US ITC starts section 337 investigation of Chinese steel imports

The US International Trade Commission (US ITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain carbon and alloy steel products from China.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by US Steel Corporation of Pittsburgh, PA, on April 26, 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 carbon and alloy steel products through one or more of the following unfair acts: (1) a conspiracy to fix prices and control output and export volumes, in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act, 15 USC. § 1; (2) the misappropriation and use of US Steel’s trade secrets; and (3) the false designation of origin or manufacturer, in violation of the Lanham Act, 15 USC. § 1125(a).  The complainants request that the US ITC issue a general exclusion order, a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.

The US ITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Hebei Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd., of Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, China;
 Hebei Iron & Steel Group Hengshui Strip Rolling Co., Ltd., of Hengshui City, Hebei Province, China;
 Hebei Iron & Steel (Hong Kong) International Trade Co., Ltd., of Hong Kong, China;
 Shanghai Baosteel Group Corporation of Shanghai, China;
 Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., of Shanghai, China;
 Baosteel America Inc. of Montvale, NJ;
 Jiangsu Shagang Group of Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, China;
 Jiangsu Shagang International Trade Co., Ltd., of Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, China;
 Anshan Iron and Steel Group of Anshan City, Liaoning Province, China;
 Angang Group International Trade Corporation of Anshan, Liaoning Province, China;
 Angang Group Hong Kong Co. Ltd. of Wanchai, Hong Kong, China;
 Wuhan Iron and Steel Group Corp. of Hubei Province, China;
 Wuhan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China;
 WISCO America Co., Ltd., Newport Beach, CA;
 Shougang Group of Beijing, China;
 China Shougang International Trade & Engineering Corporation of Beijing, China;
 Shandong Iron and Steel Group Co. Ltd. of Jinan City, Shandong Province, China;
 Shandong Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., Jinan City, Shandong Province, China;
 Jigang Hong Kong Holdings Co., Ltd., of Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China;
 Jinan Steel International Trade Co., Ltd., of Jinan City, Shandong Province, China;
 Magang Group Holding Co. Ltd. of Maanshan City, Anhui Province, China;
 Maanshan Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. of Maanshan City, Anhui Province, China;
 Bohai Iron and Steel Group of Tianjin, China;
 Tianjin Pipe (Group) Corporation of Tianjin Province, China;
 Tianjin Pipe International Economic & Trading Corporation of Tianjin Province, China;
 TPCO Enterprise, Inc., Houston, TX;
 TPCO America Corporation of Gregory, TX;
 Benxi Steel (Group) Co. Ltd. of Benxi City, Liaoning Province, China;
 Benxi Iron and Steel (Group) International Economic and Trading Co. Ltd. of Benxi City, Liaoning Province, China;
 Hunan Valin Steel Co. Ltd. of Changsha City, Hunan Province, China;
 Hunan Valin Xiangtan Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. of Xiangtan City, Hunan Province, China;
 Tianjin Tiangang Guanye Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China;
 Wuxi Sunny Xin Rui Science and Technology Co., Ltd., of Wuxi Province, China;
 Taian JNC Industrial Co., Ltd., Tai’an City, Shandong Province, China;
 EQ Metal (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China;
 Kunshan Xinbei International Trade Co., Ltd., Jiangsu, China;
 Tianjin Xinhai Trade Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China;
 Tianjin Xinlianxin Steel Pipe Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China;
 Tianjin Xinyue Industrial and Trade Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China; and
 Xian Linkun Materials (Steel Pipe Supplies) Co., Ltd., Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China.

By instituting this investigation, the US ITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case.  The US ITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the US ITC’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 US ITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time.  Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the US ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.  US ITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the US Trade Representative within that 60-day period.