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News Release 14-128
Inv. No(s). 332-543
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, John Greer, 202-205-1819
U.S. exports to and investment in India would be significantly higher if not for Indian policy barriers, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in its report Trade, Investment, and Industrial Policies in India: Effects on the U.S. Economy.
The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, prepared the report at the request of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance.
As requested, the report provides information on the effects of a wide range of Indian policies that limit U.S. exports to and investment in India. These policy measures include tariffs and customs procedures, foreign direct investment restrictions, local-content requirements, treatment of intellectual property, taxes and financial regulations, regulatory uncertainty, and other nontariff measures, such as unclear legal liability, price controls, and sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
The report features the results of a USITC survey of U.S. firms in selected industries that are currently doing business in India, a quantitative analysis (using economic modeling) of the effects of Indian policy measures on U.S. workers and the U.S. economy, and qualitative research into these effects. It also includes case studies and examples illustrating ways that the policies affect particular companies or industries. Highlights follow.
- The share of U.S. companies substantially adversely affected by restrictive Indian policies rose from 18.8 percent to 26.1 percent between 2007 and 2013. Shares for individual sectors in 2013 ranged from 7.7 percent to 44.1 percent. [Read More]
- Over 60 percent of the affected companies have made strategic changes in response to these barriers, most often directing fewer resources to the Indian market. [Read More]
- Policies in two areas – tariffs and customs procedures, and taxes and financial regulations – have the heaviest effects on U.S. companies. Other issues, including investment and intellectual property policies, have large negative effects on specific industries. [Read More]
- If tariff and investment restrictions were fully eliminated and standards of IP protection were made comparable to U.S. and Western European levels, Commission model results indicate that U.S. exports to India would rise by two-thirds, and U.S. investment in India would roughly double. [ReadMore]
- Seven case studies highlight the effects of particular policies on selected U.S. companies or industries. They describe:
- the effects of certain duties on the wine and spirits industry;
- the effects of recent patent decisions on the pharmaceutical industry;
- the need to find new strategies to combat piracy in the content and media sector;
- barriers to expanding local manufacturing in information and communication technology, which increase the costs for U.S. companies to access the Indian government procurement market;
- changes in business practices in response to restrictions on e-commerce;
- recent policies that have constrained U.S. exports of certain medical devices; and
- deterioration in the policy environment governing clinical research trials, which has led to a decline in clinical research activity in India.
Trade, Investment, and Industrial Policies in India: Effects on the U.S. Economy (Investigation No. 332-543, USITC Publication 4501, December 2014) is available on the USITC's Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4501.pdf.
USITC general factfinding investigations cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the USITC's objective findings and independent analyses on the subject investigated. The USITC makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.
News Release 14-126
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-940
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain snowmobiles with engines having exhaust temperature-controlled engine technology and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are snowmobiles that allegedly use technology to improve engine performance by adjusting fuel injection and ignition timing based on exhaust temperature.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Arctic Cat, Inc., of Plymouth, Minnesota, on November 7, 2014, and amended on December 12, 2014. The complaint, as amended, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain snowmobiles with engines having exhaust temperature-controlled engine technology and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by Arctic Cat. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc., of Valcourt, Quebec, Canada; and
BRP US Inc. of Sturtevant, WI.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-940), 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.
News Release 14-123
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Meredith M. Broadbent, Chairman of the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), announced today that Kirit M. Amin has been designated as the agency's Chief Information Officer (CIO).
As CIO, Amin will serve as the principal information technology executive for the Commission and will direct and manage all USITC information technology activities.
Amin comes to the USITC from the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he was the Deputy Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer since November 2012. Previously, he served as the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and as the Chief Information Officer and Director, Office of Consular Systems and Technology, at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Before his government service, Amin held a variety of positions in the private sector. From 1996-2006, he was the Corporate Senior Vice President of Nortel PEC Solutions, where he led the Data Systems Division and served as President of Vector Research, Inc., prior to its merger with PEC. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Infotech, Inc., an engineering services company he founded, from 1994-1996. From 1979-1995, he held a variety of positions with Computer Sciences Corporation, culminating with his service as Deployment and Operations Director for the company. Earlier in his career, he held positions with Honeywell, Inc., and ASEA (Sweden), Ltd.
Amin holds a Master of Science (Executive) degree in Technology Management from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from M.S. University in Baroda, India. He was born and grew up in Kenya and currently resides in Fairfax Station, Virginia. He is married and has one daughter who is a Virginia Tech alumni holding an undergraduate and an MBA (Executive).
The U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides trade expertise to both the legislative and executive branches of government, determines the impact of imports on U.S. industries, and directs actions against certain unfair trade practices in import trade, such as patent and trademark infringement.
News Release 14-124
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-512 and 731-TA-1248 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.
All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the USITC's affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China.
Commerce previously made affirmative critical circumstances determinations in its investigations. Therefore, the Commissioners who made affirmative determinations today are required to determine whether imports covered by Commerce's critical circumstances determinations are likely to undermine seriously the remedial effect of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders Commerce will issue. With respect to critical circumstances, all six Commissioners voted in the negative.
The Commission's public report Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-512 and 731-TA-1248 (Final), USITC Publication 4509, December 2014) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available after January 23, 2015. After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Office of Industries
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from China
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-512 and 731-TA-1248 (Final)
Product Description: Steel wire rod is an intermediate product, hot-rolled from carbon steel and alloy steel, in irregularly wound coils, of approximately round cross section, less than 19.00 mm in cross-sectional diameter. Specifically excluded are products with the above-noted physical characteristics that meet the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) definitions for (a) stainless steel; (b) tool steel; (c) high nickel steel; (d) ball bearing steel; or (e) concrete reinforcing bars and rods. Also excluded are free cutting steel (free machining steel) products. Steel wire rod is sold primarily to wire drawers for subsequent drawing and finishing into steel wire.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigations: Final antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: ArcelorMittal USA LLC, Chicago, IL; Charter Steel, Saukville, WI; Evraz
Pueblo, Pueblo, CO; Gerdau Ameristeel US Inc., Tampa, FL; Keystone Consolidated
Industries Inc., Dallas, TX; and Nucor Corporation, Charlotte, NC.
3. Investigations instituted by the USITC: January 31, 2014.
4. USITC hearing: November 12, 2014.
5. USITC vote: December 15, 2014.
6. USITC determination issued: January 2, 2015.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers in 2013: 10.
2. Location of producers' plants: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana,
Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and
Wisconsin.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2013: 2,194.
4. U.S. producers' U.S. shipments in 2013: $2.5 billion.
5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2013: $3.8 billion.
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2013: 8.9 percent.
U.S. Imports in 2013:
1. From the subject country during 2013: $336 million.
2. From other countries during 2013: $896 million.
3. Leading sources during 2013: China, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Germany, the United
Kingdom, and Turkey.
News Release 14-122
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-939
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of three-dimensional cinema systems and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation include cinema systems and related components used to project simulated three dimensional images in commercial movie theaters.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by ReadD Inc. of Beverly Hill, CA, on November 7, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain three-dimensional cinema systems and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by RealD. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
MasterImage 3D, Inc., of Sherman Oaks, CA; and
MasterImage 3D Asia, LLC, of Gasan-don, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, Korea.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-939), 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.
News Release 14-121
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-938
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain coaxial cable connectors and components thereof and products containing same. The products at issue in this investigation are coaxial cable connectors that are used to link coaxial cable between various electronic devices.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by PPC Broadband, Inc., of East Syracuse, NY, on November 5, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain coaxial cable connectors and components thereof and products containing same that infringe a patent asserted by PPC Broadband, Inc. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified Corning Optical Communications RF, LLC, of Glendale, AZ, as the respondent in this investigation.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-938), 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.
News Release 14-118
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Meredith M. Broadbent, Chairman of the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), has announced that Eric Mozie has been designated as Director of the Office of Human Resources (HR) at the USITC.
Mozie will plan, develop, and direct the USITC's human resources management program.
Mozie has served as a senior Human Resources Specialist at the USITC since February 2010, and he completed stints as Acting Director of the USITC Office of Human Resources and Acting Deputy Director of the office during that time. Prior to his USITC experience, Mozie worked with the government of the District of Columbia (DC), serving as a Management and Program Analyst with the DC Department of Human Resources and an HR Management Liaison Specialist with the DC Department of the Environment.
Mozie was a Recruiting Officer for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) from 2006-2007. Previously, he was an HR Administrator and Project Supervisor with CACI, Inc. Mozie served with the U.S. Army Reserves from 1988-1997 and is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm/Shield.
Mozie holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Bowie State University.
The U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent, nonpartisan, fact finding federal agency that makes determinations concerning the impact of imports and their potential injury on domestic companies. The USITC staff includes experts who analyze virtually every commodity imported into the United States. The USITC provides data on international trade to the President, Congress, other federal agencies, and the public.
News Release 14-117
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Meredith M. Broadbent, Chairman of the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), has announced that John M. Ascienzo has been designated as Chief Financial Officer at the USITC.
Ascienzo will direct the USITC's finance, budget, procurement, and internal control and risk management activities, and will serve as the primary adviser to the Commission on all financial matters.
Since January 2011, Ascienzo has served as the Director, Office of Finance, at the USITC. He was named Acting Chief Financial Officer in March 2014.
Previously, Ascienzo was the Audit Manager in the USITC's Office of Administration. He worked in the agency's Office of Investigations for six years before that, serving as Acting Director of the Office from January through August 2009 and as the Chief of the Division of Accounting and Financial Analysis from February 2004 through December 2008 and from September 2009 through June 2010. Earlier, Ascienzo worked as an Auditor in the Office of Investigations from August 1990 through April 1998.
From April 1998 through February 2004, Ascienzo was a Senior International Trade Analyst with Georgetown Economic Services. Earlier, he was an accountant with the firm of Berlin Karam and Ramos.
Ascienzo holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Maryland and a bachelor of science degree in meteorology from the State University of New York Maritime College. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1988.
The U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency that makes determinations concerning the impact of imports and their potential injury on domestic companies. The USITC staff includes experts who analyze virtually every commodity imported into the United States. The USITC provides data on international trade to the President, Congress, other federal agencies, and the public.
News Release 14-116
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-937
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION
OF CERTAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND COMPONENTS THEREOF
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain windshield wipers and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are automotive windshield wipers that allegedly use the patented technology for detachably coupling a wiper blade to a driven wiper arm.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Valeo North America, Inc., of Troy, MI, and Delmex de Juarez S. de R.L. de C.V. of Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, on October 15, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain windshield wipers and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Trico Products Corporation of Rochester Hills, MI;
Trico Products of Brownsville, TX; and
Trico Componentes SA de CV of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-937), 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.
News Release 14-115
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-936
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain footwear products. The products at issue in this investigation are shoes that allegedly infringe or dilute registered and common law trademarks used in connection with certain Converse shoes, such as the Chuck Taylor All Star Shoe.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Converse Inc. ("Converse") of North Andover, MA, on October 14, 2014. The complaint, as amended, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain footwear products that infringe or dilute registered and common law trademarks asserted by Converse. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and a cease and desist order.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. of Manhattan Beach, CA;
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. of Bentonville, AR;
A-List, Inc., d/b/a Kitson, of Los Angeles, CA;
Aldo Group of Montreal, Quebec, Canada;
Brian Lichtenberg, LLC of Los Angeles, CA;
Cmerit USA, Inc., d/b/a Gotta Flurt, of Chino, CA;
Dioniso SRL of Perugia, Italy;
Edamame Kids, Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, Canada;
Esquire Footwear, LLC of New York, NY;
FILA U.S.A., Inc. of Sparks, MD;
Fortune Dynamic, Inc. of City of Industry, CA;
Gina Group, LLC of New York, NY;
H & M Hennes & Mauritz LP of New York, NY;
Highline United LLC, d/b/a/Ash Footwear USA, of New York, NY;
Hitch Enterprises Pty Ltd, d/b/a Skeanie, of Mittagong, New South Wales, Australia;
Iconix Brand Group, Inc., d/b/a Ed Hardy, of New York, NY;
Kmart Corporation of Hoffman Estates, IL;
Mamiye Imports LLC, d/b/a Lilly of New York, of Brooklyn, NY;
Nowhere Co., Ltd., d/b/a Bape, of Tokyo, Japan;
OPPO Original Corp. of City of Industry, CA;
Orange Clubwear, Inc., d/b/a Demonia Deviant, of Westminster, CA;
Ositos Shoes, Inc., d/b/a Collection'O, of South El Monte, CA;
PW Shoes Inc. of Maspeth, NY;
Ralph Lauren Corporation of New York, NY;
Shenzhen Foreversun Industrial Co., Ltd. (a/k/a Shenzhen Foreversun Shoes Co., Ltd) of
Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China;
Shoe Shox, c/o Zulily, Inc., of Seattle, WA;
Tory Burch LLC of New York, NY;
Zulily, Inc. of Seattle, WA;
Fujian Xinya I&E Trading Co. Ltd. of Jinjiang, Fujian Province, China;
Zhejiang Ouhai International Trade Co. Ltd. of Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; and
Wenzhou Cereals Oils and Foodstuffs Foreign Trade Co. Ltd. of Wenzhou, Zhejiang
Province, China.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-936), 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.