US–China Trade Daily Hightlights | 2026-08-27

1) Executive Summary

– Four events are covered today. The main authorities involved are the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) and the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Policy instruments include Section 337 proceedings (unfair competition and public interest solicitation) and OFAC sanctions actions (publication of general licenses and a sector determination under Executive Order 13902). Each event’s source link (MYLink) is included for reference.

2) Updates by Authority

INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

Headline (one line, bold):
Melanoma predictive and prognostic tests — ITC_337 (TRADE_REMEDY)

Summary:
The USITC instituted Investigation No. 337-TA-1519 based on a July 10, 2026 complaint by Castle Biosciences, Inc., alleging violations of Section 337(a)(1)(A) through unfair competition via false and misleading advertising involving certain melanoma predictive and prognostic tests and components. The Commission defined the accused products as melanoma predictive and prognostic CP-GEP tests and related components, and the complainant seeks a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders. The presiding Administrative Law Judge will take evidence on statutory public interest factors.

Key Details:
– Authority: INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
– Policy Type: ITC_337
– Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
– Key identifiers: Investigation No. 337-TA-1519; accused products described as “melanoma predictive and prognostic CP-GEP tests and related components”
– Key dates: Complaint filed July 10, 2026; investigation instituted August 25, 2026; Federal Register notice published August 27, 2026; respondent responses due 20 days after service
– Requested remedies: Limited exclusion order; cease and desist orders

Source:
– Link: https://lawyerfanzhang.com/certain-melanoma-predictive-and-prognostic-tests-and-components-thereof-notice-of-institution-of-investigation/

Headline (one line, bold):
Powered rocker-recliner and glider-recliner mechanisms — ITC_337 (TRADE_REMEDY)

Summary:
The USITC received a complaint titled “Certain Powered Rocker-Recliner and Glider-Recliner Mechanisms and Seating Units Containing Same,” DN 3933, and is soliciting public interest comments on the requested relief. The complainants request a limited exclusion order, cease and desist orders, and a bond during the 60-day Presidential review period. Named respondents include entities in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, and the United States.

Key Details:
– Authority: INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
– Policy Type: ITC_337
– Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
– China Indicator: EXPLICIT
– Key identifiers: Docket No. 3933 (DN 3933)
– Key dates: Complaint filed August 24, 2026; Federal Register notice published August 27, 2026; public interest comments due by close of business eight calendar days after publication; replies due three calendar days after initial submissions; submissions limited to five pages
– Requested remedies: Limited exclusion order; cease and desist orders; bond during Presidential review period pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1337(e)(1) and (f)(1)

Source:
– Link: https://lawyerfanzhang.com/notice-of-receipt-of-complaint-solicitation-of-comments-relating-to-the-public-interest-39/

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Headline (one line, bold):
Iran-related General Licenses AA and BB — SANCTIONS_LISTING (SANCTIONS)

Summary:
OFAC published two Iran-related web general licenses, GL AA and GL BB, previously made available on its website. GL AA authorizes, through 12:01 a.m. EDT on October 23, 2026, certain wind-down or maintenance transactions otherwise prohibited by E.O. 13902 involving La Nivernaise De Raffinage SAS and entities it owns 50 percent or more. GL BB authorizes, through 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 8, 2026, certain wind-down transactions previously authorized under specified ITSR general licenses, with payments to blocked persons required to be placed in blocked U.S. accounts.

Key Details:
– Authority: DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, Office of Foreign Assets Control
– Policy Type: SANCTIONS_LISTING
– Event Type: SANCTIONS
– Key dates: GLs AA and BB issued August 24, 2026; GL AA valid through October 23, 2026 (12:01 a.m. EDT); GL BB valid through September 8, 2026 (12:01 a.m. EDT)
– Scope highlights: GL AA covers wind down/maintenance under E.O. 13902 for specified blocked persons; GL BB covers wind down for activities previously authorized under 31 CFR 560.544, 560.550, 560.554, and Iran General Licenses F and G

Source:
– Link: https://lawyerfanzhang.com/publication-of-iran-related-web-general-licenses-aa-and-bb/

Headline (one line, bold):
Determination under E.O. 13902: aviation, digital asset, gold, shipping, technology sectors — SANCTIONS_LISTING (SANCTIONS)

Summary:
OFAC published a determination, previously issued on its website, applying section 1(a)(i) of E.O. 13902 to the aviation, digital asset, gold, shipping, and technology sectors of the Iranian economy. Persons determined to operate in these sectors are subject to sanctions under E.O. 13902. The determination was effective upon issuance.

Key Details:
– Authority: DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, Office of Foreign Assets Control
– Policy Type: SANCTIONS_LISTING
– Event Type: SANCTIONS
– Key dates: Determination issued and effective August 24, 2026
– Legal basis: Executive Order 13902; 31 CFR 560.802

Source:
– Link: https://lawyerfanzhang.com/publication-of-a-determination-issued-pursuant-to-executive-order-13902/

3) Key Takeaways (Factual)

– The USITC instituted a Section 337 investigation (337-TA-1519) concerning melanoma predictive and prognostic CP-GEP tests, alleging unfair acts via false advertising and seeking exclusionary remedies.

– The USITC is soliciting public interest comments in a new Section 337 complaint (DN 3933) on powered rocker-recliner and glider-recliner mechanisms; named respondents include several China-based entities.

– OFAC published Iran-related General Licenses AA and BB, providing limited wind-down authorizations through September 8 and October 23, 2026, respectively, under E.O. 13902 and the ITSR.

– OFAC issued a determination applying E.O. 13902 to the aviation, digital asset, gold, shipping, and technology sectors of the Iranian economy, effective August 24, 2026.

4) Full Source Links (Index)

– https://lawyerfanzhang.com/certain-melanoma-predictive-and-prognostic-tests-and-components-thereof-notice-of-institution-of-investigation/ (Melanoma tests — ITC 337 institution)

– https://lawyerfanzhang.com/notice-of-receipt-of-complaint-solicitation-of-comments-relating-to-the-public-interest-39/ (Recliner mechanisms — ITC public interest comments)

– https://lawyerfanzhang.com/publication-of-iran-related-web-general-licenses-aa-and-bb/ (OFAC GLs AA and BB)

– https://lawyerfanzhang.com/publication-of-a-determination-issued-pursuant-to-executive-order-13902/ (OFAC sector determination under E.O. 13902)

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.