US–China Trade Daily Hightlights | 2026-08-25

Executive Summary

Today’s brief covers 6 events from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). ITC actions include a Section 337 investigation termination, a new Section 337 complaint with a public interest solicitation, and expedited five-year (sunset) reviews of antidumping and countervailing duty orders on steel grating from China. OFAC published multiple SDN List additions under Executive Orders addressing counterterrorism, illicit drugs, and Venezuela sanctions. Policy tools involved are AD/CVD, Section 337, and sanctions listings.

Updates by Authority

ITC (U.S. International Trade Commission)

Liquid Crystal Display Devices — ITC_337 (TRADE_REMEDY)

Summary:
The Commission determined not to review the administrative law judge’s Initial Determination (Order No. 30) terminating the Section 337 investigation based on withdrawal of the complaint. As a result, Investigation No. 337-TA-1462 is terminated.

Key Details (bullets):

Wearable Breast Pumps and Components — ITC_337 (TRADE_REMEDY)

Summary:
ITC received a complaint titled “Certain Wearable Breast Pumps, Associated Milk Storage Containers, and Components Thereof,” DN 3932, and solicits public interest comments. The complainant seeks a limited exclusion order, cease and desist orders, and a bond during the 60-day Presidential review period.

Key Details (bullets):

Steel Grating — AD/CVD (TRADE_REMEDY)

Summary:
ITC scheduled expedited third five-year reviews to determine whether revocation of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on steel grating from China would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. The Commission found the domestic response adequate and the respondent response inadequate and will conduct expedited reviews; the review period may be extended by up to 90 days as extraordinarily complicated.

Key Details (bullets):

  • Authority: INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
  • Policy Type: AD_CVD
  • Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
  • China Indicator: EXPLICIT
  • Key identifiers: Investigation Nos. 701-TA-465 and 731-TA-1161 (Third Review); FR Doc. 2026-17261
  • Key dates: Determination to expedite dated August 4, 2026; Staff report to APO parties October 14, 2026; Comments due October 21, 2026; Issued August 20, 2026; Federal Register publication August 25, 2026
  • Source:
    – Link: https://lawyerfanzhang.com/steel-grating-from-china-scheduling-of-expedited-five-year-reviews/

OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury)

Hizballah/IRGC-QF-Related Designations — SANCTIONS_LISTING (SANCTIONS)

Summary:
OFAC added multiple individuals and an entity to the SDN List pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended, for support to Hizballah and the IRGC-Qods Force. All property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from transactions with these designees.

Key Details (bullets):

  • Authority: DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, Office of Foreign Assets Control
  • Policy Type: SANCTIONS_LISTING
  • Event Type: SANCTIONS
  • Key identifiers: Executive Order 13224 (as amended by E.O. 13886); FR Doc. 2026-17332
  • Key dates: Action issued August 20, 2026; Federal Register publication August 25, 2026
  • Source:
    – Link: https://lawyerfanzhang.com/notice-of-ofac-sanctions-action-25/

Illicit Drug Trafficking (Ecuador) Designations and Vessels — SANCTIONS_LISTING (SANCTIONS)

Summary:
OFAC designated individuals, entities, and fishing vessels under Executive Order 14059 for involvement in the global illicit drug trade, and also made related designations under Executive Order 13224, as amended. The vessels were identified as property in which blocked persons have an interest.

Key Details (bullets):

  • Authority: DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, Office of Foreign Assets Control
  • Policy Type: SANCTIONS_LISTING
  • Event Type: SANCTIONS
  • Key identifiers: Executive Order 14059; Executive Order 13224 (as amended); FR Doc. 2026-17265
  • Key dates: Action issued August 20, 2026; Federal Register publication August 25, 2026
  • Source:
    – Link: https://lawyerfanzhang.com/notice-of-ofac-sanctions-action-26/

Venezuela Oil Sector Entity — SANCTIONS_LISTING (SANCTIONS)

Summary:
OFAC designated one entity, Bluwaves Properties Limited, under Executive Order 13850 for operating in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy. Property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealings.

Key Details (bullets):

  • Authority: DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, Office of Foreign Assets Control
  • Policy Type: SANCTIONS_LISTING
  • Event Type: SANCTIONS
  • Key identifiers: Executive Order 13850; FR Doc. 2026-17263
  • Key dates: Action issued August 7, 2026; Federal Register publication August 25, 2026
  • Source:
    – Link: https://lawyerfanzhang.com/notice-of-ofac-sanctions-action-27/

Key Takeaways (Factual)

  • ITC terminated Section 337 Investigation No. 337-TA-1462 on certain liquid crystal display devices following withdrawal of the complaint.
  • ITC is soliciting public interest comments on a new Section 337 complaint involving wearable breast pumps, with short submission deadlines following publication.
  • ITC scheduled expedited third sunset reviews of AD/CVD orders on steel grating from China, with a staff report to APO parties due October 14, 2026 and comments due October 21, 2026.
  • OFAC published counterterrorism designations under E.O. 13224, including individuals linked to Hizballah and the IRGC-QF.
  • OFAC also issued sanctions under E.O. 14059 targeting illicit drug networks in Ecuador (including vessels) and designated a Venezuela oil-sector entity under E.O. 13850.

Full Source Links (Index)

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.