US–China Trade Daily Highlights | 2026-01-26

1) Executive Summary

Today’s update covers nine trade remedy and enforcement actions involving both China and other U.S. trading partners. The principal authorities include the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). The DOC addressed multiple antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) matters—final orders, administrative reviews, scope rulings, and covered merchandise findings—while the ITC issued determinations and instituted new investigations, including a Section 337 complaint involving Chinese electric unicycles. The policy instruments span AD/CVD enforcement, injury investigations, critical circumstances determinations, and public interest comment solicitations.

2) Updates by Authority

ITC (U.S. International Trade Commission)

Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts — Institution of AD/CVD Investigations (Preliminary Phase)
The ITC opened preliminary phase AD and CVD investigations on imports of citric acid and certain citrate salts from Canada and India, alleging sales at less than fair value and subsidization. The Commission must reach preliminary determinations by March 9, 2026, and transmit its views to Commerce by March 16, 2026.

  • Authority: International Trade Commission
  • Policy Type: AD/CVD
  • Event Type: Trade Remedy Investigation (Preliminary)
  • Key IDs: Inv. Nos. 701-TA-783–784 and 731-TA-1771–1772
  • Key Dates: Staff conference Feb. 11, 2026; preliminary determination due Mar. 9, 2026
  • Source: Link

Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico — AD Review Investigation (Changed Circumstances)
The ITC instituted an investigation under section 751(b) of the Tariff Act to reassess its final determination in AD Investigation No. 731-TA-747, examining whether revocation of the AD order on fresh tomatoes from Mexico would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury. A hearing will be held on May 19, 2026.

  • Authority: International Trade Commission
  • Policy Type: AD/CVD
  • Event Type: Changed Circumstances Review
  • Key IDs: Inv. No. 751-TA-30
  • Dates: Review instituted Jan. 21, 2026; hearing May 19, 2026; final comments due June 25, 2026
  • Source: Link

Gyro‑Stabilized Electric Unicycles — Section 337 Complaint (Public Interest Solicitation)
The ITC received a Section 337 complaint titled Certain Gyro-Stabilized Electric Unicycles and Components Thereof, docket number 3877, filed by U.S. companies Inventist, Inc. and Alien Technology Group, Inc. against several Chinese manufacturers, including Guangzhou Veteran Intelligent Technology, Dong Guan BEGODE, Inmotion Technologies, Shenzhen King Song, and Guangzhou JiDongTai Intelligent Equipment Co. The Commission seeks public comments on potential public interest issues related to requested exclusion or cease-and-desist orders.

  • Authority: International Trade Commission
  • Policy Type: Section 337 (ITC_337)
  • Event Type: Complaint Receipt and Comment Solicitation
  • China Indicator: Explicit
  • Key IDs: Docket No. 3877
  • Key Dates: Comments due eight days after Federal Register publication
  • Source: Link

DOC (U.S. Department of Commerce – International Trade Administration)

Notice of Scope Rulings — Multiple AD/CVD Orders Including China
Commerce published a quarterly list of scope rulings (July 1–September 30, 2025), including findings for China:

  • Finished heat sinks (aluminum extrusions): within scope.
  • Fresh garlic in brine: excluded from scope.
  • Memory foam mattresses: within scope.
  • Wooden cabinets and vanities: within scope.

Additional rulings cover products from India, Mexico, and Thailand.

  • Authority: Department of Commerce, Enforcement and Compliance
  • Policy Type: AD/CVD (Scope Rulings)
  • Event Type: Quarterly Publication
  • China Indicator: Explicit
  • Dates: Period covered July–September 2025
  • Source: Link

Slag Pots from China — AD and CVD Final Orders Issued
Following affirmative injury determinations by both Commerce and the ITC, AD and CVD orders were issued on slag pots from the People’s Republic of China. The orders cover slag pots with nominal capacities of 65–1,200 cubic feet. Customs and Border Protection will collect duties consistent with the published rates.

  • Authority: Department of Commerce, Enforcement and Compliance
  • Policy Type: AD/CVD
  • Event Type: Final Orders
  • China Indicator: Explicit
  • Key IDs: A-570-196, C-570-197
  • Key Dates: Applicable Jan. 26, 2026; ITC injury determination Nov. 25, 2025
  • Source: Link

Mobile Access Equipment from China — Amended Final CVD Results (2022 Review)
Commerce corrected a ministerial error in the 2022 administrative review for mobile access equipment and subassemblies thereof from China, revising the cash deposit rate for Zhejiang Dingli Machinery Co., Ltd. and its cross-owned affiliates. The revised subsidy rate is 33.10 percent ad valorem.

  • Authority: Department of Commerce, Enforcement and Compliance
  • Policy Type: CVD (Administrative Review Amendment)
  • Event Type: Amended Final Results
  • China Indicator: Explicit
  • Key ID: C-570-140
  • Period: Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2022
  • Source: Link

Certain Chassis and Subassemblies from China — Preliminary Covered Merchandise Inquiry
Commerce preliminarily determined that axle beams, slider boxes, and landing gear sets imported by AXN Heavy Duty LLC (now FEMC LLC) from China are covered merchandise under the AD/CVD orders on chassis and subassemblies. These findings are importer-specific and may trigger duty collection for relevant entries.

  • Authority: Department of Commerce, Enforcement and Compliance
  • Policy Type: AD/CVD (Covered Merchandise Inquiry)
  • Event Type: Preliminary Determination
  • China Indicator: Explicit
  • Key IDs: A-570-135, C-570-136
  • Date: Applicable Jan. 26, 2026
  • Source: Link

Certain Hardwood Plywood Products from China — Final Results of AD/CVD Reviews (No Shipments)
Commerce concluded that four Chinese exporters of hardwood plywood made no shipments during 2023. The review period was Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2023. Three firms (Eagle Industries, Golden Bridge Industries, and Lechenwood Viet Nam Co.) were found eligible to continue certifying future shipments as non-subject merchandise under the certification program.

  • Authority: Department of Commerce, Enforcement and Compliance
  • Policy Type: AD/CVD (Administrative Review Final Results)
  • Event Type: Final Results, No Shipments
  • China Indicator: Explicit
  • Key IDs: A-570-051, C-570-052
  • Date: Applicable Jan. 26, 2026
  • Source: Link

3) Key Takeaways (Factual)

  • Commerce finalized new AD and CVD orders on slag pots from China, confirming the product’s inclusion and injury findings.
  • The ITC initiated three investigations: a new AD/CVD case on citric acid and citrate salts, a review of the Mexican tomato order, and a Section 337 complaint involving Chinese electric unicycles.
  • Multiple China-related rulings clarified scope and coverage—covering heat sinks, chassis components, and hardwood plywood—reinforcing enforcement under existing orders.
  • Commerce’s amended CVD review for Zhejiang Dingli Machinery adjusted subsidy rates following correction of an error.
  • Quarterly scope rulings summarized treatment of products under several China-origin AD/CVD orders across industries.

4) Full Source Links (Index)

5) Legal Disclaimer

This article includes content collected and summarized from publicly available U.S. government materials, including the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content presented is not an official government publication and does not represent the views of any U.S. government authority.

This article is provided for informational and research purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, compliance advice, or recommendations for any specific entity or transaction. Readers should refer to the original official documents and consult qualified professionals before making decisions based on this information.