USITC RELEASES THE YEAR IN TRADE 2021

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today released The Year in Trade 2021 (Inv. No. 332-345), its annual overview of developments regarding the operation of the U.S. trade agreements program for 2021.

The USITC's The Year in Trade is one of the government's most comprehensive reports available regarding activities related to U.S. trade policies, agreements, and trade laws. This report is the 73rd in a series of annual reports submitted to the U.S. Congress under section 163(c) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2213(c)) and its predecessor legislation.

The publication reviews U.S. international trade laws and actions under these laws, activities of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and developments regarding U.S. free trade agreements (FTAs), FTA negotiations, and U.S. bilateral trade relations with major trading partners in 2021.

In addition to discussion on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions on international trade, topics covered in The Year in Trade 2021 include:

  • U.S. antidumping, countervailing duty, safeguard, intellectual property rights infringement, national security, and section 301 cases active in 2021;

  • amendments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, and the operation of U.S. trade preference programs, including the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the Nepal Trade Preferences Act, and the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, including initiatives for Haiti;

  • WTO dispute settlement decisions and other significant activities in the WTO and initiatives under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum;

  • implementation and enforcement matters under the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement and other U.S. FTAs in effect; and

  • bilateral trade issues with selected major U.S. trading partners -- the European Union, Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and India.

The report also provides an overview of U.S. trade in goods and services during 2021. Statistical tables highlight U.S. bilateral trade with major trading partners and trade under U.S. trade preference programs and FTAs.

The Year in Trade 2021 (USITC Publication 5349, August 2022) will be posted on the USITC's Internet site at https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub5349.pdf.   

A set of interactive, web-based presentations of underlying data is also available at:

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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2022/er0829ll1977.htm

Fact Sheet: WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

For more than two decades, Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have negotiated how to address the use of harmful subsidies in the fisheries sector.  Through extensive U.S. engagement and leadership over the course of these long-running negotiations, the WTO was able to achieve a groundbreaking agreement at the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference to discipline harmful fisheries subsidies. 
 
The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is the first ever multilateral trade agreement with environmental sustainability at its core.  It contains several important disciplines, including prohibitions on granting or maintaining fisheries subsidies to:

  • Vessels or operators engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing or fishing related activities in support of IUU fishing;

  • Fishing or fishing related activities regarding stocks that are overfished; and

  • Fishing or fishing related activities on the unregulated high seas.

In addition to disciplines on these types of harmful fisheries subsidies, the Agreement includes robust transparency requirements aimed at strengthening WTO Members’ notifications of fisheries subsidies and enabling effective surveillance of the implementation of the obligations in the Agreement.
 
The Fisheries Subsidies Agreement also requires WTO Members to take special care and exercise due restraint when granting subsidies to fishing vessels that are not flying that Member’s flag, as the practice of vessels flying flags of convenience has been linked to enabling illegal activity, including the use of forced labor.  A similar provision requires Members to take special care and exercise due restraint when granting subsidies to fishing or fishing related activities regarding unassessed fish stocks, which can be particularly harmful and may lead to overfishing. 
 
WTO Members also committed to continue negotiations to build on the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement with additional disciplines on fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing.  Through these continued negotiations, the United States will pursue additional ambitious disciplines.  The United States will also continue to urge Members to support greater transparency with respect to the use of forced labor on fishing vessels.  

The Fisheries Subsidies Agreement will enter into force when it has been accepted by two-thirds of WTO Members. To maintain the momentum towards a more ambitious agreement, the current agreement will lapse if more comprehensive disciplines are not adopted within four years of entry into force, unless WTO Members decide otherwise.

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https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/fact-sheets/2022/august/fact-sheet-wto-agreement-fisheries-subsidies

Dairy Tariff-Rate Quota Import Licensing Program

AGENCY:

Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Interim final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

This interim final rule amends the regulations that provide for the issuance of licenses to import certain dairy articles under tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) as set forth in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The rule suspends for an additional year the historical license reduction provision which would otherwise apply beginning with the 2023 quota year. This change will allow license holders additional time to adjust to challenging market conditions impacting the dairy sector.

DATES:

Effective August 30, 2022. Send comments on or before September 29, 2022.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/30/2022-18751/dairy-tariff-rate-quota-import-licensing-program

Large Residential Washers From the People's Republic of China: Continuation of the Antidumping Duty Order

AGENCY:

Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY:

As a result of the determinations by the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that revocation of the antidumping duty (AD) order on large residential washers (washers) from the People's Republic of China (China) would likely lead to a continuation or recurrence of dumping and material injury to an industry in the United States, Commerce is publishing a notice of continuation of the AD order on washers from China.

DATES:

Applicable August 30, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brian Smith or Max Goldman, AD/CVD Operations, Office VIII, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-1766 or (202) 482-0224, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On February 6, 2017, Commerce published in the Federal Register the AD order on washers from China.[1] On January 3, 2022, the ITC instituted [2] and Commerce initiated [3] a five-year (sunset) review of the Order, pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). As a result of its review, Commerce determined, pursuant to sections 751(c)(1) and 752(c) of the Act, that revocation of the Order would likely lead to a continuation or recurrence of dumping. Therefore, Commerce notified the ITC of the magnitude of the margin of dumping likely to prevail were the Order to be revoked.[4] Read More→

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/30/2022-18611/large-residential-washers-from-the-peoples-republic-of-china-continuation-of-the-antidumping-duty

Wooden Cabinets and Vanities and Components Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Final Results and Partial Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020

AGENCY:

Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to the producers and exporters subject to the administrative review of wooden cabinets and vanities and components thereof (cabinets) from the People's Republic of China (China) during the period of review (POR) August 12, 2019, through December 31, 2020. Commerce is also rescinding the review with respect to four companies that had no reviewable entries during the POR.

DATES:

Applicable August 24, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Thomas Schauer, AD/CVD Operations, Office I, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-0410.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Commerce published the Preliminary Results of this administrative review in the Federal Register on May 6, 2022, and invited interested parties to comment.[1] On June 6, 2022, we received timely case briefs from the American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance (the petitioner) and Dalian Hualing Wood Co., Ltd. (Hualing). On June 13, 2022, we received timely rebuttal briefs from the petitioner and from Hualing. For a complete description of the events that occurred since the Preliminary Results, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.[2] Read More→

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/24/2022-18250/wooden-cabinets-and-vanities-and-components-thereof-from-the-peoples-republic-of-china-final-results

USITC MAKES DETERMINATION IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING GLYCINE FROM CHINA

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty order on imports of glycine from China would be likely to 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. 

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns and Randolph J. Stayin voted in the affirmative.  Commissioner Amy A. Karpel did not participate in the vote for this review.

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) review.

The Commission’s public report Glycine from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-718 (Fifth Review), USITC Publication 5347, August 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.

The report will be available by September 13, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

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/2022/er0816ll1971.htm

USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain mobile electronic devices.  The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Maxell, Ltd. of Kyoto, Japan on June 16, 2022.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain mobile electronic devices that infringe certain claims of the patents asserted by the complainant.  The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders. 

The USITC has identified the following as the respondents this investigation:

Lenovo Group Ltd. of Beijing, China;
Lenovo (United States) Inc. of Morrisville, NC; and
Motorola Mobility LLC of Libertyville, IL.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1324), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case.  The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.  The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time.  Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.  USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.

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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2022/er0816ll1972.htm

USITC MAKES DETERMINATION IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING LEMON JUICE FROM ARGENTINA

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that terminating the suspended investigation on imports of lemon juice from Argentina would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, the existing suspension agreement concerning imports of this product from Argentina will remain in place. 

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Randolph J. Stayin voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Amy A. Karpel did not participate in the vote for this review.

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 Lemon Juice from Argentina (Inv. No. 731-TA-1105, Second Review), USITC Publication 5344, August 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.

The report will be available by September 26, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

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/2022/er0810ll1970.htm

Enhanced Transparency and Access to Information for Refund Requesters in the Automated Commercial Environment

AGENCY:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION:

General notice.

SUMMARY:

This document announces that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is making available a new report in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). ACE account users will have the option to electronically view and track their outstanding refund status and history for all refunds processed after the deployment date.

DATES:

CBP will deploy the new Refunds ACE Report on August 29, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

Comments concerning this notice may be submitted at any time via email to the ACE Collections Team, Investment Analysis Office, Office of Finance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, at ACECollections@cbp.dhs.gov, with a subject line identifier reading “ACE Collections Refund Release.” Read More→ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/11/2022-17250/enhanced-transparency-and-access-to-information-for-refund-requesters-in-the-automated-commercial

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Article 1904; Binational Panel Review: Notice of Completion of Panel Review

AGENCY:

United States Section, NAFTA Secretariat, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of completion of panel review.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with Rules 78 and 80 of the NAFTA Rules of Procedure for Article 1904 Binational Panel Reviews, the Panel Review of Light-Walled Rectangular Pipe and Tube from Mexico: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2016-2017 (Secretariat File Number: USA-MEX-2019-1904-01) was completed and the panelists were discharged from their duties effective August 9, 2022. Read More→

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/15/2022-17413/north-american-free-trade-agreement-nafta-article-1904-binational-panel-review-notice-of-completion

Cold-Rolled Steel Flat Products From Brazil, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom

Determinations

On the basis of the record [1] developed in the subject five-year reviews, the United States International Trade Commission (“Commission”) determines, pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930 (“the Act”), that revocation of the countervailing duty orders on cold-rolled steel flat products (“cold-rolled steel”) from China, India, and South Korea and the antidumping duty orders on cold-rolled steel from China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time. The Commission further determines that revocation of the countervailing and antidumping duty orders on cold-rolled steel from Brazil would not be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time.[2]

Background

The Commission instituted these reviews on June 1, 2021 (86 FR 29286) and determined on September 7, 2021 that it would conduct full reviews (86 FR 52180, September 20, 2021). Notice of the scheduling of the Commission's reviews and of a public hearing to be held in connection therewith was given by posting copies of the notice in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, and by publishing the notice in the Federal Register on December 13, 2021 (86 FR 70864). The Commission conducted its hearing on May 24, 2022. All persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to participate. Read More→

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/12/2022-17399/cold-rolled-steel-flat-products-from-brazil-china-india-japan-south-korea-and-the-united-kingdom

USITC TO INVESTIGATE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF USMCA AUTOMOTIVE RULES OF ORIGIN ON THE UNITED STATES

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a new factfinding investigation on the USMCA automotive rules of origin (ROOs) and their impact on the U.S. economy, their effect on the competitiveness of U.S. automotive production and trade, and their relevancy in light of technology changes.

The Commission instituted the investigation, USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin: Economic Impact and Operation, 2023 Report (Inv. No. 332-592), for the purpose of preparing the first of five reports for the President and the House Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Committee on Finance as required by section 202A(g)(2) of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act.

As required, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will examine the USMCA automotive ROOs and their impact on the United States in an investigation and produce a report. The report will provide information on:

  1. the economic impact of the USMCA automotive ROOs on U.S. gross domestic product, trade, employment, and consumers, as well as the economic impact on production, investment, capacity, revenues, wages, and employment in U.S. automotive industries;

  2. the operation of the USMCA automotive ROOs and their effect on the competitiveness of U.S. automotive production and trade;

  3. the relevancy of the USMCA automotive ROOs in light of recent technology changes in the United States; and

  4. other matters the Commission considers relevant to the economic impact of the USMCA automotive ROOs.

The USITC expects to submit its first report to the President and the appropriate Congressional committees no later than Friday, June 30, 2023. The Commission is directed to submit reports on the USMCA automotive ROOs every two years thereafter until 2031.

The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on November 3, 2022. Information about how to participate in the hearing will be posted on the Commission’s website no later than September 26, 2022, at https://usitc.gov/research_and_analysis/what_we_are_working_on.htm.

Read More→ https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2022/er0804ll1969.htm

USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN VIDEO PROCESSING DEVICES AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING THE SAME

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain video processing devices and products containing the same.  The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by VideoLabs, Inc. of Palo Alto, CA on July 5, 2022.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain video processing devices and products containing the same that infringe patents asserted by the complainants.  The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders. 

The USITC has identified the following as the respondents this investigation:

Acer Inc. of New Taipei City, Taiwan;
Acer America Corporation of San Jose, CA;
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. of Taipei, Taiwan;
ASUS Computer International, Fremont, CA;
Lenovo Group Limited of Quarry Bay, Hong Kong;
Lenovo (United States) Inc. of Morrisville, NC;
Micro-Star International Co., Ltd. of New Taipei City, Taiwan;
Motorola Mobility LLC of Chicago, IL; and
MSI Computer Corp. of City of Industry, CA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1323), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case.  The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.  The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time.  Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.  USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.

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Preliminary Determination in the Antidumping Duty Investigations of Steel Nails from India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey

On July 29, 2022, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced its affirmative preliminary determination in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of steel nails from India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Turkey

Preliminary Dumping Rates

Preliminary Determination in the Antidumping Duty Investigations of Lemon Juice from Brazil and South Africa

On July 29, 2022, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced its affirmative preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of lemon juice from Brazil and South Africa.

Preliminary Dumping Rates

USITC MAKES DETERMINATIONS IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEWS CONCERNING POLYESTER STAPLE FIBER FROM SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty orders on imports of polyester staple fiber from South Korea and Taiwan would be 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 South Korea and Taiwan will remain in place. 

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel 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 Polyester Staple Fiber from South Korea and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-825-826 (Fourth Review), USITC Publication 5341, August 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by August 23, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

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→

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2022/er0726ll1965.htm

SODIUM NITRITE FROM RUSSIA INJURES U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of sodium nitrite from Russia that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from Russia.

The Commission’s public report Sodium Nitrite from Russia (Inv. No. 701-TA-680 (Final), USITC Publication 5342, August 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by August 24, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Sodium Nitrite from Russia

Investigation No. 701-TA-680 (Final)

Product Description:  Sodium nitrite (NaNO2, CAS registry number 7632-00-0) is an industrial chemical sold in solid or liquid form. Sodium nitrite is used in a wide range of industrial applications, including corrosion inhibition, detinning scrap tinplate, phosphating metals, and organic syntheses, notably the production of organic amines. Additional applications include the production of dyes and synthetic rubber, preservation of cured meat, and control of odor and inhibition of bacterial growth in wastewater treatment. It also serves in heat treating salts to harden metals, as an antidote to cyanide poisoning, and in military applications, including ammunition and explosives. These investigations cover sodium nitrite in any form, at any purity level. Read More→

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2022/er0727ll1966.htm

USITC LAUNCHES NEW INVESTIGATION ON POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO THE UNITED STATES-KOREA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT RULES OF ORIGIN

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input on a newly initiated investigation concerning a proposed modification to the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) rules of origin.

The investigation, Certain Fabrics of Triacetate Filament Yarns: Effect of Modification to U.S.-Korea FTA Rules of Origin (Inv. No. U.S.-Korea FTA-103-033) was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter received on July 5, 2022. The letter included an attachment detailing the textile and apparel articles affected by the proposed modification. 

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the probable economic effect of the proposed KORUS rules of origin modification on U.S. trade under the KORUS, total U.S. trade, and domestic producers of the affected articles.

The USITC expects to submit its advice to the USTR by November 4, 2022. A public version of the report, with all confidential business information deleted, will be released as soon as possible thereafter.

The USITC is seeking input for its new investigation from all interested parties and requests that the information focus on the articles for which the USITC is requested to provide information and advice. The USITC will not hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation; however, the USITC welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436 and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on August 26, 2022.

IMPORTANT:  All written submissions must be made through the Commission’s Electronic Document Information System (EDIS, https://edis.usitc.gov). No in-person paper-based filings or paper copies of any electronic filings will be accepted until further notice. Persons with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the Office of the Secretary, Docket Services Division (EDIS3Help@USITC.gov), or consult the Commission’s Handbook on Filing Procedures.

Further information on the scope of the investigation is available in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated July 21, 2022, which can be downloaded from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Secretary at commissionhearings@usitc.gov.

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USITC MAKES DETERMINATIONS IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING COLD-ROLLED STEEL FLAT PRODUCTS FROM BRAZIL, CHINA, INDIA, JAPAN, KOREA, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of cold-rolled steel flat products from China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time, and that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of cold-rolled steel flat products from Brazil would not be 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, India, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom will remain in place. As a result of the Commission’s negative determinations, the existing orders on imports of these products from Brazil will be ended.

For the reviews of imports from China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative. For the reviews of imports from Brazil, Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Jason E. Kearns and Amy A. Karpel voted in the negative. Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein and Randolph J. Stayin 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 Cold-Rolled Steel Flat Products from Brazil, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-540-543 and 731-TA-1283-1287 and 1290 (First Review), USITC Publication 5339, August 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by August 17, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library. Read More→

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2022/er0720ll1963.htm