GPX International Tire Corp v. United States

942 F. Supp. 2d 1343, 2013 CIT 132, 2013 WL 5814436, 35 I.T.R.D. (BNA) 2189, 2013 Ct. Intl. Trade LEXIS 136

Opinion

OPINION

RESTANI, Judge:

This matter is before the court following a remand to the Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) in GPX Int’l Tire Corp. v. United States, 893 F.Supp.2d 1296 (CIT 2013) (“GPX VII”). Plaintiffs GPX International Tire Corporation (“GPX”) and Hebei Starbright Tire Co., Ltd. (“Starbright”), 1 Consolidated Plaintiff Tianjin United Tire & Rubber International Co., Ltd. (“TUTRIC”), and Defendant-Intervenors Titan Tire Corporation and United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO-CLC (collectively, “Titan”) challenge various aspects of the Final Results of Redetermination Pursuant to Remand, ECF No. 394 (“Remand Results ”). For the reasons set forth below, Commerce’s Remand Results are sustained.

BACKGROUND

The court assumes familiarity with the facts of this case as set out in the previous opinions. See generally GPX VII, 893 F.Supp.2d at 1318-34. For ease of understanding, however, a brief summary is provided below.

This case involves challenges to Commerce’s final determination in a countervailing duty (“CVD”) investigation of certain pneumatic off-the-road tires from the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). See Certain New Pneumatic Off-the-Road Tires from the People’s Republic of China: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Final Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances, 73 Fed.Reg. 40,480 (Dep’t Commerce July 15, 2008); see also Issues and Decision Memorandum for the Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination: Certain New Pneumatic Off-the-Road Tires (OTR Tires) from the People’s Republic of China, C-570-913, POI: 1/01/06-12/30/06 (July 7, 2008), available at http://ia.ita.doc. gov/frn/summary/prc/E8-16154-l .pdf (last visited Oct. 21, 2013) (“I & D Memo ”). In its previous order, the court instructed Commerce to address five issues raised in the initial rounds of briefing in this matter. See GPX VII, 893 F.Supp.2d at 1319-33. Specifically, the court ordered Commerce to: 1) re-weigh the evidence related to the arm’s-length nature of the Hebei Tire Co., Ltd. (“Hebei Tire”) asset sale; 2) examine the veracity of appraisals proffered by GPX in determining whether Hebei Tire’s assets were sold for fair market value (“FMV”); 3) explain its inability to offset any subsidy determined to have been transferred to Starbright by any amount of the purchase price that reflected payment for the subsidy; 4) explain its loan benefit calculation and whether Titan’s alternative methodology constitutes a legitimate attempt to avoid a distorted calculation; and 5) consider evidence concerning the transfer of TUTRIC debt holdings and reduce TUTRIC’s benefit calculation by the amount of any payment made by or on behalf of TUTRIC. See id. On remand, Commerce: 1) determined that the sale of Hebei Tire’s assets was not conducted at arm’s length; 2) determined that the appraisals proffered by GPX are unsatisfactory for benchmarking purposes; 8) explained its inability to calculate a purchase price offset; 4) explained its loan benefit calculation and why it rejected Titan’s alternative; and 5) considered TUTRIC’s evidence, continued to find that TUTRIC benefited from countervailable debt forgiveness, and reduced TUTRIC’s benefit calculation as ordered. See Remand Results at 1-2. 2

GPX continues to challenge Commerce’s findings concerning the nature of the Hebei Tire asset sale. Resp’t Pl.’s Cmts. on the U.S. Dep’t of Commerce’s Remand Redetermination, ECF No. 397 (“GPX Cmts.”) 1-9. 3 Titan argues that Commerce’s loan benefit calculations are unlawful and unsupported by substantial evidence. Cmts. of the Titan Tire Corp. and the United Steelworkers Union on the Dep’t of Commerce’s Redetermination Pursuant to Remand, ECF No. 398 (“Titan Cmts.”) 2-7. Although TUTRIC’s rate of countervailing duties was reduced on remand from 6.85% to 3.93% because the allegedly forgiven debt was partially repaid, TUTRIC argues that Commerce failed to reasonably consider the evidence concerning its debt financing and that Commerce’s determination is contrary to law. Cmts. on Remand Redetermination of Tianjin United Tire and Rubber Int’l Co., Ltd., ECF No. 400 (“TUTRIC Cmts.”) 10-19. Defendant United States responds that Commerce’s determinations are supported by substantial evidence and in accordance with law. Def.’s Resp. to Cmts. on the Final Redetermination Pursuant to Ct. Remand, ECF No. 412 (“Def. Cmts.”) 10-31. 4

JURISDICTION AND STANDARD OF REVIEW

The court has continuing jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1581(c). The court will not uphold any determination by Commerce that is “unsupported by substantial evidence on the record, or otherwise not in accordance with law.” 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(b)(l)(B).

DISCUSSION

I. Change in Ownership of Hebei Tire

GPX challenges Commerce’s determination on remand that Starbright received countervailable subsidies when it acquired Hebei Tire’s assets in 2006. GPX Cmts. 1-9. Defendant argues that Commerce’s determination is supported by substantial evidence and in accordance with law. Def. Cmts. 10-23.

To find a countervailable subsidy, Commerce is required by statute to identify a financial contribution given by an authority that conferred a benefit on an entity. 19 U.S.C. § 1677(5)(B). “A change in ownership of all or part of a foreign enterprise or the productive assets of a foreign enterprise does not by itself require a determination by the administering authority that a past countervailable subsidy received by the enterprise no longer continues to be countervailable, even if the change in ownership is accomplished through an arm’s length transaction.” Id. § 1677(5)(F). The statute, however, does not explain under what conditions a subsidy will be extinguished upon the sale of the subsidized company. As the court discussed in its previous opinion, Commerce has promulgated a series of regulations attempting to establish a reasonable methodology for determining whether a purchaser continues to benefit from a countervailable subsidy given to its predecessor. See GPX VII, 893 F.Supp.2d at 1321-24.

Under its current practice, Commerce begins with a baseline presumption that non-recurring subsidies continue to benefit the recipient for the average useful life of the recipient’s assets. Notice of Final Modification of Agency Practice Under Section 128 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, 68 Fed.Reg. 37,125, 37,-127 (Dep’t Commerce June 23, 2003) (“Final Modification ”). Where a transaction is at arm’s length and for fair market value, Commerce will consider the subsidy extinguished. See id. Commerce first examines whether the transaction was conducted at arm’s length. Id. at 37,127. In so doing, Commerce looks for a relationship between the parties and whether the seller sought to pursue public interests. Id. at 37,127, 37,130, 37,132-33. Commerce also examines whether the purchaser paid FMV. Id. at 37,127. Under this prong, however, Commerce does not focus on comparing a numerical estimate of FMV to the purchase price. Id. at 37,131. Instead, Commerce employs a process-based approach that looks to whether the parties relied on independent evaluations before or during negotiations to establish a price, whether the sale was sufficiently open to allow for competitive bidding, whether the sale was awarded to the highest bidder, and whether there were requirements for future investment. 5 Id. at 37,127. Again, under Commerce’s methodology, both findings are necessary conditions to Commerce finding that the subsidies were extinguished. Id. at 37,127-28.

In its previous decision, the court sustained Commerce’s initial determination that Hebei Tire was not fully privatized at the time of the sale at issue, and therefore Commerce need not presume that the sale was at arm’s length and for FMV. GPX VII, 893 F.Supp.2d at 1325. The court concluded, however, that Commerce’s arm’s-length and FMV analyses required revisiting. Id. at 1327-28. With respect to the arm’s-length analysis, the court held that although Commerce had reasonably determined that a worker retention agreement and shareholder-employee side payment attached to the sale could have undermined the arm’s length nature of the transaction, Commerce had adopted a distorted view of the actions of Hebei Tire’s chairman in communicating a prenegotiated purchase price to the auction house that administered the sale. See id. at 1325-26. As Commerce’s determination that the sale was not conducted at arm’s length rested on its analysis of both the worker retention agreement/payment and the chairman’s actions, the court instructed Commerce to re-weigh the evidence. Id. at 1326. With respect to the FMV analysis, the court held that although Commerce is entitled to deference in determining what weight to assign the various components in its process-based methodology, Commerce cannot completely disregard company appraisals on the record. Id. at 1327. As Commerce had done so with respect to appraisals proffered by GPX, the court instructed Commerce to examine the veracity of these appraisals. Id. In view of Commerce’s analysis of these issues, the court sustains Commerce’s determination on remand.

A. Arm’s-Length Analysis

GPX first argues that Commerce’s determination as to the arm’s-length nature of the sale is inconsistent with the court’s instruction and unsupported by substantial evidence. GPX Cmts. 1-6. On remand, Commerce determined that the Hebei Tire chairman’s actions were inconsistent with the transaction having been conducted at arm’s length and that the worker retention agreement/payment independently defeated the arm’s-length nature of the transaction. Remand Results 7-10, 37-38. The latter determination is supported by substantial evidence.

As an initial matter, the court finds that Commerce has maintained a distorted view of the chairman’s interaction with the auction house. In its previous decision, the court found that Commerce had “failed to point to evidence that in setting the reserve price, according to the mandatory auction rules, the chairman somehow acted contrary to Hebei Tire’s interest in securing a winning bid, from any buyer, in light of its ongoing foreclosure proceedings.” GPX VII, 893 F.Supp.2d at 1326. Critically, the court noted that the chairman’s actions appeared “consistent with Hebei Tire ensuring that a bid would be made, as well as be accepted, during the auction, as a previous auction had failed to solicit any winning bids.” Id. Nevertheless, Commerce determined on remand that the chairman need not have acted contrary to Hebei Tire’s interests for Commerce to find that his actions were inconsistent with the transaction having been conducted at arm’s length. Remand Results at 9. In stead, Commerce determined that its finding was reasonable because the purchase price “embodied the conjoined interests of both buyer and seller.” Id. This position is without merit.

Although an “arm’s length transaction” is not defined by statute, the Statement of Administrative Action Accompanying the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (“SAA”) defines it for purposes of 19 U.S.C. § 1677(5)(F) as “a transaction negotiated between unrelated parties, each acting in its own interest, or between related parties such that the terms of the transaction are those that would exist if the transaction had been negotiated between unrelated parties.” H.R. Doc. 103-316 (1994), at 928, reprinted in 1994 U.S.C.C.A.N. 4040, at 4241 (“SAA ”). The issue, therefore, is whether Hebei Tire’s chairman failed to act in his company’s interest, not whether the purchase price reflected the interests of both Starbright and Hebei Tire. 6 Moreover, it seems perfectly self-interested that the chairman, having been unsuccessful once before, would take proactive measures to ensure that the auction house’s procedures not stand in the way of the only sale in sight. All the chairman advocated for was a lower price floor, not a price ceiling. Commerce cannot determine reasonably that such efforts to ensure closure of the deal defeat the arm’s-length nature of a transaction. See Yangzhou Bestpak Gifts & Crafts Co. v. United States, 716 F.3d 1370, 1378 (Fed.Cir.2013) (“[Wjhile various methodologies are permitted by the statute, it is possible for the application of a particular methodology to be unreasonable in a given case. Form should be disregarded for substance and the emphasis should be on economic reality.” (internal quotation marks, citations, and brackets omitted)).

Despite this error, however, Commerce determined in the alternative that the arm’s length nature of the sale was independently defeated by the worker retention agreement, combined with the side payment to the shareholder-employees. 7 Remand Results at 37-38. The court found in its previous opinion that Commerce could conclude reasonably that this agreement created a conflict between the interests of profit maximization and job security such that Hebei Tire may have been less likely to negotiate for the highest possible price than it otherwise would have. GPX VII, 893 F.Supp.2d at 1326. With the benefit of this analysis and Commerce’s new determination that this was an independent basis for finding that the transaction was not at arm’s length, the court sustains Commerce’s determination that the sale was not conducted at arm’s length.

B. FMV Analysis

GPX also challenges Commerce’s FMV analysis. GPX Cmts. 6-8. GPX argues that Commerce failed to reasonably consider the appraisals on the record and that Commerce’s FMV determination is unsupported by substantial evidence. Id. Commerce contends at the outset that because the transaction must be both at arm’s length and for FMV, it is unnecessary to consider one prong if the court finds that the other has not been met. See Remand Results at 10. Nonetheless, Commerce determined on remand that the appraisals proffered by GPX, one commissioned by Starbright and another commissioned by Hebei Tire, are unsatisfactory for benchmarking FMV. Id. at 14-18. As to the Starbright-commissioned appraisal, Commerce supported its determination with statements in the appraisal attesting to its incomplete and cursory coverage, as well as with evidence that Hebei Tire’s records were poorly managed. 8 Id. at 15-17. As to the Hebei Tire-commissioned appraisal, Commerce supported its determination with evidence concerning the timing and duration of the appraisal, the scope of the appraisal, and the appraisers’ levels of experience, as well as with statements in the appraisal conditioning its veracity on the quality of Hebei Tire’s records. Id. at 17-18. GPX contends that Commerce’s determination relies on unreasonable inferences from the evidence. See GPX Cmts. 6-7. This claim is without merit.

The court turns first to Commerce’s assertion that the FMV analysis is rendered unnecessary by a finding by Commerce that the transaction was not at arm’s length or vice versa. Commerce’s position is based on its present methodology that requires both conditions be met. See Final Modification, 68 Fed.Reg. at 37,127, 37,130. In adopting its process-based methodology, Commerce explained that it focuses on the arm’s-length nature of the sale as a means for determining whether FMV was paid: if the transaction was at arm’s length, Commerce presumes FMV was paid. See id. Although this presumption is a reasonable interpretation of the statute, Commerce is precluded from adopting a per se rule that the absence of an arm’s-length transaction always prevents subsidies from being extinguished, regardless of whether FMV is actually paid, absent some finding of a sham transaction. Such a position lacks support in the statute, which merely indicates that an arm’s length transaction does not necessarily extinguish a subsidy, such as absent the payment of FMV for the company. See 19 U.S.C. § 1677(5)(F). The SAA clarifies that Commerce must exercise its discretion in examining the sale of a subsidized company “carefully through its consideration of the facts of each case and its determination of the appropriate methodology to be applied.” SAA at 928. The case law of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit also places the emphasis in this analysis on the question of whether FMV was paid for the acquired assets, because if so, no benefit continues to accrue to the buyer. See Allegheny Ludlum Corp. v. United States, 367 F.3d 1339, 1346 (Fed.Cir.2004) (“Allegheny I ”) (rejecting a previous methodology that did not consider directly “the economic indicators of the repayment of a past subsidy”); Allegheny Ludlum Corp. v. United States, 29 CIT 157, 162, 358 F.Supp.2d 1334, 1339 (2005) (‘Allegheny II ”) (“Therefore, the payment of fair market value means that the purchasing firm did not receive more than it paid for (assuming the government did not distort the market in a manner affecting the sale.)”). Previous methodologies adopting per se rules have been rejected as chronicled in the court’s previous opinion. Commerce must analyze all relevant information in this fact-intensive analysis.

Although the court in GPX VII recognized that Commerce’s change-in-ownership methodology is a reasonable method of establishing presumptions for the extinguishment or non-extinguishment of subsidies based on a process-based approach, it also held that where there is probative, direct evidence on the record rebutting a presumption that FMV was not paid, Commerce cannot ignore relevant evidence by adopting a methodology that refuses to consider it. The essence of the inquiry is whether FMV was paid, thereby extinguishing the subsidies. Commerce may select from a variety of reasonable methodologies, including imperfect ones based on reasonable presumptions, but it may not foreclose an avenue of relevant inquiry in doing so or disregard relevant evidence. Commerce’s repeated references to certain evidence, such as bottom-line objective analyses, not being dispositive misses the point. Commerce must consider all probative evidence, whether it finds it independently dispositive or not. Accordingly, where as here, Commerce is presented with allegedly direct, objective evidence of FMV, 9 it must analyze that evidence and support by substantial evidence any determination with respect to that evidence. 10

Turning to the appraisals at issue in this case, GPX first asserts, without setting out any substantive arguments, that the Starbright-commissioned appraisal demonstrates that Hebei Tire’s assets were sold for FMV. GPX Cmts. 6. This claim plainly fails in the light of the various indications that the appraisal was cursory and its coverage partial. “[W]hen a valuation study, or valuation studies, have not considered all the facts and circumstances, reliance thereon is misplaced.” Allegheny II, 29 CIT at 169, 358 F.Supp.2d at 1345.

As to the Hebei Tire-commissioned appraisal, GPX first disputes Commerce’s finding that due to the timing and duration of the appraisal, it was likely a results-oriented document commissioned to comply with regulatory requirements. GPX Cmts. 6-7. GPX argues that Commerce failed to explain why the timing and duration of the appraisal necessarily léads to the conclusion that its analysis was cursory. Id. Commerce is required, however, only to arrive reasonably at its conclusions, and the circumstances of the appraisal readily support Commerce’s finding. 11 GPX additionally argues that Commerce failed to reasonably consider the fact that the appraisal is actually three different appraisals, i.e. not an in toto valuation. Id. at 7. Commerce explained, however, that the separate appraisals fail to account for certain intangible sources of value, such as goodwill and intellectual property. Remand Results at 41 n. 33.

GPX also contests Commerce’s finding that the appraisers likely lacked adequate experience for valuing the assets of a tire company. GPX Cmts. 7. Commerce’s finding was based on the response of a Hebei Tire official during verification that “there was only one tire manufacturer in Xingtai” when asked whether the appraiser had experience in valuing tire equipment. Remand Results at 18. GPX argues that the statement of the Hebei Tire official does not imply that the appraiser lacked adequate experience. GPX Cmts. 7. The court is satisfied, however, that Commerce’s skepticism is supported by the evidence, even if Commerce’s determination is not the only reasonable conclusion supported by the record.

Finally, GPX argues that Commerce’s position assumes, and requires, that Hebei Tire lied to or withheld information from the appraisers. GPX Cmts. 7. This claim is without merit. Commerce was instructed to examine the veracity of the appraisals, and record evidence demonstrates that Hebei Tire’s records were managed poorly and therefore unlikely to have provided the appraisers with the information necessary for a full and accurate appraisal. See Remand Results at 16, 18 (citing Star-bright’s April 8, 2008 questionnaire response at Exhibit V-CVD-1 (due diligence report)). Commerce has noted that appraisals of companies are inherently difficult and rely on numerous, often subjective, factors. Here, Commerce pointed to a slew of problems with the appraisals on the record. Accordingly, Commerce’s determination that the appraisals are not valuable in determining FMV is supported by substantial evidence. Because Commerce considered and reasonably rejected evidence undermining its presumption that FMV was not paid in this non-arm’s-length transaction, Commerce’s remand determination is supported by substantial evidence and is in accordance with law.

C. Purchase Price Offset

GPX finally argues that Commerce failed to provide a credible explanation for its inability to offset the amount of subsidy transferred to Starbright by the amount of the purchase price that reflected payment for the subsidy. GPX Cmts. 8-9. Commerce determined on remand that the use of a purchase price offset would be inappropriate. Remand Results at 24-25. Commerce also determined that such a calculation is not practicable without satisfactory appraisals and explained how this calculation differs firom those involving the determination of benefits pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1677(5)(E). Id. at 25-28. Defendant argues that Commerce’s explanation is consistent with the court’s instructions and should be sustained. Def. Cmts. 20-23.

As an initial matter, the court rejects Commerce’s assertion that a purchase price offset would be inappropriate under the statute. Remand Results at 24-25. Commerce decided on remand that such an offset is unnecessary because Commerce already conducted a countervailing duty analysis of Hebei Tire, and it merely continued to allocate existing subsidies over the average useful life of the assets. Id. Essentially, Commerce takes the position that a subsidy is either extinguished in its entirety via the payment of FMV in a change in ownership transaction or it continues in full force, without any possible abatement based on the purchase price. This argument, however, runs contrary to the previous holdings of the court and cannot be credited. See Acciai Speciali Terni S.p.A. v. United States, 28 CIT 2013, 2026, 350 F.Supp.2d 1254, 1265-67 (2004) (“Commerce should examine the totality of the economic circumstances to determine whether the pre-privatization subsidy carries over to the post-privatization entity.” (emphasis added)) (citing Allegheny I, 367 F.3d at 1347-48); see also Allegheny II, 29 CIT at 162, 358 F.Supp.2d at 1339 (“The fair market value of the company takes into account all of a company’s liabilities and assets including assets that were incurred with government support. Therefore, the payment of fair market value means that the purchasing firm did not receive more than it paid for (assuming the government did not distort the market in a manner affecting the sale.)”).

Commerce reasonably found in this case, however, that no reliable evidence quantifying repayment of the subsidies exists on the record. As the court discussed supra in the context of Commerce’s FMV analysis, Commerce reasonably determined that the appraisals on the record are unsatisfactory for calculating FMV. Determining the extent to which Hebei Tire’s purchase price reflected payment for Hebei Tire’s subsidies, therefore, would require that Commerce calculate the precise numerical value of FMV of Hebei Tire. Remand Results at 25-28. This calculation, in turn, would require Commerce to value a large number of specialized machines, buildings, and intangible assets, an inquiry not contemplated under its process-based methodology. 12 Id. The court is persuaded that in the present matter Commerce possesses neither the expertise nor the resources to undertake such an endeavor where no credible record evidence exists. Indeed, Commerce’s process-based methodology was upheld in part on these grounds. See GPX VII, 893 F.Supp.2d at 1327. The court notes, however, that this is not to say that Commerce could refuse to consider evidence placed on the record demonstrating that full or nearly-full FMV was paid, thereby compensating the seller for any subsidy benefit that would otherwise be received and rebutting Commerce’s presumption of non-extinguishment.

GPX also argues that Commerce’s explanation is inconsistent with its practices elsewhere, including its dismissal of the appraisals proffered by GPX in this matter and its ability to value difficult assets like land in its investigations. GPX Cmts. 8-9. These arguments are without merit. First, Commerce determined in the present matter that GPX’s appraisals were unsatisfactory on the basis of qualitative, process-based considerations. See Remand Results at 15-18. Commerce did not evaluate the veracity of each individual valuation in the appraisals or undertake its own competing appraisal. Id. Second, where Commerce has benchmarked land in the past, it has done so by reference to either available benchmark figures placed on the record or a process-based methodology. See, e.g., Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination: Steel Wire Rod from Germany, 62 Fed.Reg. 54,990, 54,994 (Dep’t Commerce Oct. 22, 1997); Laminated Woven Sacks from the People’s Republip of China: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination; Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, In Part; and Alignment of Final Countervailing Duty Determination with Final Antidumping Duty Determination, 72 Fed.Reg. 67,893, 67,909 (Dep’t Commerce Dec. 3, 2007). Readily accessible benchmark figures are not available on this record for the specialized machines and buildings that would have to be valued for Commerce to determine the FMV of a large tire factory or even figures for comparable companies. Remand Results at 25-27. The court declines to impose such a burden on Commerce to develop the record with this information when the statute does not require it. Accordingly, Commerce’s decision, on this record, not to offset the subsidy benefit allocated to Star-bright is supported by substantial evidence and is in accordance with law.

II. Titan’s Loan Benefit Calculation Challenge

Titan argues that Commerce failed to explain adequately on remand why an inflation-based adjustment is a suitably proxy for a currency expectation adjustment to a loan interest rate benchmark in the context of the Chinese economy and why the omission of this adjustment would not avoid a distorted benefit calculation. Titan Cmts. 3-7. Defendant argues that Commerce complied with the court’s instruction and that its determination is supported by substantial evidence. Def. Cmts. 28-31. With the benefit of Commerce’s explanation on remand, the court will sustain the determination.

In its previous opinion, the court instructed Commerce to “explain why it uses a currency expectation adjustment for comparing domestic interest rates, why an inflation adjustment is a suitable proxy for a currency expectation adjustment, and whether the proposed adjustment by [Titan] is essentially an attempt to countervail against China’s distorted inflation rate or a legitimate attempt to avoid a distorted benefit calculation.” GPX VII, 893 F.Supp.2d at 1330-31. In its initial investigation, Commerce found that the companies under investigation had not received any comparable market-based loans in the past and that no comparable commercial benchmark rates existed within the PRC due to market distortions. I & D Memo at 104-05. Accordingly, Commerce calculated a benchmark rate based on a basket of interest rates from a variety of developmentally similar countries. Id. at 109-10. Typically, Commerce applies a currency expectation adjustment to interest rates calculated for loans to account for the portion of the rate attributable to expected exchange rate fluctuations. Id. As robust forward exchange rate data were unavailable for the set of developmentally similar countries, however, Commerce instead used an inflation rate adjustment as a proxy for the exchange rate adjustment. Id. at 110.

The statute provides that a benefit received from a subsidized loan is equal to the “difference between the amount the recipient of the loan pays on the loan and the amount the recipient would pay on a comparable commercial loan that the recipient could actually obtain on the market.” 19 U.S.C. § 1677(5)(E)(ii). In calculating this difference, Commerce looks to comparable loans based on similar structural features including interest calculation, currency, and maturity. 19 C.F.R. § 351.505(a)(2). Where the examined firm does not have any comparable past loans, Commerce normally will examine the national average interest rate for comparable commercial loans, when such a market exits. Id. § 351.505(a)(3)(ii). When this does not exist on a commercial basis, Commerce looks to interest rates in other comparable markets. See id. § 351.505(a)(2)(ii). “In making the comparison ..., the Secretary normally will rely on effective interest rates.” Id. § 351.505(a)(1).

As a preliminary matter, the court notes that Commerce explained on remand why it uses a currency expectation adjustment to compare cross-country domestic interest rates. Remand Results at 33-34. In short, Commerce has determined that reaching an apples-to-apples cross-country comparison of borrowing costs requires, where available, the use of forward exchange rates to adjust for the extent to which expectations about future movement in currency markets are priced into interest rates, even for domestic loans. Remand Results at 33-34; Def. Cmts. 29. This explanation has not been challenged and is consistent with the regulations.

Defendant’s argument, not clearly delineated in the Remand Results, is that Commerce used an inflation adjustment here both as a proxy for a currency adjustment as well as an independent method of obtaining an apples-to-apples comparison. Titan first challenges Commerce’s determination that an inflation-based adjustment is a reasonable proxy for exchange rate expectations in the context of the Chinese economy. Titan Cmts. 3-6. Commerce explained on remand the basic proposition that inflation represents a loss in purchasing power and, all else equal, the devaluation of a currency relative to others. Remand Results at 34. Titan argues that although Commerce determined that its methodology should adjust for inflation to the extent that Chinese lenders and borrowers rely on inflation when setting the price of credit, Commerce made no factual determination that this proposition holds in the case of the PRC and ignores record evidence to the contrary. Titan Cmts. 3-6 (citing Remand Results at 35-36). The statement relied upon by Titan deals with Commerce’s preference for an adjustment based on the consumer price index (“CPI”) versus a gross domestic product (“GDP”) deflator and does not represent a Commerce policy of using an inflation adjustment only when there is a perfect correlation between interest rates and inflation rates. See Remand Results at 35-36. The court holds that Titan’s evidence fails to undermine Commerce’s reliance on the relationship between inflation and interests rates in its calculation and that Commerce’s determination is supported by substantial evidence.

Commerce cites textbook authority providing empirical support for the positive correlation between inflation and exchange rates. Remand Results at 35 (citing Stephen G. Kellison, The Theory of Interest 299 (2d ed. 1991) (“[D]espite the difficulty of precisely measuring [inflation] expectations, the evidence clearly indicates that the relationship [between expected rates of inflation and interest rates] does exist.”)). Titan notes in response that Commerce previously found that interest rates in the PRC are set subject to Government of China (“GOC”)-imposed deposit rate ceilings and lending rate floors, not on the basis of unencumbered market forces such as inflation. Titan Cmts. 4 (citing Issues and Decision Memorandum for the Final Determination in the Countervailing Duty Investigation of Coated Free Sheet from the People’s Republic of China, C-570-907 (Oct. 17, 2007) at 68, available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/frn/summary/prc/E721046-l.pdf (last visited Oct. 21, 2013)). Titan also notes that the GOC, unlike many other governments, declines to use interest rates to control inflation for fear of unmanageable capital inflows. Titan Cmts. 4-5 (citing PetYs Cmts. on Loan Benchmarks (Nov. 9, 2007), PD 145, at 5-6). Neither observation, however, undermines a determination that inflation and interest rates are positively correlated in the Chinese economy, at least to some extent, or that lenders and borrowers are subject to the impact of inflation, albeit possibly suppressed inflation. As Titan failed to put forward information rendering unreasonable Commerce’s conclusion that inflation and interest rates are correlated in the Chinese economy, the court rejects Titan’s challenge and holds that Commerce complied with the court’s order. See Titan Cmts. 5. Furthermore, because the meaning of an “effective rate” within the regulations is ambiguous, Commerce was permitted to interpret it in any reasonable manner. Commerce’s decision to use a real interest rate as the “effective rate” is a reasonable interpretation of this regulation. Additionally, any argument by Titan in this regard was waived when Titan failed to challenge the interpretation in its comments before the court.

Titan also challenges Commerce’s rejection of the alternative calculation Titan proposed during the remand proceeding and in earlier briefing. Titan Cmts. 6-7. Titan asserts as its primary position that no inflation adjustment should be applied because such an adjustment understates the interest rates paid by Chinese borrowers and because inflation differentials within the benchmark basket of nominal interest rates are averaged out by virtue of their aggregation. Id. at 6. Commerce determined on remand that Titan’s proposal would distort the benefit calculation by failing to account for the extent to which inflation affects domestic interest rates in the PRC. See Remand Results at 35. Titan does not substantively argue in its brief for its earlier proposal that the GDP deflator be used as a substitute for Commerce’s chosen inflation adjustment, arguing instead that no adjustment should be used. See Titan Cmts. at 6; Remand Results at 35-36, 48-50. The court accordingly does not reach Commerce’s rejection of this alternative, although it notes that this appears to be a choice between two acceptable measures, each with its own flaws, and Commerce retains discretion in selecting between them. Titan also does not justify why the lack of any adjustment is not equally distortive. Although Commerce does not always adjust benchmarks to fully reflect economic factors in China, the court is not persuaded that Commerce’s decision to do so here is unreasonable. As Defendant acknowledged at oral argument, various imperfect methods exist to calculate a benchmark rate, and Commerce’s choice here seems a reasonable attempt at arriving at a difficult determination. Therefore, Commerce’s choice between its chosen adjustment and no adjustment at all is a reasonable exercise of its discretion under the statute, and the court sustains it.

III. TUTRIC’s Debt Forgiveness

TUTRIC challenges Commerce’s determination that TUTRIC’s submissions failed to provide information sufficient to overcome the inference that TUTRIC’s unpaid debt obligations were forgiven pursuant to governmental action. TUTRIC Cmts. 10-19. Defendant argues that Commerce’s determination is supported by substantial evidence and is in accordance with law. Def. Cmts. 23-28. The court sustains Commerce’s determination.

When Commerce determines that necessary information is not available on the record, it may use facts otherwise available to reach a determination. 19 U.S.C. § 1677e(a). If an interested party has failed to cooperate in providing valid data upon which Commerce can calculate trade remedy duty rates, Commerce may calculate a rate using inferences that are “adverse to the interests of that party in selecting from among the facts otherwise available.” 19 U.S.C. § 1677e(b). In so doing, Commerce may rely on information derived from the petition, a final determination in the investigation, any previous review, or any other information placed on the record. Id. Even when applying adverse facts available (“AFA”), the resulting rate “must be ‘a reasonably accurate estimate of the respondent’s actual rate, albeit with some built-in increase intended as a deterrent to non-compliance.’ ” Gallant Ocean (Thail.) Co. v. United States, 602 F.3d 1319, 1323 (Fed.Cir.2010) (quoting F.lli De Cecco Di Filippo Fara S. Martino S.p.A. v. United States, 216 F.3d 1027, 1032 (Fed.Cir.2000)).

Typically, Commerce cannot rely on an unaffiliated party’s failure to cooperate to justify the application of an AFA rate unless the exporter under investigation also is found responsible for the behavior in some way. See 19 U.S.C. § 1677e(b) (noting that Commerce must determine that a party did not act “to the best of its ability”); see also Nippon Steel Corp. v. United States, 337 F.3d 1373, 1382 (Fed.Cir.2003) (requiring Commerce to examine respondent’s actions and assess 'the extent of respondent’s abilities, efforts, and cooperation before applying adverse inferences); Tianjin Magnesium Int’l Co. v. United States, Slip Op. 11-17, 2011 WL 637623, at *1-2, 2011 Ct. Int’l Trade LEXIS 16, at *5-10 (Feb. 11, 2011) (rejecting the application of an AFA rate based on the actions of another party); SKF USA Inc. v. United States, 675 F.Supp.2d 1264, 1275-77 (CIT 2009) (finding unlawful the application of an AFA rate to a cooperative respondent in order to encourage the compliance of an unaffiliated supplier). 13

The court has recognized that in the CVD context, often the government, rather than the respondent in the investigation, possesses the information needed by Commerce to evaluate accurately the alleged subsidies-. See, e.g., Fine Furniture (Shanghai) Ltd. v. United States, 865 F.Supp.2d 1254, 1260-62 (CIT 2012). When Commerce has access to information on the record -to fill in the gaps created by a lack of cooperation by the government, however, it is expected to consider such evidence. Id. at 1262. If an alternative benchmark meets the regulatory criteria and is neutral with respect to a cooperating party, that benchmark would be superior to the one that adversely affects the cooperating party. Id. at 1262 & n. 10.

In the present matter, Commerce sought in its initial investigation information from the GOC concerning the transfer of TUTRIC debt holdings from Bank of China (“BOC”) to China Cinda Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“Cinda”), a GOC-owned asset management company, and then to Avenue Capital Group (“Avenue Asia”), a U.S.-based investment firm. I & D Memo at 116. Commerce explained that this information was material to its investigation because the transfer agreements could contain provisions forgiving portions of TUTRIC’s debt or limiting in some way the purchaser’s ability to collect. Id. The GOC refused to release any information, claiming that the information was proprietary and that the companies involved in the transaction did not consent to its release. Id. Although the GOC acknowledged that it held controlling interests in the banks and debt servicer, it claimed that it had a policy of not intervening in the operations of the companies. Id. Thus, Commerce applied AFA directly against the GOC and indirectly against TUTRIC in relation to this debt forgiveness. Id. No party argued that TUTRIC had access to these third-party agreements during the investigation, 14 and it was undisputed that TUTRIC partially settled its outstanding debt with Avenue Asia and, as requested, produced documents confirming this agreement. 15 Br. in Supp. of PL Tianjin United Tire & Rubber Int’l Co., Ltd.’s Rule 56.2 Mot. for J. upon the Agency R. (“TUTRIC Mot.”) 16.

In its previous decision, the court instructed Commerce to consider TUTRIC’s submission of the BOC-Cinda transfer agreement, which Commerce had previously rejected, if the agreement appeared reliable and its consideration mitigated the collateral effects of the adverse inference taken against the GOC. GPX VII, 893 F.Supp.2d at 1333. 16 TUTRIC also provided during the remand proceeding a second submission of what appeared to Commerce to be affidavits from a TUTRIC official and a Cinda official attesting to the value of the debt transferred from Cinda to Avenue Asia. Remand Results at 29. Commerce determined that a clause in the BOC-Cinda agreement indicates that associated agreements limiting collection rights may exist. Remand Results at 28-29. Commerce also determined that the second submission failed to demonstrate that associated agreements did not attach to the Cinda-Avenue Asia transfer. Remand Results at 29-30. TUTRIC contests both findings. TUTRIC Cmts. 10-19.

TUTRIC first argues that Commerce failed to consider reasonably the language in the BOC-Cinda agreement transferring any associated agreements to Cinda. 17 TUTRIC Cmts. 10-13. TUTRIC contends that this language is boilerplate, noting the generalized quality of the language, 18 the size of the transaction, and certain characteristics of the document. 19 Id. Although the court agrees that the language may be boilerplate, it declines to take the addition al step of finding Commerce’s consideration of the language unreasonable. Any-associated agreement, in fact, was transferred to Cinda under the transfer agreement, and the use of boilerplate language does not suggest that an associated agreement does not exist. This conclusion is further supported by the brevity of the document and the undisputed fact that a portion of the debt ultimately was forgiven. The language, therefore, provides some evidence to support the inference that such an agreement could exist based on facts available.

TUTRIC further argues, however, that additional considerations demonstrate that no such agreement exists. Specifically, TUTRIC argues that the language at issue indicates that any associated agreement would be in its possession, that it affirmed to Commerce that it disclosed all relevant information in its possession, and that Commerce failed to find at verification any evidence to the contrary. TUTRIC Cmts. 14-15. This argument also is unavailing. First, although the language implies TUTRIC’s possession of any agreement to which it is a party, 20 the set of agreements about which Commerce is concerned is not limited to those identified in the transfer agreement. Remand Results at 46-47. Second, although Commerce has an obligation to consider neutral evidence when making inferences to fill in record gaps, as TUTRIC was a cooperating party, Commerce is not obliged to fill the gaps proactively as part of its verification procedures. See Max Fortune Indus. Co. v. United States, Slip Op. 13-52, 2013 WL 1811907, at *4, 2013 Ct. Intl. Trade LEXIS 57, at *11 (Apr. 15, 2013) (“The purpose of verification is to ‘verify the accuracy and completeness of submitted factual information.’ ” (quoting 19 C.F.R. § 351.307(d) (2012))); see also Chia Far Indus. Factory Co., Ltd. v. United States, 28 CIT 1337, 1344, 343 F.Supp.2d 1344, 1354 (2004) (“The statute and regulation require Commerce to verify information but generally leave the scope of verification and the procedures for conducting it to Commerce’s discretion.”). TUTRIC also argues that its second submission providing the statements of a TUTRIC official and a Cinda official regarding the value of the holdings transferred from Cinda to Avenue Asia establishes that Avenue Asia received the full value of creditor’s rights originating from the BOC-issued debt. TUTRIC Cmts. 16-18. This evidence, however, speaks only to the nominal value of the debt and does not speak to the possible existence of associated agreements limiting collection rights. Remand Results at 29; Def. Cmts. 26-27.

TUTRIC argues generally that Commerce has put it in the impossible position of proving a negative. TUTRIC Cmts. 15-16. Although the court is not without considerable concern for the collateral effects of adverse inferences due to government non-cooperation, the evidence submitted by TUTRIC during the remand proceeding fails to address directly the possibility of ancillary agreements. Such evidence would come directly form the non-cooperating GOC. The record includes uncontested evidence of debt forgiveness as well as transfer agreements that reference possible ancillary agreements concerning debt collection. Additionally, there is no direct evidence that the debt forgiveness originated with Avenue Asia, as no record evidence discusses the reasons for the particular amount of debt forgiveness embodied in the settlement agreement.

Here, Commerce was confronted with analyzing the transfer and eventual settlement of loans that never were eonsid ered fully-collectible commercial debt, at least by the time of the transfer from the BOC to Cinda. The history of these loans, with no regular payments, repeated renegotiations, inexplicable interest waivers, and no serious efforts to minimize the lender’s loss, indicate that the loans were not treated by the BOC as ordinary commercial debt. See Final Calculation Memorandum for Tianjin United Tire & Rubber International Co., Ltd. at 5-8, CD 591 (July 7, 2008). Only when the loans were transferred to an external entity, Avenue Asia, did they take on any commercial indicia and appear as something more than government equity infusions. Relying on the amount forgiven (as now conservatively calculated by Commerce) seems a particularly fair way to value the subsidy. Had the whole “loan” amounts been seen as equity infusions from the outset or at one of the earlier debt forgiveness stages, no doubt the rate of subsidization would be greater. Instead, Commerce decided to approach the convoluted history of these renegotiated loans by treating them as debt forgiveness at the time they were transferred by the last GOC entity holding them to Avenue Asia. 21 When taken as a whole, the evidence on the record provided sufficient support for Commerce’s determination that governmental subsidization occurred in the amount now established based on facts otherwise available, without the need for drawing an adverse inference against TUTRIC. See 19 U.S.C. § 1677e(a) (“If ... necessary information is not available on the record ... [Commerce] shall ... use the facts otherwise available in reaching the applicable determination____”). Accordingly, the court sustains Commerce’s determination on this basis.

CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, the determination of Commerce is SUSTAINED. Judgment will be entered accordingly.

1 . Starbright is a fully owned subsidiary of GPX. Resp’t Pl.’s App.-Confidential, Tab 12, Ex. B at 2. At times throughout this opinion, the names of the two companies are used interchangeably where a distinction is unimportant.

2 .Commerce indicated that its redetermination was completed under protest, but it failed to specify which aspects of the Remand Results the protest covered. The only legitimate purpose of registering a protest in a remand determination is to preserve a particular issue for appeal where the agency has been compelled to take a particular step that results in an outcome not of its choosing. At oral argument, government counsel conceded that the final TUTRIC determination is the only one that may be so described, i.e. the agency was compelled to consider new determinative facts in valuing the subsidy to TUTRIC. Whether the general expression of disagreement is sufficient to preserve this specific issue for appellate review cannot be decided here. Putting aside appearance issues, specificity would eliminate ambiguity for these purposes.

3 . Although GPX's rate has been reset by an intervening administrative review, see New Pneumatic Off-the-Road Tires From the People’s Republic of China: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, 76 Fed.Reg. 23,286, 23,288 (Dep’t Commerce Apr. 26, 2011), this case is relevant to whether countervailing duties are owed at all.

4 . Antidumping duty issues were resolved previously. See generally GPX Int’l Tire Corp. v. United States, 715 F.Supp.2d 1337 (CIT 2010).

5 . According to the methodology:

A primary consideration in this regard normally will be whether the government failed to maximize its return on what it sold, indicating that the purchaser paid less for the company or assets than it otherwise would have had the government acted in a manner consistent with the normal sales practices of private, commercial sellers in that country.

Final Modification, 68 Fed.Reg. at 37,127.

To determine whether this condition is satisfied, Commerce has identified a non-exhaustive list of four considerations:

(1)Objective analysis: Did the government perform or obtain an objective analysis in determining the appropriate sales price? Did it implement the recommendations of such objective analysis for maximizing its return on the sale, including in regard to the sales price recommended in the analysis?

(2) Artificial barriers to entry: For example, did the government impose restrictions on foreign purchasers or purchasers from other industries, or overly burdensome or unreasonable bidder qualification requirements, or any other restrictions that artificially suppressed the demand for, or the purchase price of, the company?

(3) Highest bid: For example, was the highest bid accepted and was the price paid in cash or close equivalent? Why or why not?

(4) Committed investment: For example, were there price discounts or other inducements in exchange for promises of additional future investment that private commercial sellers would not normally seek (e.g., retaining redundant workers or unwanted capacity)? Did the committed investment requirements serve as a barrier to entry, or in any way distort the value that bidders were willing to pay for what was being sold?

Id.

6 . Defendant also argues that the chairman's actions were inconsistent with the definition of “arm’s length transaction” provided in the Final Modification. Def. Cmts. 12. Defendant characterizes the Final Modification as defining an arm's-length transaction as "a transaction where the buyer and seller, as well as their interests, are separate.” Id. The Final Modification says no such thing; rather, the Final Modification provides only that Commerce "will be guided by the SAA's definition of an arm’s-length transaction.” Final Modification, 68 Fed.Reg. at 37,127. There is no reason to believe an arm's-length transaction can never occur where interests overlap in part, such as an interest in finalizing an agreed-upon transaction.

7 . Commerce repeated its analysis of the worker retention agreement on remand. Remand Results at 7-8. Although GPX seems to acknowledge that the court held Commerce’s treatment of the worker retention agreement to be reasonable in its previous opinion, GPX again argues that Commerce did not reasonably consider this agreement, perhaps under the view that Commerce altered its prior analysis on remand. See GPX Cmts. 2-4. Defendant rightly asserts that Commerce merely elaborated on the significance of the agreement, as per the court’s instruction to reweigh the evidence. Def. Cmts. 14. The court declines to revisit this issue.

8 . Specifically, Commerce found: that the appraisal states that its coverage is partial; that the appraisal states as its objective to provide only "a general idea” of the assets’ value; that the appraisal states that off-the-books equipment is excluded from the valuation; that the appraisal may not have included certain mortgaged equipment; that beyond land use rights, the appraisal includes no intangible property; and that the appraisal's accuracy turns on the quality of Hebei Tire's records, which an outside due diligence report on the record found deficient. Remand Results at 15-17.

9 . Throughout its analysis, Commerce emphasizes that it does not calculate a numerical FMV within its process-based approach. Commerce seems to go further by treating its process-based methodology as an end unto itself. At bottom, however, FMV is by definition a value, either a fixed number or a range of numbers. Although FMV may be amorphous and difficult for Commerce to calculate, this fundamental concept cannot be ignored by Commerce when it determines that an objective analysis calculating FMV is not probative.

10 . The court notes that this does not mean Commerce must base its determinations in change-in-ownership situations on objective evidence of the numerical value of FMV, and in fact, given the problems likely to arise in many appraisals, as here, Commerce's ultimate determination often may be to reject the appraisals as faulty and base its decision instead on its process-based analysis.

11 . Specifically, the appraiser valued [[Confidential Data Deleted ]] pieces or sets of equipment in [[Confidential Data Deleted]], and also may have valued [[Confidential Data Deleted]]. Remand Results at 17-18.

12 . Commerce noted on remand that the appraisals indicate that the Hebei Tire facility contained [[Confidential Data Deleted ]] pieces of equipment. Remand Results at 25 n. 17. Commerce also noted on remand that the facility comprised [[Confidential Data Delet ed]] buildings. Remand Results at 26 n. 18. GPX contests neither assertion. See GPX Cmts. 8-9.

13 . To the extent that Mueller Comercial de Mexico v. United States, 887 F.Supp.2d 1360 (CIT 2012), can be read to allow a cooperator’s rate in an AD case to be based on the noncooperation of another party, the court rejects it.

14 . The Remand Results assert that TUTRIC conceded on remand that it had the CindaAvenue Asia agreement but did not provide it. Remand Results at 45. Both TUTRIC and the Defendant have recognized that this concession was based on a misreading of a document submitted by TUTRIC, but not authored by it. See Def. Cmts. 28; TUTRIC Cmts. 17. Defendant does not claim that this can serve as a basis for AFA.

15 . No documents on the record explain how the amount of forgiveness eventually provided to TUTRIC was determined, except that it was ultimately embodied in a settlement agreement.

16 . Defendant does not assert that TUTRIC may be held to account for the GOC’s noncooperation as a part of the GOC. TUTRIC has been held to be an independent entity. See Certain New Pneumatic Off-The-Road Tires from the People’s Republic of China; Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less than Fair Value and Postponement of Final Determination, 73 Fed.Reg. 9278, 9284, 9286 (Dep't Commerce Feb. 20, 2008).

17 . The agreement states:

[[Confidential Data Deleted ]]

TUTRIC’s Resp. to Commerce’s Jan. 11, 2013, Req. For Info, at Ex. R-l, CD 1 at bar code 3115117-01 (Jan. 16, 2013), ECF No. 416 (Aug. 1, 2013) ("TUTRIC Jan. 11 Resp.’’).

18 . TUTRIC argues that the word [[Confidential Data Deleted ]] in the phrase [[Confidential Data Deleted]] is indefinite and ambiguous, suggesting only that such an agreement may exist. TUTRIC Cmts. 11. TUTRIC also argues that the word [[Confidential Data De leted]] in the [[Confidential Data Deleted]] demonstrates that any associated agreement, if one does exist, does not necessarily concern [[Confidential Data Deleted ]]. Id.

19 . TUTRIC cites [[Confidential Data Deleted J], including the following: [[Confidential Data Deleted]] TUTRIC Cmts. 12-13. TUTRIC also points to the Chinese-language document, which includes [[Confidential Data De leted]] Id. at 13.

20 . TUTRIC cites the phrase [[Confidential Data Deleted ]] TUTRIC Cmts. 14.

21 . The loans were bundled and sold as part of a "bad debt sale initiative” along with RMB 21.5 billion in other “non-performing loans” covering 1,500 debtors. See TUTRIC Mot. 5; TUTRIC Supp. Questionnaire Resp., Ex. SCVD-11 at 2, CD 200 (Nov. 27, 2007). TUTRIC agreed at oral argument that the loans were sold for below the face value of the debt. Although it is one more fact missing from the record, given the state of the debt, one may infer that the discount was steep.