear to require a more complete (k)(2) analysis. Commerce should revisit its analysis and provide other substantial evidence supporting a definitive answer, or it should proceed with a full inquiry pursuant to 19 C.F.R. § 351.225 (k)(2).

CONCLUSION

The court remands the matter to Commerce for further evaluation pursuant to 19 C.F.R. § 351.225 (k). For the reasons set forth above, and in accordance with the foregoing, it is hereby

ORDERED that Commerce's Remand Results regarding Agilent's mass filter radiator are remanded for Commerce to conduct an additional evaluation pursuant to 19 C.F.R. § 351.225 (k) ; and it is further

ORDERED that Commerce shall file its second remand redetermination on or before December 7, 2018; and it is further

ORDERED that Commerce shall file the administrative record on the second remand redetermination on or before December 21, 2018; and it is further

ORDERED that the Parties shall file any comments on the second remand determination on or before January 7, 2019; and it is further

ORDERED that the Parties shall file any replies to the comments on or before February 6, 2019; and it is further

ORDERED that the joint appendix shall be filed on or before February 13, 2019.