US–China Trade Daily Highlights | 2026-07-23
1) Executive Summary
Today’s briefing covers three China-related events and five additional global trade remedy actions published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA). The agencies involved include Enforcement and Compliance. The main policy instruments addressed are antidumping (AD), countervailing duty (CVD), and related scope and circumvention inquiries. Notably, Commerce issued a final CVD determination and an LTFV determination on L-lysine from China, and initiated scope and circumvention inquiries concerning alkyl phosphate esters from China.
2) Updates by Authority
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, International Trade Administration
L-Lysine from China — Countervailing Duty (Final Determination)
The Department of Commerce determined that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of L-lysine from the People’s Republic of China. The investigation period covers January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.
– Authority: Department of Commerce, Enforcement and Compliance
– Policy Type: AD/CVD
– Event Type: Trade Remedy Final Determination
– China Indicator: Explicit
– Key Details:
– Investigation No. C-570-216
– Inner Mongolia Eppen Biotech Co., Ltd. received a rate of 48.21%
– All others rate: 48.21%
– Commerce notified the ITC for injury determination within 45 days
– Applicable date: July 23, 2026
– Link: L-lysine from China: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
L-Lysine from China — Antidumping Duty (Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value)
Commerce determined that L-lysine from China is being or is likely to be sold in the United States at less than fair value. The investigation period is October 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025.
– Authority: Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
– Policy Type: AD/CVD
– Event Type: Trade Remedy Final Determination
– China Indicator: Explicit
– Key Details:
– Period of Investigation: October 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025
– The notice affirms Commerce’s findings of dumping margins (rates not provided in abstract)
– Applicable regulations: Tariff Act of 1930
– Link: L-lysine from China: Final Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
Certain Alkyl Phosphate Esters from China — Scope Inquiry and Deferral of Circumvention Inquiry
Commerce self-initiated a scope inquiry to determine whether spray-foam systems from China, separately or as part of a system, are covered by the existing AD and CVD orders on certain alkyl phosphate esters. The circumvention inquiry on these imports will be deferred pending the scope inquiry outcome.
– Authority: Department of Commerce, Enforcement and Compliance
– Policy Type: AD/CVD
– Event Type: Scope Inquiry and Deferral Notice
– China Indicator: Explicit
– Key Details:
– Federal Register citation: [FR Doc. 2026-14832]
– Orders cover esters with ≥6.5% phosphorus content and viscosity 1–2000 mPa·s
– Inquiry covers esters-containing spray-foam systems from China
– Applicable date: July 23, 2026
– Link: Alkyl Phosphate Esters from China: Scope Inquiry and Deferral of Circumvention Inquiry
Certain Alkyl Phosphate Esters from China — Circumvention Inquiry on Imports Assembled in Canada
Commerce initiated a country-wide circumvention inquiry at the request of ICL-IP America, Inc. to determine whether spray-foam systems from Canada, assembled using Chinese-origin components, are circumventing existing AD and CVD orders on alkyl phosphate esters from China.
– Authority: Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
– Policy Type: AD/CVD
– Event Type: Circumvention Inquiry Initiation
– China Indicator: Explicit
– Key Details:
– Subject: Canadian-assembled spray-foam systems incorporating Chinese alkyl phosphate esters
– Country-wide inquiry under section 781 of the Tariff Act of 1930
– Initiated in response to a request filed by ICL-IP America, Inc.
– Link: Alkyl Phosphate Esters from China: Canada Circumvention Inquiry
3) Key Takeaways (Factual)
– Commerce issued final affirmative determinations in both the countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations of L-lysine from China, confirming subsidization and sales at less than fair value.
– The agency also notified the ITC to make corresponding injury determinations within statutory deadlines.
– Two related proceedings were initiated on alkyl phosphate esters from China, one concerning a scope inquiry and deferred circumvention inquiry for direct imports, and another on possible circumvention through assembly in Canada.
– The actions demonstrate continued application of scope and circumvention tools under sections 781(c) and 782 of the Tariff Act.
– All determinations were published in the Federal Register, Volume 91, Issue 140 (July 23, 2026).
4) Full Source Links (Index)
– L-lysine from China – Final CVD Determination
– L-lysine from China – Final Antidumping Determination
– Alkyl Phosphate Esters from China – Scope Inquiry and Deferral Notice
– Alkyl Phosphate Esters from China – Canada Circumvention Inquiry
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.
