U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, October 2023
The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $64.3 billion in October, up $3.1 billion from $61.2 billion in September, revised.
Exports, Imports, and Balance (exhibit 1)
October exports were $258.8 billion, $2.6 billion less than September exports. October imports were $323.0 billion, $0.5 billion more than September imports.
The October increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $3.5 billion to $89.8 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $0.4 billion to $25.5 billion.
Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit decreased $161.4 billion, or 19.8 percent, from the same period in 2022. Exports increased $28.0 billion or 1.1 percent. Imports decreased $133.4 billion or 4.0 percent.
USITC MAKES DETERMINATIONS IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEWS CONCERNING CIRCULAR WELDED PIPE AND TUBE FROM BRAZIL, INDIA, MEXICO, SOUTH KOREA, TAIWAN, THAILAND, AND TURKEY
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on circular welded pipe and tube from India, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey 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 India, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey will remain in place.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative for the reviews involving India, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey.
The Commission further determined that revocation of the existing antidumping duty order on imports of circular welded pipe and tube 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 negative determination, the existing antidumping duty order on imports of this product from Brazil will be revoked.
Chairman Johanson and Commissioners Kearns and Karpel voted in the negative for the review involving Brazil. Commissioner Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative for the review involving Brazil.
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 Circular Welded Pipe and Tube from Brazil, India, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-253 and 731-TA-132, 252, 271, 273, 532-534, and 536 (Fifth Review)), USITC Publication 5481, December 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.
The report will be available by January 26, 2024; 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/2023/er1208_64646.htm
USITC VOTES TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATIONS ON FROZEN WARMWATER SHRIMP FROM ECUADOR, INDIA, INDONESIA, AND VIETNAM
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador and Indonesia that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of Ecuador and Indonesia and imports of frozen warmwater shrimp from India and Vietnam that are allegedly subsidized by the governments of India and Vietnam.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel 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 frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about January 18, 2024, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about April 2, 2024.
The Commission’s public report Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-699-702 and 731-TA-1659-1660 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5482, December 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by January 16, 2024; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-699-702 and 731-TA-1659-1660 (Preliminary)
Product Description: Certain frozen warmwater shrimp and prawns whether wild-caught (ocean harvested) or farm-raised (produced by aquaculture), head-on or head-off, shell-on or peeled, tail-on or tail-off, deveined or not deveined, cooked or raw, or otherwise processed in frozen form. Read More→
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2023/er1208_64645.htm
USITC MAKES DETERMINATIONS IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING LOW MELT POLYESTER STAPLE FIBER FROM SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revocation of the existing antidumping duty orders on low melt 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, 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 Low Melt Polyester Staple Fiber from South Korea and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1378-1379 (Review)), USITC Publication 5480, December 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.
The report will be available by January 10, 2023; 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 terminating the suspended investigation 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/2023/er1206_64637.htm
Addition of Singapore to the List of Regions Affected by African Swine Fever
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is advising the public that we have added Singapore to the APHIS list maintained on the APHIS website of regions considered to be affected with African swine fever (ASF). We have taken this action because of the confirmation of ASF in Singapore.
ASF is a highly contagious disease of wild and domestic swine that can spread rapidly with extremely high rates of morbidity and mortality. A list of regions where ASF exists or is reasonably believed to exist is maintained on the APHIS website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-and-animal-product-import-information/animal-health-status-of-regions/.
More information is available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2023-26234/list-of-regions-affected-by-african-swine-fever-addition-of-singapore.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/federal-register-posts/sa_by_date/sa-2023/asf-singapore
FDA Publishes YouTube Video “Importing FDA- Regulated Products: Human Foods”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gh1iYUYRyw
From a US National Health Authority
Learn how experts define health sources in a journal of the National Academy of Medicine.
Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning the Operation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement With Respect To Trade in Automotive Goods
AGENCY:
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
ACTION:
Request for comments and notice of public hearing.
SUMMARY:
The U.S. Trade Representative must conduct a review of trade in automotive goods under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and submit a report to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives no later than July 1, 2024. USTR invites comments concerning the operation of the USMCA with respect to automotive goods, including the implementation and enforcement of the USMCA rules of origin for automotive goods, as well as whether the automotive provisions of the USMCA are effective in light of technological and production advances. Read More→ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/11/22/2023-25765/request-for-comments-and-notice-of-public-hearing-concerning-the-operation-of-the-united
Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Restrictions on the Use of Certain Hydrofluorocarbons Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020
AGENCY:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is issuing regulations to implement certain provisions of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, as enacted on December 27, 2020. This rulemaking restricts the use of hydrofluorocarbons in specific sectors or subsectors in which they are used; establishes a process for submitting technology transitions petitions; establishes recordkeeping and reporting requirements; and addresses certain other elements related to the effective implementation of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act. These restrictions on the use of hydrofluorocarbons address petitions granted on October 7, 2021, and September 19, 2022. Read More→
USITC VOTES TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATIONS ON ALUMINUM EXTRUSIONS FROM CHINA, COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, INDIA,
INDONESIA, ITALY, MALAYSIA, MEXICO, SOUTH KOREA, TAIWAN, THAILAND, TURKEY, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, AND VIETNAM
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of aluminum extrusions from China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the Governments of China, Indonesia, and Mexico. The Commission also determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is threatened with material injury by reason of imports of aluminum extrusions from Turkey that are allegedly subsidized by the Government of Turkey.
The Commission further found that the imports of these products from the Dominican Republic that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value are negligible and voted to terminate the antidumping duty investigation concerning the Dominican Republic.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative with respect to imports from China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. They made a finding of negligibility with respect to the antidumping duty investigation involving the Dominican Republic.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigations of imports of aluminum extrusions from China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about December 28, 2023, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about March 12, 2024. As a result of the Commission’s finding of negligibility, the antidumping duty investigation regarding imports from the Dominican Republic will be terminated. Read More→
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2023/er1117_64582.htm
CSMS # 58470538 - REMINDER** Countries Using the Euro: Invoices, Other Documents, and Entry Transmissions from These Countries Must Use EUR for the Foreign Value or as Their Currency Code
The European Union members use the Euro as their domestic and international trade currency. In addition, the European Union (EU) approved use of the Euro to non-members and in unique use agreements.
What is the euro area? (europa.eu)
The euro outside the euro area (europa.eu)
The Euro currency code is EUR. Therefore, all invoices, other documents, and entry transmissions from these countries must show EUR for the foreign value or as their currency code.
CBP is updating country records to reflect EUR for the following countries and country dependencies starting today. Please watch for new countries for which the EU approves use of the EURO.
Here is a recent list of these countries: Read More→
https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-37c308a?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2
USITC TO INVESTIGATE IMPACT OF USMCA AUTOMOTIVE RULES OF ORIGIN ON THE UNITED STATES
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for its second factfinding investigation on the USMCA automotive rules of origin (ROOs) and their impact on the U.S. economy, effect on U.S. competitiveness, and relevancy considering recent technology changes.
The Commission instituted this investigation, USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin: Economic Impact and Operation, 2025 Report (Inv. No. 332-600), for the purpose of preparing the second of five reports for the President, 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 (USMCA) 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:
The economic impact of the USMCA automotive ROOs on U.S. gross domestic product (GDP); U.S. exports and imports; U.S. aggregate employment and employment opportunities; production, investment, use of productive facilities, and profit levels in the U.S. automotive industries and other pertinent industries; wages and employment of workers in the U.S. automotive sector; and the interests of U.S. consumers.
The operation of the ROOs and their effects on the competitiveness of the United States with respect to production and trade in automotive goods, taking into account developments in technology, production processes, or other related matters.
Whether the ROOs are relevant in light of technological changes in the United States.
Other matters identified by the Commission as relevant to the economic impact of the ROOs, including prices, sales, inventories, patterns of demand, capital investment, obsolescence of equipment, and diversification of production in the United States.
As part of its investigation, the Commission intends to conduct a survey, and will post the associated questionnaire on its website at a later date. Read More→
USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN ELECTRONIC DEVICES, INCLUDING MOBILE PHONES, TABLETS, LAPTOPS, COMPONENTS THEREOF, AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING THE SAME
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain electronic devices, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, components thereof, 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 Ericsson AB, of Stockholm, Sweden, and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, of Stockholm, Sweden, on October 12, 2023, and supplemented on October 31, 2023, and November 9, 2023. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain electronic devices, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, components thereof, and products containing the same that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a permanent limited exclusion order and permanent cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:
Motorola Mobility, LLC, of Chicago, IL;
Lenovo (United States) Inc. of Morrisville, NC;
Lenovo Group Limited of Quarry Bay, Hong Kong;
Lenovo (Shanghai) Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. of Shanghai, China;
Lenovo Beijing Co., Limited, of Beijing, China;
Lenovo PC HK Limited of Hong Kong;
Lenovo Information Products (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. of Shenzhen, China; and
Motorola (Wuhan) Mobility Technologies Communication Company Limited of Wuhan, China.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1376), 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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USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN MOBILE PHONES, COMPONENTS THEREOF, AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SAME
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain mobile phones, components thereof, and products containing 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 Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson of Stockholm, Sweden, on October 11, 2023, and supplemented on October 31, 2023, and November 9, 2023. 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 phones, components thereof, and products containing same that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a permanent limited exclusion order and permanent cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:
Motorola Mobility LLC of Chicago, IL;
Lenovo (United States) Inc. of Morrisville, NC;
Lenovo Group Limited of Quarry Bay, Hong Kong; and
Motorola (Wuhan) Mobility Technologies Communication Co., LTD., of Wuhan, China.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1375), 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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Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty Investigation of Truck and Bus Tires from Thailand
On November 7, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced the initiation of an antidumping duty (AD) investigation truck and bus tires from Thailand.
USITC MAKES DETERMINATION IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING SILICON METAL FROM CHINA
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revocation of the existing antidumping duty order on silicon metal 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 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 this five-year (sunset) review.
The Commission’s public report Silicon Metal from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-472 (Fifth Review), USITC Publication 5473, November 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.
The report will be available by December 12, 2023; 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/2023/er1103_64538.htm
Joint U.S. Department of Commerce and USTR Readout of Sixth Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Negotiating Round in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia —The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) participated in the sixth in-person negotiating round for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from October 15-24, 2023.
The U.S. delegation was co-led by Sharon H. Yuan, U.S. Department of Commerce Counselor and IPEF Pillars II-IV Chief Negotiator, and Sarah Ellerman, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific and IPEF Pillar I Chief Negotiator.
Building on the discussions that took place during the fifth negotiating round in Bangkok, Thailand in September 2023, the IPEF partners continued to make progress on negotiations towards high-standard outcomes under Pillars I (Trade), III (Clean Economy), and IV (Fair Economy). Officials also continued discussions on next steps for the proposed IPEF Supply Chain Agreement (Pillar II) following substantial conclusion of negotiations in May and public release of the text on September 7th.
Prior to the sixth negotiating round in Kuala Lumpur, the U.S. Department of Commerce and USTR jointly held a virtual IPEF listening session on October 10 in Washington, D.C. This listening session presented an opportunity for stakeholders to provide thoughts and comments on the IPEF negotiations. The U.S. government IPEF chief negotiators, as well as other representatives from USTR and the U.S. Department of Commerce, attended this event. A second in-person listening session was held with the Government of Malaysia on October 19 for interested stakeholders. Read More→
https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2023/10/joint-us-department-commerce-and-ustr-readout-sixth-indo-pacific
USITC MAKES DETERMINATION IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING FOLDING GIFT BOXES FROM CHINA
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revocation of the existing antidumping duty order on folding gift boxes 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 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 this five-year (sunset) review.
The Commission’s public report Folding Gift Boxes from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-921 (Fourth Review), USITC Publication 5471, November 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.
The report will be available by December 1, 2023; 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 terminating the suspended investigation 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/2023/er1026_64498.htm
FREIGHT RAIL COUPLERS FROM MEXICO INJURE 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 certain freight rail couplers and parts thereof from Mexico that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative. Chairman David S. Johanson voted in the negative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from Mexico.
The Commission’s public report, Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof from Mexico (Inv. No. 731-TA-1593 (Final), USITC Publication 5470, November 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.
The report will be available by December 4, 2023; 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
Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof from Mexico
Investigation No. 731-TA-1593 (Final)
Product Description: Certain freight rail couplers and parts thereof ("FRCs") are metal structures used to connect freight rail cars together. FRCs are comprised of two main metal components: knuckles and coupler bodies; in addition to ancillary parts (e.g., coupler locks, coupler lock lifters, knuckle pins, knuckle throwers, and rotors). Knuckles are typically metal castings in the shape of a hook that pivot on a vertical hinge between a "locked" and an "unlocked" position to allow for interlocking with knuckles of adjacent FRCs. Coupler bodies are a metal casting that hold the knuckle and allow it to pivot. FRCs are designed to connect two freight cars together by automatically interlocking the knuckles of both freight rail coupler systems when the freight cars are pushed together.
Read More→ https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2023/er1024_64485.htm
CERTAIN SMART CEILING FANS, COMPONENTS THEREOF, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE THEREOF
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain smart ceiling fans, components thereof, and associated systems and software thereof. 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 Wangs Alliance Corporation d/b/a WAC Lighting of Port Washington, New York, on September 20, 2023, and supplemented on September 26, 2023. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain smart ceiling fans, components thereof, and associated systems and software thereof that infringe 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 respondents in this investigation:
Minka Lighting, LLC, of Newport News, Virginia;
Tech Lighting LLC of Skokie, Illinois; and
VC Brands, LLC, of Skokie, Illinois.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1374), 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/2023/er1020_64478.htm
