US–China Trade Daily Highlights | 2026-01-27

1) Executive Summary

Eight China-related trade remedy and Section 337 events were published on January 27, 2026. The U.S. Department of Commerce (International Trade Administration) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) were the primary authorities involved. Actions included antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders, administrative review results, a circumvention inquiry, and several Section 337 patent-investigation updates. Covered policy tools include AD/CVD orders, Section 337 investigations, and enforcement actions across industrial materials, solar products, and intellectual property disputes.

2) Updates by Authority

International Trade Commission (ITC)

Certain Processed Slabs and Methods for Making Same — ITC Section 337 (Notice of Institution of Investigation)

The ITC instituted Investigation No. 337-TA-1482 following a complaint by Cambria Company LLC alleging patent infringement of quartz surface products and methods for making the same (U.S. Patents 10,195,762; 10,252,440; and 12,370,718). The Commission will examine potential Section 337 violations and consider exclusion and cease-and-desist orders.

  • – Authority: INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
  • – Policy Type: ITC_337
  • – Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
  • – Key Dates: Complaint filed December 19, 2025; Investigation instituted January 23, 2026
  • – Link: Source

Certain Hydrodermabrasion Systems and Components Thereof — ITC Section 337 (Commission Review and Extension)

The Commission decided to review in part the final initial determination in Investigation No. 337-TA-1408 concerning alleged patent infringement of hydrodermabrasion systems (U.S. Patent 11,865,287). Additional written comments are requested on remedies, public interest, and bonding. The target completion date was extended to March 23, 2026.

  • – Authority: INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
  • – Policy Type: ITC_337
  • – Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
  • – Key Dates: Review vote January 22, 2026; Comments due February 5 and 12, 2026
  • – Link: Source

Certain Crafting Machines and Components Thereof — ITC Section 337 (Request for Public Interest Submissions)

The ITC issued a notice requesting public submissions in Investigation No. 337-TA-1426 involving crafting machines imported by several Chinese and other entities. The ALJ issued an initial determination on violation and recommended general and limited exclusion orders and cease-and-desist orders against the named respondents. Comments on public interest issues are due by February 23, 2026.

  • – Authority: INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
  • – Policy Type: ITC_337
  • – Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
  • – China Indicator: EXPLICIT
  • – Key Date: Initial Determination issued January 21, 2026
  • – Link: Source

Department of Commerce – International Trade Administration (ITA)

Thermoformed Molded Fiber Products from China and Vietnam — Countervailing Duty Orders (Final)

Based on affirmative final findings by Commerce and the ITC, countervailing duty orders were issued on thermoformed molded fiber products from China and Vietnam. The ITC found material injury to a U.S. industry and critical circumstances for Vietnam, resulting in retroactive duties.

  • – Authority: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, International Trade Administration
  • – Policy Type: AD_CVD (CVD Orders)
  • – Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
  • – China Indicator: EXPLICIT
  • – Key Date: Orders effective January 27, 2026
  • – Link: Source

Thermoformed Molded Fiber Products from China and Vietnam — Antidumping Duty Orders (Final)

Commerce issued companion antidumping duty orders covering the same products from China and Vietnam, following affirmative determinations by both Commerce and the ITC. The orders require cash deposits and create annual inquiry service lists per recent rulemaking.

  • – Authority: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, International Trade Administration
  • – Policy Type: AD_CVD (AD Orders)
  • – Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
  • – China Indicator: EXPLICIT
  • – Key Date: Orders effective January 27, 2026
  • – Link: Source

Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells (Solar Cells) from China — Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review (2022)

Commerce finalized its 2022 review, finding countervailable subsidies for Chinese solar cell producers. It applied adverse facts available to several companies and set company-specific and non-selected rates.

  • – Authority: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, International Trade Administration
  • – Policy Type: AD_CVD (CVD Administrative Review)
  • – Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
  • – China Indicator: EXPLICIT
  • – Key Date: Results issued December 29, 2025
  • – Link: Source

Initiation of AD/CVD Administrative Reviews — Multiple Countries (Including China)

Commerce initiated administrative reviews for numerous AD and CVD orders with November 2025 anniversaries, including several cases involving China (e.g., diamond sawblades, lightweight thermal paper, chlorinated isocyanurates, aluminum lithographic plates). Procedures for separate rate applications and service list maintenance were outlined.

  • – Authority: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, International Trade Administration
  • – Policy Type: AD_CVD (Administrative Review Initiations)
  • – Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
  • – China Indicator: EXPLICIT (multiple Chinese exporters listed)
  • – Key Date: Applicable January 27, 2026
  • – Link: Source

Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from China — Continuation of AD and CVD Orders (Sunset Review)

Following affirmative determinations by Commerce and the ITC in the second five-year (sunset) review, both antidumping and countervailing duty orders on Chinese wire rod remain in effect. Authorities found revocation would likely lead to recurrence of dumping, subsidization, and injury.

  • – Authority: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, International Trade Administration
  • – Policy Type: AD_CVD (Sunset Review Continuation)
  • – Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
  • – China Indicator: EXPLICIT
  • – Key Date: Continuation effective December 29, 2025
  • – Link: Source

Certain Brake Drums from China — Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry (AD/CVD Orders)

Commerce initiated a country-wide inquiry to determine whether compacted graphite iron brake drums from China (including model M328D557 made by PanAsia CVD (HK) Ltd.) constitute later-developed merchandise circumventing existing brake drum AD and CVD orders.

  • – Authority: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, International Trade Administration
  • – Policy Type: AD_CVD (Circumvention Inquiry)
  • – Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
  • – China Indicator: EXPLICIT
  • – Key Date: Initiation effective January 27, 2026
  • – Link: Source

3) Key Takeaways (Factual)

  • The ITC opened three new or continuing Section 337 investigations involving alleged patent infringement and requested public input on potential exclusion orders.
  • Commerce issued both antidumping and countervailing duty orders on thermoformed molded fiber products from China and Vietnam.
  • Commerce initiated a circumvention inquiry on Chinese compacted graphite iron brake drums to assess potential evasion of existing AD/CVD orders.
  • AD/CVD administrative reviews were launched across multiple Chinese product categories under November anniversary dockets.
  • The U.S. government reaffirmed continuation of AD and CVD orders on Chinese carbon and alloy steel wire rod after sunset review findings of likely recurrence of injury.

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.