Opinion
Court No. 08-00324, Slip Op. 10-75.
July 6, 2010.
Sidley Austin LLP (Neil R. Ellis and Jill Caiazzo) for plaintiffs JTEKT Corporation and Koyo Corporation of U.S.A.
Crowell Moring, LLP (Daniel J. Cannistra and Alexander H. Schaefer) for plaintiffs Aisin Seiki Company, Ltd. and Aisin Holdings America, Inc.
Baker McKenzie, LLP (Donald J. Unger, Diane A. MacDonald, and Joseph W. LaFramboise) for plaintiffs American NTN Bearing Manufacturing Corp., NTN Bearing Corporation of America, NTNBower Corporation, NTN Corporation, NTN Driveshaft, Inc., and NTN-BCA Corporation.
Tony West, Assistant Attorney General, Jeanne E. Davidson, Director, Patricia M. McCarthy, Assistant Director, Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division, United States Department of Justice (L. Misha Preheim); Deborah R. King and Brian' Soiset, Office of Chief Counsel for Import Administration, United States Department of Commerce, of counsel, for defendant.
Stewart and Stewart (Geert M. De Prest, Lane S. Hurewitz, Terence P. Stewart, and William A. Fennell) for defendantintervenor.
[Affirming final results of eighteenth administrative reviews of antidumping duty orders on ball bearings and parts thereof]
OPINION
JTEKT Corporation and Koyo Corporation of U.S.A. (collectively, "JTEKT") brought an action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1581(c) (2006) to contest the final determination of the United States Department of Commerce ("Commerce" or the "Department") in the eighteenth administrative reviews ("AFBs 18 reviews" or "AFBs 18") of antidumping duty orders on ball bearings and parts thereof ("subject merchandise") from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. JTEKT Summons 1-2; Ball Bearings Parts Thereof From France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Admin. Reviews Rescission of Reviews in Part, 73 Fed. Reg. 52,823 (Sept. 11, 2008) (" Final Results"); Issues Decision Mem. for the Antidumping Duty Admin. Reviews of Ball Bearings Parts Thereof from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom for the Period of Review May 1, 2006, through April 30, 2007, at 2-3 (Sept. 11, 2008) (" Decision Mem."). The reviews cover entries of subject merchandise made from May 1, 2006 through April 30, 2007 ("period of review" or "POR"). Final Results, 73 Fed. Reg. at 52,823.
The actions brought by plaintiffs American NTN Bearing Manufacturing Corp., NTN Bearing Corporation of America, NTN-Bower Corporation, NTN Corporation, NTN Driveshaft, Inc., and NTN-BCA Corporation (collectively, "NTN") and Aisin Seiki Company, Ltd. and Aisin Holdings America, Inc. (collectively, "Aisin") were consolidated under JTEKT Corp. v. United States, Consolidated Court No. 08-00324. Before the court are JTEKT's and NTN's motions for judgment upon the agency record, which contest various determinations that Commerce made in the Final Results. In two sections of Part II of this Opinion, the court addresses the claims of JTEKT and NTN, as follows: (A) NTN's claim challenging the application of the Department's "zeroing" methodology to non-dumped sales, and (B) various claims of JTEKT and NTN directed to the Department's revised model match methodology, the adoption of which JTEKT and NTN contest generally and the specific application of which each plaintiff challenges in certain respects. For the reasons discussed in this Opinion, the court concludes that the Final Results are in accordance with law and must be affirmed.
Pleading that as a non-selected respondent it received an average of the margins of JTEKT Corporation and Koyo Corporation of U.S.A. (collectively, "JTEKT") and American NTN Bearing Manufacturing Corp., NTN Bearing Corporation of America, NTN-Bower Corporation, NTN Corporation, NTN Driveshaft, Inc., and NTN-BCA Corporation (collectively, "NTN"), Aisin Seiki Company, Ltd. and Aisin Holdings America, Inc. (collectively, "Aisin") seeks relief in the form of a revised margin reflecting any changes to JTEKT's margin resulting from this litigation. Aisin Compl. ¶¶ 5, 10-11; see Ball Bearings Parts Thereof From France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Admin. Reviews Rescission of Reviews in Part, 73 Fed. Reg. 52,823, 52,824-25 (Sept. 11, 2008) (" Final Results"). Aisin did not file its own motion for judgment upon the agency record.
I. BACKGROUND
The court presents below the general background of the administrative and judicial proceedings. Additional background information specific to individual claims is presented in Part II of this Opinion.
A. Administrative Proceedings
On May 15, 1989, Commerce issued antidumping duty orders on imports of ball bearings from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. On May 7, 2008, Commerce issued the preliminary results of the eighteenth set of administrative reviews of these orders ("Preliminary Results"). Ball Bearings Parts Thereof from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom: Prelim. Results of Antidumping Duty Admin. Reviews Intent to Rescind Reviews in Part, 73 Fed. Reg. 25,654 (May 7, 2008) (" Prelim. Results"). Later that year, Commerce issued the Final Results and incorporated by reference an internal issues and decisions memorandum ("Decision Memorandum") containing the Department's analysis of issues raised by interested parties subsequent to the Preliminary Results. Final Results, 73 Fed. Reg. at 52,824; see Decision Mem. After the initiation of judicial review, the court granted defendant's motion for leave to allow Commerce to amend the Final Results for correction of a ministerial error. Order 1, Nov. 25, 2008. Commerce issued amended final results on December 9, 2008. Notice of Am. Final Results of Antidumping Duty Admin. Reviews: Ball Bearings Parts Thereof from Japan, 73 Fed. Reg. 74,703 (Dec. 9, 2008).
Antidumping Duty Orders: Ball Bearings, Cylindrical Roller Bearings, Spherical Plain Bearings, Parts Thereof From France, 54 Fed. Reg. 20,902 (May 15, 1989); Antidumping Duty Orders: Ball Bearings, Cylindrical Roller Bearings, Spherical Plain Bearings Parts Thereof From the Federal Republic of Germany, 54 Fed. Reg. 20,900 (May 15, 1989); Antidumping Duty Orders: Ball Bearings Cylindrical Roller Bearings, Parts Thereof From Italy, 54 Fed. Reg. 20,903 (May 15, 1989); Antidumping Duty Orders: Ball Bearings, Cylindrical Roller Bearings, Spherical Plain Bearings, Parts Thereof From Japan, 54 Fed. Reg. 20,904 (May 15, 1989); Antidumping Duty Orders Amendments to the Final Determinations of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Ball Bearings, Cylindrical Roller Bearings Parts Thereof From the United Kingdom, 54 Fed. Reg. 20,910 (May 15, 1989).
B. Judicial Review in the Consolidated Case
On October 10, 2008, the court granted Timken's consent motion to intervene on behalf of the defendant. Order 1, Oct. 10, 2008. The court ordered consolidation under Consolidated Court No. 08-00324 of JTEKT Corp. v. United States, Court No. 08-00324, NTN Corp. v. United States, Court No. 08-00329, and Aisin Seiki Co. v. United States, Court No. 08-00370. Order 1, Feb. 18, 2009. JTEKT and NTN filed their motions for judgment upon the agency record in April 2009. Mem. of P. A. in Supp. of Mot. of Pls. JTEKT Corp. Koyo Corp. of U.S.A. for J. on the Agency R. ("JTEKT Mem."); Mem. in Supp. of Mot. for J. on the Agency R. Submitted on Behalf of Pls. NTN Corp., NTN Bearing Corp. of Am., Am. NTN Bearing Mfg. Corp., NTN-BCA Corp., NTN-Bower Corp., NTN Driveshaft, Inc. ("NTN Mem."). Defendant and defendant-intervenor oppose both motions in the entirety. Def.'s Opp'n to Pls.' Mots. for J. upon the Agency R. ("Def. Resp."); Resp. of The Timken Co. to the Rule 56.2 Mots. of JTEKT Corp., et al. ("Def.-Intervenor Resp."). On December 10, 2009, the court held oral argument on the two motions for judgment upon the agency record.
II. DISCUSSION
The court exercises jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1581(c), which grants the Court of International Trade exclusive jurisdiction of any civil action commenced under 19 U.S.C. § 1516a. 28 U.S.C. § 1581(c). The court reviews the Final Results based on the agency record. See 28 U.S.C. § 2640(b) (2006); 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(b)(1)(B)(i) (2006). The court "shall hold unlawful any determination, finding, or conclusion found . . . to be unsupported by substantial evidence on the record, or otherwise not in accordance with law." 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(b)(1)(B)(i). "Substantial evidence is more than a mere scintilla. It means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Consol. Edison Co. v. NLRB, 305 U.S. 197, 229 (1938).
JTEKT and NTN contest various determinations in the Final Results. NTN challenges the Department's zeroing procedure. NTN Mem. 5-10. JTEKT and NTN challenge the Department's decision to change its model match methodology, and each also challenges the Department's rejection of suggested revisions to the new model match methodology. JTEKT Mem. 12-35; NTN Mem. 11-29. In addition, JTEKT contests the Department's decision to base its margin on specific model matches that JTEKT characterizes as inappropriate. JTEKT Mem. 35-39.
In its complaint, JTEKT challenged the zeroing methodology of the United States Department of Commerce ("Commerce" or the "Department") and then abandoned the count in its motion for judgment upon the agency record. JTEKT Compl. ¶¶ 12-15; Mot. of Pls. JTEKT Corp. Koyo Corp. of U.S.A. for J. on the Agency R. 1.
A. NTN's Claim Challenging the Department's Zeroing Procedure is Inconsistent with Controlling Judicial Precedent
NTN acknowledges the precedent upholding zeroing in administrative reviews but urges the court to reconsider the issue because of decisions by the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization ("WTO"), which declared zeroing inconsistent with the WTO obligations of the United States. NTN Mem. 5. Relying on announcements by the United States that it would implement WTO decisions, NTN argues that the United States has done nothing to eliminate zeroing in administrative reviews despite statements to the contrary. Id. at 5, 9-10.
In litigation involving prior administrative reviews, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ("Court of Appeals") rejected arguments essentially identical to those advanced by NTN in this case, stating that "because Commerce's zeroing practice is in accordance with our well-established precedent, until Commerce officially abandons the practice pursuant to the specified statutory scheme, we affirm its continued use in this case." NSK Ltd. v. United States, 510 F.3d 1375, 1380 (Fed. Cir. 2007). The Court of Appeals rejected the argument that Commerce was not free to apply zeroing in administrative reviews after ceasing to do so in investigations. Id. (citing Corus Staal BV v. Dep't of Commerce, 395 F.3d 1343, 1349 (Fed. Cir. 2005)). In Koyo Seiko Co. v. United States, 551 F.3d 1286 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (" Koyo III"), the Court of Appeals once again declined to hold zeroing impermissible or to remand the question to Commerce for recalculation of dumping margins without the use of zeroing. Koyo III, 551 F.3d at 1291 (declining "to direct Commerce to reopen the Final Results . . . to consider the impact on its decision of the subsequent WTO ruling"). As required by binding precedent, the court will affirm the Department's use of zeroing in the Final Results.
B. The Department's Adoption and Application of the New Model Match Methodology Was In Accordance with Law
As a general matter, determining a dumping margin requires Commerce to compare the export price (or constructed export price) for subject merchandise with the price of comparable merchandise (the "foreign like product") in the home market. 19 U.S.C. § 1677b(a)(1)(B) (2006). For this comparison, Commerce first attempts to match sales of merchandise in the United States with home-market sales of identical merchandise. Id. § 1677(16)(A) (2006). If there is no identical merchandise, then Commerce attempts to match similar merchandise using its model match methodology. Id. § 1677(16)(B)-(C).
For the first fourteen sets of administrative reviews of ball bearing orders, Commerce used a model match methodology that grouped bearings into "families" if the bearings matched according to eight predetermined characteristics (the "family model match methodology"). Issues Decision Mem. for the Antidumping Duty Admin. Reviews of Ball Bearings Parts Thereof from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom for the Period of Review May 1, 2003, through April 30, 2004, at 19-26 (Sept. 16, 2005) (" AFBs 15 Decision Mem."). In the fifteenth administrative reviews ("AFBs 15"), Commerce announced its new model match methodology, which it applied in the sixteenth ("AFBs 16"), seventeenth ("AFBs 17"), and eighteenth administrative reviews. Decision Mem. 3, 14.
In the new model match methodology, Commerce matches ball bearing models that are identical according to four physical characteristics: load direction, bearing design, number of rows of rolling elements, and precision rating. AFBs 15 Decision Mem. 19. A match requires consistency with respect to all four physical characteristics. Id. If there is such a match, Commerce then examines four additional, quantitative characteristics: load rating, outer diameter, inner diameter, and width. Id. Commerce selects the model with the lowest sum of the deviations for these four quantitative characteristics and excludes potential matches if the sum of the deviations exceeds 40%. Id. Finally, Commerce applies a difference-in-merchandise ("DIFMER") adjustment based on the difference in the variable costs of production for the two models under comparison; however, Commerce excludes from consideration any potential matches for which the DIFMER adjustment would be greater than 20%. Decision Mem. 17-18.
Plaintiffs raise various arguments in support of their claim that the Department's decision to change the model match methodology was made unlawfully. JTEKT Mem. 12-26; NTN Mem. 11-15. In addition, JTEKT argues that Commerce should change the 40% sum-of-the-deviations cap, adopt lubrication as a physical characteristic, exclude allegedly inappropriate matches from the dumping margin, and alter its process for evaluating inappropriate matches. JTEKT Mem. 26-39. NTN argues that Commerce should adopt model match subcategories for the insert bearing design type and should use the DIFMER adjustment as a first step in resolving ties when selecting the most similar merchandise. NTN Mem. 15-20.
1. Commerce Acted Lawfully in Adopting Its New Model Match Methodology
JTEKT and NTN challenge the Department's decision to depart from the previous, family model match methodology. Both argue that the Department's new methodology is unsupported by substantial evidence on the record and that Commerce failed to demonstrate that the new methodology is more accurate than the previous one. JTEKT Mem. 14-24; NTN Mem. 11-15. JTEKT argues that Commerce was incorrect in judging a methodology that generates more price-to-price comparisons to be inherently more accurate than one limiting such comparisons. JTEKT Mem. 14-15. According to JTEKT, increasing price-to-price comparisons does not achieve greater accuracy and comes at the cost of comparing products that may differ by as much as 40% in the aggregate with respect to four physical characteristics. Id. at 15-16. Similarly, NTN argues that the new model match methodology is less accurate because less strict requirements for matches result in matches with fewer similarities than the matches under the family model match methodology. NTN Mem. 14. NTN also argues that the family methodology is entitled to great weight because of its use in the first fourteen administrative reviews and because Commerce stated its intent to continue using that methodology. Id. at 11-12. JTEKT adds that Commerce deviated from its past practice in concluding that the new model match methodology is more accurate. JTEKT Mem. 17-20.
As the Court of Appeals has noted, "this statute `is silent with respect to the methodology that Commerce must use to match a U.S. product with a suitable home-market product.'" SKF USA, Inc. v. United States, 537 F.3d 1373, 1379 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (" SKF II") (quoting Koyo Seiko Co. v. United States, 66 F.3d 1204, 1209 (Fed. Cir. 1995) (" Koyo II")). The Court of Appeals viewed this silence as an indication that Congress afforded Commerce considerable discretion in creating a methodology for identifying foreign like products. Id. (citing Pesquera Mares Australes Ltda. v. United States, 266 F.3d 1372, 1384 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (" Pesquera Mares"), which cites, in turn, Koyo II, 66 F.3d at 1209). The Court of Appeals reasoned that, under Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837 (1984), a court must accept the Department's reasonable interpretation of a statute when the statute is silent regarding a specific issue, even if the court would have preferred a different interpretation. SKF II, 537 F.3d at 1379 (citing Koyo Seiko Co. v. United States, 36 F.3d 1565, 1570 (Fed. Cir. 1994) (" Koyo I")). With respect to accuracy, the Court of Appeals concluded that "the methodology yields more accurate results because it matches the most similar product rather than merely pooling several models that matched as to eight characteristics but could vary significantly in price or cost, due to differences in materials for certain components or added features." Id. For these reasons, the Court of Appeals deferred to the Department's choice of methodology as a reasonable construction of the antidumping statute. Id. at 1380 ("Based on Commerce's increased technological capacity, combined with its desire to fashion a model match methodology more in keeping with its ordinary practice of selecting a single most similar model rather than pooling values of product families, we affirm its decision to revise the model-match methodology."). In Koyo III, the Court of Appeals again affirmed the Department's use of the new model match methodology. Koyo III, 551 F.3d at 1290.
The court concludes that Commerce acted lawfully in deciding to apply in AFBs 18 the same basic model match methodology that it applied in the immediately-preceding sets of ball bearing reviews and that has been upheld by the Court of Appeals. As the Court of Appeals has concluded on more than one occasion, Commerce's methodological choice is entitled to judicial deference as a reasonable construction of the antidumping statute. In deciding to apply the new model match methodology in AFBs 18, Commerce relied on the same reasoning upon which it made the initial decision to change its methodology in AFBs 15, which decision the Court of Appeals repeatedly has affirmed. Plaintiffs point to nothing in the record of AFBs 18 upon which the court could conclude that a different result should obtain in this case.
In AFBs 18, Commerce stated as follows:
As we explained in AFBs 15, we determined that compelling reasons existed to revise the model-match methodology for these bearings proceedings. Specifically, we determined that a revision to the methodology would accomplish the following objectives: 1) it reflects more accurately the intent of [ 19 U.S.C. § 1677(16)], including the statute's preference for identifying the foreign like product by selecting the single most-similar product; 2) it reflects the statutory preference for using price-to-price comparisons; 3) it allows us to take advantage of technological developments. In addition, the revised methodology is much closer to our normal matching practice than is the family-matching methodology.Issues Decision Mem. for the Antidumping Duty Admin. Reviews of Ball Bearings Parts Thereof from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom for the Period of Review May 1, 2006, through April 30, 2007, at 14 (Sept. 11, 2008) (citations omitted) (" Decision Mem.").
2. Commerce Was Not Required to Adopt JTEKT's Proposal for 10% Deviation Caps in its New Model Match Methodology
In applying the new model match methodology, Commerce considers four additional physical characteristics after identifying, as potential matches, ball bearings that are identical to the subject merchandise in bearing design, load direction, number of rows, and precision grade. AFBs 15 Decision Mem. 19. Commerce "select[s] the single model that has the fewest physical differences from the U.S. model with respect to inner diameter, outer diameter, width, and load rating, with an upper boundary of a 40-percent difference in the total deviation in the values for these four physical characteristics." Id. As discussed previously, Commerce declines to match a home-market bearing to a U.S. bearing if the sum of the deviations from the U.S. bearing with respect to the four measurable physical characteristics exceeds 40%. Id. JTEKT argues that Commerce should have adopted JTEKT's proposal for individual caps of 10% as the maximum permissible deviation for each of the four quantitative characteristics, as opposed to an overall 40% aggregate cap. JTEKT Mem. 27-30. According to JTEKT, any potential match that deviates by more than 10% for one quantitative characteristic should be excluded, even if the total deviation for all four of these characteristics is less than 40%. Id. Defendant responds that Commerce appropriately rejected JTEKT's proposed change as unnecessary because the 40% sum-of-the-deviations cap "compl[ies] with the statute and allow[s] for reasonable comparisons of similar models" and "plaintiffs' proposed changes conflict with Commerce's court-approved interpretation of the statute as applied in the model-match methodology." Def. Resp. 20.
JTEKT advances four arguments in support of its contention that Commerce should have adopted its proposal for incorporating individual 10% deviation caps into the model match methodology. JTEKT Mem. 27-30. Finding these arguments unconvincing for the reasons discussed below, the court concludes that Commerce acted permissibly in rejecting JTEKT's proposal.
JTEKT argues, first, that use of its suggested individual 10% deviation caps would achieve greater accuracy even though yielding a greater number of price-to-constructed-value comparisons. JTEKT Mem. 28. In the Decision Memorandum, Commerce disagreed with JTEKT's conclusion as to accuracy, taking the position that use of constructed value rather than the price-to-price matches preferred under the Act may decrease accuracy rather than improve it. Decision Mem. 23.
It is reasonable to assume that JTEKT's proposed 10% deviation caps would disqualify some matches that the single 40% sum-of-the-deviations cap would permit. It does not follow that the overall accuracy attained by the model match methodology would be increased were JTEKT's 10% cap proposal adopted as a modification to that methodology. As Commerce recognized when adopting the new methodology in AFBs 15, fewer matches means more resort to constructed value. Constructed value also may involve some compromise of absolute accuracy in the determination of a dumping margin. Commerce made the choice to adopt a 40% sum-of-the-deviations rule by balancing these competing considerations, and the court does not discern a basis upon which to conclude that Commerce chose unreasonably. The mere fact that a home-market bearing differs by more than 10% in a measurable physical characteristic does not compel the conclusion that the resulting match is per se unreasonable; moreover, the DIFMER adjustment serves to compensate in part for physical differences in two matched bearing models.
Second, JTEKT argues that it presented evidence of individual, "distortive" mismatches resulting from the 40% sum-of-the-deviations cap but that Commere rejected that evidence for reasons not relating to the dissimilarity of models. JTEKT Mem. 27-28. Commerce found that JTEKT had not cited any matches that were inappropriate according to Commerce's normal practice and interpretation of 19 U.S.C. § 1677(16)(B). Decision Mem. 23. Defendant argues that JTEKT used criteria not considered in the new model match methodology to identify differences between matched bearings. Def. Mem. 23. In addition, defendant contends that the differences were not substantial enough to prevent reasonable comparison. Id.
JTEKT's second argument is unpersuasive because the evidence JTEKT cites in its brief of what it terms "distortive" individual mismatches is grounded in differences exceeding 10% in measurable physical characteristics. See JTEKT Mem. 27-28. Again, the fact that a bearing differs by more than 10% in a single physical characteristic is not conclusive evidence of an unreasonable match.
Third, JTEKT argues that Commerce, in statements in previous administrative reviews, considered 10% as the proper amount of deviation for any individual dimensional characteristic. JTEKT Mem. 28-29, Ex. G ( Mem. from Acting Deputy Assistant Sec'y for Imp. Admin. to Acting Assistant Sec'y for Imp. Admin. 13-15 (May 6, 2005)). Past proceedings and the administrative record refute this argument. Commerce chose to implement a methodology with a 40% sum-of-the-deviations cap for four dimensional characteristics, and the Court of Appeals upheld that methodology as reasonable. See SKF II, 537 F.3d at 1379. The court finds no evidence that Commerce previously intended to limit the deviation for each physical characteristic to 10%. Instead, Commerce treated its prior statement, not unreasonably, as merely an observation that an "average" deviation of 10% per variable was possible using the 40% sum-of-the-deviations cap. Decision Mem. 23-24.
Finally, JTEKT argues that its suggested 10% caps would add predictability and that the Court of Appeals "has recognized that one of the key goals in imposing an antidumping duty order is to encourage respondents to adjust their U.S. and comparison market prices in order to `purge' themselves of dumping liability." JTEKT Mem. 30 (citing Nucor Corp. v. United States, 414 F.3d 1331, 1336 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (" Nucor")). Commerce agreed that JTEKT's proposal would make it easier for respondents to predict the universe of models in the comparison market but "[did] not find this reason to be sufficient for [Commerce] to disregard price-to-price matches that are appropriate and reasonable." Decision Mem. 24.
The court rejects the argument JTEKT makes regarding enhanced predictability. Even if the individual 10% caps would enhance predictability of the methodology by limiting the universe of total matches, that factor alone does not cause the court to conclude that Commerce acted unreasonably in rejecting JTEKT's proposal. Commerce was permitted to consider, and balance, competing objectives in adopting and, in the AFBs 18 review, applying, its model match methodology, so long as it acted reasonably and within its statutory discretion in identifying the foreign like product. The essential question is not whether Commerce was required to adopt a proposed change because doing so would increase predictability but whether the methodology, as actually applied, was reasonable absent any such change. The proposal for 10% caps, if adopted by Commerce, could be expected to reduce the number of matches and thereby require more applications of constructed value, a result that is not necessarily an improvement in overall accuracy. In summary, the premise that the adoption of JTEKT's proposal would result in increased predictability by limiting the universe of potential matches does not demonstrate that Commerce acted unreasonably in rejecting that proposal. Moreover, the decision of the Court of Appeals in Nucor did not address the specific issue presented by use of the model match methodology in this case. Nucor, 414 F.3d at 1336 (upholding the decision by the Court of International Trade that the United States International Trade Commission, in determining whether the domestic industry was materially injured, reasonably interpreted statutory language in according different weights to imports during different portions of the period of investigation).
3. Commerce Lawfully Determined Not To Adopt Lubrication as a Ninth Physical Characteristic
The model match methodology considers a total of eight physical characteristics. AFBs 15 Decision Mem. 19. JTEKT argues that Commerce should have adopted as a ninth physical characteristic the presence or absence of lubrication, arguing that the differences allowed in the new model match methodology amplify the need for this additional characteristic, JTEKT Mem. 30-31, and that "[w]ithout the appropriate lubrication, a bearing model cannot function properly in its designated application." Id. at 31. JTEKT asks this court to remand the Final Results so that Commerce may consider more thoroughly the merits of adding to the model match methodolodgy the presence or absence of lubrication as an additional physical characteristic. Id. at 33.Defendant maintains that comparing lubricated and unlubricated bearings is reasonable and in accordance with the Department's new model match methodology. Def. Resp. 18. Defendant argues that the application of a particular bearing is irrelevant to the model match methodology and even to the prior family model-match methodology. Id. Defendant-intervenor argues that Commerce does take lubrication into account because the cost of the lubricant affects the variable cost of manufacturing considered by Commerce. Def.-Intervenor Resp. 28.
Upon considering JTEKT's proposal to add the presence of or absence of lubrication as a physical model match characteristic, Commerce concluded during the review that JTEKT had "not demonstrated that an unlubricated bearing cannot reasonably be compared with a lubricated bearing." Decision Mem. 25. Commerce considered the rolling element more relevant to the similarity determination than substitutability for specific bearing applications. Id. (citing Koyo II, 66 F.3d at 1210 (stating that "for purposes of calculating antidumping duties, it is not necessary `to ensure that home market models are technically substitutable, purchased by the same type of customers, or applied to the same end use as the U.S. model'" (quoting Tapered Roller Bearings, Finished Unfinished, Parts Thereof, From Japan; Final Results of Antidumping Duty Admin. Review, 56 Fed. Reg. 41,508, 41,511 (Aug. 21, 1991)))). Commerce stated that it has "never found that an unlubricated bearing could not be reasonably compared with a lubricated bearing" and in the family model match methodology had treated as identical two models of bearings that differed only in type of lubricant used. Id. Commerce explained that it "only began treating such bearings as different products after [Commerce] found that differences in lubricant can create significant differences in cost." Id.
The court concludes that the Department's decision not to adopt the presence or absence of lubrication as an additional model match characteristic was reasonable and adequately explained in the Decision Memorandum. The statute, in 19 U.S.C. § 1677(16)(A), affords discretion sufficiently broad to allow Commerce, in applying its established model match methodology, to match a lubricated bearing with an unlubricated bearing, despite the fact that the two bearings have different applications. See Koyo II, 66 F.3d at 1210; Pesquera Mares, 266 F.3d at 1384. Where the difference with respect to lubrication and other physical differences result in a significant difference in the variable costs of manufacturing, the potential match is subject to the 20% DIFMER limitation and DIFMER adjustment. The court lacks a basis on this record to conclude that the absence of a model match characteristic specific to lubrication renders unlawful the model match methodology when considered as a whole.
The statute provides:
The term "foreign like product" means merchandise in the first of the following categories in respect of which a determination for the purposes of part II of this subtitle can be satisfactorily made:
(A) The subject merchandise and other merchandise which is identical in physical characteristics with, and was produced in the same country by the same person as, that merchandise.
(B) Merchandise —
(i) produced in the same country and by the same person as the subject merchandise,
(ii) like that merchandise in component material or materials and in the purposes for which used, and
(iii) approximately equal in commercial value to that merchandise.
(C) Merchandise —
(i) produced in the same country and by the same person and of the same general class or kind as the subject merchandise,
(ii) like that merchandise in the purposes for which used, and
(iii) which the administering authority determines may reasonably be compared with that merchandise.19 U.S.C. § 1677(16)(A)-(C) (2006).
4. JTEKT Has Not Demonstrated that Specific Matches Resulting from the Department's Methodology Are Contrary to Law
JTEKT argues that its dumping margin is based on inappropriate matches generated by Commerce's model match methodology and therefore is unsupported by substantial record evidence and not in accordance with law. JTEKT Mem. 35-39. In its brief, JTEKT describes eighteen matches that it alleges were improper; for three of the matches JTEKT alleged that a more appropriate match was available. Id. at 35-36 (citing id., Ex. C ( Letter from Sidley Austin LLP to Sec'y of Commerce, Exs. C-D (Nov. 19, 2007) (" Nov. 2007 JTEKT Submission")), Ex. E ( Japan-Specific Case Br. of Respondents JTEKT Corp. Koyo Corp. of U.S.A. 13-17, Exs. 1-2 (June 17, 2008) (" JTEKT Japan Case Br."))).
During the review, Commerce rejected JTEKT's claim of mismatches, principally on the ground that the matches in question conformed to the model match methodology. The Decision Memorandum states:
Each of the matches that JTEKT cited as inappropriate meet[s] the model-match criteria for these reviews. Namely, they are identical to the U.S. model with respect to bearing design, load direction, number of rows, and precision grade, they do not deviate by more than 40 percent in sum with respect to outer diameter, inner diameter, width, and load rating, and the difference in variable costs is less than 20 percent of the total cost of manufacturing the U.S. model.Decision Mem. 17. Commerce also stated in the Decision Memorandum that "none of the characteristics which JTEKT cited to support its claims of matches of dissimilar products would have rendered such comparisons as inappropriate under the family-matching methodology because that methodology did not account for any of these characteristics." Id. With respect to JTEKT's three alternative matches, Commerce found that "the sum of the deviations of the `inappropriate' model is smaller than the sum of the deviations of the `more appropriate' model claimed by JTEKT." Id.
JTEKT does not contest Commerce's determination that the individual matches it challenges meet all criteria of the model match methodology. Rather, its claim is that Commerce must look beyond the model match methodology to consider claims that the methodology has produced matches of impermissibly dissimilar bearing models. JTEKT Mem. 36 (stating that "the Department is attempting to create a brightline rule whereby the matches generated by its new methodology cannot be challenged"). JTEKT advances several arguments in support of this claim.
JTEKT argues that Commerce's including the challenged matches in the calculation of JTEKT's margin was not supported by evidence on the record and that the only relevant record evidence shows that "the Department's new methodology results in comparisons of bearing models that have strikingly different features and uses, contrary to the statutory requirement that `foreign like product' be merchandise `like' the U.S. product " in the purposes for which used." JTEKT Mem. 38-39 (citing 19 U.S.C. § 1677(16)(B)(ii), (C)(ii)); see Reply Br. of Pls. JTEKT Corp. Koyo Corp. of U.S.A. in Supp. of their Mot. for J. on the Agency R. 15 ("JTEKT Reply") (stating that "`the fact that these two models are matched under the sumdev methodology [ i.e., sum-of-the-deviations methodology] is simply a matter of coincidence of the sizes (physical characteristics) of the models and their relative costs of production, but it does not at all indicate that they are in any meaningful commercial or legal sense `similar''" (quoting JTEKT Mem., Ex. E ( JTEKT Japan Case Br. 15))). According to JTEKT, "[t]he Department effectively ignored this statutory requirement when, in the [ Decision Mem.], it stated that `whether a specific application for one bearing differs from the specific application of another' is not `dispositive.'" JTEKT Mem. 39 (quoting Decision Mem. 16).
The court rejects JTEKT's argument that the statute precludes the matching of ball bearings with different applications. When read according to plain meaning, the statute allows Commerce more discretion than JTEKT's argument would acknowledge. In requiring that the foreign like product be " like that merchandise in component material or materials and in the purposes for which used," 19 U.S.C. § 1677(16)(B)(ii) (emphasis added), Congress did not go so far as to require that the foreign like product and the subject merchandise be manufactured for, or suitable for, the identical purpose or application. Id. § 1677(16)(C)(ii). Commerce concluded in the Decision Memorandum that
it is the rolling element that is dispositive as to whether a bearing can be considered similar with respect to the component material or materials and in the purposes for which bearings are used ( e.g., a ball bearing cannot be considered similar to a cylindrical roller bearing under any circumstance), not whether a specific application for one bearing differs from the specific application of another.Decision Mem. 16. In discussing the scope of the Department's discretion in identifying the foreign like product in bearing cases, the Decision Memorandum correctly relies on Koyo II for the principle that home market bearing models need not be "`technically substitutable, purchased by the same type of customers, or applied to the same end use as the U.S. model.'" Id. (quoting Koyo II, 66 F.3d at 1210).
The court also rejects JTEKT's argument that substantial evidence on the record of this proceeding fails to support the eighteen individual matches JTEKT challenges as unlawful. Although the home market bearings differ from the U.S. models in some physical way or with respect to the individual application, substantial evidence exists on the record to support not only the finding that the model match methodology was applied correctly as to each (a finding JTEKT does not actually contest), but also to support a finding that each of the eighteen individual matches was reasonable as an application of the discretion Commerce possesses in identifying the foreign like product under 19 U.S.C. § 1677(16)(B)(ii) and (C)(ii). The specific evidence to which JTEKT directs the court's attention, which establishes that the home market bearings Commerce selected differed from the U.S. bearings in identified physical respects or as to the intended application, does not justify the rejection of those matches as impermissible exercises of that statutory discretion on the record before the court. Commerce's finding that the physical differences and different applications did not rise to the level of rendering the matches unreasonable is supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole. On the basis of that record evidence, the court must sustain Commerce's decision not to make exceptions to the results of the methodology as applied to the eighteen specific matches challenged by JTEKT.
JTEKT argues that the Court of International Trade has "previously recognized the principle that the matches generated by the Department's model match methodology are not per se appropriate." JTEKT Mem. 36-37 (citing NSK Ltd. v. United States, 25 CIT 583, 601, 170 F. Supp. 2d 1280, 1297-98 (2001) (" NSK")). JTEKT submits that Commerce itself has recognized this principle, stating in its brief that "[w]hen the Department adopted the new model match methodology in the fifteenth review, the Department issued a [memorandum] expressing an awareness that it may need to consider grossly inappropriate matches generated by the new methodology on an `item-by-item basis.'" Id. at 9 (citing JTEKT Mem. Ex. F ( Mem. from Acting Office Dir., AD/CVD Enforcement, to Deputy Assistant Sec'y for Imp. Admin., Group I, at 7 (Jul. 7, 2004) (" July 7, 2004 Mem."))). Because substantial evidence supports the factual determinations underlying the eighteen matches JTEKT challenges, and because Commerce did not exceed its statutory discretion in making those determinations, the court need not, and does not, decide the question of whether Commerce is always free as a general matter to treat the results of its model match methodology as per se appropriate, provided the model match criteria are properly applied. The court declines to speculate on whether, on some set of facts not presented by this case, the methodology could produce a match that does not satisfy the requirement of reasonableness.
Nevertheless, the court observes that JTEKT's " per se" argument reads too much into NSK, which ordered a remand of a Commerce determination under the family model match methodology to match a home market bearing with U.S. sales because Commerce "did not indicate whether it made its determination under [19 U.S.C.] § 1677(16)(B) or (C))." NSK, 25 CIT at 601, 170 F. Supp. 2d at 1297. Nor does the Department's internal memorandum support JTEKT's argument. The discussion on which JTEKT relies pertained to a proposal discussing a model match methodology different from the one Commerce eventually adopted; that proposal rejected the idea of placing a cap on the sum of the deviations. JTEKT Mem. Ex. F ( July 7, 2004 Mem. 7). The discussion therein of possible resort to review of matches on an "item-by-item basis" is presented as one of the reasons why a cap on the sum of the deviations would not be needed. Id.
5. JTEKT Is Not Entitled to a Remand Order Directing Commerce to Consider Modifying the Procedure to Be Applied to Future Reviews
In addition to challenging individual matches, JTEKT claims that "the Department should adopt a process by which it can consider and reject individual inappropriate matches" resulting from the model match methodology. JTEKT Mem. 33. Commerce rejected JTEKT's similar comment during the review, stating in the Decision Memorandum that "JTEKT can and did identify what it felt were inappropriate matches in its case brief" and that "there is nothing that precludes any respondent from identifying allegedly `inappropriate' matches in the future, either in pre-preliminary comments or in case briefs as long as they rely on information on the record." Decision Mem. 27. Although rejecting JTEKT's proposed change in model match procedure, Commerce also stated in the Decision Memorandum that "[n]evertheless, we intend to make every effort to incorporate additional time in the process in subsequent reviews in order to address JTEKT's concern." Id.Unsatisfied with the answers Commerce provided in the Decision Memorandum, JTEKT argues that
[u]nder the current regulatory scheme ( 19 C.F.R. § 351.301(b)), the record in an administrative review of the order against ball bearings from Japan will always close long before publication of the preliminary results, which provides respondents with their first opportunity to analyze the specific model matches generated by the Department's new methodology.
JTEKT Mem. 33-34. JTEKT submits that Commerce should allow a meaningful opportunity to place on the record information supporting an objection to an individual match and that otherwise a respondent must "front-load the administrative record with factual information about bearing models that might be matched by the Department." Id. at 34. JTEKT objects that in the current review it was able to guess only some, and not all, of the inappropriate matches that Commerce would make. Id. As relief on this claim, JTEKT seeks a remand
for the Department to establish a procedure by which it will evaluate claims of inappropriate matches in future reviews, so that the parties may have (i) a clear understanding of the procedures governing this critical process; and (ii) a meaningful opportunity to submit evidence on the record demonstrating the inappropriateness of specific matches generated by the Department in its preliminary determinations.Id. at 35.
Defendant responds that Commerce has used the same criteria for model matching for the three prior administrative reviews, and that as a result JTEKT knew Commerce's model match criteria before the preliminary results and before the 140-day deadline for information
submission. Def. Mem. 26. Defendant-intervenor argues that JTEKT introduced evidence attempting to show that certain matches were inappropriate. Def.-Intervenor Resp. 35-36.
The question that is properly before the court is whether the Final Results and, specifically, the procedure Commerce followed to allow JTEKT to contest individual matches during the eighteenth reviews, were contrary to law. Although JTEKT objects that in the current review it was able to guess only some, and not all, of the matches that Commerce would make, JTEKT Mem. 34, it did not support this objection by showing it actually was prejudiced by the inability to submit additional information for the record on matches it contests as unreasonable. JTEKT states that the record evidence regarding the eighteen alleged mismatches presented in JTEKT's Japan-specific case brief of June 17, 2008 and in JTEKT's factual submission of November 19, 2007 shows that Commerce compared "bearing models that have strikingly different features and uses, contrary to the statutory requirement that `foreign like product' be merchandise `like' the U.S. product ` in the purposes for which used.'" JTEKT Mem. 38-39 (quoting 19 U.S.C. § 1677(16)(B)(ii), (C)(ii)), Ex. C ( Nov. 2007 JTEKT Submission), Ex. E ( JTEKT Japan Case Br.). JTEKT argues that Commerce unlawfully disregarded this requirement when Commerce stated that an application of a bearing is not dispositive as to whether a match is appropriate. Id. at 39. However, the Court of Appeals has explained that "for purposes of calculating antidumping duties, it is not necessary to ensure that home market models are technically substitutable, purchased by the same type of customers, or applied to the same end use as the U.S. model." Koyo II, 66 F.3d at 1210 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Aside from the argument concerning different bearing applications, JTEKT's briefs in support of its Rule 56.2 motion provide the court no description of what the additional information would have been and why that information necessarily would have had significance for the reasonableness determination on the specific matches at issue. See JTEKT Mem. 33-35, 38 (citing JTEKT Mem. Ex. C ( Nov. 2007 JTEKT Submission), Ex. E ( JTEKT Japan Case Br.); JTEKT Reply 7-11. The shortcoming in JTEKT's claim is not cured by JTEKT's seeking relief in the form of a remand directing Commerce to consider changes to the procedure for future reviews. Having failed to show actual prejudice in the current review from the inability to submit factual information after learning of Commerce's matches, JTEKT has not established its right to obtain relief in the form of a remand ordering Commerce to consider procedural changes for future reviews. Therefore, the court does not decide the question of whether Commerce, in future reviews, must allow respondents to submit information for the record after announcing its matches. Still, there can be no question that the change in procedure JTEKT advocates would be advantageous from the standpoint of transparency and procedural fairness. Commerce appears to acknowledge as much in commenting that it will endeavor to incorporate additional time in the process in future reviews. See Decision Mem. 27 (stating that "we intend to make every effort to incorporate additional time in the process in subsequent reviews in order to address JTEKT's concern").
6. Commerce Did Not Err in Rejecting NTN's Proposal for Additional Bearing Design Types
In the new model match methodology, Commerce first matches bearings according to four physical characteristics, including bearing design type. AFBs 15 Decision Mem. 19. One of the bearing design type categories recognized by Commerce is for "insert bearings." Id. During the review, NTN proposed that Commerce subdivide the insert bearing design type category into the following proposed subcategories: (1) insert bearing — set screw type; (2) insert bearing —
eccentric locking collar type; (3) insert bearing — adapter type; (4) insert bearing — farm implement type; and (5) insert bearing — non-standard, other type. NTN Mem. 15. NTN argues that Commerce did not provide detailed reasons explaining why NTN's proposed subcategories did not segregate bearings with "different physical characteristics and practical applications." Id. at 16. NTN argues that each of its proposed insert-bearing subcategories is unique and not reasonably comparable to the others. Id. at 15-20.
In the AFBs 18 reviews, Commerce considered, and rejected, NTN's suggested insert bearing subcategories. Decision Mem. 29-30. Commerce first determined that "the different types of insert bearings did not seem so different to us that they could not be reasonably compared" and asked NTN for further justification in a supplemental questionnaire. Id. at 29. Commerce ultimately reached a finding, based on the record before it, that the prices and costs of insert bearings with similar physical characteristics did not vary substantially according to the different design types as proposed by NTN. Id. Commerce concluded that NTN had not shown that other factors outweigh the price-and-cost similarity for determination of reasonable comparison between products. Id. at 29-30. NTN responded that the different types of insert bearings were considered commercially different by it, its customers, many manufacturers and distributors, and international standards organizations. Id. at 29. NTN claimed that the limited variance in costs and prices should not be dispositive in determining whether different bearings could be reasonably compared. Id.
The Court of Appeals in Koyo III confronted a similar issue when NTN previously challenged the Department's refusal to accept NTN's proposals for "numerous" additional bearing design types. Koyo III, 551 F.3d at 1292. Even though "NTN gave Commerce evidence that NTN's design types were significantly different from each other," id., the Court of Appeals upheld the Department's rejection of the proposals, concluding that "NTN has not demonstrated that Commerce's choice of design types . . . was unreasonable." Id. The Court of Appeals added that "NTN's claims that its design types are superior does not show that Commerce's use of its own types was unreasonable." Id.
The evidence of record supports Commerce's finding that the prices and costs of insert bearings with similar physical characteristics did not vary substantially according to NTN's proposed design types. Although the record also would support findings that various types of insert bearings are commercially recognized and have different applications, such other findings, standing alone, do not support a conclusion that Commerce's decision to maintain a single insert bearing design type was unreasonable. As was appropriate, Commerce considered NTN's proposal for insert bearing subcategories in the context of the entire model match methodology, which matches bearing models after consideration of various parameters in addition to design type. Commerce's declining to adopt subcategories for insert bearings, when considered in that context and according to the record evidence, did not cause that methodology to be unreasonable.
7. Commerce Did Not Violate the Statute when Applying a Level of Trade and Contemporaneity Analysis before a DIFMER Analysis to Resolve Ties when Matching Merchandise In applying its model match methodology, Commerce first limits the pool of potential matches to home market bearings that are identical to the U.S. model in bearing design, load direction, number of rows, and precision grade. AFBs 15 Decision Mem. 19. Commerce then selects, as the home market model most similar to the U.S. model, the home market model with the smallest sum of the deviations from the U.S. model with respect to inner diameter, outer diameter, width, and load rating, eliminating from consideration any potential match for which the sum of the deviations exceeds 40%. Id. As Commerce described the process, "[w]e then use differences in level of trade and contemporaneity to resolve ties between `equally similar' home-market models as defined by our model match criteria." Id. Any remaining ties in possible matches are resolved by choosing the model with the smallest DIFMER adjustment. Id.NTN claims that it was impermissible for Commerce to apply its level of trade and contemporaneity analysis before using a DIFMER adjustment to resolve ties occurring during the selection of the most similar bearing model. NTN Mem. 21-29. NTN argues that Commerce "incorrectly elevated the factors of level of trade and contemporaneity, which are characteristics of a particular sale or sales, above the size of the difference-in-merchandise adjustment, which relates to the physical characteristics of a bearing, when determining the sale to choose in case of a tie between bearing models." Id. at 22. In NTN's view, because the DIFMER adjustment relates to physical characteristics, it must be considered before level of trade or contemporaneity of sales in the tie-breaking analysis. Id. at 24-25. "Because differences in physical characteristics and differences in cost take precedence in the statutory formulation of normal value, differences in cost should also take precedence in the Department's tiebreaking methodology." Id. at 26. According to NTN, "[i]t is impossible to choose one sale among alternative sales of the same product until the product itself is defined." Id. at 27.
As NTN acknowledges, id., the Court of International Trade has considered, and rejected, the argument it raises. Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. v. United States, 31 CIT 1512, 1525, 516 F. Supp. 2d 1323, 1338 (2007) (" Koyo IV")). In Koyo IV, the court upheld the Department's use of the DIFMER adjustment after applying level of trade and or contemporaneity of sales in the tie-breaking procedure. Id. at 1525, 516 F. Supp. 2d at 1338. NTN argues that the Court of International Trade accepted flawed arguments in Koyo IV. NTN Mem. 27.
Commerce stated in the Decision Memorandum its position that its applying level of trade and contemporaneity before the DIFMER in the tie-breaking procedure comports with the statute:
Section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Act [ i.e., 19 U.S.C. § 1677b(a)(1)(B)(i)] instructs us that the normal value shall be based on prices `to the extent practicable, at the same level of trade' as the U.S. sale while section 773(a)(1)(A) of the Act [ i.e., 19 U.S.C. § 1677b(a)(1)(A)] instructs us that the normal value shall be based on prices `at a time reasonably corresponding to the time' of the U.S. sale.Decision Mem. 31. In addition, Commerce stated that, because all potential matches within the tie-breaking pool have passed the 20% DIFMER cap, the matches are approximately equal in commercial value. Id.
In Koyo IV, the Court of International Trade, citing specifically the definition of "foreign like product" in 19 U.S.C. § 1677(16)(B), concluded that neither the statute nor Commerce's regulations require Commerce to follow a specific hierarchy when determining similar merchandise for comparison. Koyo IV, 31 CIT at 1525, 516 F. Supp. 2d at 1338. Koyo IV concluded that "Commerce is left with broad discretion to develop its own methodology" for the tie-breaking procedure. Id. (citing Torrington Co. v. United States, 19 CIT 403, 414, 881 F. Supp. 622, 635 (1995)).
Consistent with the analysis in Koyo IV, the court concludes that the antidumping law does not require Commerce to elevate the DIFMER factor above the level of trade and contemporaneity factors when conducting its tie-breaking procedure. As Koyo IV recognizes, the discretion Commerce may exercise in identifying the foreign like product extends to the decision of how to break ties between multiple matches, all of which satisfy the model match criteria. Koyo IV, 31 CIT at 1525, 516 F. Supp. 2d at 1338. The proper inquiry is not whether NTN's proposal is superior but whether the Department's determination is reasonable and in accordance with the law. As stated in Koyo IV, "[t]hough Commerce has in the past applied a DIFMER test before applying a level of trade and contemporaneity test, it is nowhere required that it do so." Id. (citing CEMEX, S.A. v. United States, 133 F.3d 897, 899-900 (Fed. Cir. 1998)).
NTN's argument that, under the statute, it is impossible to choose one sale among alternative sales of the same product until the product itself is defined, NTN Mem. 27, is also unconvincing. The DIFMER adjustment, although related to differences in physical characteristics in that it is determined by the variable cost of manufacturing, is not itself a physical characteristic. Rather than constituting a procedure required by statute, the DIFMER adjustment is a regulatory creation devised by Commerce to achieve more accurate comparisons of sales by adjusting the price to reflect the difference in variable cost of manufacturing. The court does not find anything in the statute that precludes Commerce from using the DIFMER for a second purpose, i.e., as a means of choosing among matches that already satisfy the model match criteria, only after considering level of trade and contemporaneity.
In summary, Commerce did not act unreasonably or exceed its discretion in refusing to adopt NTN's proposed change in the Department's tie-breaking procedure.