U.S. Launches Five-Year Review of Citric Acid Imports From China

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On December 1, 2025, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) announced the start of its third five-year review to determine if ending special trade protections on citric acid and certain citrate salts from China would harm U.S. companies.

What Is Happening?

The USITC is reviewing two types of trade protection orders: antidumping and countervailing duty orders on citric acid and related products from China. These orders were first put in place in 2009. Their goal is to stop unfairly traded imports that could injure American businesses.

Now, the Commission wants to find out if removing these orders would likely lead to continued or repeated harm to the U.S. citric acid industry.

What Products Are Covered?

The products under review include citric acid (in unfinished or finished form), sodium citrate, and potassium citrate. These products are used in many foods, drinks, and cleaning products.

Who Is Involved?

  • The review focuses on imports from China only.
  • The U.S. “domestic industry” covers all U.S. producers of these citric acid products.
  • Other parties, such as importers, foreign exporters, unions, and trade groups, can also take part.

How Can Companies Participate?

Interested parties must respond to the Commission by December 31, 2025, to have their input considered. They need to:

  • Give their company’s or group’s contact information.
  • Say if they are a producer, importer, or a trade association of these products.
  • Say if they are willing to share related business information.
  • Discuss the possible effects if the trade protections end.

They are also asked for lists of:

  • Current U.S. producers.
  • Importers of the subject goods.
  • Chinese exporters who have shipped these goods since 2019.
  • Major U.S. buyers and price sources.

U.S. producers and importers are asked for details about their operations in 2024, such as production, sales, costs, and profits. Chinese producers and exporters must share similar information about their business and exports to the U.S.

Deadlines and Procedures

  • All responses are due by 5:15 p.m. on December 31, 2025.
  • Comments on other responses are due by February 12, 2026.
  • Every submission must be filed electronically via the USITC’s online system at https://edis.usitc.gov.
  • The Commission will review the responses to decide if a full investigation or an expedited review is needed.

Special Instructions

  • Replies must be certified as accurate and complete.
  • U.S. law allows some private business information to be used under protection.
  • Companies unable to provide all requested information should explain why and offer alternatives. If not, the Commission may make decisions without their input.

Public Record and Further Information

All review documents and updates are publicly available at https://www.usitc.gov and via the EDIS system.

For questions, contact Alec Resch at 202-708-1448 or visit the USITC website.

Legal Authority

This review follows Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 and USITC rules. The official notice was signed by Supervisory Attorney Susan Orndoff and published in the Federal Register.


Legal Disclaimer

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