Slip Op. 03-36
UNITED STATES COURT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
BEFORE: GREGORY W. CARMAN, CHIEF JUDGE
TONY BHULLAR,
Pro Se Plaintiff,
v. Court No. 02-00668
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL
TRADE COMMISSION,
Defendants.
[Defendants’ Motions to Dismiss for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction are granted. Plaintiff’s
Motion to File a Sur-Reply is denied. This case is dismissed.]
Dated: March 26, 2003
Tony Bhullar, pro se.
Robert D. McCallum, Jr., Assistant Attorney General; David M. Cohen, Director, Lucius
B. Lau, Assistant Director, Michael D. Panzera, Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil
Division, Commercial Litigations Branch; Michele D. Lynch, D. Michael Stroud, Jr., Attorneys,
Of Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel for Import Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce,
for United States of America.
Lyn M. Schlitt, General Counsel; James M. Lyons, Deputy General Counsel; Robin L.
Turner, Attorney-Advisor; Mary Jane Alves, Attorney-Advisor, for United States International
Trade Commission.
Court No. 02-00668 Page 2
OPINION
CARMAN , CHIEF JUDGE: Pursuant to United States Court of International Trade Rule
12(b)(1), the defendants, the United States of America and the United States International Trade
Commission, move to dismiss this action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Defendants
contend that the Court does not have subject matter jurisdiction to hear this case. Plaintiff
opposes Defendants’ motions, asserting that this Court has subject matter jurisdiction under 28
U.S.C. § 1581(c) or alternatively, under § 1581(i). The Court has jurisdiction to resolve this
question under 28 U.S.C. § 1581(c). For the following reasons, Defendants’ Motions to Dismiss
are granted. Plaintiff’s Motion for Leave to File a Sur-Reply is denied. This case is dismissed
for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
BACKGROUND
Plaintiff is a shareholder in the Canadian forest products company, Doman Industries,
Ltd. (Pl.’s Compl. at 1.) Plaintiff alleges that he has suffered material injury by reason of a
decrease in Doman Industries Ltd.’s stock value resulting from antidumping and countervailing
duty determinations issued by the United States Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) and the
United States International Trade Commission (“ITC”) concerning certain softwood lumber from
Canada. (Id. at 3.)
In April 2001, the ITC and Commerce received petitions seeking initiation of
antidumping and countervailing duty investigations regarding imports of softwood lumber from
Canada. Softwood Lumber From Canada, 66 Fed. Reg. 18,508 (Apr. 9, 2001) (ITC); Notice of
Initiation of Antidumping Duty Investigation: Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada,
Court No. 02-00668 Page 3
66 Fed. Reg. 21,328 (Apr. 30, 2001) (Commerce); Notice of Initiation of Countervailing Duty
Investigation: Certain Softwood Lumber Products from Canada, 66 Fed. Reg. 21,332 (Apr. 30,
2001) (Commerce).
One year later, Commerce published its final affirmative determination of sales at less
than fair value. Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Certain
Softwood Lumber Products from Canada, 67 Fed. Reg. 15,539 (Apr. 2, 2002). Pursuant to
Article 1904 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”), the Government of
Canada and various Canadian lumber industry associations filed a Request for Panel Review of
Commerce’s affirmative antidumping determination with the United States Section of the
NAFTA Secretariat. North American Free-Trade Agreement, Article 1904 NAFTA Panel
Reviews; Request for Panel Review, 67 Fed. Reg. 17,357 (April 10, 2002); see also Certain
Softwood Lumber from Canada, Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-2002-1904-02 (Active).
On April 2, 2002, Commerce published its final affirmative countervailing duty
determination, in which it “calculated a single country-wide subsidy rate to be applied to all
producers and exporters of the subject merchandise from Canada.” Notice of Final Affirmative
Countervailing Duty Determination and Final Negative Critical Circumstances Determination:
Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada, 67 Fed. Reg. 15,545, 15,547 (Apr. 2, 2002).
On the same day, the Government of Canada, various Canadian provincial governments, and
various Canadian lumber industry associations filed requests for NAFTA Panel Review of
Commerce’s countervailing duty determination. North American Free-Trade Agreement, Article
1904 NAFTA Panel Reviews; Request for Panel Review, 67 Fed. Reg. 17,358 (Apr. 10, 2002);
see also Certain Softwood Lumber from Canada, Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-2002-1904-03
Court No. 02-00668 Page 4
(Active).
On May 22, 2002, the ITC published its final affirmative threat of injury determination in
Softwood Lumber From Canada, 67 Fed. Reg. 36,022 (May 22, 2002). That same day, various
Canadian lumber industry associations filed a request for NAFTA Panel Review of the ITC’s
threat of injury determination. North American Free-Trade Agreement, Article 1904 NAFTA
Panel Reviews; Request for Panel Review, 67 Fed. Reg. 41,955 (June 20, 2002); see also Certain
Softwood Lumber from Canada, Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-2002-1904-07 (Active).
Also on May 22, 2002, Commerce published an amended final determination of sales at
less than fair value, revising the final weighted average dumping margins, and issued an
antidumping duty order. Notice of Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair
Value and Antidumping Duty Order: Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada, 67 Fed.
Reg. 36,068 (May 22, 2002). On the same day, Commerce published a notice of amended final
affirmative countervailing duty determinations revising the final countervailing duty rate to
18.79% ad valorum. Notice of Amended Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
and Notice of Countervailing Duty Order: Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada, 67
Fed. Reg. 36,070, 36,076 (May 22, 2002).
On October 25, 2002, Plaintiff filed this action against Commerce and the ITC seeking
injunctive relief and unspecified monetary and punitive damages. (Pl.’s Compl. at 3.)
STANDARD OF REVIEW
The burden of establishing jurisdiction lies with the party seeking to invoke this Court’s
jurisdiction. Old Republic Ins. Co. v. United States, 741 F. Supp. 1570, 1573 (Ct. Int’l Trade
Court No. 02-00668 Page 5
1990) (citing McNutt v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 298 U.S. 178, 189 (1936)). In this
action, the burden of establishing jurisdiction falls to Tony Bhullar, the plaintiff appearing pro se.
It is well settled that the United States is immune from suit unless it consents to be sued.
United States v. Mitchell, 445 U.S. 535, 538 (1980) (quoting United States v. Sherwood, 312
U.S. 584, 586 (1941)). Such a waiver of sovereign immunity “must be unequivocally expressed”
in the statute and will be “strictly construed . . . in favor of the sovereign.” Lane v. Pena, 518
U.S. 187, 192 (1996). For the purposes of antidumping and countervailing duty laws, the
government’s express waiver of sovereign immunity is contained in 28 U.S.C. § 1581 (2002).
PARTIES’ CONTENTIONS
A. Defendants’ Contentions
Although Defendants have filed separate motions to dismiss and supporting memoranda,
because their contentions are substantially similar, they will be considered together for the
purposes of this Opinion. Defendants contend that this Court does not have subject matter
jurisdiction over this action for the following reasons: 1) under 19 U.S.C § 1516a(g), a NAFTA
binational panel has exclusive review of the challenged determinations; 2) residual jurisdiction
under § 1581(i) cannot be asserted under these circumstances; 3) even if jurisdiction under §§
1581(c) or (i) could be established, Plaintiff failed to fulfil the statutory timeliness requirements;
and 4) Plaintiff lacks standing to bring this action. (Mem. of Law in Supp. of Def. U.S. Int’l
Trade Comm’n’s Mot. to Dismiss This Action (“ITC Br.”) at 4, 7; Def. United States’ Mem. in
Supp. of Its Mot. to Dismiss for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction (“Commerce Br.”) at 7, 9-
10, 11, 13.)
Court No. 02-00668 Page 6
1. A NAFTA binational panel has exclusive review of these determinations.
Defendants contend that under 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(g), this Court does not have
jurisdiction to review antidumping and countervailing duty determinations involving imports
from Canada when a NAFTA binational panel review of those determinations has been requested
pursuant to Chapter 19, Article 1904 of the NAFTA. (ITC Br. at 7 n.16; Commerce Br. at 7-9.)
Defendants cite 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(g)(2) which states:
Exclusive review of determination by binational panels–
If binational panel review of a determination is requested pursuant to
article 1904 of the NAFTA . . . then, except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4)-
(A) the determination is not reviewable under subsection (a) of this
section, and
(B) no court of the United States has power or jurisdiction to review that
determination on any question of law or fact by an action in the nature of a
mandamus or otherwise.
(ITC Br. at 7 n.16; Commerce Br. at 7 (citing 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(g)).) Defendants contend that
the Government of Canada and various Canadian lumber industry associations have requested
binational panel review of the challenged determinations. (ITC Br. at 7 n.16; Commerce Br. at 8
(referencing North American Free-Trade Agreement, Article 1904 NAFTA Panel Reviews;
Request for Panel Review, 67 Fed. Reg. 17,357 (April 10, 2002); Certain Softwood Lumber from
Canada, Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-2002-1904-02 (Active); North American Free-Trade
Agreement, Article 1904 NAFTA Panel Reviews; Request for Panel Review, 67 Fed. Reg. 17,358
(Apr. 10, 2002); Certain Softwood Lumber from Canada, Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-2002-
1904-03 (Active). Defendants contend that the binational panel review is still pending. (ITC Br.
at 7 n.16; Commerce Br. at 8.)
Defendants admit that there are several exceptions to exclusive review by a binational
Court No. 02-00668 Page 7
panel under § 1516a(g)(3)(A), but Defendants assert that none of the exceptions apply to this
case. (ITC Br. at 7 n.16; Commerce Br. at 7-9.) Specifically, Defendants contend that: 1) the
relevant country, Canada, has requested review pursuant to Chapter 19, Article 1904 of the
NAFTA; 2) there has been no prior judicial review resulting in a determination; 3) the binational
panel has not decided that the determinations were not reviewable; 4) the binational panel review
has not yet terminated; 5) there has not been an extraordinary challenge committee review; and 6)
there are no constitutional issues raised in Plaintiff’s complaint. (Commerce Br. at 8-9 (citing 19
U.S.C. § 1516a(g)(3)(A)(i)-(vi); 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(g)(4).) Defendants contend that in the
absence of any exception to the exclusive binational panel review, the Court should dismiss
Plaintiff’s action for lack of jurisdiction. (ITC Br. at 7 n.16; Commerce Br. at 9.)
Defendants also cite to Mitsubishi Electronic Indus. Canada, Inc. v. Brown, in which this
Court held that it lacked jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1581(c) where no exception to the
exclusive review by a binational panel applied. (ITC Br. at 7 n.16; Commerce Br. at 9 (citing
Mitsubishi, 917 F. Supp. 836, 838 (Ct. Int’l Trade 1996)).) In that case, the Court also refused to
issue a stay in the proceedings, explaining that “the statute grants exclusive jurisdiction to the
binational panel once a binational panel review is ‘requested.’” Mitsubishi, 917 F. Supp. at 838.
Analogously, Defendants contend that the fact that the binational panel has not yet reached a
decision is not enough to give this Court jurisdiction. (Commerce Br. at 9 (citing Mitsubishi, 917
F. Supp. at 838).)
Additionally, Defendants assert that because the determinations at issue in this action
involve merchandise from a NAFTA country, a special requirement applies regarding notice of
an intent to challenge the determinations. (ITC Br. at 4-6; Commerce Br. at 13-14.) Defendants
Court No. 02-00668 Page 8
assert that a party seeking review of such determinations must provide timely notice of its intent
to commence review in this Court to Canada’s and the United States’ NAFTA Secretariat
sections, all interested parties who were parties to the proceeding in connection with which the
matter arises, and to the ITC and Commerce. (ITC Br. at 5-6; Commerce Br. at 13-14 (citing 19
U.S.C. § 1516a(g)(3)(B)(i)-(iii)).) The notification of a party’s intent to commence review must
be delivered no later than 20 days after the final determinations are published in the Federal
Register. (ITC Br. at 4-6; Commerce Br. at 13-14 (citing 19 U.S.C. 1516a(g)(3)(B)).) In this
case, the challenged determinations were published on May 22, 2002. See Softwood Lumber
From Canada, 67 Fed. Reg. 36,022 (May 22, 2002); Notice of Amended Final Determination of
Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Antidumping Duty Order: Certain Softwood Lumber Products
From Canada, 67 Fed. Reg. 36,068 (May 22, 2002); Notice of Amended Final Affirmative
Countervailing Duty Determination and Notice of Countervailing Duty Order: Certain Softwood
Lumber Products From Canada, 67 Fed. Reg. 36,070 (May 22, 2002). Defendants contend that
Plaintiff should have delivered notice by June 11, 2002. (ITC Br. at 6; Commerce Br. at 14.)
According to Defendants, Plaintiff failed to notify the required NAFTA Secretariat
sections and the interested parties involved in the NAFTA binational panel. (ITC Br. at 5-6;
Commerce Br. at 14.) Additionally, Defendants contend that by filing this action on October 25,
2002, Plaintiff acted too late in notifying the ITC and Commerce of his intent to sue. (ITC Br. at
6; Commerce Br. at 14.)
2. Plaintiff cannot invoke subject matter jurisdiction under § 1581(i).
Defendants contend that the Court does not possess subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to
28 U.S.C. § 1581(i). (ITC Br. at 7-10; Commerce Br. at 9-10.) Defendants contend that
Court No. 02-00668 Page 9
jurisdiction under § 1581(i) cannot be invoked in cases when jurisdiction pursuant to another
subsection of § 1581 is or could have been available, unless the remedy provided for under that
subsection is “manifestly inadequate.” (ITC Br. at 9; Commerce Br. at 10 (citing Miller & Co. v.
United States, 824 F.2d 961, 963 (Fed. Cir. 1987) cert. denied, 484 U.S. 1041 (1988); see also
Lowa, Ltd. v. United States, 561 F. Supp. 441, 446-447 (Ct. Int’l Trade 1983), aff’d 724 F.2d 121
(Fed. Cir. 1984)).) Defendants cite § 1581(i) which provides: “This subsection shall not confer
jurisdiction over an antidumping or countervailing duty determination which is reviewable . . . by
a binational panel under [A]rticle 1904 of the [NAFTA].” (ITC Br. at 8 (citing 28 U.S.C.
§ 1581(i)).)
Defendants argue that jurisdiction under § 1581(i) cannot be invoked because there was
an appropriate alternative basis for jurisdiction under § 1581 and the remedy provided by
NAFTA binational panel review is not manifestly inadequate. (ITC Br. at 9-10; Commerce Br. at
10.) Defendants contend that this Court would have had jurisdiction to hear this case under
§ 1581(c) if one of the exceptions to exclusive binational panel review were met, and therefore,
Plaintiff cannot claim jurisdiction under § 1581(i). (ITC Br. at 9; Def. United States’ Reply to
Pl.’s Resp. in Opp’n to Its Mot. To Dismiss for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction (“Commerce
Reply Br.”) at 6.) Defendants contend that a legal remedy is “not made inadequate simply
because appellant failed to invoke it with the time frame it prescribes.” (ITC Br. at 9 (citing
Omni U.S.A. Inc., v. United States, 840 F.2d 912, 915 (Fed. Cir. 1999)).) In support of their
contention that the current NAFTA binational panel review is not inadequate, Defendants point
to the fact that Doman Industries, Ltd., the company in which Plaintiff owns stock, was
represented by counsel, who have access to proprietary information, during the underlying
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administrative proceedings and during the continuing NAFTA Article 1904 binational panel
review of the determinations at issue. (ITC at 9; Commerce Reply Br. at 7.) Defendants contend
that because Plaintiff has failed to allege or demonstrate that NAFTA binational panel review is
manifestly inadequate, this Court lacks jurisdiction to review this action under 28 U.S.C. §
1581(i). (ITC Br. at 10; Commerce Br. at 10.)
3. Plaintiff failed to meet the statutory timeliness requirements.
Defendants contend that Plaintiff failed to fulfill the required timeliness provisions and
therefore, this action cannot be heard. (ITC Br. at 6 n.15; Commerce Br. at 13.) Defendants
assert that in cases involving merchandise from a NAFTA country, the time limit to commence
an action is 31 days after notice of the antidumping or countervailing duty determination is
published in the Federal Register. (Id. (citing 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(a)(5)(A)).) Commerce issued
the final amended antidumping and countervailing orders on May 22, 2002. See Notice of
Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Antidumping Duty Order:
Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada, 67 Fed. Reg. 36,068 (May 22, 2002); Notice
of Amended Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Notice of Countervailing
Duty Order: Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada, 67 Fed. Reg. 36,070 (May 22,
2002). Similarly, the ITC’s final affirmative threat was published in the Federal Register on May
22, 2002. See Softwood Lumber From Canada, 67 Fed. Reg. 36,022 (May 22, 2002).
Defendants contend that Plaintiff’s summons and complaint, filed on October 25, 2002, more
than 4 months after the 31-day deadline imposed under the statute had passed, were too late.
(ITC Br. at 6 n.15; Commerce Br. at 13.) Therefore, Defendants conclude, this Court lacks
jurisdiction to hear this action under 19 U.S.C. § 1581. (Id.)
Court No. 02-00668 Page 11
4. Plaintiff lacks standing to bring this action.
Defendants contend that even if Plaintiff had commenced its suit in a timely manner,
Plaintiff still lacks standing to bring this claim. (ITC Br. at 4 n.10; Commerce Br. at 11-13.)
Defendants contend that in order to have standing, Plaintiff must be an “interested party who was
party to the proceeding.” (Id. (quoting 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(d)).) Defendants contend that as a
shareholder Plaintiff does not fall into any of the categories of “interested party” as defined in 19
U.S.C. § 1677(9). (ITC Br. at 4 n.10; Commerce Br. at 11.) Further, the Defendants assert that
this Court has held that shareholders of corporations do not have standing to contest
determinations that harm the corporation in which they hold stock. (Commerce Br. at 11-12.)
Defendants contend that the statute defining “interested party” is unambiguous. (Def. U.S. Int’l
Trade Comm’n’s Reply to Pl.’s Opp’n to Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss This Action (“ITC Reply Br.”)
at 4-5 n.11; Commerce Reply Br. at 9.) Defendants contend that “[t]he statute does not include
“shareholder” in the list of various entities that may qualify as an interested party and the Court’s
decisions on this issue consistently reflect that exclusion. (Commerce Reply Br. at 9 (citing 19
U.S.C. § 1677(9)).) Accordingly, Defendants contend that Plaintiff lacks standing to bring this
action even if Plaintiff had fulfilled the statutory timeliness requirements. (ITC Reply Br. at 4-5
n.11; Commerce Br. at 13.)
B. Plaintiff’s Contentions
Plaintiff contends that the duties imposed by Defendants’ determinations have caused
“distinct and palpable injury” to Plaintiff wherein the Plaintiff’s stock value in Doman Industries,
Ltd., has decreased. (Pl.’s Compl. at 2.) Plaintiff seeks monetary and punitive damages, a
Court No. 02-00668 Page 12
preliminary and permanent injunction enjoining Defendants from imposing the tariffs against
Canada, or, alternatively, a temporary restraining order against the Defendants, costs of this
action, and other just relief. (Id. at 5.) In its Complaint, Plaintiff alleges that this Court has
jurisdiction “pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1581(c) and/or alternatively 28 U.S.C. § 1581(i),” he also
cites 19 U.S.C. § 1516a, “in addition to the inherent jurisdiction” of the Court. (Id. at 2.)
1. The Court has subject matter jurisdiction to hear this case.
Plaintiff contends that the United States waived sovereign immunity when it entered into
the NAFTA. (Pl.’s Resp. to Mot. of Defs. (“Pl.’s Br.”) at 3.) Plaintiff contends that the NAFTA
should be accorded the same status that is given to the United States Constitution. (Id.) Plaintiff
contends that if the NAFTA is accorded that status, sovereign immunity would be inapplicable to
this case. (Id.) Plaintiff contends that a strict application of the requirements under § 1581
would be “elevat[ing] a simple statute to that of the supreme law of the land over a treaty.” (Id.
at 4.)
Additionally, Plaintiff contends that the Court has power to hear his case under the
Court’s “inherent jurisdiction.” (Id. at 4-5.) Plaintiff quotes Black’s Law Dictionary: “The
inherent power of a court is that which is necessary for the proper and complete administration of
justice and such power is resident in all courts of superior jurisdiction and essential to their
existence.” (Id. at 4 (citing BLACK LAW DICTIONARY 782 (6th ed. 1990)).) Plaintiff argues that
“the equitable powers of the [Court] over-ride any strict rules and should grant the Plaintiff a fair
opportunity to make his case . . . in keeping with the rules of equity.” (Pl.’s Br. at 4-5.) Plaintiff
contends that the jurisdiction of the Court is broader than the confines of 28 U.S.C. § 1581.
(Pl.’s Br. at 7.) Further, Plaintiff argues that the NAFTA was adopted “later in time and
Court No. 02-00668 Page 13
therefore trumps the Tariff Act [of 1930].” (Id. at 8.)
Plaintiff contends that if the Court did not have jurisdiction to hear this case it would lead
to an “‘absurdity’ in law if by the fact that Canada, the U.S. and Mexico contracted to NAFTA
which is designed to enhance trade, but were then barred from resorting to [this Court] while
other nations would have access to such forum to deal with antidumping and countervailing
rulings.” (Id.)
2. Defendants’ timeliness arguments are mere technicalities and cannot be the basis for
dismissal.
Plaintiff contends that the timeliness arguments raised in Defendants’ briefs are “mere
technical arguments” and should not be the basis for dismissal of Plaintiff’s case. (Id.)
Additionally, Plaintiff asserts that the Defendants are required to prove “some sort of prejudice”
before the Court can consider the technical arguments regarding timeliness. (Id.)
3. Plaintiff has standing to bring this action.
In support of Plaintiff’s standing, Plaintiff cites to a statement by Congressman Peter W.
Rodino, Jr. regarding the creation of this Court: “[P]ersons adversely affected or aggrieved by
agency actions arising out of import transactions are entitled to the same access to judicial
remedies as Congress had made available for persons aggrieved by actions of other agencies.”
(Pl.’s Br. at 5.) Plaintiff contends that the emphasis in Congressman Rodino’s quote is upon the
word “person” and because Plaintiff is a natural person, Plaintiff has standing to bring this suit.
(Id. at 5.) Plaintiff cites the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties as an example of a treaty
that confers the right to bring an action against a state upon a private citizen. (Id. at 6.) Plaintiff
urges this Court to consider the customary law of the European Union, which, Plaintiff contends,
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provides for civil suits to be brought directly by individuals before the courts of the signatory
nations to challenge alleged breaches of trade provisions of European Community law. (Id. at 6-
7.) Plaintiff concludes that this Court has subject matter jurisdiction to hear this case and
therefore, Defendants’ motions should not be granted. (Id. at 9.)
ANALYSIS
The issue before this Court is whether the Court has jurisdiction over this matter. For
purposes of antidumping and countervailing duty laws, the United States’ explicit waiver of
sovereign immunity is contained in 28 U.S.C. § 1581. As such, the requirements under 28
U.S.C. § 1581 must be “strictly interpreted.” See Sherwood, 312 U.S. at 590. For the reasons
outlined below, this Court does not possess subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s case and
therefore, Defendants’ motions to dismiss are granted.
1. This Court does not possess subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1581(c).
Plaintiff contends that this Court has subject matter jurisdiction to hear this case under 28
U.S.C. § 1581(c). (Pl.’s Compl. at 2.) Defendants contend that the Court does not have
jurisdiction to review antidumping and countervailing duty determinations involving imports
from Canada when a NAFTA binational panel review of those determinations has been
requested. (ITC Br. at 7 n.16; Commerce Br. at 7-9.) This Court does not possess subject matter
jurisdiction over this case pursuant to § 1581(c) because a NAFTA binational panel has exclusive
review of the challenged determinations.
Under § 1581(c), this Court has “exclusive jurisdiction of any civil action commenced
under section 516A of the Tariff Act of 1930.” 28 U.S.C. § 1581(c) (2002). Section 516A of the
Court No. 02-00668 Page 15
Tariff Act of 1930 is codified at 19 U.S.C. § 1516a. Under § 1516a, if the action challenges
antidumping or countervailing duty determinations involving merchandise from a NAFTA
country, the Court’s jurisdiction is limited by subsection (g)(2). See 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(g)(2).
Pursuant to § 1516a(g)(2), if a binational panel is requested, the determinations are not
reviewable by this Court.
Exclusive review of determination by binational panels. If binational panel
review of a determination is requested pursuant to article 1904 of the NAFTA . . .
then, except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4)-
(A) the determination is not reviewable under subsection (a) of this section, and
(B) no court of the United States has power or jurisdiction to review that
determination on any question of law or fact by an action in the nature of a
mandamus or otherwise.
19 U.S.C. § 1516a(g)(2)(A)-(B).
There are limited exceptions to exclusive review of binational panels. The exceptions are
enumerated under 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(g)(3)(A).1
1
Exception to the exclusive binational panel review. (A) In general. A determination is
reviewable under subsection (a) if the determination sought to be reviewed is–
(i) a determination as to which neither the United States nor the relevant FTA country
requested review by a binational panel pursuant to article 1904 of the NAFTA . . . ,
(ii) a revised determination issued as a direct result of judicial review, commenced
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, if neither the United States nor the relevant FTA
country requested review of the original determination,
(iii) a determination issued as a direct result of judicial review that was commenced
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section prior to the entry into force of the NAFTA . . . ,
(iv) a determination which a binational panel has determined is not reviewable by the
binational panel,
(v) a determination as to which binational panel review has terminated pursuant to
paragraph 12 of article 1905 of the NAFTA, or
(vi) a determination as to which extraordinary challenge committee review has terminated
pursuant to paragraph 12 of article 1905 of the NAFTA.
Additionally, § 1516a(g)(4) provides for an exception to exclusive binational panel review for
actions involving constitutional issues. 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(g)(4).
Court No. 02-00668 Page 16
The final antidumping and countervailing determinations that Plaintiff seeks to challenge
are currently under review by a NAFTA binational panel. In April 2002, the Government of
Canada and various Canadian lumber industry associations filed a Request for Panel Review of
Commerce’s affirmative antidumping determination with the United States Section of the
NAFTA Secretariat pursuant to Article 1904 of the NAFTA. North American Free-Trade
Agreement, Article 1904 NAFTA Panel Reviews; Request for Panel Review, 67 Fed. Reg. 17,357
(April 10, 2002); see also Certain Softwood Lumber from Canada, Secretariat File No. USA-
CDA-2002-1904-02 (Active). During that same month, the Government of Canada, various
Canadian provincial governments, and various Canadian lumber industry associations filed
requests for NAFTA Panel Review of Commerce’s countervailing duty determination. North
American Free-Trade Agreement, Article 1904 NAFTA Panel Reviews; Request for Panel
Review, 67 Fed. Reg. 17,358 (Apr. 10, 2002); see also Certain Softwood Lumber from Canada,
Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-2002-1904-03 (Active). In May 2002, various Canadian lumber
industry associations filed a request for NAFTA Panel Review of the ITC’s threat of injury
determination. North American Free-Trade Agreement, Article 1904 NAFTA Panel Reviews;
Request for Panel Review, 67 Fed. Reg. 41,955 (June 20, 2002); see also Certain Softwood
Lumber from Canada, Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-2002-1904-07 (Active).
Under § 1516a(g)(2), the binational panel has exclusive review unless a statutory
exception applies. Plaintiff’s action does not qualify under any of the exceptions to exclusive
binational panel review. The exception under § 1516a(g)(3)(A)(i) does not apply; binational
panel reviews have been requested under Article 1904 of the NAFTA. Additionally, there has
Court No. 02-00668 Page 17
been no prior judicial review resulting in a determination; the binational panel review has not
decided that the determination was not reviewable; the binational panel review has not yet
terminated; there has not been an extraordinary challenge committee review; and there are no
constitutional issues raised in Plaintiff’s complaint. See 19 U.S.C. §§ 1516a(g)(ii)-(vi),
§ 1516a(g)(4). Without an applicable exception, Plaintiff’s action must be dismissed for want of
subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1581.
Assuming, arguendo, that an exception to binational panel review applied, Plaintiff failed
to provide the required statutory notice; therefore, Plaintiff’s action must be dismissed for lack of
subject matter jurisdiction. Under § 1516a(g)(3)(B), Plaintiff must deliver notice of its intent to
seek review of such determinations within 20 days after publication of the final determination in
the Federal Register, in this case, within 20 days of May 22, 2002, or by June 11, 2002. Plaintiff
is required to deliver such notice to “(i) the United States Secretary and the relevant FTA
Secretary; (ii) all interested parties who were parties to the proceeding in connection with which
the matter arises; and (iii) the [ITC and Commerce].” 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(g)(3)(B).
There is no indication in the record or in Plaintiff’s submissions that Plaintiff notified the
relevant United States or Canadian sections of the NAFTA Secretariat or all interested parties
who were parties to the proceeding. Plaintiff’s summons and complaint were filed on October
25, 2002, more than five months after publication of the final determinations in the Federal
Register. Therefore, Plaintiff’s notification of the ITC and of Commerce was untimely. Because
Plaintiff failed to notify all of the required parties under § 1516a(g)(3)(B) and failed to notify the
ITC and Commerce in a timely manner, Plaintiff’s action must be dismissed for lack of subject
matter jurisdiction.
Court No. 02-00668 Page 18
2. This Court does not possess subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1581(i).
Alternatively, Plaintiff seeks to invoke the jurisdiction of this Court under § 1581(i).
(Pl.’s Compl. at 2.) However, the grant of jurisdiction in § 1581(i) explicitly states that “[t]his
subsection shall not confer jurisdiction over an antidumping or countervailing duty determination
which is reviewable either by the Court of International Trade under [any other subsection of §
1581] or by a binational panel under [A]rticle 1904 of the [NAFTA].” 28 U.S.C. § 1581(i). This
Court finds that the antidumping and countervailing duty determinations that Plaintiff challenges
would have been otherwise reviewable under § 1581(c) and currently are being reviewed by a
NAFTA binational panel. The Court is unable to consider Plaintiff’s equity argument. In suits
against the United States, “jurisdictional statutory requirements cannot be waived or subjected to
excuse or remedy based equitable principles.” Mitsubishi Elecs. Am., Inc. v. United States, 865
F. Supp. 877, 880 (Ct. Int’l Trade 1994) (citing NEC Corp. v. United States, 806 F.2d 247, 249
(Fed. Cir. 1986)). Therefore, this Court lacks jurisdiction over Plaintiff's action under 28 U.S.C.
§ 1581(i).
This Court and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit have held that a plaintiff may
resort to jurisdiction under § 1581(i) only if the plaintiff's remedies under 28 U.S.C. § 1581(a)-
(h) are manifestly inadequate. See Miller & Co., 824 F.2d at 963; see also Lowa, Ltd, 561 F.
Supp. at 446-47 (Ct. Int'l Trade 1983) (“[T]his court has subject matter jurisdiction under section
1581(i) of a cause of action . . . only when the relief available under section 1581(a) is manifestly
inadequate or when necessary, because of special circumstances, to avoid extraordinary and
unjustified delays caused by the exhaustion of administrative remedies.”); Am. Air Parcel
Forwarding Co., Ltd. v. United States, 718 F.2d 1546, 1549-51 (Fed. Cir. 1983) (holding that the
Court No. 02-00668 Page 19
court did not possess jurisdiction under §1581(i) where the importers could have taken steps to
qualify under §§ 1581(a) or (h), and remedies under those subsections would not have been
inadequate), cert. denied, 466 U.S. 937 (1984); U.S. Cane Sugar Refiners’ Ass’n v. Block, 69
C.C.P.A. 172, 683 F.2d 399, 402 (CCPA 1982) (“The delay inherent in proceeding under
§ 1581(a) makes relief under that provision manifestly inadequate and, accordingly, the court has
jurisdiction in this case under § 1581(i).”).
As discussed above, Plaintiff would have had a remedy under § 1581(c) had its action
qualified for one of the enumerated exceptions to binational panel review and Plaintiff had made
timely notification to the required parties. Plaintiff has not alleged, nor do the facts indicate, that
any remedy available under § 1581(c) would be inadequate. Additionally, as established above, a
NAFTA binational panel has been requested to review the challenged determinations. Under §
1581(i), unless the binational panel dismisses the current review for lack of jurisdiction, this
Court does not have jurisdiction under § 1581(i). See 28 U.S.C. § 1581(i); 19 U.S.C. §
1516a(g)(3)(A)(i).
3. Plaintiff failed to timely file this action under 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(a)(5).
The determinations challenged by Plaintiff involve merchandise from Canada, a NAFTA
country. (Pl.’s Compl. at 1.) Under § 1516a, such determinations have special timeliness
requirements. See 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(a)(5). Pursuant to § 1516a(a)(5)(A), Plaintiff is required
to file its summons and complaint within 31 days after the publication in the Federal Register of
the final determinations of which Plaintiff seeks review. 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(a)(5)(A). Here, the
final determinations that Plaintiff challenges were published in the Federal Register on May 22,
Court No. 02-00668 Page 20
2002. See Softwood Lumber From Canada, 67 Fed. Reg. 36,022 (May 22, 2002); Notice of
Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Antidumping Duty Order:
Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada, 67 Fed. Reg. 36,068 (May 22, 2002); Notice
of Amended Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Notice of Countervailing
Duty Order: Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada, 67 Fed. Reg. 36,070 (May 22,
2002). Plaintiff’s summons and complaint were filed on October 25, 2002, more than 4 months
after the 31-day deadline imposed under the statute had passed. Under § 1516a(a)(5)(A),
Plaintiff’s filing was untimely and thus, this Court does not have jurisdiction to hear Plaintiff’s
claim.
Plaintiff’s contention that the timeliness requirements under § 1516a are mere
technicalities and that a showing of prejudice is necessary to dismiss this case are without merit.
As the Federal Circuit has held, § 1516 “specifies the terms and conditions upon which the
United States has waived its sovereign immunity in consenting to be sued in the Court of
International Trade . . . [and] those limitations must be strictly observed and are not subject to
implied exceptions.” Georgetown Steel Corp. v. United States, 801 F.2d 1308, 1312 (Fed. Cir.
1986). Therefore, “[i]f a litigant fails to comply with the terms upon which the United States has
consented to be sued, the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the suit.” Id. (citations omitted).
Here, Plaintiff failed to comply with the timeliness requirements under the statute. Therefore,
this Court has no jurisdiction to entertain Plaintiff’s suit.
4. Plaintiff lacks standing to bring this action.
Defendants contend that even if Plaintiff had commenced an appeal of the ITC’s or
Court No. 02-00668 Page 21
Commerce’s determinations on a timely basis, Plaintiff still lacks standing to bring such a claim
because, as a shareholder, Plaintiff does not fall into any of the categories of “interested party”
listed in 19 U.S.C. § 1677(9). (ITC Br. at 4 n.10; Commerce Br. at 11.) Plaintiff contends that
this Court should follow the example set by other nations and allow Plaintiff, as an individual, to
bring suit in this Court. (Pl.’s Br. at 5-7.)
Title 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(d) states that “[a]ny interested part who was a party to the
proceeding” shall have standing to bring an action seeking review of an antidumping or
countervailing duty determination before this Court. 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(d). The term “interested
party” is defined under 19 U.S.C. § 1677(9). Subsection 1677(9) states:
“The term ‘interested party’ means–
(A) a foreign manufacturer, producer, or exporter, or the United States
importer, of subject merchandise or a trade or business association a majority of
the members of which are producers, exporters, or importers of such merchandise,
(B) the government of a country in which such merchandise is produced or
manufactured or from which such merchandise is exported,
(C) a manufacturer, producer, or wholesaler in the United States of a
domestic like product,
(D) a certified union or recognized union or group of workers which is
representative of an industry engaged in the manufacture, production, or
wholesale in the United States of a domestic like product,
(E) a trade or business association a majority of whose members
manufacture, produce, or wholesale a domestic like product in the United States,
(F) an association, a majority of whose members is composed of interested
parties described in subparagraph (C), (D), or (E) with respect to a domestic like
product, and
(G) in any investigation under this subtitle involving an industry engaged
in producing a processed agricultural product . . . .”
19 U.S.C. § 1677(9).
This Court has held that shareholders of corporations do not have standing to contest
Court No. 02-00668 Page 22
determinations that harm the corporation in which they hold stock. McKinney v. U.S. Dep’t of
Treasury, 614 F. Supp. 1226, 1236 (Ct. Int’l Trade 1985), aff’d 799 F.2d 1544 (Fed. Cir. 1986)
(citing Vincel v. White Motor Corp., 521 F. 2d 1113, 1118 (2d Cir. 1975) (“[Where] an injury is
suffered by a corporation and the shareholders suffer solely through depreciation in the value of
their stock, only the corporation itself, its receiver, if one has been appointed, or a stockholder
suing derivatively in the name of the corporation may maintain an action against the wrong
doer.”).
As Defendants contend, the statute defining “interested party,” 19 U.S.C. § 1677(9), is
unambiguous. The statute does not include “shareholder” in the list of various entities that may
qualify as an interested party and the Court’s decisions on this issue reflect that exclusion. See 19
U.S.C. § 1677(9). Therefore, even if Plaintiff’s case were to meet the other statutory
requirements discussed above, Plaintiff lacks standing to bring this suit and therefore, this Court
is without jurisdiction.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons discussed above, the United States’ and the International Trade
Commission’s Motions to Dismiss are granted. Plaintiff’s motion for leave to file a Sur-Reply is
denied. This case is dismissed.
______________________________
Gregory W. Carman
Chief Judge
Dated: March ,2003
New York, New York