USITC Votes To Continue Investigations on Oil Country Tubular Goods from Austria, Taiwan, And United Arab Emirates

May 15, 2026

News Release 26 - 069

Inv. No(s). 701-TA-791 and 731-TA-1779-1781

Contact: Jennifer Andberg, 202-205-1819

USITC Votes to Continue Investigations on Oil Country Tubular Goods from Austria, Taiwan, and United Arab Emirates

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today determined there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured due to imports of oil country tubular goods from Austria, Taiwan, and United Arab Emirates that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of Austria.

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigations of imports of this product from Austria, Taiwan, and United Arab Emirates.

The Commission’s public report, Oil Country Tubular Goods from Austria, Taiwan, and United Arab Emirates(Inv. Nos. 701-TA-791 and 731-TA-1779-1781 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5741, May 2026), will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available on the USITC website by June 23, 2026.

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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2026/er0515_68596.htm

USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts from China

The U.S. International Trade Commission or USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on citric acid and certain citrate salts from China would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China will remain in place. 

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative. 

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.

The Commission’s public report, Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-456 and 731-TA-1152 (Third Review), USITC Publication 5740, May 2026), will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available on the USITC website by June 25, 2026.

BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time. Read More→

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2026/er0512_68587.htm

National Commodity Specialist Division (NCSD) May 2026 Webinars

CBP hosts trade outreach events via free webinars to provide more timely and up-to-date information to the international trade community on CBP trade policy, as established by the agency.

CBP continues to offer live webinars that will be recorded and available for subsequent on-demand viewing over the Internet. The programs will consist of a high-level overview of the initiative, policy, or other topic, and will conclude with an opportunity for the trade to ask pertinent questions. To maximize the trade community's ability to ask questions during the webinars, the presentation portion will be limited to approximately 30 minutes.

Space is limited per webinar, so please pre-register using the CBP online registration process listed below. Although the trade outreach webinars are provided free of charge, CBP incurs a penalty fee for unused telephone lines per event. If for any reason you must cancel your registration, please submit your notice of cancellation via the online cancellation form 48 hours prior to the event. Read More→

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/stakeholder-engagement/webinars

International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Frequently Asked Questions

New IEEPA Duty Refunds Page Now Available

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is developing the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) functionality within the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) to streamline the submission and processing of valid refund requests for duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), as authorized by court order or applicable law. For the latest guidance on eligibility, how to file through the CAPE system, and ACH enrollment requirements, visit our IEEPA Duty Refunds page International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Duty Refunds

This page is being maintained for reference purposes only. For refund information you should visit International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Duty Refunds

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https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/trade-remedies/IEEPA-FAQ

USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Oil Country Tubular Goods from China

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on oil country tubular goods from China would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China will remain in place. 

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative. 

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.

The Commission’s public report, Oil Country Tubular Goods from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-463 and 731-TA-1159 (Third Review), USITC Publication 5739, May 2026), will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available on the USITC website by June 17, 2026.

BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time. Read More→

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2026/er0506_68553.htm

USITC Announces Remedy Recommendations in its Global Safeguard Investigation Involving Imports of Quartz Surface Products

The United States International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today announced the remedy recommendations in its global safeguard investigation regarding imports of quartz surface products that will be sent to the President.

Today’s action follows the Commission’s April 1, 2026 determination that quartz surface products are being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. Information about the injury determination can be found in the April 1 news release.

The statements of Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioner Jason E. Kearns regarding their remedy recommendations are attached. Both Commissioners recommend a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) on imports of quartz surface products, including slabs and fabricated quartz surface products, for a four-year period. The recommended in-quota tariff rate is 25 percent ad valorem and the recommended above-quota tariff rate is 40 percent ad valorem in Year 1 of the relief period, both of which decrease by one percentage point in each subsequent year of the four-year relief period. The TRQ recommended volume is 140,000,000 square feet in Year 1 of the relief period, 159,000,000 square feet in Year 2, 164,000,000 square feet in Year 3, and 169,000,000 square feet in Year 4; and the annual in-quota volume level is recommended to be allocated on a quarterly basis. 

The Commissioners further recommend that U.S. imports from certain countries be excluded from the TRQ, and that a robust mechanism to reduce the potential for circumvention of this remedy is implemented. Commissioner Kearns makes certain additional recommendations. Full details on their recommendations will be included in the report to the President.

The Commission will forward its report, which will contain its injury determination, remedy recommendations, certain additional findings, and the basis for the findings, to the President by May 18, 2026. 

The President will make the final decision concerning whether to provide relief to the U.S. industry and the type and amount of relief.

The Commission's public report to the President, Quartz Surface Products, Inv. No. TA-201-79, USITC Publication 5738, May 2026, will be available on the USITC website by June 26, 2026.

COMMISSIONER STATEMENT

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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2026/er0505_68542.htm

Best Practices for Protecting Your Information Regarding IEEPA Refunds CSMS 68569567

With the launch of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE), CBP expects that scammers will attempt to use social media, email, and other communication methods to secure account information from importers in order to interfere with the process of refunding International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duties.   

Don’t get scammed! Don’t be a victim!  

  • If someone you do not know tells you they will file for an IEEPA refund on your behalf if you provide them with your personal information, company information, or banking information, this may be a scam. Only provide such information to trusted and validated parties. 

  • Using verified accounts through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal, filing a CAPE Declaration is the only way to submit a request for an IEEPA refund.  Do not enter any information into a website other than ACE that claims to process IEEPA refunds.  

Technical Corrections to Section 232 Duties on Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper CSMS 68554727

The purpose of this message is to provide guidance regarding the technical corrections to Annex IV of Presidential Proclamation 11021, “Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper into the United States.” 

 

BACKGROUND 

On April 2, 2026, the President issued Proclamation 11021, “Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper into the United States,” under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862).  This proclamation imposes 10-50% additional duties on the full customs value of certain imports of steel, aluminum, copper articles (metal articles) and their derivatives from all countries, effective April 6, 2026. See 91 FR 18201 and CSMS 68253075. 

 

On April 29, 2026, the Secretary of Commerce published “Notice of Technical Corrections to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States for  

Duties Imposed by Presidential Proclamation 11021.” See  91 FR 23056. 

  

New Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) classification 9903.82.01 established by this Notice is already effective in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).  The ACE functionality for the acceptance of goods with a melt and pour country of the Netherlands under Headings 9903.82.04 and 9903.82.05 will be available on May 7, 2026. 

GUIDANCE 

This guidance provides instructions for importers, brokers, and filers on submitting entries to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) subject to Section 232 duties on imports of aluminum, steel, and copper. Read More→ https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-4160fe7?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

Public Hearings Regarding Section 301 Investigations Relating to Structural Excess Capacity

May 04, 2026

WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative will hold public hearings starting on May 5 and continuing through May 8, 2026, regarding the Section 301 investigations into 16 economies acts, policies, and practices relating to structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors.

The hearings will take place in the main hearing room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, at 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC, starting at 10:00 am ET.

Please consult the USTR website for the hearings schedule.

Note: The hearings are on the record but no external cameras or video recording will be allowed in the hearing room. The hearings will not be livestreamed. A full transcript of the hearings will be posted on ustr.gov after the hearings. Please contact media@ustr.eop.gov with questions or for more information on media arrangements.

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https://ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2026/may/public-hearings-regarding-section-301-investigations-relating-structural-excess-capacity

CBP Entry Liquidation Status Check

The Official Notice of Extension, Suspension and Liquidation provides public notice for liquidation actions for entry summaries filed with Customs Border Protection (CBP). The information contained in the Official Notice of Extension, Suspension and Liquidation is available full-time, less scheduled maintenance windows, and is provided free of charge. This notice is in accordance with 19 CFR 159 and in compliance with the disclosures required per CBP Form 4333.

The Official Notice of Extension, Suspension and Liquidation data are updated daily and is current as of the current date. Entries for manually posted liquidations are updated throughout the day as soon as possible and will usually appear within 90 minutes after the liquidations have been processed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1514, a liquidation is final and conclusive on all persons unless a protest is filed within 180 days of the date of liquidation, the date of reliquidation, or the date of a liquidation by operation of law.

The Official Notice of Extension, Suspension and Liquidation data are available beginning as of January 14, 2017 and will be archived for 15 months.

If you have any questions, please contact 800-927-8729 or cbp.technology.service.desk@cbp.dhs.gov

Read More→ https://trade.cbp.dhs.gov/ace/liquidation/LBNotice/

Public Hearings Regarding Section 301 Investigations Relating to Failures to Take Action on Forced Labor

April 24, 2026

WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will hold public hearings on April 28 and April 29, 2026, regarding the Section 301 investigations into 60 economies' acts, policies, and practices related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

The hearings will take place in the main hearing room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, at 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC, starting at 10:00 am ET.

Please consult the USTR website for the hearing schedule.

Note: The hearings are on the record but no external cameras or video recording will be allowed in the hearing room. The hearings will not be livestreamed. A full transcript of the hearings will be posted on ustr.gov after the hearings. Please contact media@ustr.eop.gov with questions or for more information on media arrangements.

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National Marine Fisheries Service Lifts Yellowfin Tuna Import Prohibition for Panama under the Tuna Tracking and Verification Program

AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice; new 5-year affirmative finding for Panama.

SUMMARY:

The NMFS Assistant Administrator (Assistant Administrator) has issued a new 5-year affirmative finding for the Government of Panama under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding will allow the importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP), in compliance with the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP), by purse seine vessels operating under Panamanian jurisdiction or exported from Panama. NMFS bases the affirmative finding determination on reviews of documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Panama and of information obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).

DATES:

This new affirmative finding is effective for the 5-year period of April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031. Read More→

USITC Makes Determination In Five-Year (Sunset) Review Concerning Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol From China [CORRECTED]

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping order on imports of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol from China would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, the existing order on imports of this product from China will remain in place. 

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative. 

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on this five-year (sunset) review.

The Commission’s public report, Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1046 (Fourth Review), USITC Publication 5731, (April 2026), will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.

The report will be available by May 26, 2026; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website. 

BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally, within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews. Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the reviews, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

The five-year (sunset) review concerning Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol from China was instituted on October 1, 2025.

On February 23, 2026, the Commission determined to conduct an expedited five-year review. Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns concluded that the domestic interested party group response was adequate and the respondent interested party group response was inadequate. Chair Karpel and Commissioner Kearns voted for an expedited review, while Commissioner Johanson voted for a full review*.  

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct an expedited review is available on the investigations page for Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol from China; Inv. No. 731-TA- 1046 (Fourth Review). 

Correction: As of 2:45 p.m. EST, April 16, 2026, this statement has been corrected. The text now reflects Commissioner Johanson’s vote for a full review regarding the adequacy determination.

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Updated Guidance #3: Implementation of Jones Act Waiver issued to the Department of War, dated March 17, 2026 CSMS #68448732

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is providing updated guidance to CSMS #68096516, CSMS #68180454, and CSMS #68370692. This guidance serves as notice that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has approved an extension of the waiver, dated March 17, 2026, at the request of the Department of War (DOW). The waiver will be extended for a period of 90-days commencing on May 18, 2026 at 12 a.m. Thus, CBP has determined that to be compliant with the extended waiver, any covered product must be loaded onboard the relevant vessel before the deadline expires at 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight Time on Sunday, August 16, 2026. With notice of this extension, CBP is also providing an updated list of potentially covered products (attached) as of April 24, 2026.

CBP is adding an additional data element to initial request to jonesact@cbp.dhs.gov which is a Pdf copy of the CBP Form 1302.

Therefore, any member of the trade community who intends to conduct transportation of commodities listed in the attachment on a foreign-flag vessel, authorized by and within the parameters of the March 17, 2026 waiver, notify CBP at jonesact@cbp.dhs.gov with the following information of any such transportation:

  • Vessel name (including IMO number and flag)

  • Commodity and relevant Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Code

  • Carrier

  • Ports and dates of departure and arrival (include CBP port code)

  • Pdf copy of the CBP Form 1302

Original CSMS Messages #68096516, #68180454, and #68370692 listed below. Read More→

USITC Seeks Public Comments on Proposals to Update the Harmonized Tariff Schedule

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) wants to hear from interested federal agencies and the public about proposed updates to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).

The Commission has posted its proposed updates to the HTS on the USITC website. Interested federal agencies and the public are invited to submit written comments on the proposed updates by May 18, 2026. All written submissions, except confidential business information, will be available to the public.

Last year, members of the World Customs Organization agreed on about 300 sets of amendments to the Harmonized System (HS), the global system that categorizes products imported and exported around the world. Countries then began their individual processes to incorporate these changes into their own domestic product category systems. The United States and other countries have until January 1, 2028, to implement the changes.

The USITC is the federal agency charged with maintaining and updating the United States' product category system, the HTS. Last August, the USITC instituted an investigation that will lead to recommendations to the President to update the HTS to implement the HS amendments.

HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS: All comments must be submitted through the Commission’s Electronic Document Information System. Questions regarding electronic filing should be directed to the Office of the Secretary, Docket Services Division, or consult the Commission’s Handbook on Filing Procedures and the Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8).

More information about the USITC investigation and procedures to file comments are available in the Commission’s Federal Register notice soliciting public comments on the preliminary report, dated April 17, 2026, and on the USITC website.

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USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Monosodium Glutamate from China and Indonesia

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping orders on imports of monosodium glutamate from China and Indonesia would likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China and Indonesia will remain in place. 

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative. 

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.

The Commission’s public report, Monosodium Glutamate from China and Indonesia(Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1229-1230 (Second Review), USITC Publication 5734 (May 2026), will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by May 29, 2026; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website. 

BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally, within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires. Read More→

International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Duty Refunds

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is developing the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) functionality within the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) to streamline the submission and processing of valid refund requests for duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), as authorized by court order or applicable law. CAPE is designed to consolidate refunds of IEEPA duties including interest rather than processing refunds on an entry-by-entry basis. CBP plans to implement CAPE through a phased development approach, adding more functionality in subsequent phases for more complicated scenarios.

The CAPE process is being deployed in phases, and CBP will launch the first phase of CAPE on April 20, 2026. Phase 1 is limited to certain unliquidated entries and certain entries within 80 days of liquidation.

Requesting refunds of IEEPA duties requires only the following summarized actions:

  • Importers of Record and authorized Customs brokers have an established ACE Secure Data Portal account (ACE Portal account)

  • Recipients use the ACE Portal account to provide CBP with bank account information

  • Importers of Record and authorized Customs brokers submit CAPE Declarations in the ACE Portal (See below for details)

Visit Applying for an ACE Portal Importer Account and Enrolling in ACH Refunds.

Importers of Record (IORs) and Customs brokers will be able to file a CAPE Declaration, using a Comma-Separated Values (.CSV) file, through their web-based ACE Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal) account. Filers will not use the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) to file a CAPE Declaration. Read More→

USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews of Kitchen Appliance Shelving and Racks from China

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on kitchen appliance shelving and racks from China would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of these products from China will remain in place. 

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative. 

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.

The Commission’s public report, Kitchen Appliance Shelving and Racks from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-458 and 731-TA-1154 (Review), USITC Publication 5721, March 2026), will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by April 27,2026; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website.

BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time. Read More→

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2026/er0319_68304.htm

Implementation of Jones Act Waiver Issued to the Department of War, Dated March 17, 2026

On March 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a limited waiver of 46 U.S. C. § 55102 (the "Jones Act") pursuant to 46 U.S.C. § 501(a), at the request of the Department of War. The approved waiver covers a 60-day period that expires at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Sunday, May 17, 2026. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requests that any member of the trade community who intends to conduct transportation of commodities listed in the attachment on a foreign-flag vessel, authorized by and within the parameters of the March 17, 2026, waiver, notify CBP at jonesact@cbp.dhs.gov with the following information of any such transportation:

  • Vessel name (including IMO number and flag)

  • Commodity and relevant Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Code

  • Carrier

  • Ports and dates of departure and arrival (include CBP port code)

Per 19 U.S.C. § 1434(a)(2), and as implemented in 19 C.F.R. Part 4, any foreign vessel arriving from a domestic port must file a formal entry (of the vessel), regardless of the cargo carried. As such, foreign-flagged vessels transporting cargo pursuant to this waiver remain subject to vessel entrance and clearance requirements and should use the Vessel Entrance and Clearance System (VECS) in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). Per 19 C.F.R. § 4.3a, violations of the arrival or entrance reporting requirements provided for 19 C.F.R. Part 4 may result in the master being liable for certain civil and criminal penalties, as provided under 19 U.S.C. 1436. Read More→

https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-40f1204?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

Ambassador Jamieson Greer Announces U.S.-Japan Action Plan on Critical Minerals

March 19, 2026

WASHINGTON – Today, Ambassador Jamieson Greer announced the enactment of the U.S.-Japan Action Plan on Critical Minerals. Under this Action Plan, the United States and Japan will develop strategic trade policies and border mechanisms to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities and protect the downstream industries that depend on critical minerals imports.

“The United States and Japan are taking an important step to expand the production and diversity of critical minerals, laying the foundation for a binding plurilateral agreement supported by price floors and other measures,” said Ambassador Greer. “Today’s announcement reinforces our supply chain resilience and energy security with a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region. I thank my Japanese counterparts for their commitment to deepening coordination on critical minerals to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance.”

Read the U.S.-Japan Action Plan on Critical Minerals here. Read More→

https://ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2026/march/ambassador-jamieson-greer-announces-us-japan-action-plan-critical-minerals