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UNDERSTANDING SAFEGUARD INVESTIGATIONS |
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Section 201, Trade Act of 1974 (Global Safeguard Investigations), Import
Relief for Domestic Industries Under section 201, domestic industries seriously injured or threatened with serious injury by increased imports may petition the ITC for import relief. The ITC determines whether an article is being imported in such increased quantities that it is a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat thereof, to the U.S. industry producing an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. If the Commission makes an affirmative determination, it recommends to the President relief that would prevent or remedy the injury and facilitate industry adjustment to import competition. The President makes the final decision whether to provide relief and the amount of relief. Section 201 does not require a finding of an unfair trade practice, as do the antidumping and countervailing duty laws and section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. However, the injury requirement under section 201 is considered to be more difficult than those of the unfair trade statutes. Section 201 requires that the injury or threatened injury be "serious" and that the increased imports must be a "substantial cause" (important and not less than any other cause) of the serious injury or threat of serious injury. Criteria for import relief under section 201 are based on those in article XIX of the GATT, as further defined in the WTO Agreement on Safeguards. Article XIX of the GATT is sometimes referred to as the escape clause because it permits a country to "escape" temporarily from its obligations under the GATT with respect to a particular product when increased imports of that product are causing or are threatening to cause serious injury to domestic producers. Section 201 provides the legal framework under U.S. law for the President to invoke U.S. rights under article XIX. When: The ITC conducts an investigation under section 201 upon receipt of a petition from a trade association, firm, certified or recognized union, or group of workers which is representative of a domestic industry; upon receipt of a request from the President or the USTR; upon receipt of a resolution of the House Committee on Ways and Means or Senate Committee on Finance; or upon its own motion. Duration: The ITC generally must make its injury finding within 120 days (150 days in more complicated cases) of receipt of the petition, request, resolution, or institution on its own motion and must transmit its report to the President, together with any relief recommendations, within 180 days after receipt of the petition, request, resolution, or institution on its own motion. Finding: If the ITC finding is affirmative, it must recommend a remedy to the President, who determines what relief, if any, will be imposed. Such relief may be in the form of a tariff increase, quantitative restrictions, or orderly marketing agreements. Followup: If import relief is provided, the ITC periodically reports on developments within the industry during the period of relief. Upon request, the ITC advises the President of the probable economic effect on the industry of the reduction, modification, or termination of the relief in effect. At the conclusion of any relief period, the ITC is required to report to the President and Congress on the effectiveness of the relief action in facilitating the positive adjustment of the domestic industry to import competition. (For further information, see section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. 2251.) Section 421, Trade Act of 1974 (China Safeguard Investigations) Under section 421 of the Trade Act of 1974, the Commission determines whether imports of a product from China are being imported into the United States in such increased quantities or under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause market disruption to the domestic producers of like or directly competitive products. If the Commission makes an affirmative determination, it proposes a remedy. The Commission sends its report to the President and the U.S. Trade Representative. The President makes the final remedy decision. (For further information, see section 421, Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. 2451.) Section 422, (China Trade Diversion Investigations) Under section 422 of the Trade Act of 1974, the Commission determines whether (a) an action by China to prevent or remedy market disruption in a WTO member country or (b) an action, including a provisional action, by a WTO member to prevent or remedy market disruption from imports from China has caused, or threatens to cause, a significant diversion of trade into the domestic market of the United States. If the Commission makes an affirmative determination, it recommends a remedy. The Commission sends its report to the President and the U.S. Trade Representative. The President makes the final remedy decision. (For further information, see section 422, Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. 2451a.) Section 302, NAFTA Implementation Act (Bilateral Safeguard Investigations) Under section 302 of the NAFTA Implementation Act, the Commission determines whether, as a result of the reduction or elimination in a duty under the NAFTA, increased imports from Canada or Mexico are a substantial cause of serious injury or threat of serious injury to a U.S. industry. If the Commission makes an affirmative determination, it makes a remedy recommendation to the President, who makes the final remedy decision. Section 302 investigations are similar procedurally to investigations under section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974. (For further information, see section 301, NAFTA Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. 3352.) |
Steel Global Safeguard Investigation Frequently asked questions Summary of Statutory Provisions Related to Import Relief (see pages 15-23) ITC Rules of Practice and Procedure Guidelines for Hearings Commission Opinions (listed alphabetically) EDIS On-Line (public inspection files; search by investigation number) |
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