US–China Trade Daily Highlights | 2026-04-28

1) Executive Summary

Today’s update covers four U.S. government notices. Three are antidumping (AD) preliminary determinations by the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA) concerning crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from India, Indonesia, and Laos. The fourth is a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) final rule under the U.S. Department of Justice, rescheduling certain FDA-approved marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The primary policy instruments highlighted include AD investigations, critical circumstances determinations, and controlled substance rescheduling actions.

2) Updates by Authority

Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA)

Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells from Laos — AD/CVD (Preliminary Determination)

The Department of Commerce has preliminarily determined that crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules, from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic were sold in the United States at less than fair value during the period of investigation (January–June 2025). Commerce calculated an estimated weighted-average dumping margin of 22.46 percent for Solarspace Technology (Laos) Sole Co., Ltd. and other separate rate companies. Critical circumstances were found for some exporters, and the agency also postponed the final determination and extended provisional measures.

  • Authority: Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
  • Policy Type: AD/CVD
  • Event Type: Preliminary Determination
  • Key Identifiers: Investigation No. A-553-003
  • Key Date: Published April 28, 2026
  • Source: Link

Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells from India — AD/CVD (Preliminary Determination)

Commerce preliminarily determined that crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from India are being, or are likely to be, sold at less than fair value. The period of investigation covers July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The estimated dumping margin for mandatory respondents and all others is 123.04 percent, based on adverse facts available due to non-cooperation. Critical circumstances were found for certain companies.

  • Authority: Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
  • Policy Type: AD/CVD
  • Event Type: Preliminary Determination
  • Key Identifiers: Investigation No. A-533-942
  • Key Date: Applicable April 28, 2026
  • Source: Link

Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells from Indonesia — AD/CVD (Preliminary Determination)

Commerce preliminarily found that crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from Indonesia were sold in the United States at less than fair value. The investigation period is July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The estimated dumping margins for PT Blue Sky Solar Indonesia, PT REC Solar Energy Indonesia, and all others are 35.17 percent. Commerce also partially determined the existence of critical circumstances for other producers.

  • Authority: Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
  • Policy Type: AD/CVD
  • Event Type: Preliminary Determination
  • Key Identifiers: Investigation No. A-560-846
  • Key Date: Applicable April 28, 2026
  • Source: Link

Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

FDA-Approved Marijuana Products — Controlled Substances Rescheduling (Final Rule)

The Acting Attorney General finalized a rule placing FDA-approved drug products containing marijuana in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (previously Schedule I). The change aligns with U.S. obligations under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and creates an expedited DEA registration process for state-licensed medical marijuana entities. The rule establishes permit requirements for import and export and affirms that synthetic tetrahydrocannabinols remain in Schedule I. Effective April 28, 2026.

  • Authority: Department of Justice, DEA
  • Policy Type: Other (Rescheduling / Regulatory Update)
  • Event Type: Final Rule
  • Key Identifiers: 21 CFR Parts 1300, 1301, 1308, and 1312
  • Key Date: Effective April 28, 2026
  • Source: Link

3) Key Takeaways (Factual)

  • The U.S. Department of Commerce issued three preliminary AD determinations covering crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from India, Indonesia, and Laos, all finding sales at less than fair value.
  • Dumping margins ranged from approximately 22 percent for Lao producers to 123 percent for Indian exporters, with critical circumstances determinations in each case.
  • All three investigations invite public comments before Commerce issues final determinations.
  • The DEA implemented a final rule rescheduling FDA-approved marijuana products to Schedule III, permitting regulated manufacture and state-licensed medical use under federal law.
  • These actions reflect continued U.S. engagement in trade remedy enforcement and regulatory adjustments with potential implications for controlled substance compliance frameworks.

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.