Under section 332, the USITC investigates a wide variety of trade matters. These investigations are typically led by the Office of Economics and/or the Office of Industries.
When: On request from the President, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, or the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)—or on its own initiative—the USITC can launch a fact-finding investigation on any subject involving tariffs or international trade, including conditions of competition between U.S. and foreign industries.
For how long: Unless otherwise directed, the USITC sets a deadline for completing the project. Deadlines for investigations requested by the President, the USTR, or Congress are usually set by mutual agreement or as provided by law.
Findings: At the end of each investigation, the USITC submits a report to the requestor conveying the Commission's objective findings and analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters. The report is afterwards released to the public, unless the requestor classifies it for national security reasons. (For more details, see section 332 of the Tariff Act of 1930, 19 U.S.C. 1332.)
Below is a list of the current general fact-finding investigations being conducted by the Office of Economics and the Office of Industries.