May 10, 2021
News Release 21-061
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1263
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Televisions, Remote Controls, and Components Thereof

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain televisions, remote controls, 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 Roku, Inc., of San Jose, CA, on April 8, 2021 and amended on April 27, 2021.  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 televisions, remote controls, 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:

Universal Electronics, Inc., of Scottsdale, AZ;
Gemstar Technology (Qinzhou) Co. Ltd. of Qinzhou, China;
Gemstar Technology (Yangzhou) Co. Ltd. of Yanzhou, China;
C.G. Development Ltd. of Kowloon, Hong Kong;
Universal Electronics BV of Enschede, Netherlands;
UEI Brasil Controles Remotos Ltda. of Manaus, Brazil;
CG Mexico Remote Controls, S. de R.L. de C.V. of Nuevo Leon, Mexico;
LG Electronics Inc. of Seoul, Republic of Korea;
LG Electronics USA, Inc., of Englewood Cliffs, NJ;
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., of Suwon-si, Republic of Korea;
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., of Ridgefield Park, NJ;
Charter Communications, Inc., of Stamford, CT;
Charter Communications Operating, LLC, of St. Louis, MO;
Spectrum Management Holding Company, LLC, of Stamford, CT;
Altice USA, Inc., of Long Island City, NY;
Cablevision Systems Corp. of Bethpage, NY;
Cequel Communications, LLC d/b/a Suddenlink Communications of Long Island City, NY; and
Wideopenwest, Inc., of Englewood, CO.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1263), 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.

# # #
May 7, 2021
News Release 21-060
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-465 and 731-TA-1161 (Second Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Certain Steel Grating from China

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of certain steel grating 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 determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China 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 Certain Steel Grating from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-465 and 731-TA-1161 (Second Review), USITC Publication 5195, May 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by May 9, 2021; 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 Certain Steel Grating from China were instituted on October 1, 2020.

On January 4, 2021, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was 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.

# # #
May 6, 2021
News Release 21-059
Inv. No(s). 332-585 and 332-586
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Revises, Expands Investigation Into Effect of Foreign Censorship on U.S. Businesses

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is changing the title, scope, and schedule of its recently instituted investigation into the impact of foreign censorship on U.S. businesses.  The Commission is also instituting a second investigation related to the same topic.

The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, is making these changes at the request of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, received in a letter on April 7, 2021.  (The Committee requested the original investigation on January 4, 2021.)

First report

The Commission’s ongoing investigation, Inv. No. 332-585, is being retitled Foreign Censorship Part 1: Policies and Practices Affecting U.S. Businesses

As requested, in its first report, the USITC will:

  • identify various foreign censorship practices, in particular any examples that U.S. businesses believe impede trade or investment in key foreign markets; and

  • provide descriptions that include, to the extent practicable, the evolution of censorship policies and practices over the past five years in key foreign markets; any elements that entail extraterritorial censorship; and the roles of governmental and non-government actors in  implementation and enforcement of the practices.

The USITC expects to transmit its first report to the Committee no later than December 30, 2021.

Second report

The USITC is instituting a second investigation, Foreign Censorship Part 2: Trade and Economic Effects on U.S. Businesses, Inv. No. 332-586. 

As requested, in its second investigation, the USITC will provide an analysis of the trade and economic effects of the policies and practices identified in the first report on affected U.S. businesses and their global operations.  The analysis will include the use of survey data and, to the extent practicable, will provide information on the quantitative and qualitative impacts of the identified policies, including (where identifiable):

  • impact on employment;

  • direct costs (e.g., compliance and entry costs);

  • foregone revenue and sales;

  • self-censorship; and

  • other effects the Commission considers relevant for the Committee to know.

The USITC expects to submit its second report to the Committee by July 5, 2022.

Joint public hearing

The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with both investigations at 9:30 a.m. on July 1, 2021.  (This hearing replaces the previously announced September 14, 2021, hearing in connection with 332-585.)  Because COVID-19 mitigation measures are in effect, the public hearing will be held via the WebEx videoconference platform.  Information about how to participate in the hearing will be posted on the Commission’s website no later than May 27, 2021, 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 June 17, 2021, 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.

Written submissions

The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record.  Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission.  Submissions for the first investigation should be submitted no later than 5:15 p.m. on July 22, 2021. Submissions for the second investigation should be submitted no later than 5:15 p.m. on January 14, 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 investigations and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated May 6, 2021, which can be  downloaded from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Secretary at commissionhearings@usitc.gov

About these investigationsUSITC 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.

# # #
May 3, 2021
News Release 21-058
Inv. No(s). 332-345
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
United States Remains World's Largest Services Exporter and Importer in 2019, Reports USITC

The United States is the world's largest services market and was the world’s leading exporter and importer of services in 2019, reports the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in its new publication Recent Trends in U.S. Services Trade, 2021 Annual Report.

The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, compiles the report annually. Each year's report presents a qualitative and quantitative overview of U.S. trade in services and highlights some of the services sectors and geographic markets that contribute substantially to recent services trade performance.

This year’s report focuses on professional services and includes sections detailing trends in six specific industries: research and development services, legal services, management consulting services, education services, architecture and engineering services, and healthcare services. Each section analyzes global market conditions in the industry and summarizes the industry’s outlook.

The report describes trade in services via cross-border transactions through 2019 and via affiliate sales through 2018 (latest available data). Highlights include:

  • The services sector represents the largest sector of the U.S. economy, and the United States is the world’s top cross-border exporter and importer of services. In 2019, U.S. exports of private services totaled $853.3 billion, whereas imports totaled $564.3 billion.
  • Within the services sector, sales by foreign affiliates of U.S. firms – the leading channel by which many U.S. services are delivered to foreign markets – totaled $1.7 trillion in 2018 while the value of services purchased from foreign-owned affiliates in the United States totaled $1.2 trillion.
  • The professional services sector includes a variety of activities that generally require highly skilled labor and, in many cases, specific licenses or credentials are required to provide the services. Professional services accounted for 34 percent of total cross-border services exports and 25 percent of imports in 2019.  They represented 15 percent of total sales by the foreign affiliates of U.S. firms and 15 percent of total purchases from the U.S. affiliates of foreign firms.
  • In recent years, some professional service sectors have changed the way their services are provided, whether by introducing new business models and suppliers or by shifting from providing services in person to providing them online. In particular:
    • legal services - alternative legal service providers (ALSPs), a diverse group of companies including legal process outsourcing firms (LPOs) and the Big Four accounting firms, have outpaced the growth of traditional law firms;
    • management consulting (MC) - an evolving trend towards the digital supply of MC services preceded the COVID-19 pandemic, but COVID-19 travel restrictions have hastened this trend, and MC providers now mostly supply services remotely;
    • education - the volume of university-level foreign students studying in the United States has experienced systemic declines, which were further aggravated by COVID-19 in 2020.
  • For other professional services sectors, changing consumer preferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic have driven recent developments, including:
    • architecture and engineering - COVID-19 has created strong demand for project design in essential business segments, such as hospitals, water management, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and for pandemic-related redesign services for medical, home, education, and office space;
    • healthcare - the adoption of telemedicine in the United States has accelerated since March 2020, as the share of U.S. consumers who have used telemedicine went up by 35 percent in 2020 from 11 percent in 2019.

The USITC hosted its 14th annual services roundtable, which was held virtually for the first time on October 27, 2020. The discussion, summarized in the report, focused on the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on demand, output, modes of supply, business practices, labor, and productivity in U.S. and global services industries, and the impact of establishing a presence in one or more foreign markets on U.S. services firms’ operations and overall employment in the United States.

Recent Trends in U.S. Services Trade, 2021 Annual Report (Investigation No. 332-345, USITC publication 5129, April 2021) is available on the USITC's Internet site at https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub5192.pdf.

# # #
April 21, 2021
News Release 21-057
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-645 and 731-TA-1495-1501 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of mattresses from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.

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, Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam and a countervailing duty order on imports of this product from China.

The Commission’s public report Mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-645 and 731-TA-1495-1501 (Final), USITC Publication 5191, May 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by May 24, 2021; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.


UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-645 and 731-TA-1495-1501 (Final)

Product Description:  In the industry, the term "mattress" generally means a resilient material or combination of materials generally enclosed by ticking that is intended or promoted for sleeping upon by people. Mattresses generally consist of (1) a core, (2) upholstery material, and (3) ticking. The core provides the main support system of the mattress. The core may consist of innersprings, non‐innerspring materials (e.g., foam), other resilient filling, or a combination of these materials.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Final countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations.
2.   Petitioners:  Brooklyn Bedding, Phoenix, AZ; Corsicana Mattress Co., Dallas, TX; Elite Comfort Solutions, Newnan, GA; FXI, Inc., Media, PA; Innocor, Inc., Media, PA; Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc., Chicago, IL; Leggett & Platt, Inc., Carthage, MO; the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Washington, DC; and United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL‐CIO, Washington, DC.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  Thursday, March 18, 2021.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, May 10, 2021.

U.S. Industry in 2019:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  53.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
3.   Production and related workers:  12,724.
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  $5.3 billion.
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption: [1] 
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption: 1 

U.S. Imports in 2019:

1.   Subject imports:  $794.4 million.
2.   Nonsubject imports: 1
3.   Leading import sources:  China, Vietnam, Mexico, Indonesia.

 

[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

# # #
April 20, 2021
News Release 21-056
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-523 and 731-TA-1259 (Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Boltless Shelving Units from China

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of boltless steel shelving units 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 determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China 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 Boltless Steel Shelving Units from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-523 and 731-TA-1259 (Review), USITC Publication 5190, April 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by May 20, 2021; 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 Boltless Steel Shelving Units from China were instituted on September 1, 2020.

On December 7, 2020, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was 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.

# # #
April 19, 2021
News Release 21-055
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-646 and 731-TA-1160 (Second Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand from China

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of prestressed concrete steel wire strand 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 determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China 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 Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-464 and 731-TA-1160 (Second Review), USITC Publication 5189, April 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by May 20, 2021; 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 Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand from China were instituted on September 1, 2020.

On December 7, 2020, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was 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.

# # #
April 16, 2021
News Release 21-054
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-644 and 731-TA-1494 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders from China Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of non-refillable steel cylinders from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

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, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China.

The Commission’s public report Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-644 and 731-TA-1494 (Final), USITC Publication 5188, May 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by May 26, 2021; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.


UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-644 and 731-TA-1494 (Final)

Product Description:  The non-refillable steel cylinders covered by these investigations are seamed (welded or brazed) and are produced to meet the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation Specification 39, TransportCanada Specification 39M, or United Nations pressure receptacle standard ISO 11118. The subject non-refillable steel cylinders are portable and range from 300-cubic inch (4.9 liter) water capacity to 1,526-cubic inch (25 liter) water capacity. The subject non-refillable steel cylinders may be imported with or without a valve and/or pressure-release device but are unfilled at the time of importation. Specifically excluded are seamless non-refillable steel cylinders.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigations:  Final antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.
2.   Petitioners:  Worthington Industries Inc., Columbus, OH.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Friday, March 27, 2020.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  Thursday, March 11, 2021.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Friday, April 16, 2021.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

U.S. Industry in 2019:

1.   Number of U.S. producers: One.
2.   Location of producers’ plants: Kentucky and Ohio.
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 2019:

1.   Subject imports:  $35.3 million.
2.   Nonsubject imports:  1.
3.   Leading import source:  China.

 

[1] Withheld to avoid revealing business proprietary information.

# # #
April 15, 2021
News Release 21-053
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1262
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Skin Rejuvenation Resurfacing Devices, Components Thereof, and Products Containing the Same

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain skin rejuvenation resurfacing devices, 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 InMode Ltd. of Yokneam, Israel, and Invasix Inc. d/b/a InMode of Lake Forest, CA, on March 16, 2021.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain skin rejuvenation resurfacing devices, components thereof, and products containing the same 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 as respondents in this investigation:

ILOODA Co, Ltd., of Jangan-gu Suwon, Republic of Korea; and
Cutera, Inc., of Brisbane, CA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1262), 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.

# # #
April 13, 2021
News Release 21-052
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-657 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Subsidized Chassis and Subassemblies from China Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of chassis and subassemblies that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized by the government of China.

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 determination, Commerce will issue a countervailing duty order on imports of this product from China.

The Commission’s public report Chassis and Subassemblies from China (Inv. No. 701-TA-657 (Final), USITC Publication 5187, May 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

The report will be available by May 27, 2021; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.


UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Chassis and Subassemblies from China
Investigation No. 701-TA-657 (Final)

Product Description:  Chassis are skeletal rectangular framed trailers used to transport shipping containers. The rectangular frame is made up of steel with a suspension and axle system, wheels and tires, brakes, a lighting and electrical system, a coupling for towing behind a truck tractor, and a locking system or systems to secure the shipping container or containers attached to the chassis. Chassis are designed to carry containers of various sizes (usually ranging from 20-feet to 53-feet in the United States).

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Final countervailing duty investigation.
2.   Petitioners:  Coalition of American Chassis Manufacturers (Cheetah Chassis Corporation, Fairless Hills, PA; Hercules Enterprises LLC, Hillsborough, NJ; Pitts Enterprises, Inc., Pittsview, AL; Pratt Industries, Inc., Bridgman, MI; Stoughton Trailers, Stoughton, WI).
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Thursday, July 30, 2020.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  Tuesday, March 16, 2021.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Thursday, May 6, 2021.

U.S. Industry in 2020:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  5.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, California, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, 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:  1
2.   Nonsubject imports:  1
3.   Leading import sources:  China, Mexico.

 

[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

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