US–China Trade Daily Highlights | 2026-01-19
1) Executive Summary
This update covers six U.S. government trade and sanctions events dated January 20, 2026. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued two Section 337 investigation notices concerning alleged patent and trademark infringements, including one involving several China-based respondents. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued multiple notices of sanctions designations and general licenses under various sanctions programs, including Russian and transnational criminal organization sanctions. The events collectively span areas of import exclusion remedies, public interest submissions, and sanctions compliance authorizations.
2) Updates by Authority
INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION (ITC)
Certain Nasal Devices and Components Thereof — Section 337 Investigation (Request for Submissions)
The ITC issued a notice requesting written submissions from parties and interested agencies on the issues of remedy, public interest, and bonding in Investigation No. 337-TA-1444. The case involves nasal devices and components imported from several China-based companies found in default. Complainant Aardvark Medical Inc. seeks limited exclusion and cease-and-desist orders against the defaulted respondents.
– Authority: U.S. International Trade Commission
– Policy Type: ITC_337
– Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
– China Indicator: Explicit (respondents from Fujian, Chongqing, and Shenzhen, China)
– Key identifiers: Investigation No. 337-TA-1444
– Key dates: Initial submissions due January 29, 2026; replies due February 5, 2026
– Source: Link
Certain Dental Burs and Kits Thereof — Section 337 Investigation (Institution Notice)
The ITC instituted Investigation No. 337‑TA‑1479 following a complaint by Huwais IP Holding LLC and Versah, LLC of Michigan. The complaint alleges violations of Section 337 through the importation, sale for importation, or post‑import sale of osseodensification dental burs and kits infringing specific patents and registered trademarks. The complainants request a general or limited exclusion order and cease-and-desist orders.
– Authority: U.S. International Trade Commission
– Policy Type: ITC_337
– Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
– China Indicator: None
– Key identifiers: Investigation No. 337‑TA‑1479
– Key date: Investigation instituted January 13, 2026
– Source: Link
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL (OFAC)
OFAC Sanctions Action — Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List)
OFAC published names of additional persons designated on the SDN List after determining that applicable legal criteria under executive orders were met. All property and interests in property within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from transactions with these entities or individuals.
– Authority: Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control
– Policy Type: SANCTIONS_LISTING
– Event Type: SANCTIONS
– China Indicator: None
– Key identifiers: Sanction authorities include E.O. 13553, E.O. 13876, and E.O. 13902
– Key date: January 15, 2026
– Source: Link
General License No. 132 — Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations
OFAC published General License 132, authorizing certain transactions otherwise prohibited by the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR part 587). The license authorizes transactions related to the Paks II civil nuclear power plant project in Hungary involving specified Russian financial institutions.
– Authority: Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control
– Policy Type: SANCTIONS_LISTING
– Event Type: SANCTIONS
– China Indicator: None
– Key identifiers: GL 132, 31 CFR part 587, E.O. 14024
– Key date: Issued November 21, 2025
– Source: Link
General License No. 1 — Transnational Criminal Organizations Sanctions Regulations
OFAC issued General License 1 authorizing the wind down of transactions involving specific entities under the Transnational Criminal Organizations Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR part 590). The license allows certain transactions through November 13, 2025, provided payments are made into blocked accounts. Covered entities include Prince Holding Group and its affiliates.
– Authority: Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control
– Policy Type: SANCTIONS_LISTING
– Event Type: SANCTIONS
– China Indicator: Implicit (entities include regional holdings potentially linked to Asia)
– Key identifiers: GL 1, 31 CFR part 590
– Key date: Issued October 14, 2025
– Source: Link
General License No. 129 — Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations
General License 129 authorizes certain transactions involving Rosneft Deutschland GmbH and RN Refining & Marketing GmbH and their majority-owned subsidiaries, otherwise restricted under the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations. Authorization extends to April 29, 2026.
– Authority: Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control
– Policy Type: SANCTIONS_LISTING
– Event Type: SANCTIONS
– China Indicator: None
– Key identifiers: GL 129, 31 CFR part 587
– Key date: Issued October 29, 2025
– Source: Link
General License No. 13O — Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations
OFAC published General License 13O, superseding GL 13N, to authorize certain administrative transactions such as tax and permit payments prohibited under Directive 4 of Executive Order 14024. The authorization applies to routine operations of U.S. persons in Russia through January 9, 2026.
– Authority: Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control
– Policy Type: SANCTIONS_LISTING
– Event Type: SANCTIONS
– China Indicator: None
– Key identifiers: GL 13O, 31 CFR part 587, E.O. 14024
– Key date: Issued September 29, 2025
– Source: Link
3) Key Takeaways (Factual)
- The ITC requested public-interest submissions in a Section 337 investigation covering Chinese-origin nasal devices, where all China-based respondents are in default.
- ITC launched a new Section 337 investigation into dental burs and kits involving patent and trademark infringement allegations with a broad set of overseas respondents.
- OFAC expanded its SDN List and released several general licenses related to Russian and transnational sanctions regimes.
- The OFAC general licenses collectively authorized time-limited or project-specific activities otherwise restricted under the sanctions regulations.
- No new China-targeted sanctions were issued in these OFAC actions, but enforcement and licensing processes remain active.
4) Full Source Links (Index)
- Certain Nasal Devices and Components — ITC public interest request
- Certain Dental Burs and Kits — ITC institution of investigation
- OFAC Notice of Sanctions Action (SDN List)
- OFAC General License 132 — Russian Sanctions
- OFAC General License 1 — Transnational Criminal Organizations Sanctions
- OFAC General License 129 — Russian Sanctions (Rosneft entities)
- OFAC General License 13O — Russian Sanctions (Directive 4 Admin Transactions)
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.
