U.S. International Trade Commission

1. Type of investigation:  Final antidumping duty investigation.
2. Petitioner:  The Coalition of American Manufacturers of Mobile Access Equipment (“CAMMAE” or “the Coalition”). 
3. USITC Institution Date:  Friday, February 26, 2021.
4. USITC Hearing Date:  Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
5. USITC Vote Date:  Thursday, March 24, 2022.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Friday, April 8, 2022.

1. Number of U.S. producers:  8.
2. Location of producers’ plants:  California, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin.
3. Production and related workers:  ^[1]
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  ^[1]
5. Apparent U.S. consumption:  ^[1]
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ^[1]

U.S. Imports in 2020:

1. Subject imports:  $122.9 million
2. Nonsubject imports:  $588.6 million
3. Leading import sources:  Canada, China, and the United Kingdom.

​

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is undertaking a new factfinding investigation on U.S.-Haiti trade and the impact of U.S. trade preference programs on Haiti’s economy and workers. The Commission’s report will provide an overview of Haiti’s international trade since 1980, with special emphasis of the impact of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act of 2006, HOPE II in 2008, and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) in 2010, and the Trade Acts of 2000 and 2002 on Haiti’s trading relationship with the United States, Haiti’s economy, and workers.

The investigation, U.S.-Haiti Trade: Impact of U.S. Preference Programs on Haiti’s Economy and Workers, Inv. No. 332-590, was requested by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means (Committee) in a letter received on February 22, 2022. The Committee noted in its letter that the HOPE and HELP preference programs will expire on September 30, 2025.

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will prepare a public report for the Committee. The report will provide, to the extent practicable:

• an overview of the Haitian economy and its competitiveness;
• an examination of the role of U.S. preference programs in shaping Haiti’s economy; and
• case studies on goods currently and historically exported from Haiti such as apparel, tropical fruits, and sporting goods, including baseballs, softballs, and basketballs.

The USITC expects to submit its report to the Committee by December 22, 2022.

The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation via an online video conference platform, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on May 26, 2022.  More detailed information about the hearing, including how to participate, will be posted on the Commission’s website no later than April 22, 2022, at https://usitc.gov/research_and_analysis/what_we_are_working_on.htm. 

Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on May 4, 2022 with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.  See below for important information regarding filing a request to appear at a USITC hearing.

The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record.  Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission and should be submitted no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 23, 2022. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.  See below for important information regarding the filing of written submissions for USITC investigations.

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

Further information on the scope of the investigation is available in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated March 22, 2022, which can be downloaded from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Secretary at or may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Secretary at commissionhearings@usitc.gov.

About these investigations: USITC general factfinding investigations, such as these, cover matters related to tariffs or trade 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.

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 review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

The five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman were instituted on April 1, 2021.

On July 7, 2021, the Commission voted to conduct full reviews. Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that for the investigations regarding Canada, China, and India, the domestic group response was adequate, and the respondent group responses were inadequate. Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that for the investigation regarding Oman, the domestic group response and the respondent group response were adequate.

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited reviews is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.  Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain barcode scanners, mobile computers with barcode scanning capabilities, scan engines, 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 Zebra Technologies Corporation of Lincolnshire, IL and Symbol Technologies, LLC of Holtsville, NY on February 7, 2022.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain barcode scanners, mobile computers with barcode scanning capabilities, scan engines, components thereof, and products containing the same.  The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a permanent cease and desist order. 

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

Honeywell International Inc. of Charlotte, NC; and
Hand Held Products, Inc. of Charlotte, NC.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1307), 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.

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 review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

The five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Heavy Walled Rectangular Welded Carbon Steel Pipes and Tubes from Korea, Mexico, and Turkey were instituted on August 2, 2021.

On November 5, 2021, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. Commissioners Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews. 

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited reviews is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.  Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain wet dry surface cleaning 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 Bissell Inc. of Grand Rapids, MI and Bissell Homecare, Inc. of Grand Rapids, MI, on February 2, 2022.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain wet dry surface cleaning devices.  The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a permanent cease and desist order. 

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

Tineco Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. of Wuzhong District, Suzhou City, China;
TEK (HongKong) Science & Technology Ltd. of Causeway Bay, Honk Kong; and
Tineco Intelligent, Inc. of Seattle, WA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1304), 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.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain products containing pyraclostrobin 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 BASF SE of Ludwigshafen, Germany and BASF Corporation of Florham Park, NJ, on January 28, 2022.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain products containing pyraclostrobin and components thereof.  The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders. 

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

Sharda Cropchem Ltd., of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India; and
Sharda USA LLC, of Norristown, PA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1303), 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.

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 sodium nitrite from India and Russia that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, 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 sodium nitrite from India and Russia, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about April 8, 2022, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about June 22, 2022.

The Commission’s public report Sodium Nitrite from India and Russia (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-679-680 and 731-TA-1585-1586 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5294, March 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after March 21, 2022; 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

Sodium Nitrite from India and Russia
Investigation Nos: 701-TA-679-680 and 731-TA-1585-1586 (Preliminary)

Product Description:  Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) is an industrial chemical that is sold as a solid that may or may not be treated with an anti-caking agent, or a liquid, typically a 40 percent solution with water. Sodium nitrite is used in a wide range of end uses, including producing chemicals and dyes, metal coating, detinning, plating, wastewater treating, meat curing for food preservatives, ammunition for military applications, treating lumber, and some medical applications, including as an antidote to cyanide poisoning.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigation:  Preliminary countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioners:  Chemtrade Chemicals U.S., Parsippany, NJ
3. USITC Institution Date:  Thursday, January 13, 2022.
4. USITC Conference Date:  Thursday, February 03, 2022.
5. USITC Vote Date:  Friday, February 25, 2022.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, February 28, 2022.

U.S. Industry in 2020:

1. Number of U.S. producers:  1.
2. Location of producer’s plants:  New York
3. Production and related workers:  ^[1]
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  ¹
5. Apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

U.S. Imports in 2020:

1. Subject imports:  $5 million.
2. Nonsubject imports:  $118 thousand.
3. Leading import sources:  Australia, Canada, India, Russia.

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Barium Chloride from India
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-678 and 731-TA-1584 (Preliminary)

Product Description:  Barium chloride is a solid chemical compound having the formula BaCl₂-2H₂O (if in crystalline form) or BaCl₂ (if in powdered, or anhydrous, form). The bulk of barium chloride is sold in the crystalline form, which is used primarily as an intermediate in the production of molecular catalyst sieves, which in turn are used in oil refinery complexes to separate out industrially useful paraxylene molecules from other mixed xylenes. The anhydrous form of barium chloride is used primarily as an ingredient in heat-treating salts and metal fluxes—molten baths used to harden metal parts, usually small specialty steel parts such as tools and dies.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigation:  Preliminary countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioner:  Chemical Products Corp., Cartersville, Georgia.
3. USITC Institution Date:  January 12, 2022.
4. USITC Conference Date:  February 02, 2022.
5. USITC Vote Date:  February 25, 2022.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  February 28, 2022.

U.S. Industry in 2020:

1. Number of U.S. producers:  1.
2. Location of producer’s plant(s):  Georgia.
3. Production and related workers:  ^[1]
4. U.S. producer’s U.S. shipments:  ¹
5. Apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

U.S. Imports in 2020:

1. Subject imports: ¹
2. Nonsubject imports: ¹
3. Leading import sources:  India.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing countervailing duty order on imports of narrow woven ribbons with woven selvedge (“narrow woven ribbons”) from China and antidumping duty orders on narrow woven ribbons from China 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 China and Taiwan will remain in place. 

Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, 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 Narrow Woven Ribbons with Woven Selvedge from China and Taiwan (Inv. Nos.  701-TA-467 and 731-TA-1164-1165 (Second Review), USITC Publication 5292, March 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by March 28, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information.  Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review.  If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

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 review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

The five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Narrow Woven Ribbons with Woven Selvedge from China and Taiwan were instituted on August 2, 2021.

On November 5, 2021, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. Commissioners Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews. 

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited reviews is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.  Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.