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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.
News Release 14-114
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-509 and 731-TA-1244 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluorethane ("R-134a") from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Chairman Meredith M. Broadbent, Vice Chairman Dean A. Pinkert, and Commissioners David S. Johanson and F. Scott Kieff voted in the negative. Commissioners Irving A. Williamson and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the USITC's negative determinations, no antidumping or countervailing duty orders will be issued on imports of this product from China.
The Commission's public report 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluorethane ("R-134a") from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-509 and 731-TA-1244 (Final), USITC Publication 4503, November 2014) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available after December 15, 2014. After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
Office of Industries
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-509 and 731-TA-1244 (Final)
Product Description: 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a or R-134a) is a clear, colorless liquid or gas, which is gaseous at normal atmospheric conditions. The chemical formula for R-134a is CF3-CH2F, and the Chemical Abstracts Service ("CAS") registry number is CAS 811- 97-2. R-134a is mainly used as a refrigerant for air conditioning ("A/C") systems. It is the primary refrigerant in mobile (e.g., automobile) A/C systems and can be blended with other chemicals for use in stationary refrigeration systems. R-134a is also used as a propellant in pharmaceutical, household cleaning, and foam expansion products.
Status of Proceedings: 1. Type of investigations: Final antidumping and countervailing duty. 2. Petitioner: Mexichem Fluor, Inc., St. Gabriel, LA. 3. Investigations instituted by USITC: October 22, 2013. 4. USITC hearing: October 15, 2014. 5. USITC vote: November 12, 2014. 6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: November 24, 2014. U.S. Industry: 1. Number of U.S. producers in 2013: 3. 2. Location of producers' plants: Delaware, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania. 3. Employment of production and related workers in 2013: (1) 4. U.S. producers' U.S. shipments in 2013: (1) 5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2013: (1) 6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2013: (1) U.S. Imports in 2013: 1. From the subject country during 2013: (1) 2. From other countries during 2013: (1) 3. Leading source during 2013: China (in terms of total value).
(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
News Release 14-112
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-506 and 508 and 731-TA-1238-1243 (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 non-oriented electrical steel (NOES) from China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Sweden, and Taiwan that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and are subsidized by the governments of China and Taiwan. The Commission made negative critical circumstances findings with respect to NOES from China, Germany, Japan, and Sweden.
Vice Chairman Dean A. Pinkert and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, David S. Johanson, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative. Chairman Meredith M. Broadbent voted in the negative. Commissioner F. Scott Kieff did not participate in these investigations.
As a result of the USITC's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will issue countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China and Taiwan and antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Sweden, and Taiwan.
The Commission's public report Non-Oriented Electrical Steel from China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Sweden, and Taiwan (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-506 and 508 and 731-TA-1238-1243 (Final), USITC Publication 4502, November 2014) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available after December 9, 2014. After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Non-Oriented Electrical Steel from China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Sweden, and Taiwan
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-506 and 508 and 731-TA-1238-1243 (Final)
Product Description: Non-oriented electrical steel ("NOES") is a cold-rolled, flat-rolled, alloy steel product, whether or not in coils, of any width, having an actual thickness of 0.20 mm or more, in which the core loss is substantially the same in any direction of magnetization in the plane of the material. NOES contains by weight more than 1.00 percent but less than 3.5 percent of silicon, not more than 0.08 percent of carbon, and not more than 1.5 percent of aluminum. NOES has a surface oxide coating, to which an insulation coating may be applied. NOES is subject to these investigations whether it is fully processed (i.e., fully annealed to develop final magnetic properties) or semi-processed (i.e., finished to final thickness and physical form but not fully annealed to develop final magnetic properties).
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigations: Final antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioner: AK Steel Corp., West Chester, Ohio.
3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: September 30, 2013.
4. USITC hearing: October 8, 2014.
5. USITC vote: November 6, 2014.
6. Scheduled date for USITC views: November 18, 2014.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers in 2013: One.
2. Location of producer's plants: Ohio and Pennsylvania.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2013: 1/
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2013: 1/
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2013: 1/
U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject countries during 2013: $64.1 million.
2. From other countries during 2013: $5.0 million.
3. Leading sources during 2013: Japan, China, Sweden, Taiwan, Germany, and Korea (in
terms of total value).
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1/ Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
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News Release 14-111
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-935
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain personal transporters, components thereof, and manuals therefor. The products at issue in this investigation are personal transporters, i.e., self-balancing personal vehicles, and their components and manuals.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Segway Inc. of Bedford, NH, and DEKA Products Limited Partnership of Manchester, NH, on September 9, 2014. An amended complaint was filed on October 6, 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 personal transporters, components thereof, and manuals therefor that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a general exclusion order or limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
PowerUnion (Beijing) Tech Co. Ltd., of Beijing, PRC;
UPTECH Robotics Technology Co., Ltd., of Beijing, PRC;
Beijing Universal Pioneering Robotics Co., Ltd., of Beijing, PRC;
Beijing Universal Pioneering Technology Co., Ltd., of Beijing, PRC;
Ninebot Inc. (in China) of Beijing, PRC;
Ninebot Inc. (in USA) of Newark, DE;
Shenzhen INMOTION Technologies Co., Ltd., of Shenzhen, Guangdong, PRC;
Robstep Robot Co., Ltd., of Dongguan, Guangdong, PRC;
FreeGo High-Tech Corporation Limited of Bantian, Shenzhen, PRC;
Freego USA, LLC, of Sibley, IA;
Tech in the City of Honolulu, HI;
Roboscooters.com of Laurel Hill, NC; and
EcoBoomer Co. Ltd. of Malibu, CA.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-935), 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 14-109
Inv. No(s). 332-550
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has launched an investigation to examine significant changes since mid-2014 by the Indian government to India's trade and investment policies.
The investigation, Trade and Investment Policies in India, 2014-2015, was requested jointly by the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance in a letter received on September 25, 2014.
The investigation is the second investigation regarding India's trade and investment policies requested by the Committees.
In 2013, the Committees jointly asked the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, to investigate Indian policies that restrict U.S. trade and investment. The USITC will submit its report in that investigation (Trade, Investment, and Industrial Policies in India: Effects on the U.S. Economy, USITC Inv. No. 332-543) to the Committees on December 15, 2014.
In the request letter for the new investigation, the Committees stated: "Given the recent national elections in India and the formation of a new Bharatiya Janata Party-led government, and our interest in receiving the most comprehensive and up-to-date information possible, we now request that the Commission conduct a second investigation concerning India's industrial policies that discriminate against U.S. trade and investment since the first ITC investigation."
As requested, in its new investigation, the USITC will provide information about any significant changes by the Indian government to the trade and investment policies identified in the Commission's ongoing investigation. The USITC will also include information on any new relevant new trade and investment policies and practices in India, focusing on the period from mid-2014.
The USITC expects to deliver the report to the Committees by September 24, 2015.
The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with this investigation at 9:30 a.m. on April 7, 2015. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on March 24, 2015, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.
The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions on this investigation should be addressed to the Secretary at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date, but no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 2, 2015. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Further information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated October 28, 2014, which can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at the above address or at 202-205-2000.
USITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, 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 Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission 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 investigation reports are subsequently released to the public unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.
News Release 14-105
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-934
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain dental implants. The products at issue in this investigation are high-grade titanium dental implants capable of supporting a dental prosthesis, such as a crown, that are surgically placed into a patient's jawbone and designed to integrate within the patient's bone structure.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Nobel Biocare Services AG of Kloten, Switzerland, and Nobel Biocare USA, LLC, of Yorba Linda, CA, on September 25, 2014. A letter supplementing the complaint was filed on October 17, 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 dental implants that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Neodent USA, Inc., of Andover, MA; and
JJGC Ind£stria e Com‚rcio de Materiais Dent rios S/A of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-934), 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 14-117
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1229-1230 (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 monosodium glutamate from China and Indonesia that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Chairman Meredith M. Broadbent, Vice Chairman Dean A. Pinkert, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, David S. Johanson, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative. Commissioner F. Scott Kieff did not participate in these investigations.
As a result of the USITC's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of these products from China and Indonesia.
The Commission's public report Monosodium Glutamate from China and Indonesia (Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1229-1230 (Final), USITC Publication 4499, November 2014) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available after November 25, 2014. After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Monosodium Glutamate from China and Indonesia
Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1229-1230 (Final)
Product Description: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a white crystalline substance used by itself or in blends worldwide primarily as a flavor enhancer in savory foods, such as meat and fish, soups and broths, certain juices and beverages, frozen and ready-made foods, and sauces and dressings. It is used in comparatively smaller volumes in nonfood products, such as detergents, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. MSG is sold in varying crystal sizes and is highly stable, odorless, and soluble in water.
Status of Proceedings: 1. Type of investigations: Final antidumping. 2. Petitioner: Ajinomoto North America Inc., Itasca, IL. 3. Investigations instituted by USITC: September 16, 2013. 4. USITC hearing: September 23, 2014. 5. USITC vote: October 23, 2014. 6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: November 4, 2014. U.S. Industry: 1. Number of U.S. producers in 2013: One. 2. Location of producer's plant: Iowa. 3. Employment of production and related workers in 2013: 1/ 4. U.S. producer's U.S. shipments in 2013: 1/ 5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2013: 1/ 6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2013: 1/ U.S. Imports in 2013: 1. From the subject countries during 2013: $46.3 million. 2. From other countries during 2013: $4.9 million. 3. Leading sources during 2013: China, Indonesia, and Brazil (in terms of total value).
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____________________________________________
1/ withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.