February 27, 2025
News Release 25-027
Inv. No(s). 332-598
Contact: Claire Huber, 202-205-1819
USITC Releases USTR-Requested Report on U.S. Aluminum and Steel Emissions Intensities

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today released a U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)-requested report that calculates the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensities of U.S. steel and aluminum industries. The report, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensities of the U.S. Steel and Aluminum Industries at the Product Level, was requested by the USTR in a letter received on June 5, 2023. 

USTR’s request letter asked the USITC to:

  • Calculate the GHG emissions intensity of steel and aluminum produced in the United States by product category in 2022, with data on scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. 
  • Describe the methodologies the USITC used to collect relevant information and calculate the emissions intensity estimates.
  • Identify where emissions occur during manufacturing, with respect to the production stages and sourcing location of inputs. 

To gather data for the calculation of product-level emissions intensity estimates, the USITC surveyed all U.S. facilities that produced the steel and aluminum products covered under the section 232 investigation in 2022.

This report conveys the Commission’s factual findings and analyses. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in this report. 

Major Findings of the Investigation

The processes and inputs used in U.S. steel and aluminum production drive their emission intensities.

Semifinished Steel

The average emissions intensity estimate for U.S. carbon and other alloy semifinished steel was 1.02 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per metric ton of steel (mt CO2e/mt steel) in 2022.

  • The emissions intensities estimates of U.S. carbon and alloy steel products are primarily influenced by two factors: 
    • The production pathway (the more emissions-intensive blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace, or BF-BOF, pathway, versus the electric arc furnace, or EAF, pathway) used to produce the semifinished steel, which is used as substrate in mill products.
    • The relative use of emissions-intensive upstream material inputs like pig iron and direct reduced iron.
  • The average emissions intensity for U.S. stainless steel semifinished steel was 2.23 mt CO2e/mt steel in 2022. The emissions intensity of U.S. stainless steel products is mainly influenced by the reliance on emissions-intensive ferroalloy (an alloy of iron with a significant amount of one or more other elements, like chromium or nickel) inputs. All U.S. stainless semifinished steel-producing facilities reported operating an EAF. Therefore, variation in the production pathway does not drive emissions intensities for stainless steel.

Steel Mill Products

Average emissions intensities among carbon and alloy steel mill products ranged between 0.67 mt CO2e/mt steel for hot-worked long products and 2.17 mt CO2e/mt steel for coated flat products. Average emissions intensities among stainless steel mill products ranged between 2.31 mt CO2e/mt steel for hot-rolled flat and 4.55 mt CO2e/mt steel for wire.

  • Further downstream steel products generally had higher emissions intensities than less-processed steel products. This is because each subsequent process in steel production involves more steps and therefore more opportunities for emissions.
  • For carbon and alloy steel mill products, the most emissions-intensive processes in the U.S. steel industry occur during the upstream production of pig iron and semifinished steel. The additional subprocesses used to produce downstream products are also significant, however, leading to meaningful differences in emissions intensities across the carbon and alloy steel product categories.
  • Stainless steel mill products are more emissions intensive than their carbon and alloy steel counterparts. This is due to the heavier use of energy and ferroalloys associated with stainless steel production.

Unwrought Aluminum

The average emissions intensity for all U.S. unwrought aluminum is 3.46 mt CO2e/mt aluminum. U.S. unwrought aluminum includes primary aluminum, which is produced from alumina at smelters using electrolysis, and secondary aluminum, which is produced by remelting primary aluminum and scrap-based inputs. Most U.S. unwrought production, in terms of volume and number of facilities, is of secondary unwrought aluminum.

  • The average emissions intensity for U.S. primary unwrought aluminum is 14.52 mt CO2e/mt aluminum. The main drivers of the emissions intensity of primary unwrought aluminum are:
    • The large quantities of electricity needed for electrolysis. 
    • The fuel mix used to generate high quantities of the necessary electricity.
  • The average emissions intensity for U.S. secondary unwrought aluminum is 2.46 mt CO2e/mt aluminum. Production of secondary unwrought aluminum is much less energy intensive, using a fraction of the electricity of primary unwrought production. The emissions intensity of secondary unwrought aluminum is influenced by the amount of primary unwrought aluminum versus scrap used as inputs and, to a lesser extent, by the efficiency of the furnaces used to heat the metal.

Wrought Aluminum

The average emissions intensities for U.S. wrought aluminum products ranged from 4.97 mt CO2e/mt aluminum for plates, sheets and strip, to 8.66 mt CO2e/mt aluminum for foil. The two main factors that drive the differences in emissions intensities between wrought product categories are the:

  • Amount of primary versus secondary unwrought aluminum used. 
  • Energy intensity of the various manufacturing processes.

Note: The Commission’s emissions intensity estimates for both steel and aluminum are calculated assuming that scrap inputs have zero embedded emissions.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensities of the U.S. Steel and Aluminum Industries at the Product Level (Investigation No. 332-598, USITC Publication 5584, February 2025) is available on the USITC website.

About Factfinding Investigations

USITC general factfinding investigations culminating in a report, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs, trade and competitiveness and are generally conducted under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 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.

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February 20, 2025
News Release 25-025
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1440
Contact: Claire Huber, 202-205-1819
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Motorized Self-Balancing Vehicles

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain motorized self-balancing vehicles. 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 Razor USA LLC of Cerritos, Calif., and Shane Chen of Camas, Wash., on January 3, 2025. An amended complaint was filed on January 21, 2025. 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 motorized self-balancing vehicles that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders. 

The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1440), 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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February 14, 2025
News Release 25-023
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1439
Contact: Claire Huber, 202-205-1819
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Polyvinylidene Fluoride Resins

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain polyvinylidene fluoride resins. 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 Solvay Specialty Polymers, USA LLC of Alpharetta, Ga.; Syensqo SA of Brussels, Belgium; and Solvay Specialty Polymers Italy S.P.A. of Bollate, Italy, on January 13, 2025, and supplemented on February 3, 2025. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain polyvinylidene fluoride resins that infringe a patent asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders. 

The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:

  • Sinochem Lantian Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
  • Inner Mongolia 3F Wanhao Fluorochemical Industry Co. Ltd., Fengzhen, China
  • Zhejiang Juhua Co., Ltd, Quzhou, China
  • Zhejiang Fluorine Chemical New Material Co. Ltd., Shaoxing, China 
  • Hubei Fluorine New Materials Co., Ltd., Qianjiang, China

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1439), 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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January 31, 2025
News Release 25-018
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1436
Contact: Claire Huber, 202-205-1819
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Shapewear Garments

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain shapewear garments and components 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 Spanx, LLC of Atlanta, Ga., on December 31, 2024. A supplement to the complaint was filed on January 22, 2025. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain shapewear that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders. 

The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:

  • Guangzhoushi Cedong Shangmao Youxiangongsi, Guangzhou, China
  • Bingrong Co., Ltd Shenzhen Shi, China
  • Dolce Vita Intimates LLC, Harrison, N.J.
  • Honeylove Sculptwear, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif.
  • Guangzhoushi Chiping Dianzi Maoyi Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, China
  • Daerwene Inc., Boulder, Colo.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1436), 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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January 23, 2025
News Release 25-013
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-453, 731-TA-1136-1137 (Third Review)
Contact: Jennifer Andberg, 202-205-1819
USITC Makes Determination in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Sodium Nitrite from China and Germany

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on sodium nitrite from China and the antidumping duty order on sodium nitrite from Germany 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 these products from China and Germany will remain in place. 

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Rhonda K. Schmidtlein did not participate in the vote.

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

The Commission’s public report on Sodium Nitrite from China and Germany (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-453 and 731-TA-1136-1137 (Third Review), USITC Publication 5582, January 2025) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by February 28, 2025; 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.

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

The five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Sodium Nitrite from China and Germany were instituted on July 1, 2024.

On October 4, 2024, the Commission determined to conduct expedited five-year reviews. Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein and Jason E. Kearns concluded that the domestic interested party group response was adequate, and the respondent interested party group response was inadequate and voted for expedited reviews. Commissioner David S. Johanson concluded that the domestic interested party group response was adequate, and the respondent interested party group response was inadequate and voted for full reviews. 

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited reviews is available on the investigations page for Sodium Nitrite from China and Germany; Inv. No.701-TA-453 and 731-TA-1136-1137 (Third Review). 

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January 21, 2025
News Release 25-011
Inv. No(s). TA-337-1434
Contact: Claire Huber, 202-205-1819
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Composite Intermediate Bulk Containers

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain composite intermediate bulk containers. 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 Schütz Container Systems, Inc. of North Branch, N.J., and Protechna S.A. of Fribourg, Switzerland, on December 5, 2024. The complaint was supplemented on December 20, 2024. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain composite intermediate bulk containers that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders. 

The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1434), 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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January 17, 2025
News Release 25-010
Inv. No(s). No. 337-TA-1433
Contact: Claire Huber, 202-205-1819
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Glass Substrates for Liquid Crystal Displays, Products Containing the Same, and Methods for Manufacturing the Same

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain glass substrates for liquid crystal displays, products containing the same, and methods for manufacturing 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 Corning Incorporated, of Corning, NY, on December 18, 2024. A supplement to the complaint was filed on January 7, 2025. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain glass substrates for liquid crystal displays, products containing the same, and methods for manufacturing the same that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.

The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:
  • Caihong Display Devices Co., Ltd., d/b/a Irico Display Devices Co., Ltd., Xianyang City, China
  • Hisense USA Corporation, Suwanee, GA
  • HKC Corporation Ltd., Shenzhen City, China
  • HKC Overseas Ltd., Hong Kong, China
  • LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ
  • TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen City, China
  • TTE Technology, Inc., d/b/a TCL North America, Irvine, CA
  • VIZIO, Inc., Irvine, CA
  • Xianyang CaiHong Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., Xianyang City, China
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1433), 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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January 17, 2025
News Release 25-008
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-748 – 749 and 731-TA-1726 -1727
Contact: Jennifer Andberg, 202-205-1819
USITC Votes to Continue Investigations on Float Glass Products from China and Malaysia [CORRECTION]

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 float glass products from China and Malaysia that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of China and Malaysia.[1]

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative. Commissioner and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein did not participate in the vote.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigations of imports of float glass products from China and Malaysia, with its preliminary antidumping duty determinations for China and Malaysia due on or about April 30, 2025, and its preliminary countervailing duty determinations for China and Malaysia due on or about March 6, 2025.

The Commission’s public report Float Glass Products from China and Malaysia, (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-748-749 and 731-TA-1726-1727 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5579, February 2025) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by March 3, 2025; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

[1] Commissioner David S. Johanson determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is threatened with material injury by reason of subject imports.

Correction:  The third paragraph has been corrected to state that and its preliminary countervailing duty determinations for China and Malaysia due on or about March 6, 2025. The previous version had stated China and India.

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January 17, 2025
News Release 25-009
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1123
Contact: Jennifer Andberg, 202-205-1819
USITC Makes Determination in Five-Year (Sunset) Review Concerning Steel Wire Garment Hangers from China

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty order on steel wire garment hangers 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 these products from China will remain in place. 

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Rhonda K. Schmidtlein did not participate in the vote.

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 on Steel Wire Garment Hangers from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1123 (Third Review), USITC Publication 5580, January 2025) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by February 24, 2025; 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.

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

The five-year (sunset) review concerning Steel Wire Garment Hangers from China was instituted on July 1, 2024.

On October 4, 2024, the Commission determined to conduct expedited five-year reviews. Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein and Jason E. Kearns concluded that the domestic interested party group response was adequate, and the respondent interested party group response was inadequate and voted for an expedited review. Commissioner David S. Johanson concluded that the domestic interested party group response was adequate, and the respondent interested party group response was inadequate and voted for a full review. 

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited review is available on the investigations page for Steel Wire Garment Hangers from China; Inv. No.731-TA-1123 (Review 3). 

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January 17, 2025
News Release 25-007
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1432
Contact: Claire Huber, 202-205-1819
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 Otokuni-gun, Kyoto, Japan, on December 17, 2024. Supplements to the complaint were filed on December 26, 2024, and January 6, 2025. The complaint, as supplemented, 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 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:
  • Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon-shi, South Korea
  • Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Ridgefield Park, NJ
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1432), 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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