An official website of the United States government. 
News Release 16-013
Inv. No(s). 332-556
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has revised the scope for a recently initiated investigation concerning possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
The investigation, Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2015 Review (Investigation No. 332-556), was initiated on January 11, 2016, on the basis of a request by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
The revision was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative in a letter received on January 12, 2016. The letter asked the USITC to add to the investigation five additional statistical reporting numbers related to certain handbags and travel goods products that are being considered for addition to the list of GSP-eligible products.
The five HTS additional statistical reporting numbers are:
- 4202.92.30.20;
- 4202.92.30.31;
- 4202.92.30.91;
- 4202.92.90.26 and;
- 4202.92.90.60.
As requested, the USITC will provide its advice as to the probable economic effect on total U.S. imports, U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive articles, and on U.S. consumers of the elimination of U.S. import duties on the five articles for all beneficiary developing countries under the GSP program, least-developed beneficiary developing countries (LDBDCs), beneficiary developing countries of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and both LDBDCs and AGOA beneficiary developing countries combined under the GSP program.
In addition, the USTR also requested that the USITC provide advice with respect to whether like or directly competitive products were being produced in the United States on January 1, 1995, for the additional five articles as well as all of the products being considered for addition to and removal from the list of GSP-eligible products listed in Tables A and B of the Annex to the December 30, 2015, request letter.
No dates have changed in the investigation. The USITC will submit its confidential report to USTR by April 28, 2016. As soon as possible thereafter, the USITC will, as requested by USTR, issue a public version of the report containing only the unclassified sections, with any business confidential information and classified information deleted.
A public hearing will be held on February 24, 2016, and requests to appear at the hearing must be received by 5:15 p.m. on February 1, 2016. Written submissions must be received no later than 5:15 p.m. on February 29, 2016.
Further information on the revised scope of this investigation and appropriate submissions appears in the USITC’s notice of expansion of scope, dated January 19, 2015. Information on the original investigation can be found in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated January 12, 2016. Both notices 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 15-010
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Meredith M. Broadbent, Chairman of the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), has announced that Michael Anderson has been designated Director, Office of Investigations, at the USITC.
Anderson will direct the planning and conduct of the USITC’s import injury investigations under the antidumping and countervailing duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930, the global safeguard provisions of the Trade Act of 1974, and other import injury statutes.
“We are excited that Michael will be leading the Office of Investigations,” said Chairman Broadbent. “He has been an extremely strong leader for our agency’s economic studies and trade remedy investigations over the years, and his extensive trade remedy experience makes him the perfect person to lead the office going forward.
“Michael plans to continue using technological advances to make our investigative processes more efficient and effective,” she noted. “He also looks forward to enhancing the availability of information about our trade remedy investigations to the public. I am very confident that, under his leadership, the Office of Investigations will continue to provide the Commission with the very high-quality investigative reports in the trade remedy area that it always has.”
Anderson has served as the Acting Director of the USITC Office of Industries since March 2015. In this role, he directed the work of the agency’s professional international trade analysts and supported the Commission in its role as an adviser to Congress and the President on international trade matters.
He was Chief of the Advanced Technology and Machinery Division in the Office of Industries from 2005 to 2015, where he directed general factfinding and probable economic effects investigations on international trade for products ranging from aircraft to environmental goods to information technology. Prior to this position he served as the economic advisor to Commissioner Jennifer A. Hillman from 1998 to 2005, advising her on import injury investigations under the antidumping and countervailing duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930, analysis of free trade agreements and general factfinding investigations, and a variety Commission administrative and information technology initiatives.
Anderson served as an international economist in the USITC’s Applied Economics Division during 1991 to 1998, where he provided pricing and market competition analysis for import injury investigations. He has also worked in the Office of Economic Affairs at the U.S. Trade Representative, where he analyzed trade policy measures in support of U.S. trade negotiations and dispute settlement proceedings at the World Trade Organization.
Anderson holds a master’s degree in international business from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Utah.
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 16-012
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-983
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain laser-driven light sources, subsystems containing laser-driven light sources, and products containing the same. The products at issue in the investigation are light sources for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and products that include those light sources.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Energetiq Technology, Inc., of Woburn, MA, on December 15, 2015. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain laser-driven light sources, subsystems containing laser-driven light sources, and products containing the same that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist order.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
ASML Netherlands B.V. of Veldhoven, Netherlands;
ASML US, Inc., of Chandler, AZ; and
Qioptiq Photonics GmbH and Co. KG of Göttingen, Germany.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-983), 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 16-011
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-982
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain RF capable integrated circuits and products containing the same. The products at issue in the investigation include RF receivers, RF transmitters, RF transceivers and products containing the same such as smartphones and tablets.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by ParkerVision, Inc., of Jacksonville, FL, on December 15, 2015. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain RF capable integrated circuits and products containing the same 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 as respondents in this investigation:
Apple Inc. of Cupertino, CA;
LG Electronics, Inc., of the Republic of Korea;
LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc., of Englewood Cliffs, NJ;
LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc., of San Diego, CA;
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., of the Republic of Korea;
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., of Ridgefield Park, NJ;
Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., of San Jose, CA; and
QUALCOMM Incorporated of San Diego, CA.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-982), 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 16-009
Inv. No(s). 332-556
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation concerning possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
The investigation, Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2015 Review (Investigation No. 332-556), was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter received on December 30, 2015.
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the likely impact on U.S. imports, competing U.S. industries, and U.S. consumers of the addition of the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings and statistical reporting numbers:
For all GSP-eligible countries:
- 2204.21.20 (effervescent wine),
- 3301.13.00 (essential oils of lemon),
- 7202.11.50 (ferromanganese containing by weight more than 4 percent of carbon).
For all GSP-eligible countries, least-developed beneficiary developing countries (LDBDC), and/or African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) beneficiary developing countries:
- 24 HTS subheadings and statistical reporting numbers for certain handbags and travel goods products (4202.11.00, 4202.11.0030, 4202.11.0090, 4202.12.40, 4202.21.60, 4202.21.90, 4202.22.15, 4202.22.45, 4202.31.60, 4202.32.40, 4202.32.80, 4202.92.15, 4202.92.20, 4202.92.45, 4202.99.90, 4202.12.2020, 4202.12.2050, 4202.12.8030, 4202.12.8070, 4202.22.8050, 4202.32.9550, 4202.32.9560, 4202.91.0030, and 4202.91.0090).
The USTR also requested that the USITC provide advice on the likely impact on U.S. imports, competing U.S. industries, and U.S. consumers of the removal of five HTS subheadings for specified countries. The removals in consideration are:
- 3204.20.10 (fluorescent brightening agent 32) from India and Indonesia,
- 3204.20.80 (other fluorescent brightening agents) from India and Indonesia,
- 3907.60.00 (PET resin also known as polyethylene terephthalate in primary forms) from India,
- 3920.62.00 (nonadhesive plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, noncellular, of polyethylene terephthalate) from Brazil,
- 3921.90.40 (nonadhesive plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, flexible, nesoi, of noncellular plastics) from Brazil.
In addition, the USITC will provide advice on the likely impact on U.S. imports, competing U.S. industries, and U.S. consumers of competitive need limitation waivers for specified countries. "Competitive need limitations" represent the maximum import level of a product that is eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP. Once the limit is reached, trade is considered "competitive," benefits are no longer needed, and imports of the article become ineligible for GSP treatment, unless a waiver is granted. With respect to the competitive need limit in section 503(c)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the 1974 Act, the USITC, as requested, will use the dollar value limit of $170 million. The eight HTS subheadings in consideration are:
- 0804.10.60 (dates, fresh or dried, whole, without pits, packed in units weighing over 4.6 kg) from Tunisia,
- 1509.1040 (virgin olive oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, not chemically modified, weighing with the immediate container 18 kg or over) from Tunisia,
- 2102.20.60 (single-cell micro-organisms, dead, excluding yeasts, but not including vaccines of heading 3002) from Brazil,
- 2202.90.90 (nonalcoholic beverages, nesoi, not including fruit or vegetable juices of heading 2009) from Thailand,
- 2804.29.00 (rare gases, other than argon) from Ukraine,
- 4202.92.04 (insulated beverage bag with outer surface textiles, interior only flexible plastic container storing/dispensing beverage thru flexible tubing) from Philippines,
- 6911.10.37 (porcelain or china, other than bone china, household table and kitchenware in sets in which aggregate value of articles are over $56, but not over $200) from Indonesia, and
- 8708.50.95 (parts and accessories of motor vehicle of 8701, nesoi, 8702 and 8704-8705, half-shafts) from India.
The USITC will submit its confidential report to USTR by April 28, 2016. As soon as possible thereafter, the USITC will, as requested by USTR, issue a public version of the report containing only the unclassified sections, with any business confidential information and classified information deleted.
The USITC is seeking input for its new investigation from all interested parties and requests that the information focus on the articles for which the USITC is requested to provide information and advice. The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on February 24, 2016. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on February 1, 2016, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.
The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on February 29, 2016. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Further information on the scope of this investigation and appropriate submissions appears in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated January 12, 2015. The notice 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 15-008
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-981
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain electronic devices containing strengthened glass and packaging thereof. The products at issue in the investigation are Apple, Inc.’s electronic devices containing strengthened glass such as the Apple Watch Sport.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Saxon Glass Technologies, Inc., of Alfred, NY, on November 10, 2015 and subsequently amended on December 24, 2015. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain electronic devices containing strengthened glass and packaging thereof that infringe a U.S. registered trademark and common law rights in the same mark. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.
The USITC has identified Apple, Inc., of Cupertino, CA, as the respondent in this investigation.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-981), 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 16-007
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-980
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain rack mountable power distribution units. The products at issue in the investigation are rack mountable power distribution units (“PDUs”) often used in data centers with large numbers of computers and servers, where the PDUs include functionality to efficiently and reliably provide power to such equipment.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Server Technology, Inc., of Reno, NV, on December 8, 2015. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain rack mountable power distribution units 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 as respondents in this investigation:
Raritan Americas, Inc., of Somerset, NJ;
Legrand North America of West Hartford, CT; and
Legrand SA of Limoges, France.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-980), 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 16-006
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-979
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain radio frequency identification (RFID) products and components thereof. The products at issue in the investigation include readers and transponders combined into identification systems, such as those used to identify vehicles traveling on a toll road so that the toll can be electronically collected.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Neology, Inc., of Poway, CA, on December 4, 2015. A supplement to the complaint was filed on December 22, 2016. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain radio frequency identification (RFID) products and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Kapsch TrafficCom IVHS, Inc., of McLean, VA;
Kapsch TrafficCom IVHS Holding Corp. of McLean, VA;
Kapsch TrafficCom IVHS Technologies Holding Corp. of McLean, VA;
Kapsch TrafficCom U.S. Corp. of McLean, VA;
Kapsch TrafficCom Holding Corp. of McLean, VA;
Kapsch TrafficCom Canada, Inc., of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada;
Star Systems International, Ltd., of Kwai Chung, Hong Kong; and
STAR RFID Co., Ltd., of Bangkok, Thailand.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-979), 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 16-005
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-468 and 731-TA-1166-1167 (Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on certain magnesia carbon bricks from China and Mexico 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 antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of these products from China and Mexico will remain in place.
All six Commissioners 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 Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks from China and Mexico (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-468 and 731-TA-1166-1167 (Review), USITC Publication 4589, January 2016) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.
The report will be available by February 5, 2016; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
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 Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks from China and Mexico were instituted on August 3, 2015.
On November 6, 2015, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. All six Commissioners concluded that the domestic group response for these reviews 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.
News Release 16-004
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-469 and 731-TA-1168 (Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) has voted to expedite its five-year (“sunset”) reviews concerning the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on certain seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe from China.
As a result of this vote, the Commission will conduct expedited reviews to determine whether revocation of these orders would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
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 notice of institution in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file with the Commission responses that discuss the likely effects of revoking the order under review and provide other pertinent 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 determinations 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.
All six Commissioners concluded that the domestic group response for these reviews was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews.
A record of the Commission’s vote on this matter 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 record of the Commission's vote is also posted on the USITC's Internet site at http://pubapps2.usitc.gov/sunset/caseProf/list?sort=caseTitle&order=asc. From this page, search "seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe" using the search box in the upper right corner.
The Federal Register notice will indicate whether any further information or statements will be available. Only parties that filed adequate responses and filed timely notices of appearance are eligible to participate further in these reviews. The Commission will issue a report after it completes its reviews.