Legal Definitions - United States International Trade Commission

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that plays a crucial role in international trade policy. Its primary functions include gathering and analyzing information on global trade and tariffs, conducting investigations into various trade-related issues, and providing expert advice and recommendations to the President, the U.S. Trade Representative, and Congressional committees. The USITC's work helps inform decisions on trade agreements, address unfair trade practices, and assess the impact of imports on American industries.

• Investigating Unfair Trade Practices: A U.S. manufacturer of specialized industrial valves files a complaint, alleging that similar valves imported from a foreign country are being sold in the U.S. at prices below their production cost (a practice known as "dumping"). The USITC would launch an investigation to determine if these imports are causing material injury to the domestic industry. If the investigation confirms harm, the USITC would recommend appropriate remedies, such as imposing anti-dumping duties, to the Department of Commerce.

• Providing Economic Analysis for Trade Negotiations: As the U.S. government considers entering into a new free trade agreement with a bloc of Southeast Asian nations, the President requests a comprehensive assessment of the potential economic impacts. The USITC would conduct an in-depth study, analyzing how the proposed agreement might affect various U.S. sectors, employment levels, consumer prices, and overall economic growth. This detailed report would then be provided to policymakers to help them make informed decisions about the trade deal.

• Assessing the Impact of Import Surges: Following a significant increase in imports of certain agricultural products, a coalition of domestic farmers petitions the government for "safeguard" relief, arguing that the surge is causing severe financial hardship and threatening their livelihoods. The USITC would investigate whether these increased imports are a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat of serious injury, to the U.S. agricultural industry. If confirmed, the USITC could recommend temporary measures, such as tariffs or quotas, to the President to allow the domestic industry time to adjust.