United States

International Trade Commission

The Year in Trade 2016

Operation of the Trade Agreements 

Program

68th Report

July 2017

Publication Number: 4711
United States International Trade Commission

Commissioners

Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Chairman

David S. Johanson, Vice Chairman

Irving A. Williamson

Meredith M. Broadbent

Catherine DeFilippo

Director, Office of Operations

William Powers

Director, Office of Economics 

Address all communications to

Secretary to the Commission

United States International Trade Commission

Washington, DC 20436
The Year in Trade 2016

Operation of the Trade Agreements 

Program

68th Report

July 2017

Publication Number: 4711
This report was prepared principally by:

Project Leaders

Joanne Guth, Office of Economics

Alissa Tafti, Office of Economics

Office of Economics

Nabil Abbyad, Justino De La Cruz, Meryem Demirkaya, Stephanie Fortune-Taylor, Alexander 

Hammer, Grace Kenneally, Lin Jones, Caroline Peters, Sandra Rivera, Edward Wilson, 

Wen Jin Yuan, and Heather Wickramarachi

Office of General Counsel

William W. Gearhart

Office of Industries

Sarah Oliver and Laura Rodriguez

Office of Investigations

Nathanael Comly

Office of Operations

Yasnanhia Cabral, Linda Linkins

Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements

Donnette Rimmer and Daniel Shepherdson

Office of Unfair Import Investigations

David Lloyd

Office of Analysis and Research Services

Robert Bauchspies, Russell Duncan, Judy Edelhoff, Peg Hausman, 

Laura Thayn, and Jeremy Wise

Content Reviewer

Renee Berry

Special Assistance

Phyllis Boone, Austin Drenski, Shala Ewing, and Syr-Ron Williams

Help Desk and Customer Service Division (CIO)

Under the direction of

Arona Butcher, Chief

Country and Regional Analysis Division
U.S. International Trade Commission |1 

Preface 

This report is the 68th in a series of annual reports submitted to the U.S. Congress under section 163(c) 

of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2213(c)) and its predecessor legislation. Section 163(c) states that 

“the International Trade Commission shall submit to the Congress at least once a year, a factual report 

on the operation of the trade agreements program.”

This report is one of the principal means by which the U.S. International Trade Commission provides 

Congress with factual information on trade policy and its administration for 2016. The trade agreements 

program includes “all activities consisting of, or related to, the administration of international 

agreements which primarily concern trade and which are concluded pursuant to the authority vested in 

the President by the Constitution” and by congressional legislation.
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U.S. International Trade Commission |3 

Table of Contents 

Preface ............................................................................................................... 1

Abbreviations and Acronyms............................................................................ 11

Executive Summary .......................................................................................... 15

Chapter 1 Introduction and Overview of U.S. Trade .......................................... 29

Scope and Approach of the Report ........................................................................................................ 29

Organization of the Report..................................................................................................................... 29

Sources ................................................................................................................................................... 30

Overview of the U.S. and Global Economies in 2016 ............................................................................. 30

U.S. Economic Trends in 2016............................................................................................................ 30

Global Economic Trends in 2016........................................................................................................ 31

Exchange Rate Trends ............................................................................................................................ 34

U.S. Trade in Goods in 2016 ................................................................................................................... 35

U.S. Merchandise Trade by Product Category ................................................................................... 37

Exports........................................................................................................................................... 37

Imports........................................................................................................................................... 38

U.S. Merchandise Trade with Selected Leading Partners .................................................................. 38

U.S. Trade with Free Trade Agreement Partners............................................................................... 41

U.S. Imports under Trade Preference Programs................................................................................ 41

U.S. Trade in Services in 2016................................................................................................................. 41

U.S. Services Trade by Product Category ........................................................................................... 42

Exports........................................................................................................................................... 42

Imports........................................................................................................................................... 43

U.S. Services Trade with Leading Partners......................................................................................... 43

Timeline of Selected Key Trade Activities............................................................................................... 46

Chapter 2 Administration of U.S. Trade Laws and Regulations.......................... 55

Import Relief Laws.................................................................................................................................. 55

Safeguard Actions............................................................................................................................... 55

Laws against Unfair Trade Practices....................................................................................................... 55

Section 301......................................................................................................................................... 55

Section 301 Investigations............................................................................................................. 56

Special 301 ..................................................................................................................................... 57

Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations and Reviews .................................................. 60

Antidumping Duty Investigations .................................................................................................. 60

Countervailing Duty Investigations................................................................................................ 62

Reviews of Outstanding Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders/Suspension 

Agreements.................................................................................................................................... 63

Section 129 Investigations............................................................................................................. 64

Section 337 Investigations.................................................................................................................. 65

Trade Adjustment Assistance ................................................................................................................. 67
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Assistance for Workers....................................................................................................................... 67

Assistance for Firms............................................................................................................................ 70

Tariff Preference Programs .................................................................................................................... 71

Generalized System of Preferences ................................................................................................... 71

African Growth and Opportunity Act................................................................................................. 74

Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act........................................................................................... 78

Haiti Initiatives............................................................................................................................... 80

Chapter 3 The World Trade Organization .......................................................... 83

WTO ....................................................................................................................................................... 83

General Council .................................................................................................................................. 83

Work Programs, Decisions, Waivers, and Reviews........................................................................ 84

Accessions...................................................................................................................................... 84

Expansion of the Information Technology Agreement...................................................................... 86

Agreement on Trade Facilitation........................................................................................................ 86

Negotiations on an Environmental Goods Agreement ...................................................................... 87

Discussions on Fisheries Subsidies..................................................................................................... 88

Selected Plurilateral Agreements Already in Force............................................................................ 89

Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft ............................................................................................. 89

Agreement on Government Procurement..................................................................................... 89

Dispute Settlement Body........................................................................................................................ 90

New Requests for Consultations and New Panels Established .......................................................... 94

Requests for Consultations Filed during 2016 in Which the United States Was the 

Complaining Party or the Responding Party.................................................................................. 95

Panels Established during 2016 at the Request of the United States ...........................................97

Panels Established during 2016 in Which the United States Was the Named Respondent..........98

Panel and Appellate Body Reports Issued and/or Adopted during 2016 That Involve the United 

States.................................................................................................................................................. 98

Reports in Which the United States Was the Complainant........................................................... 99

Reports in Which the United States Was the Respondent..........................................................100

Chapter 4 Selected Regional and Bilateral Trade Activities.............................. 105

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development............................................................... 105

Ministerial Council Meeting ............................................................................................................. 105

Trade Committee ............................................................................................................................. 106

Working Party of the Trade Committee ...................................................................................... 107

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ...................................................................................................... 107

Background....................................................................................................................................... 107

2016 APEC Developments................................................................................................................ 108

The Second-Term Review of the Bogor Goals ............................................................................. 109

Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP)................................................................................ 110

Global Value Chain Development and Cooperation.................................................................... 111

Negotiations on a Trade in Services Agreement .................................................................................. 112

Trade and Investment Framework Agreements .................................................................................. 113

Developments in TIFA Negotiations during 2016............................................................................. 115

Developments in Existing TIFAs during 2016 ................................................................................... 116
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U.S. International Trade Commission |5 

Chapter 5 U.S. Free Trade Agreements............................................................ 121

U.S. Trade with FTA Partners in 2016................................................................................................... 121

U.S. Total Merchandise Trade with FTA Partners ............................................................................ 121

U.S. Imports Entered under FTAs..................................................................................................... 123

Developments in FTA Negotiations during 2016.................................................................................. 125

Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) ........................................................................................................ 125

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Agreement ............................................... 125

Developments in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).............................................. 127

Commission for Labor Cooperation ................................................................................................. 128

Commission for Environmental Cooperation................................................................................... 129

Dispute Settlement .......................................................................................................................... 130

Chapter 11 Dispute Settlement Developments........................................................................... 130

Chapter 19 Dispute Panel Reviews.............................................................................................. 131

Developments in Other FTAs Already in Force during 2016 ................................................................ 131

U.S.-Australia FTA............................................................................................................................. 132

CAFTA-DR ......................................................................................................................................... 132

Labor ............................................................................................................................................ 132

Environment ................................................................................................................................ 133

U.S.-Chile FTA ................................................................................................................................... 133

Labor ............................................................................................................................................ 133

U.S.-Colombia TPA............................................................................................................................ 133

Labor ............................................................................................................................................ 134

U.S.-Israel FTA .................................................................................................................................. 134

U.S.-Jordan FTA ................................................................................................................................ 134

U.S.-Korea FTA (KORUS) ................................................................................................................... 135

U.S.-Morocco FTA............................................................................................................................. 135

Labor ............................................................................................................................................ 135

U.S.-Panama TPA.............................................................................................................................. 136

Labor ............................................................................................................................................ 136

Environment ................................................................................................................................ 136

U.S.-Peru TPA ................................................................................................................................... 136

Labor ............................................................................................................................................ 137

Environment ................................................................................................................................ 137

Chapter 6 U.S. Trade Relations with Selected Trading Partners....................... 139

European Union.................................................................................................................................... 139

U.S.-EU Trade ................................................................................................................................... 139

Trade Developments........................................................................................................................ 141

Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC).......................................................................................... 141

U.S.-EU Privacy Shield .................................................................................................................. 143

Agreement on Insurance and Reinsurance.................................................................................. 144

China..................................................................................................................................................... 144

U.S.-China Trade............................................................................................................................... 144

Trade Developments........................................................................................................................ 146
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Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement ................................................................................... 147

China’s Excess Capacity in Steel................................................................................................... 148

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Security Policy...........................................148

Cybersecurity Law........................................................................................................................ 149

Canada.................................................................................................................................................. 150

U.S.-Canada Trade............................................................................................................................ 150

Trade Developments........................................................................................................................ 152

Softwood Lumber ........................................................................................................................ 152

Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council..............................................................153

Mexico .................................................................................................................................................. 153

U.S.-Mexico Trade ............................................................................................................................ 153

Trade Developments........................................................................................................................ 155

High-Level Economic Dialogue..................................................................................................... 155

Cross-Border Trucking between the United States and Mexico..................................................156

Japan..................................................................................................................................................... 157

U.S.-Japan Trade............................................................................................................................... 157

Trade Developments........................................................................................................................ 159

Agricultural Products ................................................................................................................... 159

Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals......................................................................................... 160

Insurance Market......................................................................................................................... 161

Republic of Korea ................................................................................................................................. 161

U.S.-Korea Trade............................................................................................................................... 161

Trade Developments........................................................................................................................ 163

U.S.-Korea FTA ............................................................................................................................. 163

Information Technology and Digital Trade .................................................................................. 163

India 164

U.S.-India Trade................................................................................................................................ 164

Trade Developments........................................................................................................................ 166

India and United States Trade Policy Forum................................................................................ 166

Intellectual Property .................................................................................................................... 167

Taiwan .................................................................................................................................................. 168

U.S.-Taiwan Trade ............................................................................................................................ 168

Trade Developments........................................................................................................................ 170

U.S.-Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement .......................................................170

Brazil ..................................................................................................................................................... 172

U.S.-Brazil Trade ............................................................................................................................... 172

Trade Developments........................................................................................................................ 174

U.S.-Brazil Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation—Third Meeting ...........................174

U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue ................................................................................................. 175

Bilateral Trade of Beef and Beef Products................................................................................... 175

Cuba176

U.S.-Cuba Trade................................................................................................................................ 176

Trade Developments........................................................................................................................ 177

Amendments to the CACR and EAR............................................................................................. 178
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Bibliography ................................................................................................... 179

Appendix A Data Tables.................................................................................. 209

Appendix B Additional Tables Corresponding to Figures in the Report............ 287

Figures

Figure ES.1 U.S. trade balance in goods and services, 2002–16................................................................. 16

Figure ES.2 U.S. goods and services trade with selected major bilateral trade partners, 2016................. 23

Figure 1.1 U.S. real gross domestic product, percentage change, 2012–16 .............................................. 31

Figure 1.2 Economic growth trends in the world, the United States, and selected economies, 

2014–16 ...................................................................................................................................................... 32

Figure 1.3 Indexes of U.S. dollar exchange rates for selected major foreign currencies, daily, 2016........ 34

Figure 1.4 U.S. merchandise trade with the world, 2014–16..................................................................... 36

Figure 1.5 Leading U.S. merchandise export markets, by share, 2016 ...................................................... 40

Figure 1.6 Leading U.S. merchandise import sources, by share, 2016....................................................... 40

Figure 1.7 U.S. private cross-border services trade with the world, 2014–16 ........................................... 42

Figure 1.8 Leading U.S. export markets for private services, by share, 2016 ............................................ 45

Figure 1.9 Leading U.S. import sources for private services, by share, 2016............................................. 45

Figure 2.1 Share of TAA petitions certified by industry sector in FY 2016 ................................................. 69

Figure 6.1 U.S. merchandise trade with the EU, 2012–16........................................................................ 140

Figure 6.2 U.S. private services trade with the EU, 2012–16 ................................................................... 140

Figure 6.3 U.S. merchandise trade with China, 2012–16 ......................................................................... 145

Figure 6.4 U.S. private services trade with China, 2012–16 ..................................................................... 145

Figure 6.5 U.S. merchandise trade with Canada, 2012–16 ...................................................................... 151

Figure 6.6 U.S. private services trade with Canada, 2012–16 .................................................................. 151

Figure 6.7 U.S. merchandise trade with Mexico, 2012–16....................................................................... 154

Figure 6.8 U.S. private services trade with Mexico, 2012–16 .................................................................. 154

Figure 6.9 U.S. merchandise trade with Japan, 2012–16 ......................................................................... 158

Figure 6.10 U.S. private services trade with Japan, 2012–16................................................................... 158

Figure 6.11 U.S. merchandise trade with South Korea, 2012–16............................................................. 162

Figure 6.12 U.S. private services trade with South Korea, 2012–16 ........................................................ 162

Figure 6.13 U.S. merchandise trade with India, 2012–16 ........................................................................ 165

Figure 6.14 U.S. private services trade with India, 2012–16 .................................................................... 165

Figure 6.15 U.S. merchandise trade with Taiwan, 2012–16..................................................................... 169

Figure 6.16 U.S. private services trade with Taiwan, 2012–16................................................................. 169

Figure 6.17 U.S. merchandise trade with Brazil, 2012–16........................................................................ 173

Figure 6.18 U.S. private services trade with Brazil, 2012–16 ................................................................... 173

Figure 6.19 U.S. merchandise trade with Cuba, 2012–16 ........................................................................ 177

Tables

Table 1.1 U.S. merchandise trade with the world, by USITC digest sector, 2015–16 (million dollars)...... 37
The Year in Trade 2016

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Table 1.2 U.S. merchandise trade with selected major trading partners and the world, 2016 

(million dollars) ........................................................................................................................................... 39

Table 1.3 U.S. merchandise trade with selected major trading partners and the world, 2015–16 

(million dollars) ........................................................................................................................................... 39

Table 1.4 U.S. private services trade with major trading partners and the world, 2016 

(million dollars) ........................................................................................................................................... 44

Table 2.1 Antidumping duty orders that became effective during 2016 ................................................... 62

Table 2.2 Countervailing duty orders that became effective during 2016................................................. 63

Table 2.3 TAA certifications, by region, FY 2016 ........................................................................................ 69

Table 2.4 U.S. imports for consumption from GSP beneficiaries, 2014–16 ............................................... 74

Table 2.5 U.S. imports for consumption from AGOA beneficiaries, 2014–16............................................ 76

Table 2.6 U.S. imports for consumption from CBERA/CBTPA beneficiaries, 2014–16............................... 79

Table 2.7 U.S. imports of apparel from Haiti, 2014–16.............................................................................. 81

Table 3.1 WTO members in 2016 ............................................................................................................... 85

Table 3.2 WTO observers in 2016............................................................................................................... 85

Table 3.3 WTO dispute settlement panels established during 2016.......................................................... 91

Table 3.4 WTO dispute settlement panel and Appellate Body (AB) reports circulated or adopted in 

2016 in which the United States was a party ............................................................................................. 99

Table 4.1 U.S. trade and investment framework agreements in 2016 .................................................... 114

Table 5.1 Total U.S. exports to FTA partners, by FTA partner, 2014–16 .................................................. 122

Table 5.2 Total U.S. imports from FTA partners, by FTA partner, 2014–16 ............................................. 122

Table 5.3 U.S. merchandise trade balance with FTA partners, by FTA partner, 2014–16........................ 123

Table 5.4 U.S. imports for consumption entered under FTAs, by FTA partner, 2014–16 ........................ 123

Table 5.5 Ratio of U.S. imports for consumption under FTAs to U.S. general imports, by partner......... 124

Table 5.6 Timetable of major TTIP negotiations, 2016............................................................................. 125

Table 5.7 Active files as of yearend 2016 under Articles 14 and 15 of the North American 

Agreement on Environmental Cooperation ............................................................................................. 129

Table 5.8 NAFTA Chapter 19 binational panels, active reviews through 2016 ........................................ 131

Table A.1 U.S. total exports to the world, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16 ........................................... 211

Table A.2 U.S. general imports from the world, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16.................................. 211

Table A.3 Leading U.S. total exports to the world, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16........................ 212

Table A.4 Leading U.S. general imports from the world, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 .............. 213

Table A.5 U.S. merchandise trade with top 15 single-country trading partners, 2016............................ 214

Table A.6 Top 15 U.S. single-country merchandise export markets, 2016 .............................................. 214

Table A.7 Top 15 U.S. single-country merchandise import sources, 2016............................................... 215

Table A.8 U.S. private services exports to the world, by category, 2014–16 (million dollars)................. 216

Table A.9 U.S. private services imports from the world, by category, 2014–16 (million dollars) ............ 216

Table A.10 Antidumping cases active in 2016, by USITC investigation number ...................................... 217

Table A.11 Antidumping duty orders and suspension agreements in effect as of December 31, 2016.. 219

Table A.12 Countervailing duty cases active in 2016, by USITC investigation number............................ 224

Table A.13 Countervailing duty orders and suspension agreements in effect as of 

December 31, 2016................................................................................................................................... 226

Table A.14 Reviews of existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders and suspended 

investigations completed in 2016, by date of completion ....................................................................... 228

Table A.15 Section 337 investigations and related proceedings completed by the Commission 

during 2016 and those pending on December 31, 2016 .......................................................................... 229

Table A.16 Outstanding section 337 exclusion orders as of December 31, 2016 .................................... 233

Table A.17 U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under GSP, by source, 2014–16 ............... 237
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U.S. International Trade Commission |9 

Table A.18 Value of U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under GSP, by USITC digest 

sector, 2014–16 ........................................................................................................................................ 237

Table A.19 Share of U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under GSP, by USITC digest 

sector, 2014–16 ........................................................................................................................................ 238

Table A.20 Leading U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under GSP, by HTS 6-digit 

subheading, 2014–16................................................................................................................................ 239

Table A.21 U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under AGOA, by source, 2014–16............ 240

Table A.22 Leading U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under AGOA, by HTS 6-digit 

subheading, 2014–16................................................................................................................................ 241

Table A.23 Leading U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under CBERA, by HTS 6-digit 

subheading, 2014–16................................................................................................................................ 242

Table A.24 U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under CBERA, by source, 2014–16........... 243

Table A.25 WTO dispute settlement cases to which the United States was a party, developments 

in 2016 ...................................................................................................................................................... 244

Table A.26 NAFTA Chapter 19 substantive challenges to original and five-year review 

determinations of USITC and USDOC, developments in 2016.................................................................. 256

Table A.27 U.S. total exports to the EU, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16 .............................................. 257

Table A.28 U.S. general imports from the EU, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16..................................... 257

Table A.29 Leading U.S. total exports to the EU, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16........................... 258

Table A.30 Leading U.S. general imports from the EU, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 ................. 259

Table A.31 U.S. total exports to China, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16................................................ 260

Table A.32 U.S. general imports from China, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16 ...................................... 260

Table A.33 Leading U.S. total exports to China, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 ............................ 261

Table A.34 Leading U.S. general imports from China, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 ................... 262

Table A.35 U.S. total exports to Canada, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16 ............................................. 263

Table A.36 U.S. general imports from Canada, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16.................................... 263

Table A.37 Leading U.S. total exports to Canada, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 ......................... 264

Table A.38 Leading U.S. general imports from Canada, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 ................ 265

Table A.39 U.S. total exports to Mexico, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16 ............................................. 266

Table A.40 U.S. general imports from Mexico, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16.................................... 266

Table A.41 Leading U.S. total exports to Mexico, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16.......................... 267

Table A.42 Leading U.S. general imports from Mexico, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 ................ 268

Table A.43 U.S. total exports to Japan, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16................................................ 269

Table A.44 U.S. general imports from Japan, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16 ...................................... 269

Table A.45 Leading U.S. total exports to Japan, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 ............................ 270

Table A.46 Leading U.S. general imports from Japan, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16................... 271

Table A.47 U.S. total exports to South Korea, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16 ..................................... 272

Table A.48 U.S. general imports from South Korea, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16............................ 272

Table A.49 Leading U.S. total exports to South Korea, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16.................. 273

Table A.50 Leading U.S. general imports from South Korea, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 ........ 274

Table A.51 U.S. total exports to India, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16 ................................................. 275

Table A.52 U.S. general imports from India, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16........................................ 275

Table A.53 Leading U.S. total exports to India, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 ............................. 276

Table A.54 Leading U.S. general imports from India, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 .................... 277

Table A.55 U.S. total exports to Taiwan, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16 ............................................. 278

Table A.56 U.S. general imports from Taiwan, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16 .................................... 278

Table A.57 Leading U.S. total exports to Taiwan, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16.......................... 279

Table A.58 Leading U.S. general imports from Taiwan, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16................. 280
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Table A.59 U.S. total exports to Brazil, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16 ................................................ 281

Table A.60 U.S. general imports from Brazil, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16....................................... 281

Table A.61 U.S. total exports to Brazil, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 .......................................... 282

Table A.62 Leading U.S. general imports from Brazil, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16 ................... 283

Table A.63 U.S. total exports to Cuba, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16................................................. 284

Table A.64 U.S. total exports to Cuba, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16........................................... 285

Table B.1 U.S. trade balance in goods and services, 2002–16 (million dollars) ....................................... 289

Table B.2 U.S. goods and services trade with selected major bilateral trade partners, 2016 ................. 289

Table B.3 U.S. real gross domestic product, percent change, 2012–16................................................... 289

Table B.4 Economic growth trends in the world, the United States, and selected economies, 

2014–16 .................................................................................................................................................... 290

Table B.5 U.S. merchandise trade with selected major trading partners and the world, 2012–16......... 291

Table B.6 U.S. merchandise trade with selected major trading partners and the world, 2016............... 292

Table B.7 U.S. private cross-border services trade with selected major trading partners and the 

world, 2012–16 ......................................................................................................................................... 293

Table B.8 U.S. private services trade with major trading partners and the world, 2016......................... 294

Table B.9 TAA petitions certified by industry sector in FY 2016............................................................... 294
U.S. International Trade Commission |11

Abbreviations and Acronyms 

Acronyms Term

AB Appellate Body (WTO)

AD antidumping

AGOA African Growth and Opportunity Act

APEC Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations

ATPDEA Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act

ATAP U.S.-Israel Agreement on Trade in Agricultural Products

ATEC Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation

BEA Bureau of Economic Analysis (USDOC)

BIS Bureau of Industry and Security (USDOC)

BNA Bureau of National Affairs

Brexit Britain’s vote to leave the European Union

BSE bovine spongiform encephalopathy

CAB Conciliation and Arbitration Board

CACR Cuban Assets Control Regulations

CAFTA-DR Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement

CAR Central African Republic

CARICOM Caribbean Community and Common Market

CBERA Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act

CBTPA Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act

cc cubic centimeter

CEC Commission for Environmental Cooperation (NAFTA)

CLC Commission for Labor Cooperation (NAFTA)

CNL competitive need limitation

COMESA Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa

COP21 Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, session 21

CRS Congressional Research Service

CSI Coalition of Services Industries

CTI Committee on Trade and Investment (APEC)

CTPA U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement

CVD countervailing duty

DDA Doha Development Agenda (WTO)

DFAT Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)

DSB Dispute Settlement Body (WTO)

DSU Dispute Settlement Understanding (WTO)

EAC East African Community

EAR Export Administration Regulations

EC European Commission

ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States

EDA Economic Development Administration (USDOC)

EGA Environmental Goods Agreement

EIA U.S. Energy Information Administration

EIAP Earned Import Allowance Program

EIU Economist Intelligence Unit

ETA Employment and Training Administration (USDOL)

EU European Union

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

FAS Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA)

Fed. Reg. Federal Register

FMCSA Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

FSIS Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA)

FTA free trade agreement

FTAAP Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific

FTZ Foreign Trade Zone

FTC Free Trade Commission

FY fiscal year

FYROM Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

G20 Group of 20

GAIN Global Agricultural Information Network

GAO U.S. Government Accountability Office
The Year in Trade 2016

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Acronyms Term

GATS General Agreement on Trade in Services (WTO)

GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

GC General Council of the WTO

GCC Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (Gulf Cooperation Council)

GDP gross domestic product

GE genetically engineered

GPA Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO)

GSP Generalized System of Preferences

GTA Global Trade Atlas database (IHS Markit)

GVC global value chain

HELP Haiti Economic Lift Program

HLED High-Level Economic Dialogue (U.S.-Mexico)

HOPE Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act

HS Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (international)

HTS Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States

IATA International Air Transport Association

IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (part of the World Bank)

ICSID International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes

ICTSD International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development

ICT information and communications technology

IIP international investment position

ILAB Bureau of International Labor Affairs (USDOL)

IMF International Monetary Fund

IMPS Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications (USDA)

IP intellectual property

IPO initial public offering

IPRs intellectual property rights

IT information technology

ITA Information Technology Agreement (WTO)

ITA International Trade Administration (USDOC)

JCCT Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

KORUS U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement

LDBC lesser-developed beneficiary countries

LDBDC least-developed beneficiary developing country

LTFV less than fair value

MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (Japan)

MFAT Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (New Zealand)

MFN most favored nation

MOU memorandum of understanding

MSMEs micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises

MRL maximum residue limit

mt metric tons

n.d. not dated

NAAEC North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAFTA)

NAALC North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAFTA)

NADB North American Development Bank (NAFTA)

NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement

NAO National Administrative Office (NAFTA)

n.e.s.o.i. not elsewhere specified or included

NGFA National Grain and Feed Association (U.S.)

NGO nongovernmental organization

n.i.e. not included elsewhere

NTM nontariff measure

NTR normal trade relations

OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

OFAC Office of Foreign Assets Control (U.S. Department of the Treasury)

OIE World Organisation for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties)

OMA ordinary minimum access (tenders)

OOS out-of-service (commercial motor vehicle)

OTEXA Office of Textiles and Apparel (USDOC)

OTLA Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (NAFTA)

PPD public-private dialogue

PTPA U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement

Pub. L. Public Law
Abbreviations and Acronyms

U.S. International Trade Commission |13

Acronyms Term

RCC Regulatory Cooperation Council

RTA regional trade agreement

S&ED Strategic and Economic Dialogue (U.S.-China)

SBS simultaneous buy-sell (Japan)

SCM Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (Agreement)

SEM Submissions on Environmental Measures (NAFTA)

SLA Softwood Lumber Agreement

SMEs small and medium-sized enterprises

SOM Senior Officials Meeting

SPS sanitary and phytosanitary (standards)

SSA sub-Saharan Africa

STPS Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social [Mexican Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare]

STRI Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (OECD)

TAA Trade Adjustment Assistance

TAACs Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers

TAD Trade and Agriculture Directorate (OECD)

TAAF Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms

TAAEA Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act

TAARA Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2015

TBTs technical barriers to trade

TC Trade Committee (OECD)

TCWP Working Party of the Trade Committee (OECD)

TEC Transatlantic Economic Council

TFA Agreement on Trade Facilitation

TFDA Taiwan Food and Drug Administration

TICA Trade and Investment Cooperation Agreement

TICF Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum

TICFA Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement

TIFA Trade and Investment Framework Agreement

TiSA Trade in Services Agreement

TiVA Trade in Value Added (OECD–WTO initiative)

TPA trade promotion agreement

TPEA Trade Preferences Extension Act

TPF U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum

TPP Trans-Pacific Partnership

TPLs tariff preference levels

TRIG Trade Reports International Group

TRIPS Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (WTO)

TRQ tariff-rate quota

TTIP Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (U.S.-EU)

UK United Kingdom

UN United Nations

UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

URAA Uruguay Round Agreements Act (U.S.)

USAID U.S. Agency for International Development

U.S.C. U.S. Code

USCBP U.S. Customs and Border Protection

USCC U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture

USDHS U.S. Department of Homeland Security

USDOC U.S. Department of Commerce

USDOL U.S. Department of Labor

USDOS U.S. Department of State

USDOT U.S. Department of Transportation

USEIA U.S. Energy Information Administration

USITC U.S. International Trade Commission

USPTO U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

USTR U.S. Trade Representative

WAEMU West African Economic and Monetary Union

WHO World Health Organization (UN)

WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization

WTO World Trade Organization
14| www.usitc.gov
U.S. International Trade Commission |15

Executive Summary

Global economic growth slowed in 2016, falling from 3.4 percent in 2015 to 3.1 percent in 2016. 

Economic growth in the United States also slowed in 2016: U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) 

increased 1.6 percent in 2016, compared to an increase of 2.6 percent in 2015. The economies of most 

major U.S. trading partners—e.g., the European Union (EU), Canada, Mexico, and Japan—

underperformed the world average of 3.1 percent; the outstanding exceptions were China and India.

In 2016, the U.S. dollar appreciated 1.1 percent against a broad trade-weighted index of major foreign 

currencies, including against some major emerging-market currencies, such as the Mexican peso and the 

Chinese yuan. By yearend 2016, the dollar had appreciated 18.8 percent against the Mexican peso and 

6.3 percent against the Chinese yuan. The dollar depreciated, however, against the Canadian dollar (by 

4.0 percent), the Japanese yen (by 1.8 percent), and the euro (by 1.8 percent).

Both U.S. exports and imports of goods declined in 2016. The value of U.S. merchandise exports totaled 

$1,453.7 billion in 2016, down 3.3 percent ($48.9 billion) from $1,502.6 billion in 2015. U.S. merchandise 

imports totaled $2,189.2 billion in 2016, down 2.6 percent ($59.0 billion) from $2,248.2 billion in 2015. 

The drop in petroleum prices in 2016 contributed to the decline in the value of U.S. merchandise exports 

and imports in 2016, although the quantity of U.S. exports and imports of crude petroleum both 

increased. Since U.S. imports declined more than U.S. exports in terms of value, the U.S. merchandise 

trade deficit fell from $745.7 billion in 2015 to $735.5 billion in 2016 (figure ES.1). Agricultural products 

was the only goods sector to experience a trade surplus in 2016, with $9.3 billion more in exports than 

imports.

U.S. two-way, or bilateral, private services trade increased 1.4 percent to $1,214.5 billion in 2016. U.S. 

exports of private services were virtually unchanged from the previous year at $732.6 billion, while U.S. 

imports of private services grew 3.2 percent to reach $482.0 billion in 2016. As a result, the U.S. surplus 

in private services fell from $263.4 billion in 2015 to $250.6 billion in 2016.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Figure ES.1 U.S. trade balance in goods and services, 2002–16

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 17, 2017); USDOC, BEA, 

U.S. International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions data, table 1.2, March 21, 2017. 

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.1.

Key Trade Developments in 2016

Administration of U.S. Trade Laws and Regulations

Safeguard actions: The U.S. International Trade Commission (the Commission) conducted no new 

safeguard investigations during 2016, and no U.S. safeguard measures under these provisions were in 

effect during any part of 2016. One petition was filed during 2016, with regard to imports of primary 

unwrought aluminum, but the petition was withdrawn and no investigation was conducted.

Section 301: There was one ongoing investigation in 2016 under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. 

This investigation was instituted in 1987 and concerned various meat hormone directives of the EU, 

which prohibit the use of certain hormones that promote growth in farm animals. Following a successful 

challenge at the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United States imposed additional duties on 

certain imports from the EU in 1999. In 2012, the United States and the EU signed a provisional 

settlement, and the United States lifted the additional duties. In December 2016, representatives of the 

U.S. beef industry filed a request with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) asking that the 

additional duties be reinstated, and USTR initiated a process to consider whether to reinstate the 

additional duties.

Special 301: The special 301 law was enacted as part of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. In the 2016 

Special 301 Report, USTR examined the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property rights (IPR) 

protection in 73 countries. The 2016 Special 301 Report listed 11 countries on the priority watch list 

(Algeria, Argentina, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine, and Venezuela) and 

-1,000

-800

-600

-400

-200

0

200

400

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Billion $

Services Goods

U.S. goods trade balance

U.S. services trade balance
Executive Summary

U.S. International Trade Commission |17

23 countries on the watch list. In December 2016, USTR issued the 2016 Out-of-Cycle Review of 

Notorious Markets Report, which highlighted over 20 Internet-based markets and 10 countries with 

physical marketplaces (e.g., shops) that reportedly engage in or facilitate substantial copyright piracy 

and trademark counterfeiting.

Antidumping duty investigations: The Commission instituted 36 new preliminary antidumping 

investigations, and made 35 preliminary determinations and 41 final determinations during 2016. 

Antidumping duty orders were issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) in 32 of the final 

investigations on 8 products from 16 countries.

Countervailing duty investigations: The Commission instituted 16 new preliminary countervailing duty 

investigations, and made 14 preliminary determinations and 25 final determinations during 2016. 

Countervailing duty orders were issued by the USDOC in 16 of the final investigations on 7 products 

from 7 countries.

Sunset reviews: During 2016, the Commission instituted 53 sunset reviews of existing antidumping duty 

and countervailing duty orders and suspension agreements. The Commission completed 53 reviews, 

resulting in 47 antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders being continued for up to five 

additional years.

Section 129 investigations: Section 129 of the U.S. Uruguay Round Agreements Act established a 

procedure by which the Administration may respond to certain adverse WTO panel or Appellate Body 

reports. On March 7, 2016, the Commission issued a section 129 consistency determination rendering its 

findings with respect to injury in the underlying countervailing duty proceeding on hot-rolled steel from 

India consistent with the recommendations and rulings of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) in 

United States—Countervailing Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products from India

(DS436). On April 14, 2016, USDOC issued a section 129 compliance determination with respect to 

subsidization and the calculation of countervailing duty rates consistent with the DSB’s 

recommendations and rulings in DS436.

In addition, on March 31, 2016, April 26, 2016, and May 19, 2016, USDOC issued its final section 129 

determinations to comply with the DSB’s recommendations and rulings in another case: United States—

Countervailing Duty Measures on Certain Products from China (DS437). Finally, on July 18, 2016, USDOC 

issued its final section 129 determination to implement certain findings of the WTO dispute settlement 

panel in United States—Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Viet Nam

(DS429).

Section 337 investigations: During 2016, there were 122 active investigations and ancillary proceedings 

under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, 80 of which were instituted that year. Of these 80 new 

proceedings, 54 were new section 337 investigations and 26 were new ancillary proceedings relating to 

previously concluded investigations. The Commission completed a total of 66 investigations and 

ancillary proceedings under section 337 in 2016, and issued 3 general exclusion orders, 9 limited 

exclusion orders, and 11 cease and desist orders. At the close of 2016, 56 section 337 investigations and 

related proceedings were pending at the Commission.

Commission investigations involved a wide variety of products in 2016. As in prior years, technology 

products were the single largest category, with about 30 percent of the active proceedings involving 

computer and telecommunications equipment and another 7 percent involving consumer electronics. In 

addition, 14 percent of active proceedings involved small consumer items; 11 percent involved 
The Year in Trade 2016

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automotive, transportation, and manufacturing products; and 11 percent involved pharmaceuticals and 

medical devices.

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA): In fiscal year (FY) 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) 

received 1,453 petitions for TAA, up 35.4 percent from the 1,073 petitions in FY 2015. The USDOL 

certified 1,192 petitions covering 126,844 workers as eligible for TAA, and denied 569 petitions covering 

60,871 workers. In FY 2016, USDOC certified 67 petitions as eligible for assistance under the TAA for 

Firms program, and approved 78 adjustment proposals. The numbers are both lower than in FY 2015, 

when USDOC certified 113 petitions and approved 120 adjustment proposals.

Trade Preference Programs

Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): U.S. imports under GSP increased 5.6 percent ($990.4 million) 

from $17.7 billion in 2015 to $18.7 billion in 2016, which accounted for 9.3 percent of total U.S. imports 

from GSP beneficiary countries and 0.9 percent of total U.S. imports. The top five beneficiary countries 

(India, Thailand, Brazil, Indonesia, and the Philippines) accounted for 75 percent of GSP imports.

Based on the 2015/2016 GSP Annual Review directed by USTR, new duty-free status under the GSP 

program was extended to 27 travel goods (including luggage, backpacks, handbags, and wallets) for 

least-developed beneficiary developing countries and for African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) 

countries. Also, on November 13, 2016, Burma’s eligibility for GSP benefits was reinstated after the 

conclusion of a review of its compliance with the eligibility criteria under the GSP statute. The United 

States had suspended Burma’s GSP benefits in 1989 due to worker rights concerns.

African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA): In 2016, 38 sub-Saharan African countries were eligible 

for AGOA benefits. Of these countries, 28 were eligible for AGOA textile and apparel benefits for all or 

part of 2016. In 2015, the President terminated the designation of Burundi as an AGOA beneficiary, 

effective January 1, 2016, due primarily to concerns about human rights, governance, and rule of law. In 

addition, the annual review conducted in 2016 resulted in the reinstatement of AGOA eligibility for the 

Central African Republic, effective January 1, 2017, as a result of steps the country’s government has 

taken to address rule-of-law issues. Finally, Seychelles was graduated from eligibility for AGOA (as well 

as GSP) benefits effective January 1, 2017, because it was determined to be a “high-income” country.

In 2016, imports entering the United States exclusively under AGOA (excluding GSP) were valued at $9.4 

billion, a 17.8 percent increase from 2015. This increase mainly reflected an increase in the value and 

quantity of imports of crude petroleum. The top two major petroleum-producing AGOA beneficiary 

countries, Nigeria and Angola, both experienced increases in the value and quantity of their exports of 

crude petroleum to the United States under AGOA despite a decline in the international price of crude 

petroleum in 2016. Nigeria experienced a particularly large increase, primarily because of a narrower 

price spread between the U.S. domestic crude petroleum price and the corresponding international 

price, which makes foreign crude more competitive; decreasing U.S. domestic crude production; and the 

similarities between the crude produced in Nigeria and that produced in the United States.

Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA): At yearend 2016, 17 countries and dependent 

territories were eligible for CBERA preferences, and 8 of those countries were designated eligible for 

Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) preferences. In 2016, U.S. imports under CBERA 

(including CBTPA) fell 43.2 percent to $876 million, mainly reflecting a decline in U.S. imports of 

methanol, apparel, and crude petroleum, which are major imports from CBERA countries. Trinidad and 
Executive Summary

U.S. International Trade Commission |19

Tobago continued to be the leading supplier of U.S. imports under CBERA in 2016, accounting for 43.8 

percent of the total value. Haiti and Jamaica were also leading suppliers, accounting for 36.3 and 8.6 

percent of the total, respectively.

Haiti initiatives: The value of U.S. imports of apparel from Haiti fell 5.2 percent, from $895.5 million in 

2015 to $848.5 million in 2016. The decline reflected reduced demand for apparel from some major U.S. 

retailers experiencing bankruptcies and closures. Despite the overall decline, the value of U.S. imports of 

apparel from Haiti entering under the HOPE Acts continued to grow, rising 7.5 percent from $497.6 

million in 2015 to $535.0 million in 2016. These imports represented almost two-thirds of total U.S. 

apparel imports that entered free of duty from Haiti.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

WTO developments: Following the December 2015 WTO Ministerial Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, 

ministers concluded that no consensus seemed to exist for continuing negotiations under the current 

structure of the 2001 Doha Development Agenda. As a consequence, in 2016, WTO members began to 

explore various ways to move forward with unresolved trade issues under frameworks other than the 

Doha agenda. In 2016, an initial group of 13 members exchanged views on how the subject of fishery 

subsidies, which contribute to overfishing and overcapacity, might be advanced through negotiation of a 

plurilateral agreement, much as negotiations toward an agreement on trade in services have advanced 

in recent years among a group of WTO members. New trade issues also attracted attention, in particular 

the needs of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises; the trade-related aspects of electronic 

commerce; and services trade facilitation.

Two countries acceded to the WTO in 2016: Liberia joined on July 14 and Afghanistan on July 29, 

increasing WTO membership to 164 members.

In other WTO developments, the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) entered into force in 

February 2017 after 110 of the 164 WTO members deposited their formal legal documents accepting 

the agreement. The TFA is designed to streamline the customs and related measures of WTO members 

in order to lower trade costs and increase world trade. In addition, by yearend 2016, negotiations over a 

WTO Environmental Goods Agreement reached a stage where the chair for negotiations considered 

there was a likely consensus on roughly 250 of the 300 environmental products under discussion for 

reduced tariffs. Lastly, the 24 participants that concluded negotiations in December 2015 on expanded 

coverage under the Information Technology Agreement began to implement their commitments in 

2016, with a majority of participants implementing their initial commitments to reduce or eliminate 

tariffs on the newly covered information and communication technology products by the end of 2016.

WTO dispute settlement: During 2016, WTO members filed 17 requests for WTO dispute settlement 

consultations in new disputes, compared with 13 in 2015. The United States was the complainant in 3 of 

the 17 requests filed during 2016, and the named respondent in 5. The 3 new requests filed by the 

United States during 2016 all concerned Chinese measures, including (1) China’s export duties on certain 

raw materials; (2) measures that appear to provide domestic support for agricultural producers; and (3) 

tariff-rate quotas for certain agricultural products. The United States was the named respondent in 5 

new disputes—2 filed by India, and 1 each filed by Canada, Brazil, and China.

Eight new dispute settlement panels were established during 2016. The United States was the 

complaining party in one of these panel proceedings, and the responding party in one.
The Year in Trade 2016

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OECD, APEC, TiSA, and TIFAs

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): In 2016, OECD membership rose to 

35 countries with the accession of Latvia. OECD members held their ministerial council meeting in June 

2016, in Paris, France, where ministers focused on how to enhance productivity through policies that 

support jobs and skills. Ministers highlighted trade initiatives outside the OECD––such as the WTO TFA 

and the expansion of the Information Technology Agreement––and agreed to continue work on Trade 

Facilitation Indicators, the Services Trade Restrictiveness Index, and the joint OECD-WTO Trade in Value 

Added database. In its meetings during the year, the Trade Committee focused on topics including how 

to overcome barriers to trade in services and how to promote trade in environmental goods and 

services so as to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

APEC developments: Under Peru’s leadership in 2016, cooperation among APEC member economies 

focused on “quality growth and human development” by pursuing the following four priorities: 

“investing in human capital development; modernizing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises; 

fostering the regional food system; and advancing the regional economic integration and growth 

agenda.”

APEC highlights in 2016 included the completion of the Collective Strategic Study on Issues Related to 

the Realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific; the second-term review of progress toward the 

Bogor Goals, a set of targeted goals for creating a free and open trade and investment area in the AsiaPacific; and substantial work in APEC global value chain (GVC) development and cooperation. In the GVC 

area, work was performed on “APEC GVCs and Trade in Value Added (TiVA) measurement,” with the aim 

of developing an APEC TiVA database by 2018.

Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA): In 2016, the 23 participants aimed at concluding negotiations by 

yearend, but were unable to finalize an agreement. Although no new rounds were scheduled, the 

parties agreed to take stock of areas in need of further technical work in 2017, and the negotiations 

continue to evolve. Areas under discussion include delivery services, direct selling services, domestic 

regulation, electronic commerce, energy-related services, environmental services, export subsidies, 

facilitation of patient mobility, financial services, government procurement, localization requirements, 

movement of natural persons, professional services, state-owned enterprises, telecommunications, 

transparency, and transport services (air, maritime, and road).

Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs): TIFAs provide a framework to expand trade and 

investment and a forum to resolve trade and investment issues between the United States and various 

trading partners. By the end of 2016, the United States had entered into 55 TIFAs, including new TIFAs 

with Argentina and Laos that year. A number of TIFA Council meetings also took place in 2016, including 

those with Argentina, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Central Asia, the Common Market for 

Eastern and Southern Africa, the East African Community, the Economic Community of West African 

States, Indonesia, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tunisia, Ukraine, and 

Uruguay.

U.S. Free Trade Agreements

U.S. free trade agreements (FTAs) in force in 2016: The United States was party to 14 FTAs involving a 

total of 20 countries as of December 31, 2016. Starting with the most recent agreement, the FTAs in 
Executive Summary

U.S. International Trade Commission |21

force during 2016 were the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) (entered into force in 2012); 

the U.S.-Colombia TPA (2012); the U.S.-Korea FTA (2012); the U.S.-Oman FTA (2009); the U.S.-Peru TPA 

(2009); a multiparty FTA with the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR) 

that includes the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (entered into 

force 2006–2007) and Costa Rica (2009); the U.S.-Bahrain FTA (2006); the U.S.-Morocco FTA (2006); the 

U.S.-Australia FTA (2005); the U.S.-Chile FTA (2004); the U.S.-Singapore FTA (2004); the U.S.-Jordan FTA 

(2001); the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), with Canada and Mexico (1994); and the 

U.S.-Israel FTA (1985).

FTA merchandise trade flows with FTA partners: In 2016, total two-way (exports and imports) 

merchandise trade between the United States and its 20 FTA partners was $1.4 trillion, which accounted 

for 39.1 percent of total U.S. merchandise trade with the world. U.S. trade with NAFTA countries 

(Canada and Mexico) continued to contribute the most to all U.S. trade with FTA partners, accounting 

for $1.1 trillion, or 75.0 percent. U.S. exports to NAFTA countries fell 3.8 percent ($19.4 billion) to $496.9 

billion. U.S. imports from NAFTA countries fell 3.4 percent ($20.3 billion) to $572.2 billion from 2015 to 

2016. As a result, the U.S. merchandise trade deficit with its NAFTA partners fell 1.2 percent to $75.3 

billion in 2016. 

U.S. trade with non-NAFTA FTA partners was valued at $356.2 billion in 2016, down 5.2 percent from 

2015. U.S. exports to these partners decreased 7.4 percent ($14.3 billion), from $193.9 billion in 2015 to 

$179.7 billion in 2016, while U.S. imports decreased 2.9 percent ($5.2 billion) from $181.8 billion in 2015 

to $176.6 billion in 2016. As a result, the U.S. merchandise trade surplus with non-NAFTA FTA partners 

fell 74.4 percent to $3.1 billion.

The value of U.S. imports entered under FTAs and subject to FTA duty reductions and eliminations

totaled $374.2 billion in 2016, up $1.3 billion, or 0.3 percent from 2015. Imports under FTAs accounted 

for half (50.0 percent) of total imports from FTA partners in 2016 and 17.1 percent of total U.S. imports 

from the world. (The majority of U.S. imports from FTA partners that do not enter under an FTA 

generally enter free of duty under normal trade relations rates, although some also face duties.) Imports 

under the FTA with South Korea, which grew $17.0 billion (95.3 percent), represented the largest 

increase. Imports under FTAs from Oman and Panama also increased, by 35.8 percent ($215 million) and 

31.9 percent ($13 million), respectively.

FTA negotiations: In 2016, the United States continued to participate in either negotiations or 

preparations for two regional FTAs—the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with 11 Pacific Rim partners, 

and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the EU.

Following the conclusion of negotiations in October 2015, the United States and 11 partner countries 

signed the TPP on February 4, 2016. Over the course of 2016, the U.S. administration worked to prepare 

the agreement for Congressional consideration; however, both of the leading Presidential candidates 

expressed opposition to the TPP as drafted, and the implementing legislation was not submitted to 

Congress by yearend 2016. In January 2017, President Trump instructed USTR to formally withdraw from 

TPP discussions.

The United States and EU held four rounds of TTIP negotiations in 2016, with the goal of completing an 

agreement by the end of the year. However, the two sides issued a joint report in January 2017 on the 

status of the negotiations as of yearend 2016, which stated that significant work was still needed in a 
The Year in Trade 2016

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variety of areas including sensitive tariff lines, market access in services, standards, government 

procurement, investor protection, and IPRs.

NAFTA developments: All of NAFTA’s provisions were implemented by the United States, Canada, and 

Mexico as of January 1, 2008, with the exception of the NAFTA cross-border trucking provisions, which 

were implemented in 2015 following the completion of a pilot program. At the end of 2016, three 

complaints remained active under Articles 14 and 15 of the North American Agreement on 

Environmental Cooperation, two of which were submitted in 2016. In 2016, one complaint was 

submitted under the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation against the United States.

NAFTA dispute settlement: In 2016, there were five active Chapter 11 (investor-state disputes) filed 

against the United States, four of them filed by Canadian investors and one filed by Mexican investors; 

one filed against Canada by U.S. investors; and one filed against Mexico by U.S. investors. At the end of 

2016, the NAFTA Secretariat listed six binational panels active under Chapter 19 (Review and Dispute 

Settlement in Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duty Matters); these are reviews of final determinations 

made by national authorities in antidumping and countervailing duty cases. Four of the six active cases 

challenged the Mexican agency’s determinations on products from the United States, and two 

challenged U.S. agencies’ determinations on products from Canada and Mexico.

Trade Activities with Selected Trading Partners

This report reviews U.S. bilateral trade relations with 10 selected trading partners. Among these are 

some of the United States’ major trading partners in 2016, as well as others that are notable as a result 

of recent changes to U.S. bilateral trade relations. This year, the report covers the following trading 

partners: the European Union (EU), China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Brazil, 

and Cuba (ordered by the value of their two-way merchandise trade). For each trading partner, the 

chapter summarizes U.S. bilateral trade, including two-way merchandise and private services trade 

(figure ES.2). That description is followed by summaries of the major bilateral trade-related 

developments during 2016.
Executive Summary

U.S. International Trade Commission |23

Figure ES.2 U.S. goods and services trade with selected major bilateral trade partners, 2016

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017); USDOC, 

BEA, Interactive data, International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions, Tables 1.2 and 1.3, March 21, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.2.

European Union

The EU as a single entity continued to be the United States’ largest merchandise trading partner in 2016. 

Two-way (exports plus imports) merchandise trade with the EU fell 1.8 percent to $687.0 billion in 2016, 

accounting for 18.9 percent of total U.S. merchandise trade. U.S. exports to the EU were $270.3 billion 

in 2016, ranking the EU as the top U.S. export market, surpassing Canada, which had ranked as the 

largest export market in 2015. U.S. merchandise imports from the EU were $416.7 billion, second to 

those from China. Both U.S. exports and imports with the EU declined in 2016, but U.S. imports declined 

more, reducing the U.S. merchandise trade deficit with the EU from $155.6 billion in 2015 to $146.3 

billion in 2016. Leading U.S. exports to the EU included civilian aircraft, engines, and parts; medicaments 

(medicines); blood fractions (e.g., antiserum); refined petroleum products; and hand-executed 

paintings, drawings, and pastels. Leading U.S. imports were passenger motor vehicles, medicaments, 

blood fractions, refined petroleum products, and parts of turbojets or turbopropellers.

The EU was also the United States’ largest trading partner in terms of private services in 2016, 

accounting for 32.8 percent of total U.S. trade in private services. U.S. services exports increased more 

than U.S. services imports, resulting in an increase in the U.S. trade surplus in services with the EU from 

$60.5 billion in 2015 to $61.4 billion in 2016.

The major focus of the U.S.-EU trade relationship in 2016 was negotiations to advance the TTIP 

agreement. Other notable developments during the year included progress on regulatory cooperation in 

the Transatlantic Economic Council, a U.S.-EU agreement on the privacy shield, negotiations on an 

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

EU China Canada Mexico Japan South Korea India Taiwan Brazil

Billion $

Goods exports Goods imports Services exports Services imports
The Year in Trade 2016

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agreement on insurance and reinsurance, and the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union 

(“Brexit”).

China

In 2016, for the second year in a row China remained the United States’ largest single-country trading 

partner based on two-way merchandise trade, accounting for 15.9 percent of total U.S. merchandise 

trade. U.S. two-way merchandise trade with China amounted to $578.6 billion in 2016, a decrease of 3.5 

percent from the $599.3 billion recorded in 2015. U.S. merchandise exports to China were $115.8 billion 

in 2016, and U.S. imports were $462.8 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $347.0 billion in 2016. 

Although the U.S. merchandise trade deficit with China decreased $20.1 billion in 2016, it remained 

higher than that with any other trading partner. Leading U.S. exports to China in 2016 were civilian 

aircraft, engines, and parts; soybeans; passenger motor vehicles; processors and controllers; and 

machines for semiconductor or integrated circuit manufacturing. Leading U.S. imports from China were 

cellphones; portable computers and tablets; telecommunications equipment; tricycles, scooters, and 

related toys; and computer parts and accessories. 

In 2016, China was the United States’ fourth-largest single-country trading partner based on two-way 

services trade of $69.0 billion. U.S. services trade with China continued to increase in 2016, with 

particularly strong growth in U.S. exports, which resulted in a $4.2 billion increase (to $37.0 billion) in 

the U.S. services trade surplus with China. 

China’s compliance with its WTO commitments remained a central focus of U.S.-China trade relations in 

2016. In that year, top trade issues between the two countries included China’s protection and 

enforcement of IPRs; overcapacity in China’s steel industry; and policies that have restricted market 

access of U.S. exports, including information and communications technology products and services.

Canada

In 2016, Canada was the United States’ second-largest single-country trading partner after China for the 

second consecutive year. The value of U.S. merchandise trade with Canada fell 5.7 percent to $544.0 

billion in 2016, which accounted for 14.9 percent of total U.S. merchandise trade with the world. U.S. 

exports to Canada were $266.0 billion in 2016, while U.S. merchandise imports from Canada were 

$278.1 billion. Declines in U.S. exports and imports with Canada in energy-related products, particularly 

imports, contributed to the drop in bilateral trade and the narrowing of the U.S. merchandise trade 

deficit with Canada to $3.4 billion in 2016. Leading U.S. exports to Canada in 2016 included passenger 

motor vehicles; motor vehicles for goods transport; civilian aircraft, engines, and parts; and light 

petroleum oils. Top U.S. imports from Canada included crude petroleum, passenger motor vehicles, 

natural gas, and coniferous sawn wood. 

Canada remained the second-largest single-country U.S. trading partner for services in 2016, after the 

United Kingdom. Two-way services trade with Canada fell in 2016 to $83.0 billion, while the U.S. surplus 

in services narrowed to $24.4 billion, down 10.9 percent from $27.4 billion the year before.

The October 2015 expiration of the U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement continued to be a source 

of friction for U.S.-Canada trade relations, although talks continued between the two governments on 

how to address differences in 2016. A one-year grace period from litigation on softwood lumber, written 

into the agreement that expired, ended in October 2016. In the following month, November 2016, the 
Executive Summary

U.S. International Trade Commission |25

U.S. lumber industry initiated antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings concerning imports of 

softwood lumber products from Canada.

Mexico

In 2016, Mexico was the United States’ third-largest single-country two-way merchandise trading 

partner. Total two-way merchandise trade declined 1.3 percent to $525.1 billion in 2016, which 

accounted for 14.4 percent of U.S. trade with the world. U.S. merchandise exports to Mexico totaled 

$231.0 billion in 2016, and U.S. merchandise imports from Mexico amounted to $294.2 billion, resulting 

in a merchandise trade deficit of $63.2 billion, which was up $2.5 billion from 2015. In 2016, leading U.S. 

exports to Mexico were computer parts and accessories; refined petroleum products; parts and 

accessories for motor vehicles; telecommunications equipment; civilian aircraft, engines, and parts; and 

corn. Leading U.S. imports from Mexico included passenger motor vehicles; motor vehicles for goods 

transport; computers; telecommunications equipment; color TV reception apparatus; and crude 

petroleum. 

Mexico was the United States’ sixth-largest trading partner in services after Germany. U.S. services 

exports to Mexico declined in 2016, while U.S. imports increased, resulting in a narrowing of the U.S. 

services trade surplus with Mexico from $9.3 billion in 2015 to $7.2 billion in 2016.

U.S.-Mexico trade relations are governed in large part by NAFTA as well as by the High-Level Economic 

Dialogue (HLED) established in 2013. In 2016, U.S. and Mexican officials held the third cabinet-level 

meeting of the HLED and agreed to continue work on energy, modern borders, workforce development, 

regulatory cooperation, partnering in regional and global leadership, and stakeholder engagement. In 

addition, the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-Mexico Energy Business Council was held to discuss ways to 

strengthen U.S.-Mexico trade, investment, and competitiveness in the energy sector. Joint efforts to 

modernize the border also continued in 2016 to facilitate trade flows. After the successful conclusion of 

a pilot program to address cross-border trucking between the United States and Mexico and to meet its 

obligations under NAFTA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) started accepting 

applications from Mexico-domiciled motor carriers interested in conducting long-haul operations 

beyond the U.S. commercial zones. In 2016, reports from the FMCSA showed that Mexican-owned or 

Mexico-domiciled motor carriers operated relatively safely compared to U.S. carriers. 

Japan

In 2016, Japan remained the United States’ fourth-largest single-country trading partner in terms of twoway merchandise trade, accounting for 5.4 percent of total U.S. merchandise trade. U.S. merchandise 

trade with Japan increased 0.9 percent to $195.5 billion in 2016. U.S. exports to Japan amounted to 

$63.2 billion in 2016 and U.S. imports were $132.2 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $68.9 billion, up 

$16.1 million from 2015. Leading U.S. exports to Japan were civilian aircraft, engines, and parts; corn; 

medicaments; liquefied propane; and medical instruments and appliances. Leading U.S. imports from 

Japan were passenger motor vehicles, parts for airplanes or helicopters, motor vehicle gearboxes, and 

parts for printers. 

Japan was also the United States’ third-largest single-country trading partner based on two-way services 

trade. In 2016, the U.S. surplus in services trade with Japan narrowed to $16.7 billion, from $17.5 billion 

the year before, as the growth in U.S. services imports outpaced the increase in U.S. exports.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Economic dialogue between the United States and Japan in 2016 focused on a variety of topics, 

including agricultural trade issues; transparency in pricing and regulation in Japan’s medical device and 

pharmaceutical sectors; and market access issues in Japan’s insurance market. In addition, the United 

States and Japan worked on a number of other trade issues of interest, including WTO dispute 

settlement matters; expansion of the WTO Information Technology Agreement; the plurilateral Trade in 

Services Agreement; an “Intellectual Property and Innovation Education and Diffusion” initiative with 

the WTO’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Council; environmental goods 

tariff reductions; and next-generation trade and competitiveness issues, such as digital trade and 

regulation.

Republic of Korea

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) was the United States’ sixth-largest single-country merchandise 

trading partner in 2016 accounting for 3.1 percent of U.S. trade with the world. Two-way merchandise 

trade was valued at $112.2 billion in 2016, declining from $115.2 billion in 2015. U.S. merchandise 

exports to South Korea were valued at $42.3 billion in 2016, while U.S. merchandise imports totaled 

$69.9 billion, resulting in a $27.7 billion merchandise trade deficit, down 2.3 percent from 2015. Leading 

U.S. exports to South Korea were civilian aircraft, engines, and parts; processors or controllers; machines 

for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or electronic integrated circuits; helicopters; and corn. 

Leading U.S. imports from South Korea included passenger motor vehicles, cellphones, blood fractions 

(e.g., antiserum), refined petroleum products, and photosensitive semiconductor devices. 

In 2016, U.S. exports of services to South Korea increased 5.1 percent, reaching a five-year high of $21.3 

billion. At the same time, U.S. imports of services from South Korea remained relatively stable, resulting 

in a 9.1 percent increase in the U.S. trade surplus in services with South Korea to $12.5 billion in 2016.

In 2016, U.S. trade relations with South Korea occurred within the framework of the U.S.-Korea FTA, 

which entered into force on March 15, 2012. Both countries also worked to support the growth of the 

digital economy and of the information and communication technology industry in both countries, while 

also recognizing the importance of privacy and data protection.

India

In 2016, India became the United States’ 9th-largest single-country trading partner based on two-way 

merchandise trade, rising from 10th largest in 2015. U.S. trade with India grew 2.2 percent to $67.7 

billion in 2016, which accounted for 1.9 percent of U.S. trade with the world. U.S. merchandise exports 

to India were $21.7 billion in 2016 while U.S. merchandise imports from India were $46.0 billion, 

resulting in a U.S. merchandise trade deficit with India of $24.3 billion in 2016, up slightly from $23.3 

billion in 2015. Top U.S. exports to India in 2016 were nonindustrial diamonds; nonmonetary gold; 

civilian aircraft, engines, and parts; almonds; and petroleum coke. Leading U.S. imports from India in 

2016 were nonindustrial diamonds, medicaments, jewelry, light oils, and frozen shrimp. 

India was the United States’ seventh-largest single-country partner for services and continued to be the 

only top U.S. trading partner with which the United States had a services trade deficit in 2016. The 

services trade deficit with India dropped 1.6 percent to $6.8 billion in 2016, as the increase in U.S. 

exports to $19.9 billion outpaced the increase in U.S. imports to $26.8 billion.
Executive Summary

U.S. International Trade Commission |27

In 2016, the U.S. Trade Representative and the Minister of Commerce and Industry of India met for the 

10th meeting of the India and the United States Trade Policy Forum. IPR protection remained one of the 

top bilateral trade issues between the two countries.

Taiwan

In 2016, Taiwan was the United States’ 10th-largest single-economy trading partner, accounting for 1.8 

percent of total U.S. trade with the world. U.S. two-way merchandise trade with Taiwan amounted to 

$65.4 billion in 2016, a decrease of 2.1 percent from $66.8 billion in 2015. U.S. merchandise exports to 

Taiwan increased 0.7 percent to $26.0 billion in 2016, and U.S. merchandise imports declined 3.9 

percent to $39.3 billion. As a result, the U.S. merchandise trade deficit with Taiwan was $13.3 billion in 

2016, down from $15.0 billion in 2015. U.S. trade flows with Taiwan remained heavily dependent upon 

consumer electronics—most notably computer components. Leading U.S. exports to Taiwan were 

civilian aircraft, engines, and parts; machines for semiconductor or integrated circuit manufacturing; 

processors and controllers; memories; and microchips. Leading U.S. imports were microchips, 

telecommunications equipment, computer parts and accessories, processors and controllers, and 

semiconductor storage devices. 

Also in 2016, the U.S. services trade surplus with Taiwan dropped $763 million to $3.5 billion, as U.S. 

services exports to Taiwan declined while U.S. services imports increased. 

The U.S.-Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) has served as a key mechanism for 

U.S.-Taiwan dialogue on trade issues in the absence of official diplomatic ties. In 2016, U.S.-Taiwan trade 

relations focused on IPR-related issues, access to Taiwan’s agricultural market, certain technical barriers 

to trade, and issues associated with Taiwan’s investment review procedures.

Brazil

Brazil was the United States’ 14th-largest single country merchandise trading partner in 2016, down 

from the 12th largest in 2015 and the 9th largest in 2014. Merchandise trade between the United States 

and Brazil decreased 4.5 percent to $56.5 billion in 2016, representing 1.6 percent of total U.S. 

merchandise trade with the world. A recession in Brazil, political uncertainty, and low international 

crude oil prices dampened trade in both directions. In 2016, U.S. exports to Brazil were $30.3 billion, 

while U.S. imports from Brazil were $26.2 billion. As a result, the United States recorded a merchandise 

trade surplus with Brazil of $4.1 billion, slightly less than in 2015. Leading U.S. exports to Brazil were 

civilian aircraft, engines, and parts; refined petroleum products; light oils; medicaments; and bituminous 

coal. Leading U.S. imports from Brazil included airplanes and other aircraft, crude petroleum, unroasted 

coffee, chemicals, and semifinished iron or non-alloy steel products. 

In 2016, the U.S. trade surplus in services with Brazil declined 10.7 percent, from $20.2 billion in 2015 to 

$18.0 billion in 2016, as U.S. services exports declined more than U.S. services imports.

In 2016, the United States and Brazil held the first ministerial-level meeting under the United StatesBrazil Agreement on Trade and Cooperation and the 14th meeting of the U.S.-Brazil Commercial 

Dialogue. At these meetings, officials discussed issues such as economic cooperation, trade facilitation, 

and standards and conformity assessment. Also, in August 2016 Brazil lifted a ban on imports of U.S. 

beef and beef products, which had been imposed in 2003 because of concerns about bovine spongiform 

encephalopathy.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Cuba

Cuba continues to be a small export market for the United States, with total exports reaching $247.2 

million in 2016. Before a 2014 policy change, exports to Cuba were limited to medicine and medical 

goods and those products allowed under the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 and the Trade Sanctions 

Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000, the vast majority of which were agricultural commodities. 

As a result of amendments to U.S. regulations, exports of some manufactured goods have increased. 

While U.S. exports to Cuba had declined consistently during 2012–15, they increased 37.2 percent in 

2016, although they still remained below 2014 levels. A significant portion (nearly 90 percent) of U.S. 

exports to Cuba consisted of agricultural products, with much of the remaining U.S. exports consisting of 

crop protection chemicals and medical supplies. As in recent years, frozen chicken was the top U.S. 

export to Cuba, accounting for 42.9 percent of all U.S. exports to Cuba in 2016, followed by corn, 

soybean oilcake, soybeans, and soybean oil. 

Amendments were made to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations and the Export Administration 

Regulations in both 2015 and 2016. As a result, the first U.S. cruise ship docked in Cuba in May 2016, a 

U.S.-branded hotel opened in Havana in June 2016, and commercial air travel from the United States to 

Cuba resumed for the first time in over 50 years in August 2016.
U.S. International Trade Commission |29

Chapter 1 

Introduction and Overview of U.S. 

Trade

Scope and Approach of the Report

This report provides factual information on the operation of the U.S. trade agreements program and its 

administration for calendar year 2016. Section 163(c) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2213(c)) states 

that “the International Trade Commission shall submit to the Congress at least once a year, a factual 

report on the operation of the trade agreements program.” Section 1 of Executive Order 11846 defines 

the trade agreements program to include “all activities consisting of, or related to, the negotiation or 

administration of international agreements which primarily concern trade,”1 and section 163(a) of the 

Trade Act of 1974 sets out the types of information that the President is to include in his annual report 

to the Congress on the operation of the trade agreements program.2 This report seeks to provide 

information on the activities identified in the Executive Order and, to the extent appropriate and to the 

extent that there were developments to report and information was publicly available, the elements set 

out in section 163(a). 

Organization of the Report

This first chapter gives an overview of the international economic and trade environment within which 

U.S. trade policy was conducted in 2016. It also provides a timeline of selected key trade activities. 

Chapter 2 covers the administration of U.S. trade laws and regulations in 2016, including tariff 

preference programs such as the Generalized System of Preferences. Chapter 3 focuses on U.S. 

participation in the World Trade Organization (WTO), including developments in major WTO dispute 

settlement cases during 2016. Chapter 4 covers 2016 developments at the Organisation for Economic 

Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation, as well as negotiations 

on an agreement on trade in services and developments with trade and investment framework 

1 Executive Order 11846 of Mar. 27, 1975, Administration of the Trade Agreements Program, 40 FR 14291, 3 CFR, 

1971–1975 Comp., 971. 2 Section 163(a)(2) of that act states that the President’s report is to include the following: “(A) new trade 

negotiations; (B) changes made in duties and nontariff barriers and other distortions of trade of the United States; 

(C) reciprocal concessions obtained; (D) changes in trade agreements (including the incorporation therein of 

actions taken for import relief and compensation provided therefor); (E) the extension or withdrawal of 

nondiscriminatory treatment by the United States with respect to the products of foreign countries; (F) the 

extension, modification, withdrawal, suspension, or limitation of preferential treatment to exports of developing 

countries; (G) the results of actions to obtain the removal of foreign trade restrictions (including discriminatory 

restrictions) against United States exports and the removal of foreign practices which discriminate against United 

States service industries (including transportation and tourism) and investment; (H) the measures being taken to 

seek the removal of other significant foreign import restrictions; (I) each of the referrals made under section 

2171(d)(1)(B) of this title and any action taken with respect to such referral; and (J) other information relating to 

the trade agreements program and to the agreements entered into thereunder.”
The Year in Trade 2016

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agreements. Chapter 5 describes U.S. negotiation of and participation in free trade agreements (FTAs), 

and chapter 6 covers trade data and trade relations in 2016 with selected U.S. trading partners.

Sources

This report is based on primary-source materials about U.S. trade programs and administrative actions 

pertaining to them. These materials chiefly encompass U.S. government reports, Federal Register

notices, and news releases, including publications and news releases by the U.S. International Trade 

Commission (USITC or the Commission) and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

Other primary sources of information include publications of international institutions, such as the 

International Monetary Fund, World Bank, OECD, WTO, United Nations, and foreign governments. 

When primary source information is unavailable, the report draws on professional journals, trade 

publications, and news reports for supplemental factual information.

Like past reports, The Year in Trade 2016 relies on data from the U.S. Census Bureau (U.S. Census) of the 

U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC or Commerce) for the U.S. merchandise trade statistics 

presented throughout the report. Most tables in the report present U.S. merchandise trade statistics 

using “total exports” and “general imports” as measures, except for data on U.S. imports entered with a 

claim of eligibility under trade preference programs and free trade agreements. Such data require an 

analysis of U.S. “imports for consumption”—goods that have been cleared by U.S. Customs and Border 

Protection to enter the customs territory of the United States with required duties paid.3 Also, much of 

the trade data used in the report, including U.S. services and merchandise trade data, are revised over 

time, so earlier years’ trade statistics in this report may not match the data presented in previous 

reports. Most of the merchandise trade data used in this report can be accessed using the USITC’s 

DataWeb database (https://dataweb.usitc.gov/). 

Chapters 1 and 6 also offer data on services trade. The information on services trade is based on data for 

cross-border trade in private services, which exclude government sales and purchases of services. The 

source of these data is the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the USDOC. 

Overview of the U.S. and Global Economies in 

2016 

U.S. Economic Trends in 2016 

The level of U.S. imports and exports of goods and services depends on the strength of the U.S. and 

global economies. The United States had an $18.6 trillion economy in 2016, of which the services sector 

accounted for 73.1 percent.4 The growth of the U.S. economy slowed in 2016 relative to 2015: U.S. real 

gross domestic product (GDP) increased 1.6 percent in 2016, compared to an increase of 2.6 percent in 

3 For more information about measures of U.S. merchandise exports and imports, see the “Trade Measure 

Definitions” section of USITC, Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade, 2015, September 2016. 4 USDOC, BEA, “Value Added by Industry,” April 21, 2017.
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of U.S. Trade

U.S. International Trade Commission |31

2015 (figure 1.1).5 The deceleration in real GDP growth from 2015 to 2016 largely reflected a downturn 

in private domestic investment and slowing expenditures on personal consumption.6

Figure 1.1 U.S. real gross domestic product, percentage change, 2012–16

Source: USDOC, BEA, National Data, “Table 1.1.1 Percent Change from Preceding Period in Real Gross Domestic Product,” April 28, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.3.

Global Economic Trends in 2016

Global economic growth slowed from 2015 to 2016, declining to 3.1 percent in 2016 from 3.4 percent in 

2015 (figure 1.2).7 Many factors affected global economic growth during 2016, most notably lower 

world prices for crude petroleum, natural gas, and some other commodities, such as aluminum and 

copper. Also important was a gradual slowdown and rebalancing of China’s economy away from 

investment and export-oriented manufacturing toward domestic consumption and services.8

 5 Real GDP is a measure of the value of the goods and services produced by the nation’s economy less the value of 

the goods and services used up in production, adjusted for price changes. USDOC, BEA, “Gross Domestic Product: 

Fourth Quarter and Annual 2016 (Third Estimate),” March 30, 2017, table 1. 6 USDOC, BEA, “Gross Domestic Product: Fourth Quarter and Annual 2016 (Third Estimate),” March 30, 2017.

7 IMF, World Economic Outlook, April 2017, 3. 8 World Bank, “World Bank Commodities Price Data,” updated April 3, 2017; EcoNote, “China: Assessing the Global 

Impact of a Chinese Slowdown,” July 2016; OECD, Global Interim Economic Outlook, March 2017.

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Percent
The Year in Trade 2016

32| www.usitc.gov

Figure 1.2 Economic growth trends in the world, the United States, and selected economies, 2014–16

Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook, April 2017, 3; IMF, World Economic Outlook, October 2016, 3; EIU, “Country Report: South Korea,” April 

2017.

Note: Japan had no growth in 2014. Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.4.

Growth performance by specific major U.S. trading partners diverged widely during 2014–16, affecting 

both their bilateral trade with the United States and their exchange rates against the U.S. dollar. For 

instance, Canada and Mexico—both energy exporters with economies heavily linked to that of the 

United States—experienced differing growth trends during 2015–16. Canada’s growth rebounded 

somewhat from 2015 to 2016, with the real GDP growth rate increasing from 0.9 percent in 2015 to 1.4 

percent in 2016.9 This growth was primarily due to increased consumer spending.10 Mexico, by contrast, 

experienced a small decline in its rate of real GDP growth in 2016, down from 2.6 percent in 2015 to 2.3 

percent in 2016.11 The lower growth rate was partly due to the decline in oil prices as well as the 

negative impact on investment resulting from the uncertainty caused by both the UK vote to leave the 

European Union (EU) and the U.S. presidential election.12

Several other important U.S. trading partners, including Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and the EU, 

experienced economic growth at or below the world average during 2014–16. Brazil’s economy 

continued to contract in 2016, mainly due to the economic repercussions of a lengthy domestic political 

and fiscal crisis, which continued in 2016, and the ensuing declining investment, weak domestic 

consumption, and rising unemployment.13 Japan remained in a protracted period of low economic 

growth, with real GDP growth of 1.0 percent in 2016. The low growth rate was mainly due to 

longstanding economic problems, such as an aging population and the resulting labor shortages; low 

9 IMF, World Economic Outlook, April 2017, 2. 10 EIU, Country Report: Canada, April 2017, 7. 11 OECD, “Country Statistical Profile: Mexico, 2017,” n.d. (accessed April 11, 2017); EIU, Country Report: Mexico, 

April 2017, 7.

12 EIU, Country Report: Mexico, April 2017, 30. 13 EIU, Country Report: Brazil, April 2017, 7.

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

World United

States

European

Union

China Canada Mexico Japan South

Korea

India Brazil

Percent

2014 2015 2016
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of U.S. Trade

U.S. International Trade Commission |33

labor productivity compared to other OECD countries; weak domestic demand; and the government’s 

shortage of fiscal and monetary policy tools to boost economic growth.14 While there were differences 

in economic performance among EU countries, slow growth in the EU as a whole in 2016 was the result 

of structural economic problems in several countries, such as high levels of public and private debt and 

high unemployment.15 Although economic forecasts suggested that the UK’s economy would weaken 

following the Brexit vote, the UK’s economy was “resilient,” posting an average quarterly 0.6 percent 

real GDP growth in the second half of 2016, compared to an average 0.4 percent in the first half.16 South 

Korea’s economic growth largely tracked the world average, reflecting that country’s reliance on exportoriented manufacturing and foreign demand to power its growth.17 Meanwhile, the burden of private 

debt repayment on households in South Korea continued to limit the country’s private consumption 

growth.18

Economic growth in China and India continued to significantly outperform the world average in 2016, 

but the growth rates in both countries slowed in 2016 compared to 2015. China’s economic growth 

slowed slightly from 6.9 percent in 2015 to 6.7 percent in 2016, as the country continued to rebalance 

its economy away from export-oriented manufacturing and investment to a more domestic 

consumption and service-based economy.19 In addition, outstanding domestic credit, which stood at the 

equivalent of around 210 percent of GDP by the end of 2016, has caused mounting strains in China’s 

banking system.20 Given China’s extensive linkages to international supply chains, the effects of China’s 

economic slowdown were transmitted globally. For example, China accounts for 54 percent of global 

aluminum demand, and roughly 50 percent of world nickel and copper demand.21 Hence, exportoriented economies in Asia and commodity-exporting countries were the most affected by the Chinese 

slowdown through reduced two-way trade, as well as lower commodity prices.

22

India’s economic growth also slowed, decreasing from 7.9 percent in 2015 to 6.8 percent in 2016.23

Although it still had one of the highest growth rates in the world in 2016, India has notably fewer 

linkages to the global economy than China does. India’s services sector accounts for the majority of its 

growth, and it has a relatively small manufacturing sector and a per capita income of $6,590 in 2016. As 

a result, India’s economy does not spur strong demand for imports.24

Weak economic growth, particularly in Europe and China, as well as a trend toward more local sourcing 

in global supply chains and slow trade liberalization initiatives worldwide, has led to sluggish growth in 

world trade during 2012–16.25 From 1990 until the economic crisis in 2007–08, the average annual rate 

of growth in the volume of trade was 6.9 percent. This was roughly double the 3.7 percent annual 

growth of global real GDP over the same period. However, following an 11 percent decline in the volume 

 14 EIU, Country Report: Japan, April, 2017, 6–7; OECD, “OECD Economic Surveys: Japan,” April 13, 2017. 15 OECD, Global Interim Economic Outlook, March 2017. 16 EIU, Country Report: United Kingdom, May 2017, 8. 17 EIU, Country Report: South Korea, April 2017, 7. 18 Ibid. 19 EIU, Country Report: China, April 2017, 2, 7; Zhang, “Rebalancing in China––Progress and Prospects,” September 

2016. 

20 EIU, Country Report: China, April, 2017, 6. 21 EcoNote, China: Assessing the Global Impact of a Chinese Slowdown, July 2016. 22 Ibid. 23 IMF, World Economic Outlook, April 2017, 3. 24 EIU, Country Report: India, April 2017, 7, 10. 25 Wickramarachi, “The Slowdown in Global Trade in Goods and Services, 2012–2015,” March 2017.
The Year in Trade 2016

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of world trade that occurred after the global financial crisis in 2008 and subsequent recession in 2009, 

global trade growth modestly rebounded to only 2.2 percent in 2016, averaging only 3 percent during 

the period 2012–16. This pace is slower than world GDP growth, which averaged 3.4 percent over the 

same period.26

Exchange Rate Trends

In 2016, the U.S. dollar appreciated against the broad dollar index, rising 1.1 percent from January 4, 

2016, to December 30, 2016.27 The appreciation is mainly driven by the U.S. dollar’s appreciation against 

some major emerging market currencies, including the Chinese yuan and the Mexican peso. By yearend 

2016, the dollar had appreciated 18.8 percent against the Mexican peso and 6.3 percent against the 

Chinese yuan (figure 1.3). The dollar also appreciated 19.0 percent against the UK pound. 

Figure 1.3 Indexes of U.S. dollar exchange rates for selected major foreign currencies, daily, 2016a

Source: U.S. Federal Reserve Board, “Foreign Exchange Rates,” n.d. https://www.federalreserve.gov/datadownload/Choose.aspx?rel=H10

(accessed April 11, 2017).

a Units of the foreign currency per unit of the U.S. dollar. A decrease in the index represents a depreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to the 

foreign currency, and an increase in the index represents an appreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign currency.

The U.S. dollar’s appreciation against the Chinese yuan was mainly due to China’s economic slowdown 

and accompanying large capital outflows in 2016. It is estimated that China’s capital outflows totaled 

more than $900 billion in 2016, despite new restrictions in China on capital movements.28 The large 

 

26 IMF, World Economic Outlook Database, April 2017 Edition (accessed May 15, 2017). 27 The broad dollar index is a weighted average of the foreign exchange values of the U.S. dollar against the 

currencies of a large group of major U.S. trading partners. In this study, dollar appreciation is measured as the 

increase in the broad dollar index from January 4, 2016, to December 30, 2016. U.S. Federal Reserve, “Foreign 

Exchange Rates,” n.d. (accessed April 12, 2017). 

28 Balding, “Why China Can’t Stop Capital Outflows,” December 5, 2016. 

80

85

90

95

100

105

110

115

120

125

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

US$ Depreciation US$ Appreciation

Euro Pound Canadian dollar Yuan Yen Peso
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of U.S. Trade

U.S. International Trade Commission |35

capital outflow put persistent downward pressure on the yuan against the dollar.29 At the same time, 

however, the People’s Bank of China is widely believed to have sold Chinese foreign reserves in 2016 in 

order to keep the yuan from depreciating further against the dollar.30 The value of Chinese foreign 

reserves declined from $3.2 trillion in January 2016 to $3.0 trillion in December 2016.31 

Concerns about trade policy appear to have been major factors in the two other major currency 

depreciations against the dollar. Given Mexico’s strong economic ties to the United States, the U.S. 

dollar’s appreciation against the peso in the last half of 2016 was mainly due to the uncertainty of the 

new U.S. administration’s trade policy towards Mexico, including the possibility of terminating or 

renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).32 The U.S. dollar’s appreciation 

against the UK pound, which happened chiefly in the second half of 2016, was primarily due to Britain’s 

vote to leave the EU (a process known as Brexit) and ensuing investor concerns that trade barriers 

would likely rise between Britain and its major trading partners in the EU.33

On the other hand, by yearend 2016 the U.S. dollar had depreciated slightly against the Canadian dollar 

(by 4.0 percent), Japanese yen (by 1.8 percent), and the euro (by 1.8 percent). The dollar depreciated 

against both the Canadian dollar and the yen in the first three quarters of 2016 before gradually 

appreciating against them in the last quarter (figure 1.3). The U.S. dollar’s appreciation against these 

two currencies in the last quarter of 2016 was primarily due to the growing expectations that the U.S. 

Federal Reserve would raise interest rates in December 2016. Another factor was a market expectation 

that the new U.S. administration would boost infrastructure spending, which would stimulate economic 

growth and make the dollar stronger.34 

U.S. Trade in Goods in 2016

The value of U.S. merchandise exports totaled $1,453.7 billion in 2016, down 3.3 percent ($48.9 billion) 

from $1,502.6 billion in 2015 (figure 1.4 and appendix table A.1).35 U.S. merchandise imports totaled 

$2,189.2 billion in 2016, down 2.6 percent ($59.0 billion) from $2,248.2 billion in 2015 (figure 1.4 and 

appendix table A.2). While the decline in imports was concentrated in energy-related products, the 

decline in exports was more evenly distributed across sectors. Since U.S. imports declined more than 

U.S. exports in terms of value, the U.S. merchandise trade deficit fell to $735.5 billion in 2016 from 

$745.7 billion in 2015. Agricultural products was the only sector to experience a trade surplus in 2016, 

with $9.3 billion more in exports than imports.

29 Reuters, “China’s Foreign Reserves Just Plunged,” November 7, 2016. 30 Ibid. 31 Chinese State Administration of Foreign Reserve, “Monthly data on the value of Chinese foreign reserves, 

January 2016 to December 2016,” May 7, 2017.

32 E.g., Cheng, “Mexican Peso Plunges More than 12%,” November 9, 2016. 33 E.g., Ward and Mnyanda, “Brexit Pains: The Pound Takes a Serious Pounding,” October 28, 2016. 34 Reuters, “China’s Foreign Reserves Just Plunged,” November 7, 2016; Fortune, “U.S. Dollar Soars on Bets That 

Donald Trump Could Spur Inflation,” November 14, 2016. 35 The U.S. merchandise trade data in this report use total exports and general imports as reported by U.S. Census, 

except for imports entered under FTA and trade preference program provisions, which use U.S. imports for 

consumption. For further information about the terms “total exports,” “general imports,” and “imports for 

consumption,” see “Trade Measure Definitions” section of USITC, Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade, 2015, 

September 2016; USDOC, ITA, “Trade Data Basics” (accessed April 12, 2017).
The Year in Trade 2016

36| www.usitc.gov

Figure 1.4 U.S. merchandise trade with the world, 2014–16

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.5.

U.S. imports of crude petroleum and exports of refined petroleum products have traditionally been 

some of the highest-value components of U.S. trade. However, international price benchmarks for crude 

petroleum and refined petroleum products fell significantly in 2015 and declined further in 2016.36 At 

the same time, several factors increased the volume of U.S. imports and exports of crude petroleum. 

U.S. annual production of crude petroleum fell 5.5 percent from 2015–16, after seven consecutive years 

of growth.37 Also, the U.S. government lifted a ban on most exports of U.S. crude to countries other than 

Canada in December 2015.38 These shifts prompted a 7.3 percent increase in import volumes and a 12.1 

percent increase in export volumes of crude petroleum from 2015 to 2016, but the expanded volumes 

were more than offset in value terms by the drop in prices.39 These developments in the energy sector 

were reflected in overall U.S. trade with certain trading partners, such as U.S. trade with Canada, as well 

as imports under certain trade preference programs—for example, U.S. imports under the Caribbean 

Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA).

36 The Brent benchmark fell from an average of $52 per barrel in 2015 to an average of about $43 per barrel in the 

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2016 Spot Prices database, 

https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_spt_s1_a.htm. 37 EIA, Crude Oil Production database (accessed May 11, 2017). U.S. production of crude petroleum decreased 

from 3.437 billion barrels in 2015 to 3.248 billion barrels in 2016. 38 U.S. crude oil exports to Canada for consumption in Canada have been authorized since the 1980s. 39 EIA, U.S. Imports by Country of Origin database (accessed May 11, 2017); EIA, U.S. Exports database (accessed 

May 11, 2017). U.S. crude imports increased from 2.687 billion barrels in 2015 to 2.883 billion barrels in 2016; U.S. 

exports, from 169.7 to 190.3 million barrels.

-1,000

-500

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

2014 2015 2016

Billion $

Total exports General imports Merchandise trade balance
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of U.S. Trade

U.S. International Trade Commission |37 

U.S. Merchandise Trade by Product Category

Exports

As in 2015, the largest U.S. export sectors in 2016 were transportation equipment (22.0 percent of total 

U.S. exports), electronic products (17.9 percent of exports), and chemicals and related products (15.0 

percent of exports) (table 1.1 and appendix table A.1). The top export products were civilian aircraft, 

engines, and parts; refined petroleum products; soybeans; and passenger motor vehicles (table 1.1 and 

appendix table A.3).

Table 1.1 U.S. merchandise trade with the world, by USITC digest sector, 2015–16 (million dollars)

Sector 2015 2016

change 

2015–16

% change 

2015–16 2015 2016

change 

2015–16

% change 

2015–16

Exports Imports

Agricultural products 146,630 148,772 2,142 1.5 136,959 139,465 2,506 1.8

Forest products 39,061 37,962 -1,099 -2.8 42,378 43,147 769 1.8

Chemicals and related products 227,882 218,143 -9,739 -4.3 260,278 259,908 -370 -0.1

Energy-related products 109,703 99,414 -10,289 -9.4 194,068 158,045 -36,023 -18.6

Textiles and apparel 23,274 21,615 -1,659 -7.1 126,548 120,312 -6,236 -4.9

Footwear 1,464 1,366 -98 -6.7 27,650 25,634 -2,016 -7.3

Minerals and metals 135,659 128,621 -7,038 -5.2 189,255 183,618 -5,637 -3.0

Machinery 138,719 128,005 -10,714 -7.7 185,858 179,627 -6,231 -3.4

Transportation equipment 327,286 319,379 -7,907 -2.4 426,207 418,355 -7,852 -1.8

Electronic products 264,079 260,535 -3,544 -1.3 449,865 450,110 245 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactures 47,377 47,760 383 0.8 124,842 125,058 216 0.2

Special provisions 41,439 42,149 710 1.7 84,326 85,904 1,578 1.9

Total 1,502,572 1,453,721 -48,851 -3.3 2,248,232 2,189,183 -59,049 -2.6

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce (accessed April 17, 2017). 

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

Exports in all but 2 of the 11 merchandise sectors declined in 2016.40 The largest declines, by value, 

occurred in the machinery sector (down $10.7 billion to $128.0 billion), energy-related products (down 

$10.3 billion to $99.4 billion), and chemicals and related products (down $9.7 billion to $218.1 billion). 

At the product level, exports of some refined petroleum products experienced the biggest drops in 

value, declining $8.6 billion in 2016. Other notable declines included medicaments, which fell $2.1 billion 

to $18.8 billion; nonmonetary gold, which fell $1.6 billion to $17.5 billion; and parts and accessories for 

motor vehicles, which fell $1.3 billion to $10.5 billion. Although certain types of passenger motor 

vehicles experienced large declines in export value, overall passenger vehicle exports fell by a smaller 

amount, $485.5 million.41 

The only sector that experienced a significant increase in exports was agricultural products, which grew 

$2.1 billion in 2016 to reach $148.8 billion. Exports of miscellaneous manufactures also increased $383 

million to reach $47.8 billion in 2016. At the product level, U.S. exports of soybeans increased $4.0 

billion in 2016 to $22.9 billion, while exports of corn increased $1.7 billion to $10.0 billion. Other notable 

40 These merchandise sectors are defined by the Commission. “Special provisions” is not considered a merchandise 

sector. Each USITC digest sector encompasses a number of 8-digit subheadings in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule 

of the United States (HTS), which classifies tradable goods. The sectors are listed and defined in USITC, “Frequently 

Asked Questions,” Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade, 2015, September 2016. 

https://www.usitc.gov/sites/default/files/research_and_analysis/tradeshifts/2015/d3/digest_hts8_dir_-final.pdf. 41 USDOC, DataWeb (accessed April 12, 2017). “Passenger motor vehicles” includes the following 10 HTS 6-digit 

lines: 8703.21, 8703.22, 8703.23, 8703.24, 8703.31, 8703.32, 8703.33, 8703.90, 8704.21, and 8704.31.
The Year in Trade 2016

38| www.usitc.gov

increases in exports included blood fractions (e.g., antiserum),42 which increased $2.8 billion to $16.1 

billion; liquefied propane, which increased $1.9 billion to $7.5 billion; and processors and controllers for 

electronic integrated circuits, which increased $1.7 billion to $19.9 billion.

Imports

Electronic products and transportation equipment remained the top import sectors in 2016, accounting 

for 20.5 percent and 19.1 percent, respectively, of total U.S. imports in 2016 (table 1.1 and appendix 

table A.2). Passenger motor vehicles were the top U.S. import product, followed by crude petroleum, 

medicaments, cellphones, and telecommunications equipment (table 1.1 and appendix table A.4).

The value of U.S. imports in the majority of sectors (7 of 11) declined in 2016 (appendix table A.2). Much 

of the overall decline was the result of a decline in the value of imports of energy-related products, 

which fell $36.0 billion from $194.1 billion in 2015 to $158.0 billion in 2016, reflecting primarily a $24.2 

billion decline in imports of crude petroleum. This change in value is a result of declines in the price of 

imported crude petroleum, as the quantity of crude oil imports increased 0.2 billion barrels to reach 2.8 

billion barrels in 2016.43 Imports of refined petroleum products also declined, but did so both by value 

and by quantity. As a result of these declines, imports of energy-related products accounted for 7.2 

percent of the value of merchandise imports in 2016, down from 8.6 percent in 2015. Imports of 

transportation equipment also declined in value, falling $7.9 billion to $418.4 billion in 2016. Other 

notable decreases by value included imports of textiles and apparel (down $6.2 billion to $120.3 billion), 

machinery (down $6.2 billion to $179.6 billion), and minerals and metals (down $5.6 billion to $183.6 

billion). 

The value of imports increased in 4 of the 11 merchandise sectors in 2016. Agricultural products were 

the only sector with a notable increase in value, growing $2.5 billion to $139.5 billion in 2016. Products 

with notable increases by value included passenger motor vehicles, which increased $6.6 billion from 

2015 to $189.1 billion, telecommunications equipment (up $5.2 billion to $45.3 billion), nonmonetary 

gold (up $5.1 billion to $15.2 billion), and antisera (up $4.5 billion to $13.5 billion).44

U.S. Merchandise Trade with Selected Leading 

Partners

Table 1.2 shows U.S. trade with selected major trading partners, ranked by total trade (exports plus 

imports) in 2016. In 2016, the EU remained the United States’ top trading partner in terms of two-way 

merchandise trade, followed by China, Canada, and Mexico. The EU was also the leading market for U.S. 

exports that year, with $270.3 billion or 19.0 percent of total exports, surpassing Canada, which had 

previously ranked as the largest export market for the United States. China was again the leading source 

of U.S. imports, accounting for $462.8 billion, or 21.1 percent of the value of general U.S. imports. (For 

U.S. trade with the top 15 single-country U.S. trading partners, including the EU member states listed 

separately, see appendix tables A.5–A.7.)

 42 Antiserum is a blood serum that is injected to give passive immunity to certain diseases. 43 USDOC, DataWeb (accessed April 9, 2017). 44 USDOC, DataWeb (accessed April 12, 2017). “Passenger motor vehicles” includes the following 10 HTS 6-digit 

lines: 8703.21, 8703.22, 8703.23, 8703.24, 8703.31, 8703.32, 8703.33, 8703.90, 8704.21, and 8704.31.
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of U.S. Trade

U.S. International Trade Commission |39

Table 1.2 U.S. merchandise trade with selected major trading partners and the world, 2016 (million 

dollars) 

Trading partner U.S. total exports U.S. general imports Trade balance

Two-way trade 

(exports plus imports)

EU 270,325 416,665 -146,340 686,991

China 115,775 462,813 -347,038 578,588

Canada 265,961 278,067 -12,106 544,027

Mexico 230,959 294,151 -63,192 525,110

Japan 63,264 132,202 -68,938 195,466

South Korea 42,266 69,932 -27,666 112,199

India 21,689 45,998 -24,309 67,687

Taiwan 26,045 39,313 -13,268 65,358

Brazil 30,297 26,176 4,121 56,473

All others 387,139 423,866 -36,727 811,004

Total 1,453,721 2,189,183 -735,462 3,642,904

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to totals shown.

U.S. merchandise exports with most of the selected leading trading partners fell in 2016 from 2015 

(table 1.3). Among the largest declines in value were a $14.6 billion decline in exports to Canada (down 

5.2 percent), a $1.7 billion decline in exports to the EU (down 0.6 percent), and a $1.4 billion decline in 

exports to Brazil (down 4.3 percent). The EU, Canada, and Mexico remained the largest markets in 2016, 

accounting for 18.6 percent, 18.3 percent, and 15.9 percent of U.S. exports, respectively (figure 1.5).

Table 1.3 U.S. merchandise trade with selected major trading partners and the world, 2015–16 (million 

dollars) 

Major trading 

partner 2015 2016

change 

2015–16

% change 

2015–16 2015 2016

change 

2015–16

% change 

2015–16

Exports Imports

EU 271,988 270,325 -1,663 -0.6 427,562 416,665 -10,896 -2.5

China 116,072 115,775 -297 -0.3 483,245 462,813 -20,432 -4.2

Canada 280,609 265,961 -14,648 -5.2 296,156 278,067 -18,089 -6.1

Mexico 235,745 230,959 -4,786 -2.0 296,408 294,151 -2,257 -0.8

Japan 62,443 63,264 822 1.3 131,364 132,202 838 0.6

South Korea 43,446 42,266 -1,179 -2.7 71,759 69,932 -1,826 -2.5

India 21,452 21,689 237 1.1 44,792 45,998 1,207 2.7

Taiwan 25,860 26,045 185 0.7 40,908 39,313 -1,595 -3.9

Brazil 31,651 30,297 -1,354 -4.3 27,468 26,176 -1,293 -4.7

All others 413,307 387,139 -26,168 -6.3 428,572 423,866 -4,707 -1.1

Total 1,502,572 1,453,721 -48,852 -3.3 2,248,232 2,189,183 -59,050 -2.6

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to totals shown.

U.S. merchandise imports from most of the selected leading partners also fell in 2016. Among the 

largest declines in value were a $20.4 billion decline in imports from China (down 4.2 percent), an $18.1 

billion decline in imports from Canada (down 6.1 percent), and a $10.9 billion decline in imports from 

the EU (down 2.5 percent). India and Japan were the only two major sources of U.S. imports that grew, 

with imports increasing in value 2.7 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively. China and the EU remained 

the largest sources of imports in 2016, accounting for 21.1 percent and 19.0 percent of U.S. general 

imports, respectively. Mexico and Canada accounted in 2016 for 13.4 percent and 12.7 percent of U.S. 

imports, respectively (figure 1.6).
The Year in Trade 2016

40| www.usitc.gov

Figure 1.5 Leading U.S. merchandise export markets, by share, 2016

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed April 12, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.6.

Figure 1.6 Leading U.S. merchandise import sources, by share, 2016

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed April 12, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.6.

EU 19%

Canada 18%

Mexico 16% China 8%

Japan 4%

South Korea 3%

Brazil 2%

Taiwan 2%

India 1%

All others 27%

China 21%

EU 19%

Mexico 14%

Canada 13%

Japan 6%

South Korea 3%

India 2%

Taiwan 2%

Brazil 1%

All others 19%
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of U.S. Trade

U.S. International Trade Commission |41

U.S. Trade with Free Trade Agreement Partners 

In 2016, two-way total merchandise trade (total exports plus general imports) between the United 

States and its 20 FTA partners amounted to $1,425.4 billion, accounting for 39.1 percent of total U.S. 

merchandise trade with the world.45 This was slightly lower than in 2015, when two-way merchandise 

trade between the United States and its FTA partners totaled $1,484.6 billion, or 39.6 percent of total 

U.S. merchandise trade. 

U.S. imports entered under FTAs increased 0.3 percent to $374.2 billion in 2016, accounting for 50.0 

percent of total imports from FTA partners in 2016 and 17.1 percent of total U.S. imports from the 

world. 

U.S. Imports under Trade Preference Programs 

The value of U.S. imports for which eligibility was claimed under trade preference programs with 

developing countries was much smaller than that for U.S. imports claiming eligibility under FTAs. U.S. 

imports under trade preference programs increased from $27.7 billion in 2015 to $29.5 billion in 2016; 

they accounted for 1.3 percent of total U.S. imports during 2016, whereas in 2015 they accounted for 

1.2 percent of imports. Imports that claimed eligibility under the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences 

(GSP) program totaled $18.7 billion in 2016; imports under AGOA totaled $9.4 billion; imports under 

CBERA and the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act totaled $0.9 billion; and imports under the Haiti 

initiatives totaled $0.5 billion.46

U.S. Trade in Services in 201647

The U.S. surplus in cross-border trade of private services (hereafter “services”) decreased 4.9 percent in 

2016 to $250.6 billion (figure 1.7).48 U.S. exports of services increased slightly from $730.6 billion in 2015 

to $732.6 billion in 2016, while U.S. imports grew 3.2 percent ($14.8 billion) to reach $482.0 billion.49

Five of the top 10 services export categories grew in 2016, with the largest growth in professional and 

management consulting services (13.9 percent, or $9.1 billion) and maintenance and repair services 

(10.2 percent, or $2.4 billion).50 Other export categories that grew included research and development 

services (4.7 percent) and insurance services (3.5 percent). U.S. imports of services grew in 8 of the top 

10 categories, with declines in sea transport (which decreased 5.9 percent, or $2.2 billion) and technical, 

45 U.S. trade with its FTA partners is discussed in chapter 5. 46 U.S. imports under preferential trade programs are discussed in chapter 2. 47 This section uses BEA data on U.S. cross-border trade in private services. It excludes BEA data on imports and 

exports of government goods and services. 

48 In July 2016, the trade surplus in services for 2013, 2014, and 2015 was revised upwards, primarily due to 

revisions in source data, which include the 2014 Benchmark Survey of Financial Services Transactions between U.S. 

Financial Services Providers and Foreign Persons, changes in methodology for estimating the average expenditures 

of foreign travels, and newly available and revised data on travel services and air passenger transport. USDOC, 

BEA, “Annual Revision of the U.S. International Transactions Accounts,” July 2016. 49 USDOC, BEA, International Transactions data, “Table 3.1. U.S. International Trade in Services,” March 21, 2017. 50 The top ten export categories were travel; charges for the use of intellectual property not included elsewhere 

(n.i.e.); financial services; professional and management consulting services; air passenger fares; research and 

development services; technical, trade-related, and other business services; maintenance and repair services, 

n.i.e.; air transport; and sea transport.
The Year in Trade 2016

42| www.usitc.gov

trade-related, and other business services (which decreased 9.0 percent, or $2.4 billion).51 Appendix 

tables A.8 and A.9 provide data on U.S. trade in private services by product category.

Figure 1.7 U.S. private cross-border services trade with the world, 2014–16a

Source: USDOC, BEA, Interactive data, International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions, “Table 1.2: U.S. International 

Trade in Services,” March 17, 2016.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.7. a

Data for 2016 are preliminary.

U.S. Services Trade by Product Category 

Exports

Travel services exports, valued at $206.8 billion in 2016, were the largest share of services exports in 

2016, accounting for 28.2 percent of total U.S. exports of services (appendix table A.8).52 Other major 

categories of services exports included charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e. ($122.2 billion, 

or 16.7 percent of total exports) and financial services ($96.8 billion, or 13.2 percent of total exports).53

51 The top 10 import categories were travel; insurance services; charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e.; 

professional and management consulting services; air passenger fares; sea transport; research and development 

services; computer services; financial services; and technical, trade-related, and other business services. Technical, 

trade-related, and other business services include construction, architectural and engineering services, waste 

treatment, operational leasing, trade-related, and other business services. 52 Travel services comprise purchases of goods and services made by U.S. residents traveling abroad (U.S. imports 

of travel services) and by foreign travelers in the United States (U.S. exports of travel services). These goods and 

services include food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment, local transportation in the country of travel, and 

other items incidental to a foreign visit. 53 U.S. exports of charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e., which the BEA previously labeled as “royalties 

and license fees,” include payments by foreigners to U.S. owners of intellectual property, such as trademarks and 

franchise fees, computer software, industrial processes, and audiovisual products.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

2014 2015 2016

Billion $

Exports Imports Trade balance
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of U.S. Trade

U.S. International Trade Commission |43

Although overall services exports experienced slow growth in 2016, individual segments of services 

exports grew at higher rates than in the previous year, including maintenance and repair services (10.2 

percent in 2016, compared to 8.6 percent in 2015). The fastest-growing category of services exports was 

professional and management consulting services, which grew 13.9 percent in 2016, compared to 8.9 

percent growth in 2015. Insurance services experienced negative export growth in 2015, but increased 

exports in 2016 by 3.5 percent. In contrast, some segments that had seen declining exports in 2015 

continued to decrease in 2016, including air passenger fares (down 6.1 percent in 2016, compared to a 

decline of 5.4 percent in 2015); financial services (down 5.6 percent in 2016, compared to a decline of 

4.9 percent in 2015); and technical, trade-related, and other business services (down 13.4 percent in 

2016, compared to a decline of 2.9 percent in 2015). The decline in air passenger fares is mostly driven 

by a decrease in the price of air fares, rather than a decrease in the number of air passengers in 2016.54 

Imports

Travel services (25.2 percent), insurance services (10.0 percent), and charges for the use of intellectual 

property not included elsewhere (n.i.e.) (8.9 percent) represented the three largest segments of crossborder services imports in 2016 (appendix table A.9). Research and development services was the 

fastest-growing segment of services imports at a rate of 9.2 percent. Charges for use of intellectual 

property n.i.e., travel services, and computer services also had high growth rates (8.2 percent, 7.7 

percent, and 6.9 percent, respectively). Two of the top 10 categories returned to positive growth in 

2016, including insurance services imports (up 1.3 percent in 2016, following a decline of 7.8 percent in 

2015) and charges for the use of intellectual property (up 8.2 percent, following a decline of 6.4 percent 

in 2015). U.S. imports of sea transport services fell 5.9 percent after increasing 2.9 percent in 2015. 

U.S. Services Trade with Leading Partners 

The EU was the largest export market for U.S. services in 2016, as well as the largest foreign supplier of 

services (table 1.4).55 The EU accounted for $229.6 billion (31.3 percent) of total exports and $168.2 

billion (34.9 percent) of total imports in 2016 (figures 1.8 and 1.9). As in previous years, Canada and 

Japan were the second- and third-largest U.S. services trading partners, respectively, in 2016. After the 

EU, Canada, China, and Japan were the main destinations for exports, while Canada, Japan, and India 

were the main sources of imports. The United States maintained a surplus in trade in services with every 

major services trading partner except for India, where the trade deficit was $6.8 billion, largely due to 

imports of computer services. In 2015, the United States exported $18.1 billion of services to India in 

total, while computer services imports from India alone were $13.2 billion in the same year.56

54 IATA, “Air Passenger Market Analysis,” January 2017, 2. 55 The United Kingdom (an EU member for all of 2016) was the largest single-country market for both services 

exports and imports in 2016. 56 USDOC, BEA, International Services Data, “Table 2.3, U.S. Trade In Services, by Country or Affiliation and by Type 

of Service, India,” December 19, 2016. 
The Year in Trade 2016

44| www.usitc.gov

Table 1.4 U.S. private services trade with major trading partners and the world, 2016 (million dollars)

Major trading partner U.S. exports U.S. imports Trade balance

Two-way trade 

(exports plus imports)

EU 229,573 168,182 61,391 397,755

Canada 53,726 29,320 24,406 83,046

Japan 44,023 27,357 16,666 71,380

China 53,044 16,000 37,044 69,044

Mexico 30,567 23,347 7,220 53,914

India 19,949 26,776 -6,827 46,725

Brazil 24,760 6,742 18,018 31,502

South Korea 21,261 8,768 12,493 30,029

Australia 21,756 7,398 14,358 29,154

Singapore 16,440 6,891 9,549 23,331

Taiwan 11,136 7,601 3,535 18,737

All others 206,317 153,569 52,748 359,886

Total 732,552 481,951 250,601 1,214,503

Source: USDOC, BEA, Interactive data, International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions, Tables 1.2 and 1.3, March 21, 

2017.
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of U.S. Trade

U.S. International Trade Commission |45

Figure 1.8 Leading U.S. export markets for private services, by share, 2016a

Source: USDOC, BEA, Interactive data, International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions, tables 1.2 and 1.3, U.S. 

International Trade in Services, March 21, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.8. a

Data are preliminary.

Figure 1.9 Leading U.S. import sources for private services, by share, 2016a

Source: USDOC, BEA, Interactive data, International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions, tables 1.2 and 1.3, U.S. 

International Trade in Services, March 21, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.8. a

Data are preliminary.

EU 31%

Canada 7%

China 7%

Mexico 4% Japan 6%

Brazil 4%

Australia 3%

South Korea 3%

India 3%

All others 32%

EU 35%

Canada 6%

Japan 6% Mexico 5% India 5%

China 3%

All others 40%
The Year in Trade 2016

46| www.usitc.gov

Timeline of Selected Key Trade Activities

A timeline of selected key trade activities in the United States and its trading partners follows. Some of 

these activities are discussed further in chapters 2 through 6.

January

11: The President announces the suspension of

duty-free treatment for South African 

agricultural products in an effort to lift 

restrictions on U.S. poultry exports. The 

suspension is effective March 15. 

12: A second cargo pre-inspection pilot project 

was inaugurated at the Mesa de Otay port of 

entry, Baja California. Under the program, 

certain cargo is to be pre-inspected in Mexico 

before crossing the border into the United 

States. The program is designed to improve the 

flow of trade by reducing the number of 

inspections, shorten wait times, and lower 

transaction costs.

20–23: The World Economic Forum annual 

meeting is held in Davos, Switzerland. U.S. and 

EU officials discuss updating the Safe Harbor 

framework, which addresses how EU personal 

data flows to the United States are handled. 

22: The USTR hosts an informal meeting among 

Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) participants 

in Davos, Switzerland. 

25: USTR Froman travels to Warsaw, Poland, for 

TTIP meetings with the Polish president, deputy 

prime minister, and minister of development. 

26: The United States and Colombia agree to 

reduce burdensome certification requirements 

on U.S. exports of beef and beef products to 

Colombia. 

27: The U.S. Department of the Treasury 

(Treasury Department) and the USDOC amend 

the Cuban Assets Control Regulations and 

Export Administration Regulations to remove 

restrictions on payment and financing for 

authorized exports and re-exports to Cuba of 

items other than agricultural items or 

commodities, and authorize additional exports. 

28: USTR convenes a public hearing on policy 

recommendations for deepening the U.S.-Africa 

trade and investment relationship. It draws 

representatives from think tanks, private 

industry, and academia as well as officials from 

the U.S. Departments of State, Agriculture, 

Commerce, Treasury, and Labor; the Overseas

Private Investment Corporation; and U.S. 

Agency for International Development (USAID). 

31–Feb. 5: The 16th round of TiSA negotiations 

is held in Geneva, Switzerland. 

February

4: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is signed

in Auckland, New Zealand, by ministers 

representing the 12 TPP partners: Australia, 

Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, 

Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, 

Singapore, United States, and Vietnam.

4: U.S. and Mexican government officials open 

the Tornillo-Guadalupe Port of entry and 

International Bridge in Tornillo, Texas. The 

Tornillo-Guadalupe project is intended to 

improve international trade and environmental 

conditions, as well as to reduce congestion in 

the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez metropolitan area. 

4: The WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) 

composes the dispute settlement panel 

established in September 2015 in response to 

the complaint by Indonesia regarding U.S. 

antidumping and countervailing measures on 

coated paper from Indonesia (DS491).

8: Officials from the United States and the 

Common Market for Eastern and Southern 

Africa (COMESA) meet in Lusaka, Zambia, under 
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of U.S. Trade

U.S. International Trade Commission |47

the Trade and Investment Framework 

Agreement (TIFA) to discuss issues including 

trade and investment under AGOA, agricultural 

productivity, and investment policies.

15–16: USTR Froman, Secretary of Commerce 

Pritzker, and President Obama meet with 

leaders from Association of Southeast Asian 

Nations (ASEAN) in Palm Springs, California, to 

discuss the strengthening of trade and 

commercial relationships, among other issues. 

17: U.S. and ASEAN officials meet in San 

Francisco under the TIFA to discuss investment, 

the environment, and trade facilitation, among 

other topics.

17: The United States and Laos sign a bilateral 

TIFA, creating a forum for engagement on 

intellectual property, labor, environment, 

capacity-building, and multilateral and regional 

trade issues.

24: President Obama signs the Trade 

Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act into law, 

which boosts enforcement mechanisms to 

detect and address evasion of duty and trade 

laws and regulations, and improves and 

modernizes customs processes.

24: The WTO DSB circulates the dispute panel 

report in the complaint brought by the United 

States on India’s localization rules regarding 

imported solar cells (DS456).

25: U.S. and Mexican officials hold the third 

cabinet-level meeting of the High Level 

Economic Dialogue in Mexico City, where they 

agree to continue work in the areas of energy, 

modern borders, workforce development, 

regulatory cooperation, partnering in regional 

and global leadership, and stakeholder 

engagement.

22–26: The 12th round of U.S.-EU negotiations 

on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment 

Partnership (TTIP) takes place in Brussels, 

Belgium. 

March

2: Honduras commits to strengthen 

implementation of its CAFTA-DR commitments 

relating to protecting and enforcing intellectual 

property rights.

2–4: The 12th round of negotiations on the 

Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) takes 

place in Geneva, Switzerland, with officials from 

Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan, Korea, New 

Zealand, and the United States, among others, 

in attendance.

3: India requests WTO dispute settlement 

consultations with the United States regarding 

U.S. measures concerning non-immigrant visas 

for persons supplying cross-border services 

(DS503).

7: USTR announces reallocation of unused WTO 

tariff-rate quota volume for raw cane sugar for 

fiscal year (FY) 2016.

10: U.S. and Canadian leaders meet in 

Washington, DC, and discuss a new softwood 

lumber agreement as part of a state visit.

11: The WTO DSB circulates the dispute 

settlement panel report in the complaint by 

South Korea concerning U.S. antidumping and 

countervailing measures relating to large 

residential washers from South Korea (DS464).

14: The United States and Peru agree to remove 

certain certification requirements on U.S. 

exports of beef and beef products to Peru. 

16: The U.S. Treasury Department and the 

USDOC amend the Cuban Assets Control 

Regulations and Export Administration 

Regulations to ease restrictions for exports to 

the Cuban private sector, people-to-people 

educational travel, payments through the U.S. 

financial system, and U.S. entities permitted to 

have a “business presence” in Cuba.

18: Representatives of the United States and 

the Philippines meet in Washington, DC, under 
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the TIFA to discuss issues including investment, 

customs, intellectual property rights, and 

agricultural trade issues. 

20–22: President Obama visits Cuba, becoming 

the first sitting U.S. president to do so since 

1928. 

22: The U.S.-Tunisia TIFA Council holds its sixth 

session in Washington, DC, to discuss how to 

increase bilateral trade and investment. 

23: The United States and Argentina sign a TIFA 

to provide a platform for discussing a range of 

economic issues, including market access, 

intellectual property rights protection, and 

cooperation in multilateral forums. 

30: The United States and Brazil hold the third 

meeting of the Commission on Economic and 

Trade Relations established under the U.S.-

Brazil Agreement on Trade and Economic 

Cooperation in Washington, DC.

30: Canada requests WTO dispute settlement 

consultations with the United States concerning 

certain U.S. countervailing measures regarding 

supercalendared paper from Canada (DS505).

April

5: The 10th anniversary council meeting of the 

U.S.-Central Asia TIFA is held in Bishkek, 

Kyrgyzstan, with senior trade officials from the 

United States, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, 

Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan 

attending. 

10–15: The 17th round of TiSA negotiations 

takes place in Geneva, Switzerland. 

11: Following a change in U.S. regulation, the 

United States requests a WTO DSB compliance 

panel in the case brought by Mexico regarding 

U.S. measures concerning the importation, 

marketing, and sale of tuna and tuna products 

from Mexico (DS381).

11–12: The United States and Indonesia meet in 

Yogyakarta, Indonesia, under the bilateral TIFA 

to discuss investment, intellectual property, and 

environmental issues. 

14: The United States and China reach a 

mutually agreed-on settlement in the case 

brought by the United States concerning China’s 

export subsidies to certain Chinese enterprises 

in various industries under the “Demonstration 

Bases-Common Service Platform” program 

(DS489).

18–22: The 13th round of EGA negotiations 

takes place in Geneva, Switzerland, with 

discussions focusing on final product lists and 

tariff phaseouts.

20: The United States and Thailand meet in 

Washington, DC, under the bilateral TIFA to 

discuss issues involving intellectual property, 

customs, agriculture, labor, the environment, 

and financial services. 

25: USTR Froman and EU Trade Commissioner 

Malmström meet in Hannover, Germany, to 

discuss progress on TTIP negotiations.

25–29: The 13th round of U.S.-EU negotiations 

on TTIP takes place in New York, NY.

27: USTR releases its 2016 Special 301 Report 

on the global state of intellectual property 

rights protection and enforcement. This year’s 

report places 11 countries on USTR’s “Priority 

Watch List,” signifying countries USTR deems 

most problematic with respect to protection 

and enforcement of intellectual property rights. 

These countries are Algeria, Argentina, Chile, 

China, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Russia, 

Thailand, Ukraine, and Venezuela.

28: The 12th annual U.S.-Sri Lanka TIFA Council 

meeting is held in Washington, DC, with both 

sides adopting a Joint Action Plan to boost trade 

and investment.
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U.S. International Trade Commission |49

May

3: The U.S.-Australia FTA Joint Committee 

convenes in Washington, DC, to review 

implementation of the agreement. 

6: USTR announces allocation of the FY 2017 

WTO tariff-rate quota volume for raw cane 

sugar, refined specialty sugar, and sugarcontaining products. 

13: Mexico requests establishment of a 

compliance panel in the case brought by Mexico 

regarding U.S. measures concerning the 

importation, marketing, and sale of tuna and 

tuna products from Mexico (DS381). 

11: The seventh Trade and Investment Council 

meeting under the U.S.-Uruguay TIFA is held in 

Montevideo, Uruguay. 

11–14: USTR Froman travels to Kigali, Rwanda, 

for the World Economic Forum Africa to discuss 

U.S. trade priorities in the African market.

17: TPP ministers meet on the margins of the 

meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic 

Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for 

Trade in Arequipa, Peru, to review progress on 

their respective internal processes to approve 

the TPP agreement.

18: USTR announces a revised allocation of the 

FY 2016 WTO tariff-rate quota volume for raw 

cane sugar.

23: The United States blocks the reappointment 

of South Korean Appellate Body member Seung 

Wha Chang to the WTO Appellate Body. 

26–June 3: The 18th round of TiSA negotiations 

takes place in Geneva, Switzerland.

June

1–2: The Ministerial Council Meeting of the 

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and 

Development (OECD) is held in Paris, France.

6–7: U.S. Treasury Secretary Lew and Chinese 

Vice Premier Yang lead the eighth meeting of 

the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue 

in Beijing, China, announcing measures to 

support global growth, promote open trade and 

investment, and foster financial market 

stability. 

10: The second meeting of the U.S.-Nepal TIFA 

Council is convened in Washington, DC, to 

discuss intellectual property rights, standards 

and conformity assessment, technical 

cooperation, labor, manufacturing, 

phytosanitary measures, and capacity-building 

issues. 

17: USTR releases its annual report on the 

Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through 

Partnership Encouragement Act of 2008, which 

gives preferential treatment for imports of 

apparel, textiles, and other goods from Haiti. 

20–24: The 14th round of EGA negotiations 

takes place in Geneva, Switzerland. 

22: The WTO DSB establishes the compliance 

panel requested by the United States regarding 

China’s antidumping and countervailing duty 

measures on broiler (chicken) products from 

the United States, which the DSB refers to the 

original panel (DS427).

23: The United Kingdom votes to leave the EU 

in “Brexit” referendum vote. 

28: USTR Froman and Secretary of Agriculture 

Vilsack announce reopening of the Saudi 

Arabian market to U.S. beef exports following a 

four-year ban.

29: U.S. and Brazilian officials attend the 14th 

plenary meeting of the U.S.-Brazil Commercial 

Dialogue in Washington, DC; this meeting 

marked the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-Brazil 

Commercial Dialogue.
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29: USTR releases a report to Congress on the 

impact of U.S. trade preference programs on 

poverty and hunger. Programs addressed 

include the Generalized System of Preferences 

(GSP), the African Growth and Opportunity Act 

(AGOA), and the Caribbean Basin Economic 

Recovery Act (CBERA).

29: USTR releases its biennial report to 

Congress on AGOA implementation.

30: USTR announces new duty-free status for 

travel goods for least-developed beneficiary 

developing countries (LDBDCs) and AGOA 

countries as part of the Annual Product Review 

under the GSP program.

July

1: Latvia accedes to the OECD, becoming its 

35th member.

8–18: The 19th round of TiSA negotiations takes 

place in Geneva, Switzerland.

9–10: The G20 Trade Ministers meet in 

Shanghai, China, to discuss ongoing WTO 

negotiations and global excess capacity in key 

sectors. 

11–15: The 14th round of U.S.-EU negotiations 

on TTIP takes place in Brussels, Belgium.

12: The European Commission adopts adequacy 

determination on the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, an 

agreement that ensures protections of EU 

personal data by U.S. companies in keeping 

with EU laws and regulations. 

13: The United States requests WTO dispute 

settlement consultations with China concerning 

China’s export duties on various forms of 

antimony, cobalt, copper, graphite, lead, 

magnesia, talc, tantalum, and tin (DS508).

14: Liberia accedes to the WTO, becoming the 

163rd member.

18: The United States and Vietnam reach a 

mutually agreed settlement in two WTO dispute 

cases brought by Vietnam concerning U.S. 

antidumping measures on certain frozen 

warmwater shrimp from Vietnam (DS404, 

DS429).

19: The United States requests supplementary

WTO dispute settlement consultations with 

China regarding China’s alleged restrictions on 

the export of various forms of antimony, 

chromium, indium, magnesia, talc, and tin 

(DS508).

21: WTO DSB establishes a dispute settlement 

panel requested by Canada to examine U.S. 

countervailing measures on imports of 

Canadian supercalendared paper (DS505).

22: The President issues Executive Order 13733 

requiring the Treasury Department to seek 

views of USTR and the Department of State 

before undertaking analysis or bilateral 

engagements with countries engaged in 

currency manipulation under the Trade 

Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. 

24–29: The 15th round of EGA negotiations 

takes place in Geneva, Switzerland.

25–26: The United States and EU meet in 

Brussels, Belgium, to discuss agreement 

involving access of U.S. insurance and 

reinsurance industries to EU markets under the 

EU’s Solvency II prudential regulations. 

29: Afghanistan accedes to the WTO, becoming 

the 164th member.

30: The President issues Presidential 

Proclamation 9466, implementing decisions 

regarding GSP product eligibility issues arising 

out of the 2015/2016 Annual GSP Review. 
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of U.S. Trade

U.S. International Trade Commission |51

August

4: The ASEAN Economic Ministers-U.S. Trade 

Representative Consultation is held in 

Vientiane, Laos, reaffirming member country 

commitments to transparency, good regulatory 

practices, and support for international 

investment. 

30: The Chambers of Commerce of the United 

States, South Korea, and Japan hold the first 

meeting of the Trilateral Digital Economy 

Steering Committee in Washington, DC. Led by 

the private sector, the committee works to 

build on existing global efforts focusing on the 

digital economy. 

30–31: The second U.S.-India Strategic and 

Commercial Dialogue is held in New Delhi, 

India.

31: The first U.S. commercial flight to Cuba in 55 

years lands in Santa Clara. 

31–Sep. 4: USTR Froman travels to Beijing and 

Hangzhou, China, for official meetings before 

President Obama’s visit to Hangzhou on 

September 4 for the G20 Summit. 

September

4–5: The G20 Summit takes place in Hangzhou, 

China. President Obama and Chinese President 

Xi Jinping attend to discuss excess capacity in 

steel and other industries, currency policy, the 

environmental goods agreement, international 

cooperation on taxation and corruption, and 

promoting innovation and the digital economy. 

9: India requests WTO dispute settlement 

consultations with the United States regarding 

domestic content requirements and subsidies 

to the energy sector instituted by the U.S. state 

governments of Washington, California, 

Montana, Massachusetts, Connecticut, 

Michigan, Delaware, and Minnesota (DS510).

12: The first Economic Bilateral Dialogue takes 

places between Cuban and U.S. officials in 

Washington, DC. 

13: The United States requests WTO dispute 

settlement consultations with China regarding 

the Chinese government’s market-price support 

for the production of wheat, indica rice, 

japonica rice, and corn (DS511).

14: USTR Froman and Canadian Minister of 

International Trade Freeland meet in 

Washington, DC, to discuss softwood lumber 

agreement negotiations. 

19–23: The 16th round of EGA negotiations 

takes place in Geneva, Switzerland.

19–25: The 20th round of TiSA negotiations 

takes place in Geneva, Switzerland. 

22: The WTO DSB circulates the report of the 

Compliance Panel established in April 2012 at 

the request of the United States in its complaint 

regarding the EU and certain member states’

measures affecting trade in large civil aircraft 

(DS316).

26: USTR Froman participates in the AGOA 

Ministerial in Washington, DC, presenting 

findings from the report Beyond AGOA: Looking 

to the Future of U.S.-Africa Trade and 

Investment, released September 21, 2016.

26: The United States holds the 15th AGOA 

Forum in Washington, DC, with government 

officials, civil society leaders, and business 

representatives in attendance. 

26: The WTO DSB adopts the Appellate Body 

report and the panel report in the complaint by 

South Korea regarding U.S. antidumping and 

countervailing measures on large residential 

washers from South Korea (DS464).

27: U.S. and East African Community (EAC) 

officials hold a meeting of the U.S.-EAC TIFA, 

focusing on strategies to increase bilateral trade 

and investment.
The Year in Trade 2016

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27: Officials from the United States and the 

Economic Community of West African States 

(ECOWAS) meet in Washington, DC, for the 

second meeting of the U.S.-ECOWAS TIFA 

council.

30: USTR issues the 2016/2017 GSP Annual 

Review. 

October

3–7: The 15th round of U.S.-EU negotiations on 

TTIP takes place in New York, NY. 

4: The 10th meeting of the U.S.-Taiwan TIFA 

council is held in Washington, DC, to discuss 

intellectual property protection, technical 

barriers to trade, and transparency in trade and 

investment. 

5: USTR Froman attends the sixth meeting of 

U.S.-Ukraine Trade and Investment Council in 

Washington, DC, discussing intellectual 

property rights and Ukraine’s export potential. 

5–8: USTR Froman travels to Havana, Cuba, for 

bilateral meetings with the Cuban Ministers of 

Foreign Affairs and of Foreign Trade and 

Investment.

12: A one-year moratorium on litigation related 

to U.S.-Canada softwood lumber trade expires. 

14: The WTO DSB adopts the Appellate Body 

and dispute settlement panel reports in the 

complaint brought by the United States 

regarding India’s measures relating to solar cells 

and solar modules (DS456). 

16–20: The 17th round of EGA negotiations 

takes place in Geneva, Switzerland. 

17: The U.S. Treasury Department and the 

USDOC further amend the Cuban Assets Control 

Regulations and Export Administration 

Regulations to ease restrictions on the export 

and import of certain goods to and from Cuba, 

as well as on the entry of foreign vessels to U.S. 

ports after calling at a Cuban port, and to 

remove monetary limitations on travelers’ 

imports from Cuba. 

18: USTR Froman travels to Islamabad, Pakistan, 

for the eighth U.S.-Pakistan TIFA Council 

meeting.

19: The WTO DSB panel circulates its report in 

the complaint by China regarding the U.S. use of 

certain methodologies in antidumping 

investigations involving Chinese products 

(DS471). 

20: USTR Froman participates in the 10th U.S.-

India Trade Policy Forum in Delhi, India, 

discussing possibilities for bilateral engagement 

in the areas of agriculture, trade in goods and 

services, intellectual property, and investment 

in manufacturing. 

November

2–10: The 21st round of TiSA negotiations takes 

place in Geneva, Switzerland. 

4: The United States and Peru convene the sixth 

meeting of the Environmental Affairs Council 

and the Environmental Cooperation 

Commission, along with the eighth meeting of 

the Sub-Committee on Forest Sector 

Governance, in Lima, Peru. 

7: USTR Froman travels to Buenos Aires, 

Argentina, for the inaugural U.S.-Argentina TIFA 

Council Meeting and other bilateral meetings. 

8: The WTO DSB establishes a panel to review 

the U.S. challenge to China’s export restrictions 

on various forms of antimony, chromium, 

cobalt, copper, graphite, indium, lead, 

magnesia, talc, tantalum, and tin (DS508). 

8: The United States and Mozambique hold the 

fifth meeting of the U.S.-Mozambique TIFA in 

Maputo, Mozambique.

11: Brazil requests WTO dispute settlement 

consultations with the United States regarding 

U.S. countervailing measures imposed on cold- 
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of U.S. Trade

U.S. International Trade Commission |53

and hot-rolled steel products from Brazil 

(DS514).

13: The United States reinstates Burma’s trade 

preference benefits under the GSP program as a 

result of Burma’s compliance with eligibility 

criteria. 

18: China notifies the WTO DSB of its appeal of 

certain legal interpretations in the panel report 

regarding the United States’ use of certain 

methodologies in U.S. antidumping 

investigations involving Chinese products 

(DS471). 

19: President Obama holds bilateral meetings 

with Chinese President Xi in Lima, Peru, to 

discuss reform of China’s state-owned 

enterprises and its overcapacity in steel and 

aluminum. 

19–20: The APEC leaders’ and ministerial 

meetings convene in Lima, Peru, with 

discussions focusing on strengthening economic 

integration and best practices for trade secret 

protection. 

21–23: USTR and the U.S. Secretary of 

Commerce host the Chinese delegation for the 

27th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission 

on Commerce and Trade in Washington, DC, 

announcing outcomes on intellectual property 

protection, pharmaceutical and medical 

devices, and information security policies. 

22: The second meeting of the U.S.-Panama 

Free Trade Commission is convened in 

Washington, DC. 

26–Dec. 2: The 18th round of EGA negotiations 

takes place in Geneva, Switzerland. 

28: The WTO DSB circulates the panel report in 

the complaint by the EU regarding the United 

States’ conditional tax incentives for large civil 

aircraft (DS487).

December

3–4: USTR Froman participates in the EGA 

Ministerial Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. 

6–8: The 22nd round of TiSA negotiations takes 

place in Geneva, Switzerland.

12: China requests WTO dispute settlement 

consultations with the United States regarding 

U.S. measures related to certain price 

comparison methodologies used to determine 

“normal value” for imports from nonmarket 

economies (DS515).

15: The United States requests WTO dispute 

settlement consultations with China regarding 

Chinese administration of tariff-rate quotas for 

agricultural products including wheat, shortand medium-grain rice, long-grain rice, and corn 

(DS517).

16: The United States notifies the WTO DSB of 

its appeal of certain legal interpretations in the 

panel report regarding the complaint by the EU 

against the United States’ conditional tax 

incentives for large civil aircraft (DS487).

17: USTR Froman and U.S. Secretary of 

Commerce Pritzker attend the launch of the 

Global Forum on Excess Steel Capacity in Berlin, 

Germany. 

21: The EU notifies the WTO DSB of its appeal of 

certain legal interpretations in the compliance 

panel report regarding the complaint by the 

United States against the EU concerning certain 

EU measures affecting trade in large civil 

aircraft (DS316).

22: The WTO DSB circulates the dispute 

settlement panel report in the complaint 

brought by the United States concerning certain 

measures Indonesia imposes on the 

importation of U.S. horticultural products, 

animals, and animal products (DS478).
The Year in Trade 2016

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22: USTR schedules a public hearing and seeks 

comments on the EU ban on most U.S. beef 

products, exploring the possibility of reinstating 

industry-supported tariffs on EU products.

Source: Compiled from official and private sources, including the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of 

Transportation, U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. Trade Representative, White House, Federal Register, Regulations.gov, Asia-Pacific Economic 

Cooperation, World Trade Organization, European Commission, Global Affairs Canada, and Inside U.S. Trade.
U.S. International Trade Commission |55

Chapter 2 

Administration of U.S. Trade Laws and 

Regulations 

This chapter surveys activities related to the administration of U.S. trade laws during 2016, covering 

import relief laws, laws against unfair trade practices, trade adjustment assistance programs, and tariff 

preference programs. Tariff preference programs encompass the U.S. Generalized System of 

Preferences, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, 

including initiatives aiding Haiti.57

Import Relief Laws

Safeguard Actions 

This section covers safeguard actions under provisions administered by the Commission, including the 

global safeguards provided for in sections 201–204 of the Trade Act of 1974, and the safeguards 

provided for in various bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) involving the United States.

The Commission conducted no new safeguard investigations during 2016, and no U.S. safeguard 

measures under these provisions were in effect during any part of 2016. One petition was filed during 

2016, with regard to imports of primary unwrought aluminum, but the petition was withdrawn and no 

investigation was conducted or determination made. 

Laws against Unfair Trade Practices

Section 301 

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 is the principal U.S. statute for addressing unfair foreign practices 

affecting U.S. exports of goods or services.58 Section 301 may be used to enforce U.S. rights under 

bilateral and multilateral trade agreements and to respond to unjustifiable, unreasonable, or 

discriminatory foreign government practices that burden or restrict U.S. commerce. Interested persons 

may petition the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to investigate foreign 

government policies or practices, or USTR may initiate an investigation itself.

If the investigation involves a trade agreement and consultations do not lead to a mutually acceptable 

resolution, section 303 of the Trade Act of 1974 requires USTR to use the dispute settlement procedures 

available under the subject agreement. If the matter is not resolved by the conclusion of the 

investigation, section 304 of the Trade Act of 1974 requires USTR to determine whether the practices in 

57 The President’s authority to provide preferential treatment under the Andean Trade Preference Act, as amended 

by the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, expired in 2013 and had not been renewed as of May 

2017.

58 Section 301 refers to sections 301–310 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. §§ 2411–2420).
The Year in Trade 2016

56| www.usitc.gov

question fulfill any of three conditions: (1) they deny U.S. rights under a trade agreement; (2) they are 

unjustifiable, and burden or restrict U.S. commerce; or (3) they are unreasonable or discriminatory, and 

burden or restrict U.S. commerce. If the practices fulfill either of the first two conditions, USTR must 

take action.59 If the practices fulfill the third condition—that is, if they are unreasonable or 

discriminatory, and they burden or restrict U.S. commerce—USTR must determine whether action is 

appropriate and, if so, what type of action to take.60 The time period for making these determinations 

varies according to the type of practices alleged.

Section 301 Investigations

USTR received no petitions under section 301 during 2016 and had only one ongoing investigation 

during the year, relating to European Union (EU) measures concerning meat and meat products.61 The 

case concerned various meat hormone directives of the EU, which prohibit the use of certain hormones 

that promote growth in farm animals. The United States had successfully challenged the EU measures at 

the World Trade Organization (WTO), and in 1999, imposed additional ad valorem duties62 of 100 

percent on about $117 million in imports from the EU in retaliation.63 

After a series of consultations aimed at resolving the dispute, on May 13, 2009, the United States and 

the EU signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).64 Under the MOU, the EU agreed to open a 

tariff-rate quota (TRQ)65 with an in-quota tariff rate of zero for beef produced without growthpromoting hormones (i.e., “high-quality beef”)66 in the amount of 20,000 metric tons (mt),67 and the 

United States agreed to reduce the scope of the retaliation list.68

The MOU further provided that the parties could enter a second phase under which the EU would 

increase the TRQ to 45,000 mt beginning in August 2012, and the United States would lift the remaining 

additional duties.69 The United States and the EU entered into the second phase of the MOU beginning 

August 1, 2012, and the EU increased the TRQ for high-quality beef to 45,000 mt.70 The MOU provided 

that the second phase would continue for one year. In August 2013, the United States and the EU 

agreed to extend the second phase of the MOU for two additional years, until August 2, 2015, thereby 

59 Section 301(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 2411(a)). 60 Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 2411(b)). 61 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 175. 62 Ad valorem duties or tariffs are taxes that are levied as a fraction of the value of the imported goods. 63 64 Fed. Reg. 40638 (July 27, 1999); WTO, European Communities—Measures Concerning Meat and Meat 

Products (DS26, DS48) (accessed March 6, 2017). 64 Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the European Commission Regarding 

the Importation of Beef From Animals Not Treated with Certain Growth-Promoting Hormones and Increased Duties 

Applied by the United States to Certain Products of the European Communities, May 13, 2009. 65 A TRQ is a trade restriction that imposes a relatively low “in-quota” tariff on imports until the quota level 

(sometimes an annual allocation) is met. Any imports beyond the quota level are subject to a higher over-quota 

tariff. 

66 Article VI of the U.S.-EU Beef MOU defines “high-quality beef.” 67 U.S.-EU Beef MOU, Art. II(1). 68 U.S.-EU Beef MOU, Art. II(3); 74 Fed. Reg. 40864 (August 13, 2009). 69 U.S.-EU Beef MOU, Arts. I(2), II(4), and IV(2). The USTR terminated the imposition of the remaining additional 

duties in May 2011. For more background, see USITC, The Year in Trade 2011, July 2012, 2-2 to 2-3. 70 Regulation (EU) No. 464/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council, OJ L 149, June 8, 2012, 1.
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maintaining the TRQ for high-quality beef at 45,000 mt.71 Although the second phase of the MOU ended 

in August 2015, the EU has maintained the 45,000 mt TRQ for high-quality beef.72

In February 2016, Congress amended the 301 statute that authorized USTR to reinstate any additional 

duties that had been previously imposed under section 301 and then subsequently terminated.73 The 

2016 amendment provides that USTR may reinstate a 301 action following a written request from a 

petitioner or any representative of the domestic industry. Following the receipt of such a request, USTR 

must consult with the petitioner and representatives of the domestic industry and provide an 

opportunity for public comments. In addition, USTR must review the effectiveness of the reimposition of 

additional duties. This amendment would allow USTR to suspend concessions in the meat hormone 

dispute with the EU.

On December 9, 2016, representatives of the U.S. beef industry filed a request with USTR asking that the 

additional duties be reinstated.74 On December 28, 2016, USTR issued a public notice of the request and 

announced a public hearing and an opportunity for public comment.75 

Special 301

The Special 301 law76 requires that the USTR annually identify and issue a list of foreign countries that 

deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs), or deny fair and equitable 

market access to U.S. persons who rely on IPR protection.77 Under the statute, a country denies 

adequate and effective IPR protection if the country does not allow foreign persons “to secure, exercise, 

and enforce rights related to patents, process patents, registered trademarks, copyrights and mask 

works.”78

Under the statute, a country denies fair and equitable market access if it denies access to a market for a 

product that is protected by a copyright or related right, patent, trademark, mask work, trade secret, or 

plant breeder’s right through the use of laws and practices that violate international agreements or that 

71 USTR, “U.S. Trade Representative Froman, Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack Announce,” August 1, 2013. 72 81 Fed. Reg. 95724 (December 28, 2016). 73 Section 602 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 114-125) (19 U.S.C. 2416(c), as 

amended).

74 Letter to the Honorable Michael Froman, Ambassador, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, from Kendal 

Frazier, CEO, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; Barry Carpenter, CEO, North American Meat Institute; and 

Philip M. Seng, President and CEO, U.S. Meat Export Federation, dated Dec. 9, 2016 (accessed at 

www.regulations.gov, Docket Number USTR-2016-0025, on March 6, 2016). 75 81 Fed. Reg. 95724 (December 28, 2016). The public hearing was held on February 15–16, 2017, in Washington, 

DC. 

76 The Special 301 law is set forth in section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 2242). 77 “Persons who rely on IPR protection” means persons involved in “(A) the creation, production or licensing of 

works of authorship . . . that are copyrighted, or (B) the manufacture of products that are patented or for which 

there are process patents.” Section 182(d)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 2242(d)(1)). 78 Section 182(d)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 2242(d)(2)). Section 901(a)(2) of the 

Semiconductor Chip Protection Act (17 U.S.C. § 901(a)(2)) defines “mask work” as a “series of related images, 

however fixed or encoded—(A) having or representing the predetermined, three-dimensional pattern of metallic, 

insulating, or semiconductor material present or removed from the layers of a semiconductor chip product; and (B) 

in which series the relation of the images to one another is that each image has the pattern of the surface of one 

form of the semiconductor chip product.”
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constitute discriminatory nontariff trade barriers.79 A country may be found to deny adequate and 

effective IPR protection even if it is in compliance with its obligations under the WTO Agreement on 

Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement).80

In addition, the Special 301 law directs the USTR to identify and list so-called “priority foreign 

countries.”81 Priority foreign countries are countries that have the most onerous or egregious acts, 

policies, or practices with the greatest adverse impact (actual or potential) on the relevant U.S. 

products.82 Such countries must be designated as priority foreign countries unless they are entering into 

good-faith negotiations, or they are making significant progress in bilateral or multilateral negotiations 

to provide adequate and effective IPR protection.83 The identification of a country as a priority foreign 

country triggers a section 301 investigation,84 unless the USTR determines that the investigation would 

be detrimental to U.S. economic interests.85

In addition to identifying priority foreign countries as required by statute, the USTR has adopted a 

practice of naming countries to a “watch list” or a “priority watch list” when the countries’ IPR laws and 

practices fail to provide adequate and effective IPR protection, but the deficiencies do not warrant 

listing the countries as priority foreign countries.86 The priority watch list identifies countries with 

significant IPR problems that warrant close monitoring and bilateral consultation. If a country on the 

priority watch list makes progress, it may be moved to the watch list or removed from any listing. On the 

other hand, a country that fails to make progress may be raised from the watch list to the priority watch 

list, or from the priority watch list to the list of priority foreign countries.

In February 2016, Congress enacted amendments to the special 301 statute that provided that USTR 

should develop an action plan for each country that has been identified as a priority watch list country 

and that has remained on the priority watch list for at least one year.87 The action plan should contain 

benchmarks designed to assist the country to achieve, or make significant progress toward achieving, 

adequate and effective protection of IPRs and fair and equitable market access for U.S. persons that rely 

on IPR protection.

In the 2016 Special 301 review, the USTR examined the adequacy and effectiveness of IPR protection in 

73 countries.88 In conducting the review, the USTR focused on a wide range of issues and policy 

objectives, including:

• The deterioration in IPR protection and enforcement in a number of trading partners;

• Reported inadequate trade secret protection in China, India, and elsewhere; 

 79 Section 182(d)(3) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 2242(d)(3)). 80 Section 182(d)(4) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 2242(d)(4)). 81 Section 182(a)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 2242(a)(2)). 82 Section 182(b)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 2242(b)(1)). 83 Ibid. 84 Section 182(f)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 2242(f)(2)). 85 Section 302(b)(2)(B) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 2412(b)(2)(B)). 86 USTR, 2016 Special 301 Report, April 2016, Annex 1. 87 Section 610(b) of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (P.L. 114-125) (19 U.S.C. 2442(g)), as 

amended).

88 USTR, 2016 Special 301 Report, April 2016, 1, 7, 12, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 25, 45; USTR, “USTR Releases Special 301 

Report,” April 27, 2016.
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• Troubling “indigenous innovation” policies that may unfairly disadvantage U.S. rights holders in

markets abroad;

• Compulsory technology licensing and transfer;

• Online copyright piracy;

• Market access barriers that appear to impede access for U.S. entities that rely on IPR protection,

including the pharmaceutical and medical device industries;

• The unauthorized use of unlicensed software by foreign governments;

• Digital, Internet, and broadcast piracy;

• Counterfeiting, trademark counterfeiting, and trademark rights; and

• Geographical indications’ impact on trademark protection.89

No country was identified as a priority foreign country in the 2016 Special 301 Report. The report 

identified 11 countries on the priority watch list: Algeria, Argentina, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, 

Kuwait, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine, and Venezuela.90 In addition, the report identified 23 countries on the 

watch list.91

In keeping China on the priority watch list, the report highlighted longstanding concerns relating to trade 

secret theft, market access barriers for information and communications technology products, piracy 

and counterfeiting online and in physical markets, and compulsory technology transfer and licensing 

requirements.92 India remained on the priority watch list in 2016 due to a lack of measurable 

improvement to its IPR regime.93

As part of the annual Special 301 process, USTR also issues a separate report on so-called notorious 

markets. The report, entitled 2016 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets, was issued in December 

2016. USTR defines notorious markets as online or physical marketplaces that are reported to engage in 

or facilitate commercial-scale copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting. The report highlights those 

markets where the scale of this activity is such that it can cause significant harm to U.S. intellectual 

property rights holders.94 The 2016 report listed over 20 online markets and over 20 physical markets in 

10 countries, including markets in China and India that reportedly engage in or facilitate commercialscale trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy.

89 USTR, 2016 Special 301 Report, April 2016; USTR, “USTR Releases Special 301 Report,” April 27, 2016. 90 USTR, 2016 Special 301 Report, April 2016, 3. 91 The countries on the 2016 watch list are Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, the 

Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Greece, Guatemala, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Romania, 

Switzerland, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. USTR, 2016 Special 301 Report, April 2016, 3. 92 USTR, 2016 Special 301 Report, April 2016, 29–36. 93 Ibid., 38–45. For more information on IPR in China and India, see chapter 6. 94 USTR, 2016 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets, December 2016, 1.
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Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 

Investigations and Reviews

Antidumping Duty Investigations

The U.S. antidumping law is found in Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.95 This law offers 

relief to U.S. industries that are materially injured by imports that are dumped, or sold at “less than fair 

value” (LTFV). The U.S. government provides a remedy by imposing a special additional duty on LTFV 

imports.

Antidumping duties are imposed when (1) the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) has determined 

that imports are being, or are likely to be, sold at LTFV in the United States, and (2) the Commission has 

determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury, or that the 

establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded by reason of such imports. (Such 

a conclusion is called an “affirmative determination.”) Investigations are generally initiated on the basis 

of a petition filed with the USDOC and the Commission by or on behalf of a U.S. industry. The USDOC 

and the Commission each make preliminary determinations and, if the Commission’s preliminary

determination is affirmative, then each agency will make final determinations during the investigation 

process.

In general, imports are considered to be sold at LTFV when a foreign firm sells merchandise in the U.S. 

market at a price that is lower than the “normal value” of the merchandise.96 Generally, normal value is 

the price the foreign firm charges for a comparable product sold in its home market.97 Under certain 

circumstances, the foreign firm’s U.S. sales price may also be compared with the price the foreign firm 

charges in other export markets or with the firm’s cost of producing the merchandise, taking into 

account the firm’s “selling, general, and administrative expenses,” and its profit. Under the law, this 

latter basis for comparison is known as “constructed value.”98 Finally, where the producer is located in a 

nonmarket economy, a comparison is made between U.S. prices and a “surrogate” normal value (its 

factors of production, as valued by use of a “surrogate” country).99 A nonmarket economy country 

means any foreign country that the administering authority determines does not operate on market 

principles of cost or pricing structures, so that sales of merchandise in such country do not reflect the 

fair value of the merchandise.100

In all three instances, the amount by which the normal value exceeds the U.S. price is the “dumping 

margin.” The duty specified in an antidumping duty order reflects the weighted average dumping 

margins found by the USDOC, both for the specific exporters it examined and for all other exporters.101

This rate of duty (in addition to any ordinary customs duty owed) will be applied to subsequent imports 

 95 19 U.S.C. § 1673 et seq. 96 19 U.S.C. § 1677(35)(A); see also 19 U.S.C. § 1677a(a) (defining export price), § 1677a(b) (defining constructed 

export price).

97 19 U.S.C. § 1677b. 98 19 U.S.C. § 1677b(a)(4), § 1677b(e). 99 19 U.S.C. § 1677b(c). 100 19 U.S.C. § 1677(18)(A). 101 19 U.S.C. § 1677(35)(B); 19 U.S.C. § 1673d(c).
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from the specified producers/exporters in the subject country, but it may be adjusted if the USDOC 

receives a request for an annual review.102

The Commission instituted 36 new antidumping investigations, and made 35 preliminary determinations 

and 41 final determinations in 2016.103 As a result of affirmative final USDOC and Commission 

determinations, in 2016, the USDOC issued 32 antidumping duty orders on 8 products from 16 countries 

(table 2.1). The status of all antidumping investigations active at the Commission during 2016—

including, if applicable, the date of final action—is presented in appendix table A.10. A list of all 

antidumping duty orders and suspension agreements (agreements to suspend investigations)104 in effect 

as of the end of 2016 appears in appendix table A.11.

102 19 U.S.C. § 1675(a). 103 Data reported here and in the following two sections (“Countervailing Duty Investigations” and “Reviews of 

Outstanding Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders/Suspension Agreements”) reflect the total number of 

investigations. In other Commission reports, these data are grouped by product because the same investigative 

team and all of the parties participate in a single grouped proceeding, and the Commission generally produces one 

report and issues one opinion containing its separate determinations for each investigation.

104 An antidumping investigation may be suspended if exporters accounting for substantially all of the imports of 

the merchandise under investigation agree either to eliminate the dumping or to cease exports of the merchandise 

to the United States within six months. In extraordinary circumstances, an investigation may be suspended if 

exporters agree to revise prices to completely eliminate the injurious effect of exports of the merchandise in 

question to the United States. A suspended investigation is resumed, assuming it was not continued after the 

suspension agreement was issued, if USDOC determines that the suspension agreement has been violated. See 19 

U.S.C. § 1673c.
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Table 2.1 Antidumping duty orders that became effective during 2016 a

Trade partner Product

Range of dumping margins 

(percent)

Australia Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products 29.58

Australia Uncoated paper 138.87–222.46

Brazil Cold-rolled steel flat products 19.58–35.43

Brazil Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products 33.14–34.28

Brazil Uncoated paper 22.37–41.39

Canada Polyethylene terephthalate resin 13.6

China Cold-rolled steel flat products 265.79

China Corrosion-resistant steel products 209.97

China Hydrofluorocarbon blends 101.82–216.37

China Polyethylene terephthalate resin 104.98–126.58

China Uncoated paper 84.05–149.00

India Cold-rolled steel flat products 7.6

India Corrosion-resistant steel products 3.05–4.44

India Polyethylene terephthalate resin 8.03–19.41

India Welded stainless pressure pipe 12.66

Indonesia Uncoated paper 2.10–17.46

Italy Corrosion-resistant steel products 12.63–92.12

Japan Cold-rolled steel flat products 71.35

Japan Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products 4.99–7.51

Mexico Heavy-walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes 3.83–5.21

Netherlands Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products 3.73

Oman Polyethylene terephthalate resin 7.62

Portugal Uncoated paper 7.8

South Korea Cold-rolled steel flat products 6.32–34.33

South Korea Corrosion-resistant steel products 8.75–47.80

South Korea Heavy-walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes 2.34–3.82

South Korea Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products 4.61–9.49

Taiwan Corrosion-resistant steel products 3.77

Turkey Heavy-walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes 17.83–35.66

Turkey Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products 4.15–6.77

U.K. Cold-rolled steel flat products 5.40–25.17

U.K. Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products 33.06

Source: Compiled by USITC from Federal Register notices. a Antidumping duty orders become effective following final affirmative determinations by USDOC and the Commission. The rates in the table 

apply in addition to any ordinary customs duty owed.

Countervailing Duty Investigations

The U.S. countervailing duty law is also set forth in Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended. It 

provides for the imposition of special additional duties to offset (“countervail”) foreign subsidies on 

products imported into the United States.105 In general, procedures for such investigations are similar to 

those under the antidumping law. Petitions are filed with the USDOC (the administering authority) and 

with the Commission. Before a countervailing duty order can be issued, the USDOC must find that a 

countervailable subsidy exists. In addition, the Commission must make an affirmative determination 

that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury, or that the establishment of 

an industry is materially retarded, because of the subsidized imports.

 105 A subsidy is defined as a financial benefit given by an authority (a government of a country or any public entity 

within the territory of the country) to a person, in which the authority either (1) provides a financial contribution, 

(2) provides any form of income or price support within the meaning of Article XVI of the General Agreement on 

Tariffs and Trade 1994, or (3) makes a payment to a funding mechanism to provide a financial contribution, or 

entrusts or directs a private entity to make a financial contribution, if providing the contribution would normally be 

vested in the government and the practice does not differ in substance from practices normally followed by 

governments. See 19 U.S.C. § 1677(5)(B).
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The Commission instituted 16 new countervailing duty investigations, and made 14 preliminary 

determinations and 25 final determinations during 2016. USDOC issued 16 countervailing duty orders on 

7 products from 7 countries in 2016 as a result of affirmative USDOC and Commission determinations 

(table 2.2). The status of all countervailing duty investigations active at the Commission during 2016, 

and, if applicable, the date of final action, is presented in appendix table A.12. A list of all countervailing 

duty orders and suspension agreements106 in effect at the end of 2016 appears in appendix table A.13.

Table 2.2 Countervailing duty orders that became effective during 2016a

Trade partner Product

Range of countervailable subsidy rates 

(percent)

Brazil Cold-rolled steel flat products 11.09–11.31

Brazil Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products 11.09–11.30

China Cold-rolled steel flat products 254.44

China Corrosion-resistant steel products 39.05–241.07

China Polyethylene terephthalate resin 7.53–47.56

China Uncoated paper 7.23–176.75

India Cold-rolled steel flat products 10

India Corrosion-resistant steel products 8.00–29.49

India Polyethylene terephthalate resin 5.12–153.80

India Welded stainless pressure pipe 3.13–6.22

Indonesia Uncoated paper 21.21–109.14

Italy Corrosion-resistant steel products 0.07–38.51

South Korea Cold-rolled steel flat products 3.89–59.72

South Korea Corrosion-resistant steel products 0.72–1.19

South Korea Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products 3.89–58.68

Turkey Heavy-walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes 9.87–15.08

Source: Compiled by USITC from Federal Register notices. a Countervailing duty orders become effective following final affirmative determinations by USDOC and the Commission. The rates in the table 

apply in addition to any ordinary customs duty owed.

Reviews of Outstanding Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 

Orders/Suspension Agreements

Section 751(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 requires the USDOC, if requested, to conduct annual reviews of 

outstanding antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders to ascertain the amount of any net 

subsidy or dumping margin and to determine compliance with suspension agreements.107 Section 751(b) 

also authorizes the USDOC and the Commission, as appropriate, to review certain outstanding 

determinations and agreements after receiving information or a petition that shows changed 

circumstances.108 Where a changed-circumstances review is directed to the Commission, the party that 

is asking to have an antidumping duty order or countervailing duty order revoked or a suspended 

investigation terminated has the burden of persuading the Commission that circumstances have 

changed enough to warrant revocation.109 On the basis of either the USDOC’s or the Commission’s 

106 A countervailing duty investigation may be suspended if the government of the subsidizing country or exporters 

accounting for substantially all of the imports of the merchandise under investigation agree to eliminate the 

subsidy, to completely offset the net subsidy, or to cease exports of the merchandise to the United States within 

six months. In extraordinary circumstances, an investigation may be suspended if the government of the 

subsidizing country or exporters agrees to completely eliminate the injurious effect of exports of the merchandise 

in question to the United States. A suspended investigation is resumed, assuming it had not previously been 

continued after issuance of the suspension agreement, if USDOC determines that the suspension agreement has 

been violated. See 19 U.S.C. § 1671c. 107 19 U.S.C. § 1675(a). 108 19 U.S.C. § 1675(b). 109 19 U.S.C. § 1675(b)(3).
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review, the USDOC may revoke an antidumping duty or countervailing duty order in whole or in part, or 

may either terminate or resume a suspended investigation. No changed-circumstances investigations 

were conducted by the Commission during 2016.

Section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 requires both the USDOC and the Commission to conduct 

“sunset” reviews of existing antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders and suspension 

agreements five years after their publication. These reviews are intended to determine whether 

revoking an order or terminating a suspension agreement would be likely to lead to the continuation or 

recurrence of dumping or a countervailable subsidy and to material injury.110 If either the USDOC or the 

Commission reach negative determinations, the order will be revoked or the suspension agreement 

terminated. During 2016, the USDOC and the Commission instituted 53 sunset reviews of existing 

antidumping and countervailing duty orders or suspended investigations,111 and the Commission 

completed 53 reviews. As a result of affirmative determinations by the USDOC and the Commission, 47 

antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders were continued. Appendix table A.14 lists, by date and 

action, the reviews of antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders and suspended investigations 

completed in 2016.112 

Section 129 Investigations

Section 129 of the U.S. Uruguay Round Agreements Act sets out a procedure by which the 

Administration may respond to an adverse WTO panel or Appellate Body report concerning U.S. 

obligations under the WTO agreements on safeguards, antidumping, or subsidies and countervailing 

measures. Specifically, section 129 establishes a mechanism permitting the USTR to request that the 

agencies concerned—the USDOC and the Commission—issue a consistency or compliance 

determination, where such action is appropriate, to respond to the recommendations in a WTO panel or 

Appellate Body report.113

Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products from India. On December 8, 2014, the WTO Appellate Body 

issued its report on the dispute entitled United States—Countervailing Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled 

Carbon Steel Flat Products from India (DS436), and on December 19, 2014, the WTO Dispute Settlement 

Body (DSB) adopted that report. At the request of USTR, on September 23, 2015, USDOC commenced 

section 129 proceedings to comply with the recommendations and rulings of the DSB in DS436114 and on 

November 6, 2015, the Commission instituted a section 129 proceeding to issue a consistency 

determination under section 129(a)(4) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act that would render the 

Commission’s countervailing duty determination regarding subject imports from India in investigation 

number 701-TA-405 not inconsistent with the recommendations and rulings of the DSB.115 

110 19 U.S.C. § 1675(c). 111 Four of these instituted reviews (granular polytetrafluoroethylene resin from Italy, ammonium nitrate from 

Russia, solid urea from Russia, and solid urea from Ukraine) were subsequently terminated and the outstanding 

antidumping duty order revoked because a domestic industry did not request that it be continued. The other 

revoked antidumping duty orders were stainless steel wire rod from Italy and stainless steel wire rod from Spain.

112 For detailed information on reviews instituted, as well as Commission action in all reviews, see the 

Commission’s website section “Sunset Review Database” at https://pubapps2.usitc.gov/sunset/. 113 19 U.S.C. § 3538; see also Statement of Administrative Action submitted to the Congress in connection with the 

Uruguay Round Agreements Act, 353.

114 80 Fed. Reg. 57336 (September 23, 2015). 115 80 Fed. Reg. 75132 (December 1, 2015).
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On March 7, 2016, the Commission issued a section 129 Consistency Determination rendering its 

findings with respect to injury in the underlying countervailing duty proceeding on hot-rolled steel from 

India consistent with the DSB’s recommendations and rulings in DS436.116 On April 14, 2016, USDOC 

issued a section 129 compliance determination with respect to subsidization and the calculation of 

countervailing duty rates consistent with the DSB’s recommendations and rulings in DS436.117

Certain Products from China. On December 18, 2014, the WTO Appellate Body issued its report on 

another dispute entitled United States—Countervailing Duty Measures on Certain Products from China

(DS437), and on January 16, 2015, the WTO DSB adopted that report. At the request of USTR, on April 

27, 2015, USDOC commenced section 129 proceedings to comply with the DSB’s recommendations and 

rulings in DS437.118 On March 31, 2016, April 26, 2016, and May 19, 2016, USDOC issued its final section 

129 determinations to comply with the DSB’s recommendations and rulings in DS437.119

Warmwater Shrimp from Viet Nam. On November 17, 2014, the WTO dispute settlement panel issued 

its report on the dispute entitled United States—Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Frozen Warmwater 

Shrimp from Viet Nam (DS429). At the request of USTR, on May 20, 2016, USDOC commenced section 

129 proceedings to implement certain findings of the WTO dispute settlement panel in DS429.

120 On July 

18, 2016, USDOC issued its final section 129 determination to implement certain findings in the DS429 

panel report.

121

Section 337 Investigations 

Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended,122 prohibits certain unfair practices in the import 

trade. The unfair practice most frequently investigated by the Commission is patent infringement. In this 

context, section 337 prohibits the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the 

sale within the United States after importation of articles that infringe a valid and enforceable United 

States patent, provided that an industry in the United States, relating to articles protected by the patent 

concerned, exists or is in the process of being established.123 Similar requirements govern investigations 

involving infringement of registered trademarks, registered copyrights, registered mask works, and 

registered vessel hull designs. In addition, the Commission has general authority to investigate other 

unfair methods of competition and unfair acts in the importation and sale of products in the United 

States (such as products manufactured abroad using stolen U.S. trade secrets), the threat or effect of 

which is to destroy or injure a U.S. industry, to prevent the establishment of a U.S. industry, or to 

116 USITC, Hot-Rolled Steel Products from India, March 2016. 117 81 Fed. Reg. 27412 (May 6, 2016). 118 80 Fed. Reg. 23254 (April 27, 2015). 119 81 Fed. Reg. 37180 (June 9, 2016). DS437 involved 15 CVD investigations. Given the number of investigations 

and the complexity of the issues involved, USDOC addressed the issues and conclusions of the panel and Appellate 

Body in a series of final determinations.

120 81 Fed. Reg. 47756 (July 22, 2016). 121 Ibid. 122 19 U.S.C. § 1337. 123 Section 337 also covers articles that are made, produced, processed, or mined under, or by means of, a process 

covered by the claims of a valid and enforceable United States patent. 19 U.S.C. § 1337(a)(1)(B)(ii).
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restrain or monopolize trade and commerce in the United States.124 The Commission may institute an 

investigation on the basis of a complaint or on its own initiative.125

If the Commission determines that a violation exists, it can issue an exclusion order directing U.S. 

Customs and Border Protection to block the subject imports from entry into the United States, and it can 

hand down cease and desist orders that direct the violating parties to stop engaging in the unlawful 

practices. The orders enter into force unless disapproved for policy reasons by the USTR126 within 60 

days of issuance.127

During calendar year 2016, there were 122 active section 337 investigations and ancillary proceedings, 

80 of which were instituted that year. Of these 80 new proceedings, 54 were new section 337 

investigations and 26 were new ancillary (secondary) proceedings relating to previously concluded 

investigations. In 46 of the new section 337 investigations instituted in 2016, patent infringement was 

the only type of unfair act alleged. Of the remaining 8 investigations, 2 involved allegations of patent 

infringement and trademark infringement; 2 involved allegations of trademark infringement; 1 involved 

allegations of patent infringement, copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and trade dress 

infringement; 1 involved allegations of false advertising and unfair competition; 1 involved allegations of 

trademark infringement and dilution; and 1 involved allegations of price-fixing, trade secret 

misappropriation, and false designation of origin.

The Commission completed a total of 66 investigations and ancillary proceedings under section 337 in 

2016, including 1 remand proceeding, 1 remand enforcement proceeding, 1 modification proceeding, 2 

advisory opinion proceedings, 1 bond forfeiture proceeding, 1 sanctions proceeding, and 12 rescission 

(cancellation) proceedings. In addition, 3 general exclusion orders, 9 limited exclusion orders, and 11 

cease and desist orders were issued during 2016. The Commission terminated 31 investigations without 

determining whether there had been a violation. Twenty-three of these investigations were terminated 

on the basis of settlement agreements and/or consent orders. Commission activities involving section 

337 proceedings in 2016 are presented in appendix table A.15.

The section 337 investigations active in 2016 continued to involve a broad spectrum of products. As in 

prior years, technology products were the single largest category, with approximately 30 percent of the 

active proceedings involving computer and telecommunications equipment and another 7 percent 

involving consumer electronics. In addition, small consumer items, including lip balm, resealable plastic 

bags, coffee pods, and mobile device holders, were at issue in approximately 14 percent of the active 

proceedings; automotive, transportation, and manufacturing products were at issue in about 11 percent 

124 Other unfair methods of competition and unfair acts have included common-law trademark infringement, trade 

dress infringement, trademark dilution, false advertising, and false designation of origin. (“Trade dress,” in general 

terms, is a product’s total appearance and image, including features such as size, texture, shape, color or color 

combinations, and graphics.) Unfair practices that involve the importation of dumped or subsidized merchandise 

must be pursued under antidumping or countervailing duty provisions, not under section 337.

125 19 U.S.C. § 1337(b)(1). 126 19 U.S.C. § 1337(j). Although the statute reserves the review for the President, since 2005 this function has 

been officially delegated to the USTR. 70 Fed. Reg. 43251 (July 26, 2005).

127 Section 337 investigations at the Commission are conducted before an administrative law judge in accordance 

with the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq. The judge conducts an evidentiary hearing and 

makes an initial determination, which is transmitted to the Commission for review. If the Commission finds a 

violation, it must determine the appropriate remedy, the amount of any bond to be collected while its 

determination is under review by the USTR, and whether public-interest considerations preclude issuing a remedy.
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of the active proceedings; and pharmaceuticals and medical devices were also at issue in about 11 

percent of the proceedings. The remaining 27 percent of active proceedings involved a wide variety of 

other types of articles, including air mattresses, hospital beds, quartz slabs, bathtub assemblies, hand 

dryers, aerogel insulation, athletic footwear, and coatings for optical fibers.

At the close of 2016, 56 section 337 investigations and related proceedings were pending at the 

Commission. As of December 31, 2016, there were 101 exclusion orders based on violations of section 

337 in effect. Appendix table A.16 lists the investigations in which these exclusion orders were issued. 

For additional detailed information about 337 investigations instituted since October 1, 2008, see the 

Commission’s 337Info database, found at https://pubapps2.usitc.gov/337external.

Trade Adjustment Assistance

The United States provides trade adjustment assistance (TAA) to aid U.S. workers and firms adversely 

affected by import competition.128 On June 29, 2015, President Barack Obama signed into law the Trade 

Preferences Extension Act (TPEA). Title IV of the TPEA—the Trade Adjustment Assistance 

Reauthorization Act of 2015 (TAARA 2015)—amended and reauthorized TAA for six years, until June 30, 

2021.129 The main TAA programs in effect in fiscal year (FY) 2016 were TAA for Workers, administered by 

the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), and TAA for Firms, administered by the U.S. Department of 

Commerce (USDOC). A third program, TAA for Farmers, administered by the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture (USDA), was reauthorized by Congress through the TPEA of 2015.130 However, the U.S. 

Congress did not appropriate funding for new participants in this program for FY 2016. As a result, USDA 

did not accept any new petitions or applications for benefits in FY 2016.131

Selected developments in the TAA programs for workers and firms during FY 2016 are summarized 

below.132

Assistance for Workers

The TAA for Workers program gives federal assistance to eligible workers who have been adversely 

affected by import competition. The TAA program offers a variety of benefits and services to eligible 

workers, including training, assistance with healthcare premium costs, trade readjustment allowances, 

reemployment trade adjustment assistance, and employment and case management services.133

 128 TAA was first established by the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (Pub. L. 87-793) and subsequently expanded and 

reauthorized numerous times. In 2011, the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act (TAAEA) of 2011 (Pub. L. 

112-40), which was signed into law on October 21, 2011, extended most TAA provisions through December 31, 

2013. CRS, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Its Role, August 5, 2013, 14–16. On January 1, 2014, the 2011 

Amendments to the Trade Act expired and the TAA program began operating under the sunset provisions, referred 

to as “Reversion 2014.” The TAA program was operated under sunset provisions throughout calendar year 2014. 

USDOL, “TAA Program Benefits and Services under the 2015 Amendments” (accessed March 1, 2017). 

129 Pub. L. 114-27, sect. 403. 130 The TPEA of 2015 reauthorized the TAA for Farmers Program for fiscal years 2015 through 2021. 131 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 183. 132 FY 2016 ran from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016. 133 Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRAs) provide income support to eligible workers who participate in training. 

Reemployment TAA provides a wage supplement to eligible workers age 50 or older when they accept new 
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Current information on provisions of the TAA for Workers program, as well as detailed information on 

program eligibility requirements, benefits, and available services, is available at the USDOL’s 

Employment and Training Administration (ETA) website for TAA, https://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/. 

For petitioning workers to be eligible to apply for TAA, the Secretary of Labor must determine that they 

meet certain criteria relating to the reasons they were separated from their firm, including declining 

sales or production at their firm and increased imports of like or directly competitive articles.134

(Workers often apply in groups based on their former firms.) Workers at firms that are or were suppliers 

to or downstream users of the output of TAA-certified firms may also be eligible for TAA benefits.135

TAARA 2015, which was in effect throughout FY 2016, has the same worker group eligibility provisions 

and program benefits and services as the 2011 program.136 The differences between the TAARA 2015 

program and the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act (TAAEA) 2011 program are in the funding 

level for “training and other activities,” and in performance and reporting requirements.137 The cap on 

training funds (funds given to states to pay for TAA training and other activities) was reduced from $575 

million in the TAAEA 2011 program to $450 million in the TAARA 2015 program.138 

In FY 2016, $626.8 million was allocated to state governments to fund the TAA for Workers program. 

This funding included $391.5 million for “training and other activities,” which includes funds for training, 

job search allowances, relocation allowances, employment and case management services, and related 

state administration; $209.4 million for trade readjustment allowance benefits; and $26.0 million for 

reemployment trade adjustment assistance benefits.139

Groups of workers submitted 1,453 petitions for TAA in FY 2016, up 35.4 percent from the 1,073 

petitions filed in FY 2015 (table 2.3).140 The increase was likely due to the fact that certain service sector 

workers, and worker groups whose jobs are adversely affected by trade from countries that are not 

parties to FTAs with the United States (such as China and India), became eligible for TAA under the 

TAARA 2015 program, and therefore filed their applications in FY 2016. The USDOL certified 1,192 

petitions covering 126,844 workers as eligible for TAA, and denied 569 petitions covering 60,871 

workers.141 The largest number of petitions certified in FY 2016 was in the Midwest census region, 

employment at a lower wage. USDOL, “TAA Program Benefits and Services under the 2015 Amendments” 

(accessed March 1, 2017).

134 See 19 U.S.C. § 2272. 135 Ibid. 136 The Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act (TAAEA) 2011 was in effect before the current 2015 program, 

except for a short period when it expired and “Reversion 2014” was in effect. For major differences between the 

TAARA 2015 program and the Reversion 2014 program, see USITC, The Year in Trade 2015, 74–75. 137 USDOL, ETA, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers Program—Fiscal Year 2015, 9 (accessed March 15, 2017). 138 Ibid. 139 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 182. 140 In ETA’s TAA for Workers Program FY 2015 report, the number of petitions submitted in FY 2015 was 1,024. 

USDOL, ETA, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers Program–Fiscal Year 2015, 14. The reason for the 

discrepancy here is that the number of petitions filed is calculated based on the number of worker groups covered, 

which changes during the investigation. After FY 2015 numbers were generated, some petitions were deemed to 

cover more than one worker group either at the time of determination or through a subsequent amendment.

As a result, the number of petitions for FY 2015 increased to 1,073 petitions overall, which is the adjusted number. 

USDOL, ETA, email message to USITC staff, March 15, 2017.

141 Petitions are accepted and investigated on a rolling basis throughout the year, and petitions may be withdrawn 

and investigations terminated at any point. For these reasons, the number of petitions certified and denied for TAA 
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followed by the South, the Northeast, and the West.142 By state, California had the most workers 

certified (11,455 workers), followed by Pennsylvania (10,667 workers), Texas (9,908 workers), Illinois 

(7,266 workers), and Indiana (6,981 workers).

Table 2.3 TAA certifications, by region, FY 2016

Census region No. of petitions certified No. of workers covered

Midwest 342 38,923

South 311 35,567

Northeast 269 23,015

West 266 28,887

Other 4 452

Source: USDOL, ETA, email message to USITC staff, February 28, 2017.

The majority (56.5 percent, 673 petitions) of the TAA petitions certified during FY 2016 were in the 

manufacturing sector, covering 83,664 workers, followed by the professional, scientific, and technical 

services sector (12.3 percent, 147 petitions) and the information sector (6.5 percent, 77 petitions) 

(figure 2.1). The share of TAA petitions certified during FY 2016 for the professional, scientific, and 

technical services, as well as for the information sector, are both higher than those during FY 2015, 

which is likely due to the fact that the TAARA 2015 program reinstated the eligibility of service sector 

workers to apply for TAA benefits.

Figure 2.1 Share of TAA petitions certified by industry sector in FY 2016

Source: USDOL, ETA, email message to USITC staff, February 28, 2017.

Note: “Other” includes all industry sectors where less than 15 petitions were certified in FY 2016. Underlying data can be found in appendix 

table B.9.

in any fiscal year may not equal the total number of petitions filed in that year. USDOL, ETA, Trade Adjustment 

Assistance for Workers Program—Fiscal Year 2015, 14 (accessed March 15, 2017). 142 The regional classification is based on definitions from the U.S. Census Bureau. See U.S. Census website, 

http://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/maps-data/maps/reference/us_regdiv.pdf (accessed March 15, 2017).

Manufacturing 57%

Professional, scientific, and 

technical services 12%

Information 7%

Finance and insurance 6%

Administrative support and 

waste management and 

remediation services 5%

Wholesale trade 4%

Transportation and warehousing 3%

Retail trade 1% Other 5%
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Assistance for Firms

The TAA for Firms program provides technical assistance to help U.S. firms experiencing a decline in 

sales and employment to become more competitive in the global marketplace.143 The program provides 

cost-sharing technical assistance to help eligible businesses create and implement targeted business 

recovery plans called Adjustment Proposals. The program pays up to 75 percent of the costs of 

developing the recovery plans, and firms also contribute a share of the cost of creating and 

implementing their recovery plans.144 TAARA 2015 authorizes this program through FY 2021.145 Current 

information on provisions of the TAA for Firms program, as well as detailed information on program 

eligibility requirements, benefits, and available services, is available at the USDOC’s Economic 

Development Administration (EDA) website for TAA, http://www.taacenters.org/. 

To be eligible for the program, a firm must show that an increase in imports of like or directly 

competitive articles “contributed importantly” to the decline in sales or production and to the 

separation or threat of separation of a significant portion of the firm’s workers.146 The program supports 

a nationwide network of 11 nonprofit or university-affiliated Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers to 

help U.S. manufacturing, production, and service firms.147 Firms work with these centers in a publicprivate framework to apply for certification of eligibility for assistance from the TAA for Firms program, 

and to prepare and carry out strategies to guide their economic recovery.148 In particular, technical 

assistance in the form of matching funds is provided through the centers to help U.S. firms develop 

recovery strategies.149 Matching funds can be applied toward the cost of hiring third-party consultants 

to help firms and toward the cost of developing and carrying out adjustment proposals to improve a 

firm’s market position and competitiveness.150 Firms generally have up to five years to implement an 

approved adjustment proposal.151

In FY 2016, the TAA for Firms program budget authorization from Congress was $16 million, while FY 

2016 actual funding appropriated for the program was $13 million.152 During FY 2016, EDA certified 67 

143 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 183. 144 USDOC, EDA, “Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms,” n.d. (accessed March 2, 2017). 145 Pub. L. 114-27, sect. 403. If Congress does not reauthorize the TAA for Firms program, on July 1, 2021, the 

program will revert to the more limited program as in 2011, under which services firms will no longer be eligible 

for the program. The entire program will expire on June 30, 2022. CRS, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms, 

September 1, 2016, 3.

146 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 183. 147 USDOC, EDA, Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report to Congress: Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program, n.d. 

(accessed March 13, 2017). 

148 Ibid. 149 USDOC, EDA, “Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms,” n.d. (accessed March 13, 2017). 150 Ibid. 151 Ibid. 152 CRS, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms, September 1, 2016, 4. In March 16, a bipartisan group of 40 

members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee leadership 

supporting “at least sustained funding for the [TAA for Firms] program in FY 2017.” CRS, Trade Adjustment 

Assistance for Firms, September 1, 2016, 4.
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petitions for eligibility and approved 78 adjustment proposals.153 The numbers are both lower than in FY 

2015, when EDA certified 113 petitions and approved 120 adjustment proposals.154 

Tariff Preference Programs

Three major U.S. programs that offer tariff preferences to developing countries were operative during 

2016: the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP); the African Growth and Opportunity Act 

(AGOA); and the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), as amended by the Caribbean Basin 

Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA), the Haitian Hemisphere Opportunity through Partnership 

Encouragement Acts of 2006 and of 2008 (the HOPE Acts), and the Haitian Economic Lift Program of 

2010 (HELP Act).155 The value of U.S. imports for which eligibility was claimed under these trade 

preference programs increased 6.5 percent from $27.7 billion in 2015 to $29.5 billion in 2016, 

accounting for 1.3 percent of total U.S. imports in 2016.156

Generalized System of Preferences 

The U.S. GSP program authorizes the President to grant duty-free access to the U.S. market for certain 

products that are imported from designated developing countries and territories.157 Certain additional 

products are allowed duty-free treatment only when imported from countries designated as leastdeveloped beneficiary developing countries (LDBDCs). Although the President’s authority to provide 

duty-free treatment under the GSP program expired on July 31, 2013, President Obama signed into law 

a bill on June 29, 2015, that reauthorized GSP retroactively to its date of expiration (July 31, 2013) and 

extended coverage through December 31, 2017.158

The goal of the GSP program is to accelerate economic growth in developing countries by offering 

unilateral tariff preferences for imports into the U.S. market. An underlying principle of the GSP program 

is that the creation of trade opportunities for developing countries encourages broader-based economic 

development and creates momentum for economic reform and liberalization. The GSP program also 

allows U.S. companies access to products from beneficiary countries on generally the same terms that 

are available to competitors in other developed countries that grant similar trade preferences.159

153 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 183. 154 Petitions are certified on a rolling basis throughout the year. USDOC, EDA, Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report to 

Congress: Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program, n.d., 5, 14 (accessed March 13, 2017). 155 This report does not analyze U.S. tariff preferences provided to goods entered into the customs territory of the 

United States from U.S. insular possessions (U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Johnston Atoll, Midway Islands, and Wake 

Island) and to products of the Freely Associated States (the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, 

and Palau). See USITC, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 2017, February 2017, gen. note 3a(iv) and 

gen. note 10. U.S. insular possessions are defined in 19 C.F.R. § 7.2(a).

156 See tables 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, and 2.7. If U.S. importers do not claim this status or some other special status, then 

duties are charged on their goods using the rates found in the “general rates of duty” column of the Harmonized 

Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).

157 The program is authorized by Title V of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, 19 U.S.C. § 2461 et seq. The list of 

current GSP beneficiaries can be found on the USTR’s website at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/tradedevelopment/preference-programs/generalized-system-preference-gsp/gsp-program-inf. 158 Pub. L. 114-27, Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015. Retroactivity did not apply to those countries that 

were not covered as of the date of renewal (Russia and Bangladesh).

159 USTR, 2015 Trade Policy Agenda and 2014 Annual Report, March 2015, 44.
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Countries are designated as “beneficiary developing countries” under the GSP program by the President, 

although they can lose this designation based on findings of country practices that violate the provisions 

of the GSP statute, including inadequate protection of IPR or internationally recognized worker rights.160

Country practice allegations are usually brought to the attention of the interagency GSP subcommittee 

by a petition process. Some beneficiary developing countries are also designated LDBDCs, and, as such, 

are eligible for GSP benefits for an additional list of about 1,500 products. 

The President also designates the articles that are eligible for duty-free treatment, but may not 

designate articles that he determines to be “import-sensitive” in the context of the GSP. Certain goods 

(e.g., footwear, textiles, and apparel) are designated by statute as “import-sensitive” and thus not 

eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP program. The statute also provides that countries 

“graduate” from the program when they become “high income,” as defined by the World Bank’s per 

capita income tables.161 The statute also allows for ending the eligibility of certain imports, or imports 

from specific countries, under certain conditions.

Competitive need limitations (CNLs) are another important part of the GSP program’s structure. CNLs 

are quantitative ceilings on GSP benefits for each product and beneficiary developing country.162 The 

GSP statute provides that a beneficiary developing country will lose its GSP eligibility with respect to a 

product if the CNLs are exceeded, though waivers may be granted under certain conditions. Two 

different measures for CNLs may apply to U.S. imports of a particular product from a beneficiary 

developing country during any calendar year. One CNL measure applies to imports from a beneficiary 

developing country that account for 50 percent or more of the value of total U.S. imports of that 

product. The other applies to imports that exceed a certain dollar value ($175 million in 2016).163 The 

legislation to reauthorize the GSP program in 2006 provided that a CNL waiver in effect on a product for 

five or more years should be revoked if total U.S. imports from a beneficiary developing country exceed 

certain “super-competitive” value thresholds.164

The following developments with respect to the U.S. GSP program occurred in 2016:165

• Based on the 2015/2016 GSP Annual Review process conducted under USTR’s direction, new 

duty-free status under the GSP program was extended to 27 travel goods (including luggage, 

backpacks, handbags, and wallets) for LDBDCs and AGOA countries. A decision to extend GSP 

eligibility for these products for all GSP beneficiaries was deferred. 

• Additional results of the 2015/2016 GSP Annual Review included denial of one petition to add a 

product (effervescent wine) to GSP eligibility for all countries, and deferral of action on petitions 

 160 There were 11 active GSP country practice reviews in the GSP 2015/2016 annual review. See 

https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/preference-programs/generalized-system-preferences-gsp/current-reviews/gsp20152016. 161 Venezuela, Uruguay, and Seychelles were determined to be “high income” countries and were graduated from 

eligibility for GSP trade benefits effective January 1, 2017. Presidential Proclamation 9333 (September 30,

2015).

162 CNLs do not apply to LDBDCs or to developing countries that are beneficiaries of the African Growth and 

Opportunity Act.

163 USTR, U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Guidebook, September 2016, 12. 164 19 U.S.C. § 2463(d)(4)(B)(ii). 165 A complete list of actions taken in this review may be found at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/preferenceprograms/generalized-system-preferences-gsp/current-reviews/gsp-20152016. 
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involving two other products (essential oils of lemon and ferromanganese); granting of CNL 

waivers for three products, each from a specific country as requested by petition (pitted dates 

from Tunisia, single-cell micro-organisms from Brazil, and certain non-alcoholic beverages from 

Thailand); and denial of one such petition (certain motor vehicle parts from India). Three 

products were newly excluded for exceeding CNL thresholds (a fortified fruit juice product from 

Philippines, certain iron/steel products, and certain motor vehicle parts, both from India); 

brightening agents and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resins were removed from GSP for 

India; de minimis CNL waivers were granted for 111 eligible products;166 and a decision was 

made not to redesignate any products that had been excluded during prior GSP reviews, but for 

which import levels had dropped below the threshold amounts set for the current review.

• On November 13, 2016, Burma’s eligibility for GSP benefits was reinstated after the conclusion

of a review of its compliance with the eligibility criteria under the GSP statute. The United States

suspended Burma’s GSP benefits in 1989 due to worker rights concerns. Burma requested

reinstatement in 2013. The Office of the United States Trade Representative led an extensive

review of Burma’s compliance with all of the GSP eligibility criteria, and in particular of Burma’s

recent record of labor reforms and strengthened worker protections. Since the new

democratically elected government took office in March 2016, senior Burmese government

officials have engaged closely with the United States on labor issues to demonstrate Burma’s

eligibility under the GSP criteria. Designation of eligibility for GSP acknowledges the progress

made to date by Burma and encourages additional progress, which the United States will

continue to monitor closely, in order to address the labor concerns and challenges that

remain.167

U.S. imports under GSP preferences increased 5.6 percent ($990.4 million) from $17.7 billion in 2015 to 

$18.7 billion in 2016, which accounted for 9.3 percent of total U.S. imports from GSP beneficiary 

countries and 0.9 percent of total U.S. imports (tables 2.4 and A.2). India was the leading source of 

imports entered under the GSP program in 2016, followed by Thailand and Brazil, continuing a pattern 

established in 2011 (appendix table A.17). These three countries together accounted for 57.7 percent of 

all U.S. imports under GSP, while the top five countries (including Indonesia and the Philippines) 

accounted for 75.0 percent of GSP imports. All five countries saw an increase in the value of their 2016 

GSP imports over the previous year.

In 2016, the chemicals sector accounted for the largest increase in imports claiming eligibility under GSP 

(up $422.0 million), making it the top import sector. The minerals and metals sector ranked second in 

2016, declining $192.6 million from 2015, when it was the top sector. Agricultural products made up the 

third-largest sector and also saw imports claiming eligibility increase $241.5 million over 2015. Energyrelated products accounted for less than 1 percent of GSP eligible claims in 2015 and 2016, down from 

4.5 percent in 2014. Crude petroleum, formerly the top U.S. import under GSP, dropped from 

substantial levels in previous years to zero in 2015 and 2016.168

166 As defined by the GSP statute, a waiver may be provided when total U.S. imports from all countries of a product 

are “de minimis.” Like the dollar-value CNLs, the de minimis level is adjusted each year, in increments of $500,000. 

The de minimis level in 2016 was $23 million.

167 USTR, “United States Reinstates Trade Preference Benefits for Burma,” September 14, 2016. 168 Such imports are eligible for GSP benefits only when received from LDBDCs, and historically these imports have 

been primarily from countries that were also AGOA beneficiaries. Thus, U.S. imports of crude petroleum could 
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Table 2.4 U.S. imports for consumption from GSP beneficiaries, 2014–16

Item 2014 2015 2016

Total imports from GSP beneficiaries (million $) 261,123 206,579 201,705

Total imports under GSP (million $) 18,799 17,694 18,684

Imports under LDBDC provisions (million $)a 871 25 55

Imports under non-LDBDC provisions (million $)b 17,929 17,669 18,629

Imports under GSP (as share of all imports from GSP countries) 7.2 8.6 9.3

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed March 25, 2017). 

Note: LDBDC = least-developed beneficiary developing country. The President’s authority to provide duty-free treatment under the GSP 

program expired on July 31, 2013, but was renewed retroactively effective July 29, 2015. a LDBDC-eligible products are those for which the rate of duty of “free” appears in the special rate column of the HTS, followed by the symbol 

“A+” in parentheses. The symbol “A+” indicates that all LDBDCs (and only LDBDCs) are eligible for duty-free treatment with respect to all 

articles listed in the designated provisions.

b Non-LDBDC-eligible products are those for which a rate of duty of “free” appears in the special rate column of the HTS followed by the 

symbols “A” or “A*” in parentheses. The symbol “A” indicates that all beneficiary countries are eligible for duty-free treatment with respect to 

all articles listed in the designated provisions. The symbol “A*” indicates that certain beneficiary countries (specified in general note 4(d) of the 

HTS) are not eligible for duty-free treatment with respect to any article listed in the designated provision.

On a product basis, gold jewelry was the top GSP import in 2016, sourced primarily from Turkey, 

Indonesia, South Africa, Bolivia, and Pakistan. These countries accounted for 84.6 percent of U.S. 

imports of gold jewelry under GSP. The second-largest GSP import was certain nonalcoholic beverages 

(with over 90 percent of imports sourced from Thailand, the Philippines, and Brazil), followed by 

ferrochromium (primarily from South Africa and Turkey), parts of air conditioning machines (primarily 

from Thailand), and rubber gloves (primarily from Thailand and Indonesia). Among the top 25 U.S. 

imports under GSP, almost all increased in 2016. These included gold jewelry (up $216 million, or 64.1 

percent, from 2015 levels, with Turkey accounting for the majority of the increase), compressionignition internal combustion piston engines for vehicles other than rail and trams (up $117 million, or 

358.5 percent, with Thailand primarily responsible for the increase), and polyethylene terephthalate 

(PET) in primary forms (up $100 million, or 112.8 percent, with Brazil responsible for the increase). 

Appendix tables A.18 and A.19 show the overall sectoral distribution of GSP benefits, and appendix table 

A.20 shows the top 25 products imported under the GSP in 2016. 

African Growth and Opportunity Act 

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA or Act) was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 2000 to 

promote stable and sustainable economic growth and development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In a 

statement of policy in the Act, Congress expressed support for, among other things, “encouraging 

increased trade and investment between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa,” “reducing tariff and 

nontariff barriers and other obstacles to sub-Saharan African and United States trade,” and “expanding 

United States assistance to sub-Saharan Africa’s regional integration efforts.”169 By providing unilateral 

preferential trade benefits to eligible beneficiary SSA countries, AGOA aims to promote political and 

economic reform in SSA, encourage regional economic integration, strengthen private sectors, and 

enhance commercial and political ties between the United States and SSA, as well as facilitate the 

development of civil society, rule of law, and political freedom in SSA countries.170 On June 29, 2015, 

have been switched to entering under AGOA rather than GSP. For more information on the trend in U.S. petroleum 

imports in 2016, see chapter 1. 169 Trade and Development Act of 2000, 19 U.S.C. § 3701, Title I, sec. 103 (Pub. L. 106-200), 19 U.S.C. § 3702;

USDOC, ITA, “Trade and Development Act of 2000,” n.d. (accessed March 21, 2017).

170 Ibid.
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President Obama signed into law the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 (TPEA), which extended 

AGOA for 10 years through September 30, 2025.171

AGOA expands on the U.S. GSP program by offering duty-free access to the U.S. market for all GSPeligible products172 and for qualifying tariff line-item products from designated SSA countries beyond 

those eligible under the GSP program.173 In addition, AGOA authorizes duty-free treatment for certain 

textile and apparel articles made in qualifying beneficiary SSA countries.174 In 2016, approximately 5,098 

tariff lines were designated as covering products eligible for duty-free treatment under AGOA.175

AGOA authorizes the President to designate an SSA country as an AGOA beneficiary country if the 

President determines the country meets the eligibility requirements set forth in section 104(a) of the 

Act.176 The Act also requires the President to review annually whether SSA countries are, or remain, 

eligible for AGOA benefits based on the eligibility criteria.177 Moreover, compared to the Act, the 2015 

TPEA offers additional tools for the President to use to promote compliance with AGOA eligibility 

criteria. One of the most notable changes is that TPEA expands the annual review process and 

authorizes the President to initiate an “out-of-cycle review” process at any time concerning an SSA 

country’s AGOA eligibility.178

In 2016, 38 SSA countries out of a total 48 SSA countries were eligible for AGOA benefits.179 Of these 

countries, 28 were eligible for AGOA textile and apparel benefits for all or part of 2016.180 Of the 

countries in the latter group, all but one (South Africa) were also eligible for additional textile and 

apparel benefits for lesser-developed beneficiary countries (LDBCs) for all or part of 2016.181 Notable 

171 Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, 19 U.S.C. § 3721(g), sec. 103; U.S. Government Publishing Office, 

“Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015,” n.d. (accessed March 21, 2017).

172 The eligibility criteria for GSP and AGOA designation substantially overlap, and countries must be GSP eligible in 

order to receive AGOA’s trade benefits. Although GSP eligibility does not imply AGOA eligibility, 47 of the 48 SSA 

countries are currently GSP eligible. USDOC, ITA, “AGOA: General Country Eligibility Provisions,” n.d. (accessed 

March 21, 2017). Countries are designated separately for the two programs (see HTS, general notes 4 and 16). 173 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 187. 174 This benefit is also extended through September 30, 2025, by the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015. 175 In 2017, approximately 5,241 tariff lines were designated as covering products eligible for duty-free treatment 

under AGOA. This number, however, only includes tariff lines that (1) are not MFN [or Normal Trade Relations 

(NTR)/] duty free; (2) that are marked “D”; and (3) are in chapters 01–97 in the HTS. AGOA beneficiaries receive 

additional eligibility on tariff lines in chapters 61 and 62 (apparel) if they meet the rule of origin requirements. The 

rule of origin places additional requirements on the fabric and upstream materials used. Those tariff lines are not 

marked “D” in the HTS.

176 19 U.S.C. § 3703(a). 19 U.S.C. § 3706 lists a total of 49 SSA countries, or their successor political entities, as 

potential AGOA beneficiaries. Thirty-one of these are LDBDCs under the GSP. See general note 4(b) to the HTS. 177 19 U.S.C. § 2466a(a)(2). 178 See section 105(c) of Pub. L. 114-27, Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, amending section 506A of the 

Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. § 2466a). For more information about TPEA, see USITC, The Year in Trade 2015, 2016, 

82.

179 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 187. 180 Twenty-eight countries were listed in the HTS as eligible to receive AGOA apparel benefits as of January 1, 2016. 

They included Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, 

Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, 

Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. USITC, HTS 2016, January 2016, 

chapter 98, subchapter XIX, U.S. note 1.

181 USDOC, ITA, “AGOA Preferences: Country Eligibility,” December 20, 2016.
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among these extra benefits is the third-country fabric provision for LDBCs, which allows beneficiary 

countries to use non-U.S., non-AGOA fabrics in apparel exports under AGOA.182

In 2015, the President terminated the designation of Burundi as an AGOA beneficiary, effective January 

1, 2016, due primarily to concerns related to human rights, governance, and rule of law.183 In addition, 

the annual review conducted in 2016 resulted in the reinstatement of the Central African Republic’s 

AGOA eligibility, effective January 1, 2017, as a result of steps the government of that country has taken 

to address rule of law issues.184 Finally, Seychelles was graduated from eligibility for AGOA (as well as 

GSP) benefits effective January 1, 2017, because it was determined to be a “high-income” country.185

In July 2015, an out-of-cycle review of South Africa’s AGOA eligibility was initiated.186 On November 5, 

2015, the President determined that South Africa had not made continual progress toward the 

elimination of several longstanding barriers to U.S. trade and investment, including barriers to U.S. 

poultry, pork, and beef exports to South Africa.

187 On January 11, 2016, the President issued a 

proclamation announcing that the United States would suspend the application of duty-free treatment 

for all AGOA-eligible goods in the agricultural sector from South Africa.188 The effective date for the 

suspension was set at March 15, 2016, to allow South Africa time to implement actions to resolve the 

outstanding barriers to U.S. trade.189 South Africa subsequently came into compliance with the relevant 

AGOA criteria, leading to a revocation on March 14, 2016, of the earlier proclamation.190

In 2016, the value of U.S. imports that entered free of duty from beneficiary countries under AGOA 

(including GSP) was $10.6 billion, a 14.1 percent increase from 2015. These imports accounted for 52.7 

percent of total imports from AGOA countries in 2016. In 2016, imports entering the United States 

exclusively under AGOA (excluding GSP) were valued at $9.4 billion, accounting for 46.9 percent of U.S. 

imports from AGOA countries (table 2.5).

Table 2.5 U.S. imports for consumption from AGOA beneficiaries, 2014–16

Item 2014 2015 2016

Total imports from AGOA countries (million $) 25,487 19,131 20,060

Imports under AGOA, including GSP (million $)a 14,245 9,267 10,577

Imports under AGOA, excluding GSP (million $) 11,874 7,984 9,404

Imports under AGOA (as a share of all imports from AGOA countries) 55.9 48.4 52.7

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed March 25, 2017) a AGOA-eligible products are those for which a rate of duty of “free” appears in the special rate column of the HTS followed by the symbol “D” 

in parentheses. The symbol “D” indicates that all AGOA beneficiaries are eligible for duty-free treatment with respect to all articles listed in the 

designated provisions. In addition, provisions of subchapters II and XIX of chapter 98 of the HTS set forth specific categories of AGOA-eligible 

products, under the terms of separate country designations enumerated in subchapter notes. Includes imports for which preferential tariff 

treatment was claimed for AGOA-eligible goods by U.S. importers under GSP, for HTS rate lines with special duty symbols “A” or “A+.”

182 USITC, HTS 2016, January 2016, chapter 98, subchapter XIX, U.S. note 2(a) through 2(e). 183 USTR, 2016 Trade Policy Agenda and 2015 Annual Report, March 2016, 193–94; Proclamation No. 9383 

(December 21, 2015).

184 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 187. 185 Proclamation No. 9333 (September 30, 2015). “High income” is defined based on the World Bank’s definition of 

a “high-income” country in its per capita income tables. 19 U.S.C. § 2462(e). 186 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 187. 187 Ibid. 188 Proclamation No. 9388 (January 14, 2016). 189 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 187. 190 Ibid.; Proclamation No. 9406 (March 14, 2016).
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The increase in U.S. imports under AGOA in 2016 compared to 2015 mainly reflected an increase in the 

value and quantity of imports of crude petroleum.191 The value of U.S. crude petroleum imports under 

AGOA increased 27.9 percent ($1.3 billion) from 2015 to 2016, and the quantity increased 67.2 percent 

(57.3 million barrels) over the same period.192 The top two petroleum-producing countries in SSA, 

Nigeria and Angola, both experienced significant increases in the value and quantity of their exports of 

crude petroleum to the United States under AGOA (appendix tables A.21 and A.22).193

The major suppliers of duty-free U.S. imports under AGOA in 2016 were Nigeria (37.0 percent of total 

AGOA imports), Angola (20.8 percent), South Africa (19.8 percent), Chad (8.2 percent), Kenya (4.1 

percent), and Lesotho (3.1 percent). These six countries accounted for 93.1 percent of total imports by 

value under AGOA, an increase of 3.3 percentage points from 2015, mainly driven by a rapid increase of 

U.S. imports under AGOA from Nigeria (appendix table A.21).

Crude petroleum continued to be the leading import under AGOA. It accounted for 65.5 percent of the 

total value of AGOA imports in 2016, a 5.2 percentage point increase from 60.3 percent in 2015. The 

value of U.S. imports of crude petroleum under AGOA increased 27.9 percent, from $4.8 billion in 2015 

to $6.2 billion in 2016 (appendix table A.22). The increase of almost 28 percent from 2015 to 2016 was 

mainly due to the increase of U.S. imports of such products from Nigeria, and was driven primarily by (1) 

a narrower price spread between the U.S. domestic crude petroleum price and the corresponding 

international price, which makes foreign crude more competitive;194 (2) decreasing U.S. domestic 

production;195 and (3) the similarities between the types of crude petroleum (sweet and light crude) 

produced in Nigeria and the United States’ own crude petroleum produced from North Dakota’s Bakken 

formation and Eagle Ford in Texas.196

Passenger motor vehicles and textile and apparel products were two other major U.S. imports under 

AGOA. They accounted for 15.9 percent and 9.0 percent of the value of total AGOA imports in 2016, 

respectively (appendix table A.22). U.S. passenger motor vehicle imports under AGOA came exclusively 

from South Africa, and they increased in value from $1.3 billion in 2015 to $1.5 billion in 2016.

Section 105 of AGOA required the President to establish the U.S.-SSA Trade and Economic Cooperation 

Forum (also known as the AGOA Forum) to discuss trade, investment, and development at an annual 

ministerial-level meeting with AGOA-eligible countries.197 The 15th AGOA Forum was held in September 

2016 in Washington, DC.198 Before the meeting, the Office of the USTR had issued a report entitled 

191 Crude petroleum refers to products classified under HTS 2709.00. 192 USITC DataWeb/USDOC (accessed April 6, 2017). 193 The quantity of U.S. imports under AGOA of crude petroleum increased from 85.3 million barrels in 2015 to 

142.5 million barrels in 2016. Crude imports under AGOA from Nigeria increased from 20.2 million barrels in 2015 

to 70.0 million barrels in 2016, and from Angola increased from 32.2 million barrels in 2015 to 47.9 million barrels 

in 2016. USITC DataWeb/USDOC (accessed April 6, 2017).

194 For more information on the trends of crude petroleum prices, please refer to Chapter 1 of the report. 

Meanwhile, though the value of total U.S. imports of crude petroleum from the world declined from 2015 to 2016, 

the quantity of U.S. imports of crude petroleum from the world increased from 2.7 billion barrels in 2015 to 2.8 

billion barrels in 2016.

195 EIA, “Despite Growth Late in the Year,” March 20, 2017. 196 Since light, sweet crude petroleum produced in Nigeria is the most similar to U.S. domestic production, imports 

of this type of crude petroleum were the first to replace declines in U.S. domestic production, as the two are easily 

substitutable with each other. Foreso, Yuan, and Yang, “Africa’s Crude Petroleum Exports Declined,” July 2015.

197 19 U.S.C. § 3704. 198 U.S. Department of State, “AGOA Forum 2016,” n.d. (accessed March 31, 2017).
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“Beyond AGOA—Looking to the Future of U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment.” The report presented the 

case for deepening the U.S.-Africa trade and investment relationship beyond AGOA.199 At the forum, 

USTR Michael Froman and officials from other U.S. government agencies pursued these goals by 

meeting with African trade ministers, leaders of African regional economic organizations, and 

representatives of the American and African countries’ private sectors and civil society to discuss issues 

and strategies for advancing trade, investment, and economic development in Africa, as well as ways to 

increase two-way U.S.-African trade.200

Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act 

The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) was enacted in 1983 as part of the Caribbean Basin 

Initiative. Its goal was to encourage economic growth and development in the Caribbean Basin countries 

by using duty preferences to promote increased production and exports of nontraditional products.201

The Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) amended CBERA in 2000 and expanded the list of 

qualified articles for eligible countries to include certain apparel.202 The CBTPA also extended “NAFTAequivalent treatment”—that is, rates of duty equivalent to those accorded to goods complying with the 

rules of origin applicable under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)—to a number of 

other products previously excluded from CBERA. These products included certain tuna; crude petroleum 

and petroleum products; certain footwear; watches and watch parts assembled from parts originating in 

countries not eligible for normal trade relations (NTR) rates of duty; and certain handbags, luggage, flat 

goods, work gloves, and leather wearing apparel.203 Products that are still excluded from CBERA 

preferential treatment include textile and apparel products not otherwise eligible for preferential 

treatment under CBTPA (mostly textile products) and above-quota imports of certain agricultural 

products subject to tariff-rate quotas (primarily sugar, beef, and dairy products). CBTPA preferential 

treatment provisions were extended in 2010 through September 30, 2020, while the original CBERA has 

no expiration date.204 In the section that follows, the term CBERA refers to CBERA as amended by the 

CBTPA.

199 USTR, “Beyond AGOA—Looking to the Future of U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment,” September 2016; USTR, 

2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 187–88. 200 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 187. 201 For a more detailed description of CBERA, including country and product eligibility, see USITC, Caribbean Basin 

Economic Recovery Act, 22nd Report, September 2015. 202 Textiles and apparel that were not subject to textile agreements in 1983 are eligible for duty-free entry under 

the original CBERA provisions, which do not have an expiration date. This category includes only textiles and 

apparel of silk or non-cotton vegetable fibers, mainly linen and ramie. Textile and apparel goods of cotton, wool, or

manmade fibers (“original MFA goods”) are not eligible under the original CBERA. “MFA” stands for the nowexpired Multifibre Arrangement.

203 Normal trade relations (NTR) rates of duty, known as most-favored-nation rates outside the United States, are 

accorded to countries having NTR status in the United States and are non-discriminatory between trading partners. 204 Certain preferential treatment provisions have been extended to September 30, 2020. These provisions relate 

to import-sensitive textile and apparel articles from CBERA countries and to textile and apparel articles imported 

under special rules for Haiti (see section on Haiti below). The extension occurred on May 24, 2010, when the 

President signed the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act of 2010, Pub. L. 111-171, § 3.
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At the end of 2016, 17 countries and dependent territories were designated eligible for CBERA 

preferences205 and 8 of those countries were designated eligible for CBTPA preferences.206 Several 

countries have asked to be designated as eligible for benefits under CBERA, CBTPA, or both, including 

Turks and Caicos Islands, which requested eligibility under CBERA; Aruba, The Bahamas, Dominica, 

Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, under CBTPA;207 and Sint 

Maarten and Suriname, under both CBERA and CBTPA.208 

In 2016, the value of U.S. imports under CBERA fell 43.2 percent, from $1.5 billion in 2015 to $876 

million in 2016 (table 2.6). The top five imports under CBERA in 2016—methanol, T-shirts, crude 

petroleum, sweaters, and polystyrene—comprised over 80 percent of imports under the program and 

accounted for the vast majority of the total decline in 2016 (appendix table A.23). The largest decline in 

the value of U.S. imports under CBERA was in methanol, which fell 60.4 percent ($393 million) because 

both price and quantity declined 31.3 percent and 41.8 percent, respectively. Imports of crude 

petroleum declined mostly because of a decline in the price. In addition, the decline in U.S. imports of 

apparel products under CBERA, primarily from Haiti, can be attributed to a shift from such imports 

entering under CBTPA provisions to entering under the HOPE Acts, the Hemisphere Opportunity through 

Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 (HOPE) and of 2008 (HOPE II Act).209 

Table 2.6 U.S. imports for consumption from CBERA/CBTPA beneficiaries, 2014–16

Item 2014 2015 2016

Total imports from CBERA/CBTPA countries (million $) 8,496 7,061 5,342

Total imports under CBERA (million $) 1,973 1,542 876

Imports under CBTPA (million $)a 589 564 392

Imports under CBERA excluding CBTPA (million $)b 1,384 978 484

Imports under CBERA (as a share of all imports from CBERA countries) 23.2 21.8 16.4

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). a CBTPA-eligible products are those for which a special duty rate appears in the special rate column of the HTS, followed by the symbol “R” in 

parentheses. The symbol “R” indicates that all CBTPA beneficiary countries are eligible for special duty rate treatment with respect to all 

articles listed in the designated provisions. In addition, subchapters II and XX of chapter 98 set forth provisions covering specific products 

eligible for duty-free entry, under separate country designations enumerated in those subchapters (and including former CBTPA 

beneficiaries—El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Panama). b CBERA (excluding CBTPA)-eligible products are those for which a special duty rate appears in the special rate column of the HTS, followed by 

the symbols “E” or “E*” in parentheses. The symbol “E” indicates that all beneficiary countries are eligible for special duty rate treatment with 

respect to all articles listed in the designated provisions. The symbol “E*” indicates that certain articles, under general note 7(d) of the HTS, are 

not eligible for special duty treatment with respect to any article listed in the designated provision.

The top five products accounted for most CBERA imports in 2016. However, a large number of 

agricultural products were also imported under CBERA, including yams, guavas, orange juice, papayas, 

spices, and various vegetable and fruit preparations, although these imports were small.

U.S. imports under CBERA accounted for 16.4 percent of all U.S. imports from CBERA countries in 2016. 

Trinidad and Tobago continued to be the leading supplier of U.S. imports under CBERA in 2016, 

accounting for 43.8 percent of the total value. Haiti and Jamaica were also leading suppliers, accounting 

for 36.3 and 8.6 percent of the total, respectively (appendix table A.24).

205 Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Curaçao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, 

Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the 

British Virgin Islands. 206 Barbados, Belize, Curaçao, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. 207 77 Fed. Reg. 61816 (October 11, 2012). 208 Ibid. 75 Fed. Reg. 17198 (April 5, 2010). Until 2010, Curaçao and Sint Maarten were members of the nowdissolved Netherlands Antilles.

209 For more information, see the section on Haiti initiatives later in this chapter.
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Haiti Initiatives

Since 2006, CBERA has been amended several times to expand and enhance trade benefits for Haiti and 

to give Haitian apparel producers more flexibility in sourcing yarns and fabrics.210 The HOPE Act of 

2006211 and of 2008 (HOPE II Act)212 (collectively referred to as HOPE or the HOPE Acts) amended CBERA 

to expand the rules of origin for inputs to apparel and wire harness automotive components assembled 

in Haiti and imported into the United States.213 The HOPE Acts also provided additional trade 

preferences to attract new jobs to Haiti while offering incentives to encourage the use of U.S. inputs.214

The Haitian Economic Lift Program of 2010 (HELP Act) expanded existing U.S. trade preferences 

(especially duty-free treatment for certain qualifying apparel regardless of the origin of inputs) for Haiti 

that were established under the CBTPA and HOPE Acts and extended them through September 30, 

2020.215 On June 29, 2015, President Barack Obama signed the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 

into law, extending the HOPE Acts trade preferences through September 30, 2025.216

The extension of trade preferences for Haiti under the HOPE Acts, Haiti’s inexpensive labor costs, and its 

proximity to the United States have all motivated U.S. apparel firms to increase their sourcing of apparel 

from Haiti in recent years.217 During 2011–15, U.S. imports of apparel from Haiti rose steadily, and such 

imports were expected to surpass the billion dollar mark in 2016.218 Instead, however, U.S. imports of 

apparel fell 5.2 percent, from $895.5 million in 2015 to $848.5 million in 2016 (table 2.7). This decline 

reportedly reflected reduced demand for apparel from major U.S. retailers such as the Limited, 

American Apparel, Macy’s, and the Gap, which experienced bankruptcies, store closures, or job losses in 

2016.219

210 Apparel manufacturing continues to provide a leading source of exports and employment for Haiti’s economy—

accounting for 90 percent of Haiti’s total exports and 40,000 jobs in 2016. USDOS, WHA, “U.S. Relations with 

Haiti,” March 23, 2017.

211 Pub. L. 109-432, sect. 5001 et seq., the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement 

Act of 2006. 19 U.S.C. sect. 2703a. 

212 Pub. L. 110-234, sect. 15401 et seq., the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement 

Act of 2008.

213 There were no U.S. imports of wire harness automotive components from Haiti during 2007–16. 214 GAO, “Letter to the Honorable Max Baucus and the Honorable Dave Camp,” December 14, 2012. For more 

details on the programs under the HOPE Acts, see USITC, The Year in Trade 2010, July 2011, 2-21 to 2-22; USITC, 

Textiles and Apparel: Effects of Special Rules, June 2008, i, ES-1, 1-3 to 1-5. 215 Pub. L. 111-171, sect. 2, Haiti Economic Lift Program Act of 2010. For more information on this program, see 

USITC, The Year in Trade 2011, July 2012, 2-22 to 2-23, and The Year in Trade 2010, July 2011, 2-21 to 2-22. 216 Pub. L. 114-27, sect. 301, Extension of Preferential Duty Treatment Program for Haiti. 217 Although the government of Haiti announced a 25 percent increase in Haiti’s minimum wage rates in June 2016, 

a devaluation of the Haitian gourde in 2016 reportedly offset the rise in wages so that Haiti’s wages remained 

competitive. U.S. and Haitian apparel industry representatives, email messages to USITC staff, January 18, 2017, 

and March 6, 2017.

218 U.S. apparel industry representative, email message to USITC staff, March 1, 2017; U.S. apparel industry 

consultant, email message to USITC staff, March 1, 2017; Castano Freeman, “Bright Outlook for Haiti’s Apparel 

Industry in 2016,” February 16, 2016.

219 U.S. apparel industry consultant, email message to USITC staff, March 1, 2017, and U.S. government 

representative, telephone interview with USITC staff, March 7, 2017. Although Hurricane Matthew inflicted much 

damage on Haiti in October 2016, it did not significantly impact or disrupt Haiti’s apparel production. U.S. apparel 

industry consultant, email message to USITC staff, March 1, 2017; Castano Freeman, “Haiti Garment Exports Set to 

Rise despite Hurricane,” October 13, 2016; Castano Freeman, “Hong Kong’s Winds Group to Open Haiti Factory.”
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Table 2.7 U.S. imports of apparel from Haiti, 2014–16a

Item 2014 2015 2016

Total apparel imports from Haiti (million $) 854.3 895.5 848.5

Apparel imports under a trade preference program (million $) 850.5 892.5 842.9

CBERA/CBTPA (million $) 397.1 394.9 307.9

HOPE and HELP Acts (million $) 453.4 497.6 535.0

Share of total apparel imports from Haiti: (Percent)

Apparel imports under a trade preference program 99.6 99.7 99.3

CBERA/CBTPA 46.7 44.3 36.6

HOPE and HELP Acts 53.3 55.8 63.5

Source: Official trade statistics of the Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce. a These data reflect detailed U.S. general import data under trade preference programs sorted by category and published by the Office of 

Textiles and Apparel at the U.S. Department of Commerce (accessed February 15 and March 9, 2017).

Haitian apparel production has been concentrated in high-volume, commodity cotton garments that 

have relatively predictable consumer demand and few styling changes. In 2016, cotton knit shirts and 

blouses, cotton trousers and pants, and cotton underwear continued to dominate U.S. imports of 

apparel from Haiti, accounting for 42.0 percent, 12.8 percent, and 9.4 percent, respectively, of the total 

value of U.S. apparel imports from Haiti.220 However, the total value and respective shares of U.S. 

imports of these cotton products from Haiti fell from 2015 levels as the total value of U.S. imports of 

manmade-fiber garments (largely knit shirts and blouses and trousers and slacks) from Haiti rose 25 

percent in 2016 compared with 2015. As a result, the share of U.S. imports of manmade-fiber apparel of 

total U.S. imports of apparel from Haiti also rose, growing from 26 percent in 2015 to 34 percent in 

2016. The growth in U.S. imports of manmade-fiber apparel from Haiti reflects a general shift in demand 

toward these manmade-fiber products by U.S. retailers and U.S. apparel customers, such as Under 

Armour, Levi’s, the Gap, and Polo Ralph Lauren.221

The decline in U.S. apparel imports from Haiti in 2016 is not expected to continue. Although economic 

difficulties prompted some major U.S. retailers and brands to reduce their apparel orders from Haiti in 

2016, other U.S. apparel firms continued to increase their orders.222 Moreover, in 2016, investors from 

Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Bangladesh introduced or began implementing plans to 

expand apparel manufacturing in Haiti.223 In June 2016, MAS Holdings, a major Sri Lankan conglomerate 

and intimate apparel manufacturer, announced the opening of a new plant in the Caracol Industrial 

Park.224 In October 2016, Hong Kong athletic-wear supplier Winds Group stated it would open a new, 

80,000 square-foot activewear factory in northwest Haiti to produce garments for U.S. apparel brands 

and take advantage of the HOPE/HELP trade preferences.225 The planned expansion of Haiti’s apparel 

manufacturing by foreign investors is expected to add 5,000 new jobs in the next few years and 

encourage additional investments in the future.226

220 Calculations were made from import data published by USDOC, OTEXA, “U.S. General Imports by Country: 

Major Shippers Report” (accessed March 6, 2017).

221 U.S. apparel industry consultant, email message to USITC staff, March 1, 2017; Haitian apparel industry 

representative, email message to USITC staff, February 15, 2017; and Castano Freeman, “Haiti Garment Exports Set 

to Rise despite Hurricane,” October 13, 2016. 

222 U.S. apparel industry representative, email message to USITC staff, January 19, 2017. 223 Haitian apparel industry representative, email message to USITC staff, February 15, 2017. 224 Sonapi Parc Industriel de Caracol, 2016 Year End Report, 6 (accessed March 2, 2017). 225 Castano Freeman, “Hong Kong’s Winds Group to Open Haiti Factory,” October 26, 2017. 226 Haitian apparel industry representative, email message to USITC staff, February 15, 2017, and U.S. apparel 

industry consultant, email message to USITC staff, March 1, 2017.
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Virtually all (99.3 percent) of U.S. imports of apparel from Haiti entered duty free under trade 

preference programs in 2016. These programs offer unlimited duty-free treatment for certain apparel 

products and limited duty-free treatment for other apparel products made from non-originating fabrics 

up to certain quotas, known as tariff preference levels (TPLs). These programs have helped to revitalize 

and expand Haiti’s apparel industry, as evidenced by continued job growth in the sector (1,887 jobs 

were added in the Caracol Industrial Park alone in 2016).227 

In 2016, Haiti accounted for nearly all (99.9 percent) of U.S. imports of apparel entering under the 

CBTPA. Over a third (36.6 percent) of total U.S. imports of apparel from Haiti ($307.9 million) entered 

under CBTPA provisions in 2016. This share was down, however, from previous years, reflecting a 

continued shift of U.S. apparel imports from Haiti from entering under CBTPA provisions to entering 

under the HOPE Acts because of the additional trade preferences that the HOPE Acts offer. The value of 

U.S. imports of apparel entering under the HOPE Acts rose 7.5 percent, from $497.6 million in 2015 to 

$535.0 million in 2016, and represented almost two-thirds (63.5 percent) of total U.S. apparel imports 

that entered free of duty from Haiti, up from 55.8 percent in 2015. Of the apparel imported from Haiti 

under the HOPE Acts in 2016, $475.7 million, or 88.9 percent, entered under TPLs.228 Almost 30 percent 

($140.4 million) of these U.S. imports of apparel from Haiti entered under the woven apparel TPL in 

2016 and 70 percent ($335.2 million) entered under the knit apparel and value-added TPLs the same 

year.229

Most of the remaining U.S. imports ($59.1 million) under the HOPE Acts in 2016 entered under the 

Earned Import Allowance Program, a special trade program created under HOPE II in 2008 that allows 

the duty-free entry into the United States of certain apparel manufactured in Haiti.230 In 2016, U.S. 

imports of apparel from Haiti under the program rose 3.0 percent to $59.1 million, up from $57.4 million 

in 2015. As in previous years, no U.S. imports of apparel entered under HTS 9820.61.45 in 2016, one of 

the HELP provisions added in 2010 that allows for unlimited duty-free imports of certain knit apparel. 

However, for the first time since 2010, when HTS 9820.63.05, a provision for home goods was also 

added under HELP, a small amount ($5,000) of U.S. imports of home goods from Haiti entered under the 

HELP Act in 2016.

227 The Caracol Industrial Park is a major manufacturing hub (primarily of apparel) in northern Haiti, established in 

the years following Haiti’s devastating earthquake of 2010. Sonapi Parc Industriel de Caracol, 2016 Year End 

Report, 6 (accessed March 2, 2017). 228 The TPLs allow set quantities of certain knit and woven apparel (both of which must be wholly assembled in 

Haiti) as well as certain apparel for which at least 50–60 percent of the export value added must consist of inputs 

from Haiti, the United States, or a country with which the United States has an FTA, to enter the United States free 

of duty, regardless of the source of the fabric.

229 The fill rates for the TPLs for woven apparel (HTS subheading 9820.62.05), knit apparel (HTS subheading 

9820.61.35), and value-added apparel (HTS subheadings 9820.61.25 and 9820.61.30) were 45.3 percent, 30.9 

percent, and 7.7 percent, respectively, for the preferential period October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. USDOC, 

Office of Textiles and Apparel, Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership for Encouragement Act (Haiti 

HOPE), Preferential Period October 1, 2015–September 30, 2016. 230 The Earned Import Allowance Program seeks to encourage the purchase of qualifying fabric (defined as fabric 

formed in the United States from U.S.-formed yarns) for use in Haitian apparel manufacturing. The program 

originally provided that for every 3 square meters equivalent of qualifying fabric bought or manufactured by a 

producer for apparel production in Haiti, a 1-unit credit would be received. The credit could be used toward the 

duty-free importation of Haitian apparel into the United States that was produced using non-qualifying fabric. 

However, no apparel from Haiti was exported to the United States under the original 3-for-1 program. In 2010, the 

HELP Act reduced the exchange ratio from 3-for-1 to 2-for-1 in an effort to encourage the program’s use.
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Chapter 3 

The World Trade Organization

This chapter covers developments in 2016 in the World Trade Organization (WTO). These include work 

programs and related items under the WTO General Council, as well as plurilateral agreements hosted 

under the WTO’s auspices.231 The chapter also summarizes developments in major WTO dispute 

settlement cases during the year.

WTO

During 2016, members of the WTO continued efforts to move forward with the multilateral trade 

negotiations that started in 2001 under the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), but made little progress. 

A number of delegates suggested moving to subjects not directly covered under the DDA, such as 

fisheries and fishery subsidies.232 In his informal consultations with delegates during the year, the WTO 

Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, chairman of the DDA Trade Negotiating Committee, found that 

certain issues seemed to be gaining members’ attention. These included agricultural topics such as 

programs to hold food security stocks (“public stockholding”) and domestic support measures, as well as 

domestic regulation of services. During these consultations, the Director-General also found other 

subjects attracting members’ interest, including small and medium-sized enterprises, electronic 

commerce, and services trade facilitation.233

General Council 

The WTO General Council held five meetings in 2016.234 At the yearend council meeting on December 7, 

2016, members agreed that the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference would be held in Buenos Aires, 

Argentina, December 11–14, 2017.235

231 The WTO is based on a “multilateral” agreement whose rules and commitments apply to all its members. WTO 

members may also negotiate smaller “plurilateral” agreements whose rules and commitments apply only to the 

members that have signed it.

232 WTO, “Ministerial Conferences––Ministers Support Call for Increased Efforts to Find Possible Areas of 

Agreement for MC11,” June 2, 2016; Inside U.S. Trade, “WTO Members Stalled over Future Negotiations,” May 20, 

2016.

233 WTO, GC, “Minutes of the Meeting––Held in the Centre William Rappard on 3 October 2016: Annex 2––The 

Director-General’s Report at the Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting Held on 30 September 2016,” November 

10, 2016; WTO, General Council, “Agenda Items 2––Report by the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations 

Committee—Monday, 27 February 2017––Director-General’s Report at the Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting

on 23 February 2017,” March 1, 2017, 2–4. 234 February 24, May 12, July 27, October 3, and December 7, 2016. 235 WTO, “Ministerial Conferences––Dates Fixed for 2017 Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires,” December 8, 

2016. In addition, WTO members agreed on February 28, 2017, to appoint the current Director-General, Roberto 

Azevêdo, to a second term of four years, to begin on September 1, 2017. WTO, “Roberto Azevêdo Reappointed 

WTO Director-General,” February 28, 2017.
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Work Programs, Decisions, Waivers, and Reviews

In 2016, the General Council continued discussions on items under the DDA Work Program regarding 

small economies, least-developed developing countries, the development assistance aspects of cotton, 

and electronic commerce. During the year, the General Council adopted decisions on nomenclature 

changes in WTO tariff schedules for the 2002, 2007, and 2012 versions of the global Harmonized 

Commodity Description and Coding System (HS). The Council also reviewed waivers agreed on 

previously, including the U.S. waivers related to the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) 

and trade preferences for the Pacific Islands and Nepal.236

Accessions

WTO membership rose to 164 members in 2016: Liberia joined on July 14, 2016, and Afghanistan joined 

on July 29, 2016 (table 3.1). Another 21 countries were in various stages of applying for membership in 

2016.237 There were 22 country observers to the WTO at yearend 2016 (table 3.2).238 In addition, the 

following 8 international organizations attend WTO General Council meetings as observers: the Food 

and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, International Trade 

Centre, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations, United Nations 

Conference on Trade and Development, World Bank, and the World Intellectual Property Organization.

236 WTO, GC, World Trade Organization Annual Report 2016, December 21, 2016; USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda 

and 2016 Annual Report, March 1, 2017, 14. 237 WTO, “Accessions: DG Azevêdo Welcomes Liberia as 163rd WTO Member,” July 14, 2016; WTO, “Accessions: 

DG Azevêdo Welcomes Afghanistan as 164th WTO Member,” July 29, 2016. 238 Countries negotiating membership are WTO “observers” with the exception of the Holy See (the Vatican).
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Table 3.1 WTO members in 2016

Country

Afghanistan Costa Rica Iceland Montenegro Slovakia

Albania Côte d’Ivoire India Morocco Slovenia

Angola Croatia Indonesia Mozambique Solomon Islands

Antigua and Barbuda Cuba Ireland Namibia South Africa

Argentina Cyprus Israel Nepal South Korea

Armenia Czech Republic Italy Netherlands Spain

Australia Denmark Jamaica New Zealand Sri Lanka

Austria Djibouti Japan Nicaragua Suriname

Bahrain Dominica Jordan Niger Swaziland

Bangladesh Dominican Republic Kazakhstan Nigeria Sweden

Barbados Ecuador Kenya Norway Switzerland

Belgium Egypt Kuwait Oman Taiwanc

Belize El Salvador Kyrgyzstan Pakistan Tajikistan

Benin Estonia Laos Panama Tanzania

Bolivia European Union Latvia Papua New Guinea Thailand

Botswana Fiji Lesotho Paraguay Togo

Brazil Finland Liberia Peru Tonga

Brunei Darussalam France Liechtenstein Philippines Trinidad and Tobago

Bulgaria Gabon Lithuania Poland Tunisia

Burkina Faso Gambia Luxembourg Portugal Turkey

Burmaa Georgia Macau, China Qatar Uganda

Burundi Germany Macedonia (FYROM)b Romania Ukraine

Cabo Verde Ghana Madagascar Russia United Arab Emirates

Cambodia Greece Malawi Rwanda United Kingdom

Cameroon Grenada Malaysia Saint Kitts and Nevis United States of America

Canada Guatemala Maldives Saint Lucia Uruguay

Central African Republic Guinea Mali Saint Vincent and the 

Grenadines

Vanuatu

Chad Guinea-Bissau Malta Samoa Venezuela

Chile Guyana Mauritania Saudi Arabia Vietnam

China Haiti Mauritius Senegal Yemen

Colombia Honduras Mexico Seychelles Zambia

Congo, Republic Hong Kong, China Moldova Sierra Leone Zimbabwe

Congo, Democratic 

Republic

Hungary Mongolia Singapore

Source: WTO, “Understanding the WTO: The Organization; Members and Observers,” July 29, 2016. a

In the WTO, Burma is known as Myanmar.

b

In the WTO, Macedonia is known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, abbreviated FYROM.

c

In the WTO, Taiwan is known as the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, or less formally as “Chinese Taipei.” 

Table 3.2 WTO observers in 2016

Country

Algeria Equatorial Guinea Somalia

Andorra Ethiopia Sudan

Azerbaijan Iran Syria

Bahamas Iraq Timor-Leste

Belarus Lebanon Uzbekistan

Bhutan Libya Vatican (The Holy See)

Bosnia and Herzegovina São Tomé and Príncipe

Comoros Serbia

Source: WTO, “Understanding the WTO: The Organization; Members and Observers,” July 29, 2016.
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Expansion of the Information Technology 

Agreement 

The Information Technology Agreement (ITA),239 concluded in December 1996, is aimed at the 

elimination of import duties on information and communications technology (ICT) products such as 

computers, telecommunications equipment, semiconductors and their manufacturing and testing 

equipment, software, and scientific instruments, as well as parts and accessories for such products.240

Eighty-two WTO members are currently participants in the ITA.241

From 2012 to 2015, a subset of 24 ITA participants242 held additional negotiations to expand the 

products covered under the ITA. On July 24, 2015, nearly all of these participants agreed to eliminate 

tariffs on goods from the newly agreed-on list.243 The parties to this expansion (often called “the ITA 

Expansion”) agreed to phase out tariffs on an additional 201 ICT products, such as advanced 

semiconductors, software media, high-tech medical devices, global positioning systems, and high-tech 

testing instruments.244 Because the most-favored-nation principle applies to WTO agreements, all WTO 

members will benefit from duty-free access to the markets of the parties to the ITA Expansion.245 

In 2016, the parties to the ITA Expansion agreement began to implement the agreement’s expanded 

provisions. By yearend, a majority of participants had implemented their initial tariff commitments, with 

full implementation on track according to the agreement’s schedule.

246

Agreement on Trade Facilitation 

In December 2013, at the Ninth WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali, Indonesia, WTO members 

concluded an Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA). The TFA seeks to expedite the movement, release, 

and clearance of traded goods across national borders to help increase trade flows through the 

multilateral trade system. In large measure the TFA works to attain these goals by making rules and their 

implementation more transparent—for example, via electronic publication of information about port 

procedures, fees, penalties, prohibitions, tariff quotas, and customs rules.247

239 Formally, the WTO Ministerial Declaration on Trade in Information Technology Products (WT/MIN(96)/16). 240 WTO, “Information Technology” (accessed March 14, 2017). 241 Ibid. 242 The participants in the expansion are Albania, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the European 

Union, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, the 

Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland (on behalf of the customs union of Switzerland and 

Liechtenstein), Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States. WTO, “Briefing Note: The Expansion of Trade in 

Information Technology Products (ITA Expansion),” December 16, 2015. Macao, China, joined in 2016. 243 Formally, the Declaration on the Expansion of Trade in Information Technology Products. WTO, General Council, 

“Declaration on the Expansion of Trade in Information Technology Products––Communication from the European 

Union,” July 28, 2015. 244 For more information on the ITA Expansion, see USITC, The Year in Trade 2015, July 2016, 95–97. 245 WTO, “WTO Members Conclude Landmark $1.3 Trillion IT Trade Deal,” December 16, 2015. 246 WTO, “Information Technology Agreement––Majority of Participants,” November 1, 2016; USTR, Trade Policy 

Agenda, March 2017, 111. 247 WTO, “Information Technology” (accessed March 14, 2017).
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In 2013, members agreed to several decisions to help implement the so-called Bali Package of outcomes 

from the ninth ministerial conference, one of which included a decision to implement the TFA.248 By 

November 2014, members had adopted the legal protocol required to amend the WTO Agreement to 

include the TFA, once two-thirds of WTO members (110 out of 164) had formally accepted the TFA.249

The WTO Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation was established to help bring about the TFA’s 

entry into force. During 2016, members reported to the committee on their national experiences with 

domestic reform efforts and the acceptance procedures ultimately needed to implement their TFA 

commitments. Despite these efforts, the agreement had not been adopted by yearend 2016.250

Negotiations on an Environmental Goods 

Agreement 

Negotiations toward an Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) began July 8, 2014. This agreement aims 

at reducing customs duties on products used to treat and benefit the environment, including goods that 

generate clean and renewable energy; improve energy and resource efficiency; reduce air, water, and 

ground pollution; manage solid and hazardous wastes; monitor environmental quality; and help to abate 

noise.251 The 18 EGA participants are Australia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, the European Union (EU), 

Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, 

Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United States.252

Participants held their first formal round of 2016 on March 2–4, discussing several circulated proposals 

on tariff “staging,” that is, the phasing out of tariffs over time.253 At their 13th round of negotiations on 

April 18–22, 2016, participants continued discussions on proposals for tariff cuts and phaseouts, and 

began to focus on products identified as sensitive by various participants.254 The next discussions, on 

June 20–24 and July 24–29, were held among small or bilateral groupings. These discussions sought to 

overcome sensitivities about tariff elimination or phaseouts for certain goods.255

In the September 19–23 round, participants sought to narrow the types of environmental products that 

would be included on the final list, which was pared to some 300 tariff lines nominated by EGA 

participants.256 A number of participants also endorsed the goal of a yearend target for reaching a final 

248 WTO, “Ministerial Conference, Ninth Session, Bali, 3–6 December 2013. Agreement on Trade Facilitation––

Ministerial Decision of 7 December 2013,” WT/MIN(13)/36, WT/L/911, December 11, 2013. 249 WTO, GC, “Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization—Decision 

of 27 November 2014,” WT/L/940, November 28, 2014. 250 On February 22, 2017, the Agreement on Trade Facilitation entered into force after 110 (two-thirds) of the 164 

WTO members deposited their formal legal documents accepting the agreement, making it the first multilateral 

agreement completed under WTO auspices in over 20 years. WTO, “Trade Facilitation––WTO’s Trade Facilitation 

Agreement Enters into Force,” February 22, 2017. 251 WTO, “Progress Made on Environmental Goods Agreement, Setting Stage,” December 4, 2016. 252 The EU negotiates as a single participant on behalf of its 28 member states. 253 Government of Canada, GAC, “WTO Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA),” modified December 14, 2016; 

ICTSD, “Environmental Goods Agreement Negotiators Eye Next Steps,” March 10, 2016. 254 ICTSD, “Environmental Goods Agreement Negotiators Discuss Tariff Cut Offers,” April 28, 2016. 255 ICTSD, “Environmental Goods Agreement Negotiators Bargain on Coverage,” June 30, 2016. 256 ICTSD, “Environmental Goods Agreement Participants Prepare Final Push,” September 29, 2016.
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agreement.257 During the October 16–20 negotiating round, EGA participants held further small-group 

discussions focused on product categories considered contentious by the chairman of EGA talks.258

The 18th round of EGA negotiations was held November 26–December 2, and a concluding ministerial 

meeting was scheduled for December 3–4.259 Whereas progress was reported at the talks that began in 

November, participants were unable to overcome remaining differences in time to conclude 

negotiations by the scheduled ministerial meeting.

At yearend 2016, the EGA chair leading the negotiations noted that participants seemed likely to find 

consensus over an “A list” of more than 250 out of roughly 300 tariff lines under discussion; the 

remaining “B list” items were considered more sensitive to some participants and likely to require 

political-level decisions.260 As a consequence, further work was considered necessary in 2017 before the 

participants could resolve their remaining points of disagreement.261

Discussions on Fisheries Subsidies 

As part of the 2001 WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar, WTO members agreed to open 

negotiations to clarify and improve WTO rules and disciplines on fisheries subsidies to address 

overcapacity and overfishing.262 Work on fisheries subsidies advanced in the WTO Negotiating Group on 

Rules (NGR), and following the 2011 pause in the overall Doha Round negotiations, resumed in the leadup to the 2015 WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.263 With members’ views sharply divided 

on the subject, however, no consensus was reached, although all parties agreed that work on fisheries 

subsidies should continue in 2016.264

In June 2016, NGR members expressed strong interest in developing new international rules on fisheries 

subsidies, but continued to disagree on how to do so.265 On September 14, 2016, a group of 13 “likeminded” WTO members issued a joint statement on beginning preparations for new negotiations for an 

“ambitious, high-standard” plurilateral WTO agreement to prohibit harmful fisheries subsidies, while at 

the same time working in parallel with all WTO members toward a wider multilateral agreement.

266 The 

13 members of this coalition are Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, New Zealand, Norway, 

257 ICTSD, “Environmental Goods Agreement Negotiators Prepare for December Deadline,” October 27, 2016. 258 Ibid.; Government of Canada, GAC, “WTO Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA),” modified December 14, 

2016.

259 WTO, “Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA)” (accessed March 16, 2017); Trade Reports International Group, 

“EGA Negotiators Miss Mark,” December 5, 2016, 1. 260 WTO, “Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA)” (accessed March 16, 2017); ICTSD, “Ministerial Talks to Clinch 

Environmental Goods Agreement,” December 8, 2016; Trade Reports International Group, “EGA Negotiators Miss 

Mark,” December 5, 2016; Baschuk, “Environment––Environmental Trade Talks Collapse,” December 6, 2016, 1. 261 WTO, “Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA)” (accessed March 16, 2017); Government of Canada, GAC, 

“WTO Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA),” modified December 14, 2016. 262 WTO, “Briefing Note: Negotiations on Rules—Anti-dumping and Subsidy Disciplines (including Fisheries 

Subsidies) and Regional Trade Agreements,” updated March 2016. 263 Ibid. 264 Ibid. 265 WTO, “WTO Members Affirm Interest,” June 29, 2016. 266 USTR, “Joint Statement Regarding Fisheries Subsidies,” September 14, 2016; USTR, “Obama Administration 

Undertaking Global Initiative,” September 14, 2016.
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Papua New Guinea, Peru, Singapore, Switzerland, United States, and Uruguay.267 By yearend, three 

other WTO members—Brazil, Iceland, and Panama—had joined this initiative.268

In December 2016, at the yearend meeting of the NGR, WTO members discussed several new proposals 

to strengthen disciplines on fisheries subsidies with an aim of reaching an outcome at the next 

ministerial conference, scheduled for December 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Also at this meeting of

the NGR, Canada reported that the separate group of coalition members who were participating in the 

plurilateral initiative would hold their first substantive meeting in early 2017, and that any NGR member 

wishing to take part could join. Canada said that 16 members had signaled their interest by yearend 

2016.269

Selected Plurilateral Agreements Already in Force 

Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft

The plurilateral WTO Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft was signed in 1980, and commits only those 

WTO members that have accepted its disciplines to eliminate tariffs on civil aircraft and other 

obligations related to civil aircraft. There were 32 signatories to the agreement in 2016, with 20 of them 

EU member states.270 With the addition of Tajikistan (see below), there were 25 country observers to 

the committee, as well as several international organizations with observer status.271

The Committee on Trade in Civil Aircraft held one regular meeting during the year, on November 3, 

2016. During the meeting, the committee granted observer status to Tajikistan. The committee chair 

also suggested opening proposed work on revising the agreement’s Product Coverage Annex through 

informal consultations. Such revision would aim to bring the annex into conformity with the 2012 HS. 

Neither the regular committee nor the technical subcommittee under the Committee on Trade in Civil 

Aircraft met during 2016.272

Agreement on Government Procurement

At the end of 2016, there were 19 parties to the 1994 WTO Agreement on Government Procurement 

(GPA).273 In 2012, the parties to the GPA 1994 formally adopted a revised agreement that expanded 

267 Ibid. 268 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 150. 269 WTO, “WTO Members Engage on New Fisheries Subsidies Proposals,” December 9, 2016. 270 The 32 signatories to the agreement are Albania, Canada, Egypt, the EU, Georgia, Japan, Macao, Montenegro, 

Norway, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United States, along with 20 EU member states that are signatories in their 

own right: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, 

Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. WTO, “Report (2016) of the 

Committee on Trade in Civil Aircraft (Adopted 3 November 2016),” November 7, 2016. 271 The 25 WTO members with observer status in the Committee on Trade in Civil Aircraft are Argentina, Australia, 

Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Gabon, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Israel, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, 

Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, and 

Ukraine.

272 WTO, “Report (2016) of the Committee on Trade in Civil Aircraft (Adopted 3 November 2016),” November 7, 

2016.

273 The 19 parties to the GPA were Armenia, Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Moldova, 

Montenegro, the Netherlands with respect to Aruba, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, 
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access to government procurement markets. The revised agreement entered into force in April 2014. In 

2016, Ukraine and Moldova became full parties to the GPA 1994 on April 18 and July 14, respectively, 

when each deposited its formal instrument of acceptance of the agreement. Also in 2016, three 

parties—Ukraine, Moldova, and South Korea—became full parties to the revised agreement. As of 

yearend 2016, all parties to the GPA 1994 except Switzerland were also parties to the revised 

agreement.274 

Kazakhstan was approved during the year to become an observer in the Committee on Government 

Procurement, which oversees operation of both the original and the revised Agreement on Government 

Procurement. This addition brought the number of country observers in the committee to 29, in 

addition to a number of international organizations. In 2016, Russia asked to open accession 

negotiations to the GPA, bringing the number of accessions in progress to nine countries.275

The WTO Committee on Government Procurement held four meetings in 2016: February 17, June 22, 

October 18, and November 28. In June, the committee agreed to the Decision of Arbitration Procedures 

for the revised GPA, which provides a tool to resolve disputes when parties are in the process of 

modifying or clarifying coverage under the revised agreement.276 The committee also continued with its 

various work programs, notably those dealing with access to government procurement activities for 

small and medium-sized enterprises, the collection and reporting of statistical data on government 

procurement, the promotion of environmental sustainability in the parties’ procurement processes, and 

restrictions and exclusions in parties’ annexes to the agreement.277

Dispute Settlement Body

This section offers several pieces of information about the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB). It provides 

(1) a tally of new requests for consultations filed by WTO members during calendar year 2016 under the 

WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU); (2) a table that lists the new panels established during 

calendar year 2016 (involving all WTO members) to review matters raised in complaints under the DSU; 

and (3) short summaries of the procedural and substantive issues in disputes involving the United States 

that moved to the panel stage during 2016, along with summaries of panel and Appellate Body reports 

involving the United States that were issued or adopted during 2016.

Box 3.1 provides an overview of the WTO dispute settlement process, and table 3.3 lists the disputes 

(involving all WTO members) that moved from the consultation stage to the more formal panel litigation

stage during 2016. The titles of the disputes listed in table 3.3 also serve as an indication of the types of 

subject matter that reached the more formal litigation stage during 2016.

Taiwan, Ukraine, the United States, and the EU. Counting the 28 EU member states as signatories, there are 47 

separate signatories to the agreement. WTO, Report (2016) of the Committee on Government Procurement, 

November 29, 2016.

274 WTO, “Agreement on Government Procurement: Parties, Observers and Accessions” (accessed April 13, 2017). 275 WTO, “Report (2016) of the Committee on Government Procurement,” November 29, 2016. The nine countries 

that were in the process of accession to the GPA in 2016 are Albania, Australia, China, Georgia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, 

Oman, Russia, and Tajikistan.

276 Ibid. 277 Ibid.
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Box 3.1 Overview of the WTO Dispute Settlement Procedures 

The WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU) establishes a framework for the resolution of 

disputes that arise between members under the WTO agreements.a Under the DSU, a member may file 

a complaint with the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB). After filing, the member must first seek to 

resolve the dispute through consultations with the named respondent party.b If the consultations fail, 

the complaining party may ask the DSB to establish a panel to review the matters raised by the 

complaint and make findings and recommendations.c Either party may appeal issues of law covered in 

the panel report and legal interpretations developed by the panel to the WTO’s Appellate Body.d The 

findings and recommendations of the Appellate Body and of the panel (as modified by the Appellate 

Body) are then adopted by the DSB unless there is a consensus by the members to reject the ruling.

While the guidelines suggest that panels should complete their proceedings in six months, and that the 

Appellate Body should complete its review in 60 days, these periods are often extended.

Once the panel report or the Appellate Body report is adopted, the party concerned must notify the DSB 

of its intentions with respect to implementing the adopted recommendations.e If it is impracticable to 

comply immediately, the party concerned is given a reasonable period of time to comply, with the time 

decided either through agreement of the parties and approval by the DSB, or through arbitration. 

Further provisions set out rules for compensation or the suspension of concessions in the event the 

respondent fails to implement the recommendations.f Within a specified timeframe, parties can enter 

into negotiations to agree on mutually acceptable compensation. Should the parties fail to reach 

agreement, a party to the dispute may request the DSB’s authorization to suspend concessions or other 

obligations to the other party concerned. Disagreements over the proposed level of suspension may be 

referred to arbitration.

a WTO, “Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes,” 1995. b WTO DSU, Article 4. 

c WTO DSU, Article 6. 

d WTO DSU, Article 17.6. 

e WTO DSU, Article 21.3. 

f WTO DSU, Article 22.

Table 3.3 WTO dispute settlement panels established during 2016

Case no. Complainant Respondent Case name Panel established

DS493 Russian 

Federation

Ukraine Ukraine––Anti-Dumping Measures on Ammonium Nitrate from 

Russia

April 22, 2016

DS494 Russian 

Federation

European Union European Union––Cost Adjustment Methodologies and Certain 

Anti-Dumping Measures on Imports from Russia (Second 

complaint)

December 16, 2016

DS499 Ukraine Russian 

Federation

Russia––Measures Affecting the Importation of Railway 

Equipment and Parts Thereof

December 16, 2016

DS502 European Union Colombia Colombia––Measures Concerning Imported Spirits September 26, 2016

DS504 Japan South Korea Korea––Anti-Dumping Duties on Pneumatic Valves from Japan July 4, 2016

DS505 Canada United States United States––Countervailing Measures on Supercalendered 

Paper from Canada

July 21, 2016

DS508 United States China China––Export Duties on Certain Raw Materials November 8, 2016

DS509 European Union China China––Duties and Other Measures concerning the 

Exportation of Certain Raw Materials

November 23, 2016

Source: Derived from WTO, “Dispute Settlement: The Disputes---Chronological List of Disputes” (accessed May 19, 2017).
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The summaries of issues in dispute in this section of the report are based entirely on information in 

publicly available documents, including summaries published online by the WTO, summaries included in 

USTR’s 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, and summaries included in USTR press 

releases. They should not be regarded as comprehensive or as reflecting a U.S. government or 

Commission interpretation of the issues raised or addressed in the disputes or in panel or Appellate 

Body reports. A table showing procedural developments during 2016 in disputes in which the United 

States was the complainant or respondent appears in appendix table A.25.

This section focuses on developments during 2016. Several disputes in which panels had been 

established in 2015 were active during 2016, with decisions expected in 2017; the panel decisions in 

these cases will be summarized in the Commission’s 2018 report.278 Two disputes were resolved through 

additional consultations. In dispute DS489, China—Measures Related to Demonstration Bases and 

Common Service Platforms Programmes, the United States and China held additional consultations 

following the establishment of a panel in 2015 and reached agreement in April 2016 on a memorandum 

of understanding. Under the memorandum, China agreed to terminate the export subsidies it had 

provided through the Demonstration Bases-Common Service Platform program.279 Dispute DS501, 

China—Tax Measures Concerning Certain Domestically Produced Aircraft, was resolved following 

consultations between the United States and China on January 29, 2016, when China rescinded 

discriminatory tax exemptions on certain domestically produced aircraft.280 Two other disputes dating 

back to 2010 and 2012 and involving U.S. antidumping measures on certain shrimp from Vietnam were 

resolved in 2016, after panel and Appellate Body recommendations and rulings, when Vietnam and the 

United States reached a mutually agreed solution.281

This section also generally focuses only on developments through the panel and Appellate Body stage 

and does not include matters that arise after the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) adopts panel or 

Appellate Body reports in the original dispute. As indicated in box 3.1, dispute litigation often continues 

278 For example, the panel in DS488 was established in March 2015 and composed in July 2015. The panel met with 

the parties on July 20–21, 2016, and November 1–2, 2016. WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS488; United States—AntiDumping Measures on Oil Tubular Goods from Korea” (accessed May 29, 2017); and USTR, 2017 Trade Policy 

Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 92. The panel in DS491 was established in September 2015 and 

composed on February 4, 2016. The panel held its first substantive meeting on December 6–7, 2016. WTO, 

“Dispute Settlement: DS491; United States—Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures on Certain Coated Paper 

from Indonesia” (accessed May 29, 2017); USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 

92–93. 279 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS489; China—Measures Related to Demonstration Bases and Common Service 

Platforms Programmes” (accessed May 28, 2017); USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 

2017, 59.

280 The United States had requested consultations with China on December 8, 2015. In its complaint, the United 

States said that it appears that China was exempting the sale of certain domestically produced aircraft from 

China’s value-added tax (VAT) while subjecting imported aircraft to the VAT. The United States also alleged that 

China had failed to publish the measures that establish these exemptions. The United States stated that these 

measures appear to be inconsistent with Articles III:2 and III:4 of the GATT 1994, and that China also appeared to 

have acted inconsistently with its obligations under Article X:1 of the GATT 1994 and a number of commitments in 

its WTO accession agreement. USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 59. 281 The United States and Vietnam notified the DSB of their mutually agreed solution on July 18, 2016. See WTO, 

“Dispute Settlement: DS404; United States—Anti-dumping Measures on Certain Shrimp from Viet Nam” (accessed 

May 28, 2017); WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS429; United States—Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Shrimp from 

Viet Nam” (accessed May 28, 2017). See also USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 

2017, 82–83.
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beyond the adoption of the panel or Appellate Body report, particularly when the defending party is the 

“losing” party. Issues may arise about the reasonableness of the time sought by the losing party to 

implement findings and recommendations, the adequacy of actions taken by that party to comply with 

the findings and recommendations, and possible compensation and retaliation. Matters may be referred 

to the original panel or to a new panel for further findings and recommendations on compliance and 

other matters, and when appropriate, the parties may seek the help of an arbitrator to resolve matters. 

Appendix table A.25 sets out a timeline for procedural actions in most of the active WTO dispute 

settlement cases, including procedural actions at the implementation, compliance, and 

compensation/retaliation stages. A number of disputes were still active during 2016 well after the panel 

or Appellate Body report had been adopted, including two high-profile disputes brought by the United 

States and the European Communities,282 respectively, against each other’s large civilian aircraft 

measures.283 Several other proceedings of note were underway during 2016 after adoption of panel and 

Appellate Body reports. These involved a dispute with respect to U.S. measures relating to the 

importation, marketing, and sale of tuna and tuna products;284 a dispute relating to measures imposed 

282 In this report’s WTO dispute settlement section, the term “European Communities” is used rather than “EU” if 

the source document—the WTO online summary—uses “European Communities.” 283 Compliance proceedings began in 2012 in both disputes and remained underway throughout 2016 in DS353 

(brought by the EU against the United States). In DS316 (brought by the United States against the EU), the report 

of the compliance panel was circulated on September 22, 2016. The panel found that the EU breached Articles 5(c) 

and 6.3(a), (b), and (c) of the SCM agreement, and that the EU and certain member states failed to comply with the 

DSB recommendations under Article 7.8 of the SCM Agreement to “take appropriate steps to remove the adverse 

effects or...withdraw the subsidy.” In particular, the compliance panel found the following: (1) 34 out of 36 alleged 

compliance “steps” notified by the EU did not amount to “actions” with respect to the subsidies provided to Airbus 

or the adverse effects that those subsidies were to have caused in the original proceeding; (2) as a result, the EU 

failed to withdraw the subsidies, as recommended by the DSB; and (3) those subsidies were a genuine and 

substantial cause of lost sales to U.S. aircraft, and displacement and impedance of exports of U.S. aircraft. On 

October 13, 2016, the EU notified the DSB of its decision to appeal certain issues developed by the compliance 

panel. See WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS316; European Communities—Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil 

Aircraft” (accessed May 28, 2017); WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS353; United States—Measures Affecting Trade in 

Large Civil Aircraft—Second Complaint” (accessed May 18, 2017); USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 

Annual Report, March 2017, 63. 284 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS381; United States—Measures Concerning the Importation, Marketing and Sale 

of Tuna and Tuna Products” (accessed May 28, 2017). The dispute concerned U.S. dolphin-safe labeling provisions 

for tuna and tuna products and whether they were consistent with U.S. obligations under the GATT 1994 and the 

Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). The Appellate Body found aspects of the U.S. 

provisions inconsistent with the TBT Agreement. On July 23, 2013, the United States informed the DSB of a change 

in its dolphin-safe labeling requirements and stated that it had brought its requirements into conformity with the 

DSB recommendations and rulings. Compliance proceedings began in 2013. On December 3, 2015, the DSB 

adopted the Appellate Body report and panel report as modified. On March 22, 2016, the U.S. National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration issued a new rule modifying the dolphin-safe labeling measure, and on April 22, 

2016, the United States requested the establishment of a compliance panel to determine if the new rule is 

consistent with U.S. WTO obligations. On June 9, 2016, Mexico requested the establishment of a second 

compliance panel because it considered that the United States’ new rule had not brought the dolphin-safe labeling 

provisions into WTO compliance. The compliance panel expects to issue its final report in mid-2017. On March 10, 

2016, Mexico requested authorization of the DSB to suspend concessions or other obligations. On March 23, 2016, 

it was agreed at the DSB meeting that the matter be referred to arbitration under Article 22.6 of the DSU. On April 

25, 2017, the arbitrator circulated its decision. The arbitrator determined that the level of nullification or

impairment suffered by Mexico as a result of the 2013 tuna measure is $163.23 million per annum. See also USTR, 
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by India on certain agricultural products from the United States;285 and a dispute relating to China’s 

antidumping and countervailing measures on broiler products from the United States.286

New Requests for Consultations and New Panels 

Established

During 2016, WTO members filed 17 requests for WTO dispute settlement consultations in new 

disputes, which represented an increase from the 13 new requests filed in 2015 and 14 filed in 2014.287

Of the 17 new requests filed during 2016, the United States was involved in 8 (as complainant in 3 and 

respondent in 5), as compared with 3 of the 13 requests in 2015 (as complainant in 2 and as respondent 

in 1) and 3 of the 14 requests filed in 2014 (as complainant in 1 and respondent in 2).288 During 2016, 

“U.S. Announces Compliance,” July 12, 2013; USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 

2017, 77–78. 285 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS430; India—Measures Concerning the Importation of Certain Agricultural 

Products from the United States” (accessed May 28, 2017). In this dispute the United States requested 

consultations on March 6, 2012, regarding India’s import prohibitions on various agricultural products from the 

United States. India asserted that these prohibitions were necessary to prevent the entry of avian influenza into 

India. However, the United States had not had an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza since 2004. After 

consultations failed to resolve the dispute, the United States requested establishment of a panel. The panel issued 

its report on October 14, 2014, and found in favor of the United States. India appealed, and on June 4, 2015, the 

Appellate Body issued a report upholding the panel’s findings. India informed the DSB that it would implement the 

DSB’s recommendations and rulings, and the United States and India agreed that a reasonable period of time for 

doing so would be 12 months, ending on June 19, 2016. On July 7, 2016, the United States requested the 

authorization of the DSB to suspend concessions or other obligations pursuant to Article 22.2 of the DSU. India 

objected to the request, and referred the matter to arbitration. USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual 

Report, March 2017, 65–66. 286 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS427; China—Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty Measures on Broiler Products 

from the United States” (accessed May 28, 2017). In response to the panel report, China initiated a reinvestigation 

of U.S. producers and released re-determinations on July 8, 2014, which continued the imposition of antidumping 

and countervailing duties on U.S. broiler products. The United States considered that China failed to bring its 

measures into WTO compliance and on May 27, 2016, the United States requested establishment of a compliance 

panel. The panel was composed on July 18, 2016. On October 18, 2016, the Chairperson of the panel informed the 

DSB that the panel expected to issue its report before the end of 2017. See USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 

2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 58; WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS427; China—Anti-Dumping and Countervailing 

Duty Measures on Broiler Products from the United States” (accessed May 28, 2017). 287 The number of requests for WTO dispute settlement consultations referred to in this section includes only 

requests made in connection with new disputes and does not include requests for consultations filed in connection 

with compliance proceedings after the DSB’s adoption of panel and/or Appellate Body reports. In its 2017 Trade 

Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, USTR reports a generally declining number of annual filings of requests for 

consultations during the DSB’s first 21 years of operation—25 in 1995, 42 in 1996, 46 in 1997, 44 in 1998, 31 in 

1999, 30 in 2000, 27 in 2001, 37 in 2002, 26 in 2003, 19 in 2004, 11 in 2005, 20 in 2006, 14 in 2007, 19 in 2008, 14 

in 2009, 17 in 2010, 8 in 2011, 27 in 2012, 17 in 2013, 14 in 2014, and 13 in 2015. Thus in the first 10 years of the 

DSB’s operation 327 requests for consultation were filed, versus 174 in the following 11 years. USTR, 2017 Trade 

Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 50. The number of requests shown in the USTR report and in 

Commission reports may vary based on whether the number is for a calendar year or a fiscal year or due to other 

factors. 

288 The United States filed two new disputes in early 2017: DS519, China—Subsidies to Producers of Primary 

Aluminum (consultations were requested on January 12, 2017), and DS520, Canada—Measures Governing the Sale 

of Wine in Grocery Stores (consultations were requested on January 18, 2017). As of early April 2017, both 
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the United States and China were the two WTO members most often named in new disputes, either as 

the complaining or responding party—the United States was the complaining or responding party in 8 

disputes and China in 6. In terms of new disputes filed during 2016, the United States and Brazil each 

filed 3, while China, the EU, India, and Japan each filed 2, and Canada, Morocco, and Turkey each filed 1. 

The countries named as the respondents in those disputes were the United States (in 5 disputes), China 

(in 4), and Colombia, the EU, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Russia, South Korea, and Thailand in 1 each.289

Eight new dispute settlement panels were established during 2016 (table 3.3). The United States was the

complaining party in one of these panel proceedings, and the responding party in one. The 8 new panels 

established in 2016 represent a decrease from the 16 panels established in 2015, the 13 panels 

established in 2014, and the 12 panels established in 2013.

Requests for Consultations Filed during 2016 in Which the United 

States Was the Complaining Party or the Responding Party 

Requests in Which the United States Was the Complaining Party

All three new disputes filed by the United States during 2016 concerned measures taken by China. As of 

the end of 2016, a panel had been established to consider one of the disputes and the other two 

disputes were still in consultations. In the first dispute (DS508), filed on July 13, 2016, the United States 

requested consultations with China regarding China’s export duties on various forms of antimony, 

cobalt, copper, graphite, lead, magnesia, talc, tantalum, and tin. On July 19, 2016, the United States 

requested supplementary consultations on additional related issues. On October 13, 2016, the United 

States requested establishment of a panel, and the DSB established a panel on November 8, 2016. As of 

the end of 2016, the panel had not been composed. The issues raised in this dispute are summarized in 

the next section.290

In the second dispute (DS511), filed on September 13, 2016, the United States requested consultations 

with China regarding certain measures through which China appears to provide domestic support in 

favor of agricultural producers, in particular those producing wheat, indica rice, japonica rice, and corn. 

The United States claimed that the measures appear to be inconsistent with Articles 3.2, 6.3, and 7.2(b) 

of the Agreement on Agriculture. As of the end of 2016, the matter was in consultations.291 

In the third dispute (DS517), filed on December 15, 2016, the United States requested consultations 

with China concerning China’s administration of its tariff-rate quotas, including those for wheat, shortand medium-grain rice, and corn. The United States claimed that the measures appear to be 

inconsistent with Articles X:3(a), XI:1, and XIII:3(b) of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 

disputes were still in consultations. The issues raised and status of the dispute will be summarized in the next 

report.

289 Statistics derived from the WTO’s “Chronological List of Disputes Cases.” 290 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS508; China—Export Duties on Certain Raw Materials” (accessed April 30, 2017). 291 After consultations failed to resolve the dispute, the United States, on December 5, 2016, requested 

establishment of a panel. The DSB established a panel at its meeting on January 17, 2017. WTO, “Dispute 

Settlement: DS511; China—Domestic Support for Agricultural Producers” (accessed April 30, 2017). 
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1994, and Paragraph 1.2 of Part I of China’s Protocol of Accession. As of the end of 2016, the matter was 

in consultations.292

Requests in Which the United States Was the Responding Party

The United States was the named respondent in five new disputes filed during 2016. As of the end of 

2016, a panel had been established and composed to consider one of the disputes, and the remaining 

four were still in consultations. In the first dispute (DS503), filed on March 3, 2016, India requested 

consultations with the United States regarding certain measures (1) allegedly imposing increased fees on 

certain applicants for L-1 and H-1B categories of non-immigrant visas, and (2) relating to a numerical 

commitment for H-1B visas. India claimed that the measures are inconsistent with certain articles of the 

GATS and paragraphs 3 and 4 of the GATS Annex on Movement of Natural Persons Supplying Services. 

As of the end of 2016, the matter was in consultations.293 

In the second dispute (DS505), filed on March 30, 2016, Canada requested consultations with the United 

States regarding countervailing duties adopted by the United States on supercalendered paper and the 

investigation underlying the imposition of those duties. When consultations did not resolve the dispute, 

Canada requested the establishment of a panel. The DSB established a panel on July 21, 2016, and a 

panel was composed (by the Director-General) on August 31, 2016.294 The issues raised in this dispute 

are summarized in more detail in the next section.

In the third dispute (DS510), filed on September 9, 2016, India requested consultations with the United 

States concerning certain measures in the energy sector relating to domestic-content requirements and 

subsidies instituted by the governments of the states of Washington, California, Montana, 

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Michigan, Delaware, and Minnesota. India claimed that the measures 

appear to be inconsistent with Articles III:4, XVI:1 and XVI:4 of the GATT 1994, Article 2.1 of the 

Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS Agreement), and Articles 3.1(b), 3.2, 5(a), 

5(c), 6.3(c), and 25 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM Agreement). At 

the end of 2016, the dispute was in consultations.295 

In the fourth dispute (DS514), filed on November 11, 2016, Brazil requested consultations with the 

United States concerning the imposition of certain countervailing measures with respect to cold- and 

hot-rolled steel flat products from Brazil, and certain aspects of the investigations underlying those 

measures. Brazil claimed that the measure appears to be inconsistent with certain articles and annexes 

of the SCM Agreement and Article VI of the GATT 1994. As of the end of 2016, the matter was in 

consultations.296

292 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS517; China—Tariff Rate Quotas for Certain Agricultural Products” (accessed April 

30, 2017).

293 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS503; United States—Measures Concerning Non-Immigrant Visas” (accessed April 

30, 2017).

294 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS505; United States—Countervailing Measures on Supercalendered Paper from 

Canada” (accessed April 30, 2017). 295 On January 17, 2017, India requested establishment of a panel. The DSB established a panel on March 21, 2017.

WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS510; United States—Certain Measures Relating to the Renewable Energy Sector” 

(accessed April 30, 2017). 

296 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS514; United States—Countervailing Measures on Cold- and Hot-Rolled Steel Flat 

Products from Brazil” (accessed April 30, 2017).
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In the fifth dispute (DS515), filed on December 12, 2016, China requested consultations with the United 

States concerning certain provisions of U.S. law relating to the determination of normal value for 

nonmarket economy countries in antidumping proceedings involving products from China. China 

claimed that the measures appear to be inconsistent with Articles 2.1, 2.2,9.2, 18.1, and 18.4 of the 

Antidumping Agreement, Articles I:1, VI:1, and VI:2 of the GATT 1994, and Article XVI:4 of the Marrakesh 

Agreement. As of the end of 2016, the matter was in consultations.297 

Panels Established during 2016 at the Request of the United 

States

As shown in table 3.3, the DSB established one new panel in 2016 at the request of the United States. 

This panel concerned China’s export restraints on certain raw materials (DS508). As of the end of 2016, 

the panel had not been composed. The issues raised and procedural history of the dispute are 

summarized below. 

China—Export Duties on Certain Raw Materials (DS508) 

The United States filed this dispute on July 13, 2016. The United States requested consultations with 

China regarding China’s export restraints on the exportation of antimony, cobalt, copper, graphite, lead, 

magnesia, talc, tantalum, and tin. The export restraints include export quotas, export duties, and 

additional requirements that impose restrictions on the trading rights of enterprises seeking to export 

various forms of the materials, such as prior export performance requirements.298 

The United States claimed that the measures appear to be inconsistent with Paragraph 11.3 of Part I of 

China’s Accession Protocol. The United States also considered that the measures appear to nullify or 

impair the benefits accruing to the United States directly or indirectly under China’s Accession Protocol. 

On July 19, 2016, the United States requested supplementary consultations concerning alleged 

restrictions on the export of various forms of antimony, chromium, indium, magnesia, talc, and tin. The 

United States claimed that the alleged restrictions appear to be inconsistent with Paragraphs 2(A)(2), 

5.1, and 11.3 of Part I of China’s Accession Protocol as well as paragraph 1.2 of the Accession Protocol 

(to the extent that it incorporates paragraphs 83, 84, 162, and 165 of the Report of the Working Party 

on the Accession of China), and Articles X:3(a) and XI:1 of the GATT 1994. The United States also 

considered that the alleged restrictions appear to nullify or impair the benefits accruing to the United 

States directly or indirectly under the cited agreements. On October 13, 2016, the United States 

requested the establishment of a panel, and the DSB established a panel at its meeting on November 8, 

2016. As of end of 2016, the panel had not been composed.299

297 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS515; United States—Measures Related to Price Comparison Methodologies” 

(accessed May 3, 2017). On the same day, China filed a similar dispute relating to EU price comparison 

methodologies. On March 9, 2017, China requested establishment of a panel in the EU dispute, and the DSB 

established a panel on April 3, 2017. See WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS516; European Union—Measures Related 

to Price Comparison Methodologies” (accessed May 3, 2017). 298 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 59. 299 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS508; China—Export Duties on Certain Raw Materials” (accessed April 30, 2017). 

The EU filed a similar complaint against China on July 19, 2016, regarding China’s duties and other alleged 

restrictions on the export of various forms of antimony, chromium, cobalt, copper, graphite, indium, lead, 

magnesia, talc, tantalum, and tin. WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS509; China—Duties and other Measures 

concerning the Exportation of Certain Raw Materials” (accessed May 3, 2017). The EU requested establishment of 
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Panels Established during 2016 in Which the United States Was 

the Named Respondent

The DSB established one panel during 2016 in which the United States was the named respondent. This 

panel, established at the request of Canada, concerned U.S. countervailing duties on supercalendered 

paper from Canada (DS505). As of the end of 2016, the panel had been composed. The issues raised and 

the procedural history of the dispute are summarized below.

United States—Countervailing Measures on Supercalendered Paper from 

Canada (DS505) 

In this dispute, Canada challenged countervailing duties adopted by the United States on 

supercalendered paper and the investigation underlying the imposition of those duties. Canada’s 

request for consultations also concerned alleged ongoing conduct regarding the application of adverse 

facts available to “discovered” information during the course of a countervailing duty investigation. 

Canada claimed that the measures are inconsistent with certain articles of the SCM Agreement300 and 

Article VI:3 of the GATT 1994. On June 9, 2016, Canada requested the establishment of a panel. The DSB 

established a panel on July 21, 2016, and a panel was composed (by the Director-General) on August 31,

2016.301

Panel and Appellate Body Reports Issued and/or 

Adopted during 2016 That Involve the United 

States

During 2016, the DSB adopted panel and/or Appellate Body reports addressing original disputes302 in 

five cases in which the United States was the complainant or a respondent (table 3.4). The reports in 

those disputes are summarized below.

a panel in that dispute and the DSB established a panel on November 23, 2016. As of the end of 2016, the panel 

had not been composed.

300 Articles 1.1(a)(1), 1.1(b), 2, 10, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.6, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.7, 12.8, 14, 14(d), 19.1, 19.3, 19.4, 

22.3, 22.5, and 32.1 of the SCM Agreement.

301 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS505; United States—Countervailing Measures on Supercalendered Paper from 

Canada” (accessed April 30, 2017).

302 As opposed to panel and Appellate Body reports issued in subsequent compliance and other proceedings.
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Table 3.4 WTO dispute settlement panel and Appellate Body (AB) reports circulated or adopted in 2016 

in which the United States was a party

Case no. Complainant Respondent Case name

Date of report 

circulation or adoption

DS456 United States India India—Certain Measures Relating to Solar Cells and 

Solar Modules

AB report circulated (Sept. 16, 

2016), adopted (Oct. 14, 2016)

DS464 South Korea United States United States—Anti-dumping and Countervailing 

Measures on Large Residential Washers from Korea

AB report circulated (Sept. 7, 

2016), adopted (Sept. 26, 2016)

DS471 China United States United States—Certain Methodologies and their 

Application to Anti-Dumping Proceedings Involving 

China

Panel report circulated (Oct. 19, 

2016), appealed to AB

DS478 United States Indonesia Indonesia—Importation of Horticultural Products, 

Animals, and Animal Products

Panel report circulated (Dec. 22, 

2016)

DS487 European Union United States United States—Conditional Tax Incentives for Large 

Civil Aircraft

Panel report circulated (Nov. 

28, 2016), appealed to AB

Derived from WTO, “Dispute Settlement: The Disputes—Chronological List of Disputes” (accessed May 19, 2017).

Reports in Which the United States Was the Complainant

India—Certain Measures Relating to Solar Cells and Solar Modules (DS456) 

In its request for consultations in this dispute filed on February 6, 2013, the United States challenged 

certain measures of India relating to domestic-content requirements under the Jawaharlal Nehru 

National Solar Mission (NSM) for solar cells and solar modules. The United States claimed that the 

measures appear to be inconsistent with Article III:4 of the GATT 1994, Article 2.1 of the TRIMs 

Agreement, and Articles 3.1(b), 3.2, 5(c), and 25 of the SCM Agreement. The United States also claimed 

that the measures appear to nullify or impair the benefits accruing to the United States directly or 

indirectly under the cited agreements. On February 10, 2014, the United States requested 

supplementary consultations concerning certain measures of India relating to domestic-content 

requirements under Phase II of the NSM for solar cells and solar modules. After consultations failed to 

resolve the dispute, on April 14, 2014, the United States requested that a panel be established. The DSB 

established a panel on May 23, 2014, and the panel was composed on September 24, 2014.303

The panel issued its final public report was on February 24, 2016, finding in favor of the United States on 

all claims. The panel found that India’s domestic-content requirements under the NSM are inconsistent 

with India’s national treatment obligations under Article III:4 of the GATT 1994, and Article 2.1 of the 

TRIMs Agreement. It found India’s requirements to accord “less favorable” treatment to imported solar 

cells and modules than accorded to like products of Indian origin because Indian solar power developers 

were permitted to bid for and maintain certain power generation contracts only by using domestic 

produced equipment, and not using imported equipment. India appealed the decision to the WTO 

Appellate Body on April 20, 2016. The Appellate Body issued its report on September 16, 2016. The

Appellate Body affirmed the panel’s finding that India’s domestic-content requirements under the NSM 

are inconsistent with India’s national treatment obligations under Article III:4 of the GATT 1994 and 

Article 2.1 of the TRIMs Agreement. It also affirmed the panel’s rejection of India’s defensive claims 

under Articles III:8(a), XX(j), and XX(d) of the GATT 1994.304

303 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS456; India—Certain Measures Relating to Solar Cells and Solar Modules” 

(accessed May 3, 2017).

304 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 66–67.
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On October 14, 2016, the DSB adopted the Appellate Body report and the panel report, as modified by 

the Appellate Body report. On November 8, 2016, India informed the DSB that it intended to implement 

the DSB’s recommendations and rulings in the dispute. On December 1, 2016, the United States and 

India informed the DSB that in order to allow enough time for them to discuss a mutually agreed period, 

they had agreed on deadlines for arbitration under Article 21.3(c) of the DSU.305

Indonesia—Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals, and Animal 

Products (DS478) 

The United States, joined by New Zealand, challenged certain measures imposed by Indonesia relating 

to the importation of horticultural products, animals, and animal products. The United States claimed 

that the measures are inconsistent with Articles III:4 and XI:1 of the GATT 1994; Article 4.2 of the 

Agreement on Agriculture; Articles 1.2, 1.5, 1.6, 2.2, 3.2, 3.3, 5.1, and 5.2 of the Import Licensing 

Agreement; and Articles 2.2 and 2.15 of the Agreement on Preshipment Inspection.306

The United States requested consultations with Indonesia on May 8, 2014. When consultations failed to 

resolve the dispute, on March 18, 2015, the United States and New Zealand requested the WTO to 

establish a panel. On May 20, 2015, the DSB established a single panel to examine this dispute and 

DS477, which had been brought by New Zealand and involved similar claims. On October 8, 2015, the 

Director-General composed the panel.307

The panel circulated its report on December 22, 2016, and found all of Indonesia’s import-restricting 

measures for horticultural products and animal products are inconsistent with Article XI:1 of the GATT 

1994. The panel also found that Indonesia has failed to demonstrate that the challenged measures are 

justified under any general exception available under the GATT 1994.308

Reports in Which the United States Was the Respondent

United States—Anti-dumping and Countervailing Measures on Large 

Residential Washers from Korea (DS464)

In this dispute South Korea claimed the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties by the 

United States on large residential washers from South Korea, as well as certain methodologies used by 

the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC), are inconsistent with Articles 1, 2.1, 2.4, 2.4.2, 5.8, 9.3, 9.4, 

9.5, 11, and 18.4 of the Antidumping Agreement; Articles 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 10, 14, and 19.4 of the SCM 

Agreement; Articles VI, VI:1, VI:2, and VI:3 of the GATT 1994; and Article XVI:4 of the WTO Agreement. 

South Korea requested consultations with the United States on August 29, 2013, and after consultations 

305 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS456; India—Certain Measures Relating to Solar Cells and Solar Modules” 

(accessed May 3, 2017). 306 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS478; Indonesia—Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal 

Products” (accessed May 29, 2017). 307 Ibid. See also WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS477; Indonesia—Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and 

Animal Products” (accessed May 29, 2017); and USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 

2017, 68.

308 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 68. On February 17, 2017, Indonesia 

notified the DSB of its intention to appeal certain issues of law and interpretations in the panel report. WTO, 

“Dispute Settlement: DS477; Indonesia—Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal Products” 

(accessed May 29, 2017).
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failed to resolve the dispute, on December 5, 2013, South Korea requested establishment of a panel. 

The DSB established a panel on January 22, 2014, and the Director-General composed the panel on June 

20, 2014.309

The panel circulated its report on March 11, 2016. The panel found that aspects of USDOC’s 

antidumping determination were inconsistent with the second sentence of Article 2.4.2 of the 

Antidumping Agreement. These included the USDOC’s determination to apply an alternative, averageto-transaction comparison methodology, and the application of that methodology to all transactions 

rather than just to so-called pattern transactions. The panel rejected other claims asserted by South 

Korea, including South Korea’s argument that USDOC acted inconsistently with Article 2.4.2 by 

determining the existence of a pattern exclusively on the basis of quantitative criteria. The panel found, 

however, that aspects of USDOC’s differential pricing methodology are inconsistent “as such” with the 

second sentence of Article 2.4.2 of the Antidumping Agreement. The panel also found that the United 

States’ use of zeroing when applying the average-to-transaction comparison methodology is 

inconsistent with the second sentence of Article 2.4.2 and Article 2.4, both “as such” and as applied in 

the washers antidumping investigation. In addition, the panel made several findings on the 

countervailing-duty issues raised by South Korea. The panel found that USDOC’s disproportionality 

analysis, in its original and remand determinations, was inconsistent with Article 2.1(c) of the SCM 

Agreement. But the panel rejected South Korea’s remaining claims, i.e., its claim that USDOC’s regional 

specificity determination was inconsistent with Article 2.2 of the SCM Agreement, and its claims 

concerning the proper quantification of subsidy ratios.310

On April 19, 2016, the United States appealed certain of the panel’s findings, and on April 25, 2016, 

South Korea also filed an appeal. The Appellate Body circulated its report on September 7, 2016. It 

upheld several of the panel’s findings under the Antidumping Agreement, including the panel’s finding 

that the average-to-transaction comparison methodology should be applied only to so-called pattern 

transactions, the panel’s finding that the use of zeroing is inconsistent with the second sentence of 

Article 2.4.2 and Article 2.4, both “as such” and as applied, and the panel’s finding that the differential 

pricing methodology is inconsistent “as such” with the second sentence of Article 2.4.2 of the 

Antidumping Agreement. The Appellate Body reversed other findings made by the panel. For instance, 

the Appellate Body found that an investigating authority must assess the price differences at issue on 

both a quantitative and qualitative basis, and it mooted the panel’s finding concerning systemic 

disregarding, finding instead that the combined application of comparison methodologies is 

impermissible. With respect to the countervailing duty issues, the Appellate Body upheld the panel’s 

rejection of South Korea’s regional specificity claim, but found that certain aspects of USDOC’s 

calculation of subsidy rates were inconsistent with Article 19.4 of the SCM Agreement and Article VI:3 of 

the GATT 1994.311

The DSB adopted the panel and Appellate Body reports on September 26, 2016. On October 26, 2016, 

the United States stated its intention to implement the DSB’s recommendations and rulings, and said it 

309 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS464; United States—Anti-dumping and Countervailing Measures on Large 

Residential Washers from Korea” (accessed May 9, 2017); USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual 

Report, March 2017, 89. 310 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 89–90. 311 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS464; United States—Anti-dumping and Countervailing Measures on Large 

Residential Washers from Korea” (accessed May 29, 2017); USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual 

Report, March 2017, 89–90.
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would need a reasonable period of time to do so. On December 9, 2016, South Korea requested the 

reasonable period of time be determined by binding arbitration.312

United States—Certain Methodologies and Their Application to Anti-Dumping 

Proceedings Involving China (DS471)

In this dispute China claimed the U.S. use of certain methodologies in antidumping investigations 

regarding a number of products from China is inconsistent with Articles 2.4.2, 6.1, 6.8, 6.10, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 

and Annex II of the Antidumping Agreement and Article VI:2 of the GATT 1994. The Chinese products 

covered by these investigations included certain coated paper suitable for high-quality print graphics 

using sheet-fed presses; certain oil country tubular goods; high-pressure steel cylinders; polyethylene 

terephthalate film, sheet, and strip; aluminum extrusions; certain frozen and canned warmwater 

shrimp; certain new pneumatic off-the-road tires; crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not 

assembled into modules; diamond sawblades and parts thereof; multilayered wood flooring; narrow 

woven ribbons with woven selvedge; polyethylene retail carrier bags; and wooden bedroom furniture. 

China requested consultations with the United States on December 3, 2013, and after consultations 

failed to resolve the dispute, on February 13, 2014, China requested the establishment of a panel. The 

DSB established a panel on March 26, 2014, and the Director-General composed the panel on August 28, 

2014.313

The panel circulated its report on October 19, 2016. The panel found that a number of aspects of the 

“targeted dumping methodology” applied by USDOC in three challenged investigations were not 

inconsistent with the requirements of the AD Agreement, including certain quantitative aspects of 

Commerce’s methodology. However, the panel found fault with other aspects of USDOC’s methodology

and with USDOC’s explanation of why resort to the alternative methodology was necessary. The panel 

also found that USDOC’s application of the alternative methodology to all sales, rather than only to socalled pattern sales, and USDOC’s use of “zeroing” in connection with the alternative methodology were 

inconsistent with the second sentence of Article 2.4.2 of the AD Agreement. 

In addition, the panel found that USDOC’s use of a rebuttable presumption that all producers and 

exporters in China comprise a single entity under common government control—the China-government 

entity—to which a single antidumping margin is assigned, both as used in specific proceedings and 

generally, is inconsistent with certain obligations in the AD Agreement concerning when exporters and 

producers are entitled to a unique antidumping margin or rate. Finally, the panel agreed with the United 

States that China had not established that USDOC has a general norm whereby it uses adverse 

inferences to pick information that is adverse to the interests of the China-government entity in 

calculating its antidumping margin or rate. The panel also decided to exercise judicial economy with 

respect to the information USDOC used in particular proceedings. On November 18, 2016, China notified 

312 On January 12, 2017, the Director-General appointed an arbitrator, and on April 13, 2017, the Arbitrator 

determined the reasonable period of time to be 15 months, expiring on December 26, 2017. WTO, “Dispute 

Settlement: DS464; United States—Anti-dumping and Countervailing Measures on Large Residential Washers from 

Korea” (accessed May 29, 2017). 313 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS471; United States— Certain Methodologies and Their Application to Antidumping Proceedings Involving China” (accessed May 9, 2017); USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual 

Report, March 2017, 91.
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the DSB of its decision to appeal certain issues of law and legal interpretations developed by the 

panel.314

United States—Conditional Tax Incentives for Large Civil Aircraft (DS487)

In this dispute the EU alleged that conditional tax incentives established by the state of Washington in 

relation to the development, manufacture, and sale of large civil aircraft constitute specific subsidies 

within the meaning of Articles 1 and 2 of the SCM Agreement and prohibited subsidies that are 

inconsistent with Articles 3.1(b) and 3.2 of the SCM Agreement. The EU requested consultations with 

the United States on December 19, 2014. After consultations failed to resolve the matter, on February 

12, 2015, the EU requested establishment of a panel. The DSB established a panel on February 23, 2015, 

and the Director-General composed the panel on April 22, 2015.315

The panel circulated its report on November 28, 2016. The panel found that all seven Washington state 

aerospace tax incentives at issue are subsidies, but only the business and occupation (B&O) tax incentive 

is a prohibited subsidy. In particular, the panel report found the EU failed to demonstrate that (1) the 

aerospace tax measures are de jure contingent upon the use of domestic over imported goods with 

respect to the First Siting Provision in Washington state’s Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB 5952) 

considered separately; (2) the reduced B&O tax rate for the manufacture and sale of commercial 

airplanes is de jure contingent upon the use of domestic over imported goods with respect to the 

Second Siting Provision in ESSB 5952 considered separately; and (3) the aerospace tax measures are de 

jure contingent upon the use of domestic over imported goods with respect to the First Siting Provision 

and the Second Siting Provision considered jointly. The panel report also found that (1) the seven 

aerospace tax measures at issue constitute a subsidy within the meaning of Article 1 of the SCM 

Agreement; (2) the Washington state B&O tax rate for the manufacturing or sale of commercial 

airplanes under the 777X program is inconsistent with Article 3.1(b) of the SCM Agreement; and (3) the 

United States acted inconsistently with Article 3.2 of the SCM Agreement. On December 16, 2016, the 

United States appealed certain issues of law and legal interpretations in the panel report.316

314 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 91. 315 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS487; United States—Conditional Tax Incentives for Large Civil Aircraft” (accessed 

May 28, 2017). 316 Ibid.; USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 91–92. On January 17, 2017, the 

EU notified the DSB of its decision to cross-appeal. 
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Chapter 4 

Selected Regional and Bilateral Trade 

Activities 

This chapter summarizes trade-related activities during 2016 in two major multilateral organizations—

the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Asia-Pacific Economic 

Cooperation (APEC) forum. It also covers developments during the year in the negotiation of a Trade in 

Services Agreement (TiSA), as well as activities conducted under trade and investment framework 

agreements (TIFAs).

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and 

Development 

The OECD provides a forum for member governments to review and discuss economic, social, and other 

policy experiences affecting their market economies, as well as engage with other major nonmember 

economies to address issues facing the global economy. On July 1, 2016, Latvia became the 35th 

member of the OECD.317

Ministerial Council Meeting

The OECD held its 2016 Ministerial Council Meeting on June 1–2, 2016, in Paris, France.318 The meeting 

focused on the theme of enhancing productivity and inclusive growth, including policies that support 

skills and jobs and that leverage the benefits accruing from innovation by firms and the increased 

digitization of information. As part of the effort to boost productivity and growth, the ministers 

highlighted recent trade initiatives, such as the expanded Information Technology Agreement and the 

Trade Facilitation Agreement, both under the World Trade Organization (WTO). They also called for the 

conclusion of negotiations toward an Environmental Goods Agreement and a Trade in Services 

Agreement (TiSA).319 In addition, they encouraged continued OECD work on trade in value added (TiVA), 

Trade Facilitation Indicators, and the Services Trade Restrictiveness Index to help understand more fully 

how open trade can increase productivity and growth. To help raise productivity, the ministers agreed 

that investments are needed in education and skills that promote quality jobs as a response to rapid 

317 At the end of 2016, there were 35 OECD members––Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, the Czech 

Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, 

Latvia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, 

South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. OECD, “Members 

and Partners,” n.d. (accessed January 17, 2017).

318 OECD, “Enhancing Productivity for Inclusive Growth,” n.d. (accessed January 17, 2017). 319 OECD, Council, “2016 Ministerial Council Statement––Enhancing Productivity for Inclusive Growth. Meeting of 

the Council at Ministerial Level, 1–2 June 2016,” C/MIN(2016)8/FINAL, June 2, 2016.
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technological changes, such as digitization. At the same time, they noted that the risks of job losses from 

automation are relatively modest.320

Trade Committee

The OECD Trade Committee met twice in 2016, at its 168th session on April 21–22 and at its 169th 

session on November 3–4.321 At the April meeting, the committee discussed its draft work program for 

2017–2018 and prepared for the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in June 2016, as well as other 

upcoming events. The Trade Committee also continued discussions with several countries––Colombia, 

Costa Rica, and Lithuania––in various stages of accession to the OECD.322 In May 2016, the Trade 

Committee formally presented its draft work program for 2017–2018, as agreed upon at the April 2016 

meeting. The work program will have four primary areas of focus over the next two years: (1) trade 

liberalization, (2) trade in services, (3) trade and domestic policies, and (4) the OECD Arrangement on 

Export Credits.323

At its November 2016 meeting, the Trade Committee met with representatives from the world’s 20 

major economies, known as the Group of 20 (G20).324 Major topics of discussion included how to 

strengthen agricultural trade policies, how best to structure reforms concerning trade policy and trade 

flows, and how to overcome barriers to trade in services. Members also discussed how trade in 

environmental goods and services can support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as 

well as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its annual Conference of 

Parties (COP). It was noted that during its 21st session in Paris in 2015 (COP21 or the 2015 Paris Climate 

Conference) the COP had reviewed the Convention implementation.325 Other discourse touched on 

OECD work on digitization, as well as the trade costs of regulatory divergence.326

320 OECD, Council, “Chair’s Summary––Enhancing Productivity for Inclusive Growth,” C/MIN(2016)9, June 7, 2016, 

3, par. 12.

321 OECD, TAD, TC, “Draft Summary Record: Trade Committee––Plenary Session,” TAD/TC/M(2016)1, September 

26, 2016; OECD, TAD, TC, “Draft Summary Record: Trade Committee––Confidential Session,” 

TAD/TC/M(2016)1/ANN, September 26, 2016; OECD, TAD, TC, “Draft Agenda: Trade Committee––3–4 November 

2016––OECD Conference Centre, Paris, France,” TAD/TC/A(2016)2, October 14, 2016; OECD, TAD, TC, “Draft 

Agenda: Trade Committee––Confidential Session––4 November 2016––OECD Conference Centre, Paris, France,” 

TAD/TC/A(2016)2/ANN, October 14, 2016.

322 OECD, TAD, TC, “Draft Summary Record: Trade Committee––Plenary Session,” TAD/TC/M(2016)1, September 

26, 2016.

323 OECD, TAD, TC, “Draft Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) 2017–18 of the Trade Committee,” 

TAD/TC(2016)1/REV2, May 31, 2016.

324 The Group of Twenty (G20) comprises the European Union and 19 countries––Argentina, Australia, Brazil, 

Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa,

Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. G20 Web site, “Members and Participants,” n.d. (accessed 

January 19, 2017).

325 OECD, TAD, TC, “Reforming Trade In Services––Insights From New OECD Analysis––OECD Conference Centre––

3–4 November 2016,” TAD/TC(2016)10, October 13, 2016. More formally, the reference is to the Conference of 

Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), session 21 (COP21 or the 

2015 Paris Climate Conference).

326 OECD, TAD, TC, “Draft Agenda: Trade Committee––3–4 November 2016––OECD Conference Centre, Paris, 

France,” TAD/TC/A(2016)2, October 14, 2016.
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Working Party of the Trade Committee

The Working Party of the Trade Committee (TCWP) reported at the April 2016 meeting on its activities 

since the Trade Committee last met in November 2015.327 The chair of the working party updated 

progress made in the technical work on the value-creating role of trade in services, among other things, 

under the Trade Committee’s 2015–2016 work program.

In November 2016, the TCWP reported that it had finalized several documents under its work program. 

One document develops a framework for international regulatory cooperation, while another includes 

regional and country studies that address global value chains in various locations (Latin America, the 

Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Chile). Also, two country studies analyze services trade and 

policy in Brazil and India, respectively, using the OECD Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (STRI).328 The 

TCWP also reported on approaches to studying the cost of services trade restrictions using the STRI, a 

priority previously expressed by members of the Trade Committee. The working party reported on the 

four elements for this project, set out in papers already underway: “The Trade Effects of Regulatory 

Differences”; “The Trade Effect of Services Trade Restrictions”; “STRI: Services Trade Restrictiveness, 

Mark-ups and Competition”; and “Trade Cost in Services: Estimation with Firm-level Data.”329

The TCWP met again on December 13–14, 2016.330 At this meeting, the TCWP discussed trade in 

services, including the cost of services trade restrictions to firms and their foreign affiliates; services in 

global value chains in the context of the increased bundling of goods and services in international trade; 

how to value services commitments currently found in trade agreements; and subjects involving the 

OECD Services Trade Restrictiveness Index. The working party also touched on how state-owned 

enterprises might better regulate international trade and investment, restrictive measures concerning 

government procurement, applications of the OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators, digital trade, and localcontent policies in the context of mineral-exporting countries.331

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Background 

Established in 1989 and composed of 21 member economies, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 

(APEC) is a regional economic forum.332 Since its inception, APEC has aimed to increase prosperity in the 

327 OECD, TAD, TC, “Report from the Chair of the Working Party of the Trade Committee,” TAD/TC/RD(2016)2, April 

20, 2016.

328 OECD, TAD, TC, “Report from the Chair of the Working Party of the Trade Committee,” TAD/TC/RD(2016)1, 

November 2, 2016, 2.

329 Ibid. 330 OECD, TAD, TC, “Draft Agenda: Working Party of the Trade Committee––13–14 December 2016, Paris, France,” 

TAD/TC/WP/A(2016)4, December 9, 2016. 331 Ibid. 332 In 2016, the 21 APEC member economies were Australia; Brunei Darussalam (Brunei); Canada; Chile; China; 

Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; the Philippines; 

Russia; Singapore; South Korea; Taiwan (Chinese Taipei); Thailand; the United States; and Vietnam. For further 

details, see APEC, “About APEC” (accessed January 23, 2017).
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region by supporting regional economic integration and by promoting inclusive and sustainable 

growth.333 APEC decisions are made by consensus, and commitments are undertaken voluntarily.334

The operational structure of APEC is divided into the policy level and the working level. At the policy 

level, the annual APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting sets overarching policy direction, while the annual 

APEC ministerial meeting, sectoral ministerial meetings, senior officials meetings, and APEC Business 

Advisory Council meetings provide strategic policy recommendations.335 At the working level, four core 

committees, including the Committee on Trade and Investment, carry out activities and projects.336 The 

APEC Secretariat is based in Singapore.337

Adopted by APEC member economies in 1994 in Bogor, Indonesia, the Bogor Goals are a set of targeted 

goals for creating a free and open trade and investment area in the Asia-Pacific region.338 APEC works in 

three key areas toward the Bogor Goals: (1) trade and investment liberalization that reduces and 

eventually eliminates tariff and nontariff barriers to trade and investment; (2) business facilitation, 

which focuses on reducing business transaction costs and improving market access and efficiency; and 

(3) economic and technical cooperation that provides training in all APEC member economies to build 

their capacities to promote trade, investment, and sustainable, inclusive economic growth.339 

At the core of APEC work is the Regional Economic Integration agenda. Initiatives under this program 

include pursuing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), a comprehensive free trade agreement 

among APEC member economies; improving the ease of doing business; streamlining customs 

procedures; and carrying out structural reforms in APEC member economies.340

2016 APEC Developments 

In 2016, Peru served as the APEC chair and hosted major APEC meetings.341 Under its leadership, APEC 

focused on “quality growth and human development” and sought to pursue four priorities: “investing in 

human capital development; modernizing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs); 

fostering the regional food system; and advancing the regional economic integration and growth 

agenda.”342

In 2016, various APEC meetings and workshops were organized, carrying out discussions and/or training 

on a wide range of topics. Examples included human resource development; MSMEs’ entry into global 

and regional markets; food trade and regional food security; barriers to trade, investment, and 

333 APEC, APEC at a Glance, 2015, 2. 334 Ibid., 4. 335 APEC, “How APEC Operates” (accessed March 21, 2017); APEC, “How APEC Operates: Policy Level” (accessed 

March 21, 2017).

336 APEC, “How APEC Operates: Working Level” (accessed on March 21, 2017). 337 APEC, APEC at a Glance, 2015, 4. 338 APEC, “Bogor Goals” (accessed January 23, 2017). 339 APEC, “Scope of Work” (accessed April 3, 2017). 340 APEC, “Regional Economic Integration Agenda” (accessed March 22, 2017). 341 Peru hosted major APEC meetings in 2016, including the Economic Leaders’ Meeting, ministerial meetings, 

three Senior Officials Meetings (SOM1, SOM2, and SOM3), and other related meetings. APEC, “Events Calendar” 

(accessed April 6, 2017).

342 APEC Peru 2016, “APEC 2016: Quality Growth and Human Development”; APEC, “Peru’s Priorities for 2016” 

(both accessed January 20, 2017). 
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competition; digital trade and the Internet economy; climate change and energy security; and green 

growth, among others.343 At the Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 19–20, 2016, APEC leaders 

and ministers agreed to a number of outcomes from 2016, including preventing trade barriers, creating 

more transparent and open regulatory cultures, and reducing trade costs by improving the efficiency of 

supply chains.344

The Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) reported good progress in advancing APEC’s objectives in 

2016, highlighting (1) the implementation of the Investment Facilitation Action Plan, especially in the 

priority areas of transparency, investor risk reduction, and business regulation simplification; (2) the 

launch of the APEC Virtual Knowledge Center on Services, an interactive hub for stakeholders; (3) 

progress made by member economies in carrying out tariff reduction commitments for the APEC list of 

environmental goods; (4) the survey of regulatory measures in environmental services; and (5) projects 

implemented to facilitate the use of intellectual property rights by MSMEs.345 The Second-Term Review 

of the Bogor Goals, as well as progress on the creation of the FTAAP and global value chain (GVC) 

cooperation in 2016, are described separately in the sections below.

The Second-Term Review of the Bogor Goals346

In 2016, APEC conducted the Second-Term Review of the Bogor Goals.347 This review assessed progress 

on trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, while identifying the weak areas where APEC 

economies can focus their efforts in upcoming years. 

The review highlighted the following findings:348

• Trade and investment flows by APEC economies have increased significantly since the 1990s,

though trade slowed down after the 2008 global financial crisis.

• The overall most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff in the APEC region fell from an average of 11.0

percent in 1996 to 5.5 percent in 2014, while the share of zero-tariff product lines among all

product lines in APEC tariff schedules rose from 27.3 percent in 1996 to 45.4 percent in 2014.

However, tariff rates remained relatively high in sectors related to agriculture (e.g., dairy

products, beverages and tobacco, and cereals and preparations).

• APEC economies have increasingly applied nontariff measures that affect trade.

343 APEC, Events, http://www.apec.org/Events-Calendar.aspx?year=2016; APEC, news releases in 2016, 

http://www.apec.org/Press/News-Releases.aspx?year=2016&topic=All (both accessed January 20, 2017). For more 

information on green growth, see USITC, The Year in Trade in 2015, July 2016, 119–22. 344 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017. 345 APEC, 2016 Committee on Trade and Investment Annual Report to Ministers, November 2016, 2–4. 346 For more information on the Bogor Goals, see USITC, The Year in Trade 2014, July 2015, 117–18. 347 APEC conducted a major review of the Bogor goals in 2010 and in May 2011. APEC senior officials established 

guidelines to review progress by member economies every two years beginning in 2012, as well as to conduct a 

second-term review in 2016 and a final review in 2020. APEC, Second-Term Review of APEC’s Progress towards the 

Bogor Goals: APEC Region, November 2016, x. 348 APEC, Second-Term Review of APEC’s Progress towards the Bogor Goals: APEC Region, November 2016. 
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• The regulations governing services sectors in the APEC region have become less restrictive and

more competition friendly, but the level of openness varies across sectors as well as among

APEC economies.

• Foreign investors’ perceptions of investment restrictions remain negative, as they continue to

face obstacles that increase the costs of investment, despite APEC governments’ efforts to

implement measures that facilitate investment and improve the investment climate.

• Efforts on trade facilitation in the APEC region have led to improved logistics, and in general,

trade across borders has become faster and cheaper.

• Employment levels have not fully recovered since the 2008 global financial crisis, even though

progress on economic growth and social development has reduced poverty and improved living

standards.

• APEC economies have mixed performances in achieving economic growth that is

environmentally sustainable.

Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP)

In 2006, APEC economies agreed to “examine the long-term prospects of a FTAAP.”349 At the 2014 APEC 

Economic Leaders’ Meeting, APEC leaders endorsed Annex A—The Beijing Roadmap for APEC’s 

Contribution to the Realization of the FTAAP (Beijing Roadmap). This document listed the actions needed 

to create the FTAAP, including launching a Collective Strategic Study on Issues Related to the Realization 

of the FTAAP (Study).350

In 2016, APEC reported the completion of the Study. The Study reviews the APEC region’s economies; 

touches upon the next-generation trade and investment issues (discussed below) that should be 

considered in an eventual FTAAP; describes the various tariff and nontariff measures (NTMs) in the APEC 

region that affect trade and investment; evaluates the level of coverage of existing regional trade 

agreements (RTAs) and FTAs, as well as other ongoing regional undertakings (e.g., the Trans-Pacific 

Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership);351 and analyzes the challenges and 

opportunities involved in realizing the FTAAP.352 

Among the next-generation trade and investment issues highlighted in the Study are “facilitating global 

supply chains; enhancing SME [small and medium-sized enterprises] participation in global production 

chains; promoting effective, non-discriminatory, and market-driven innovation policy; transparency in 

RTAs/FTAs; and manufacturing-related services in supply chains and value chains.”353

349 APEC, “Pathways to FTAAP,” November 14, 2010. 350 APEC, “2014 Leaders’ Declaration: Annex A: The Beijing Roadmap for APEC’s Contribution,” November 11, 2014. 

For details on the steps to be taken, see USITC, The Year in Trade 2014, July 2015, 121. 351 The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed free trade agreement between the 10 

member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 6 states with which ASEAN has 

existing free trade agreements (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea). 352 APEC, 2016 Committee on Trade and Investment Annual Report to Ministers, Appendix 6, November 2016, 3. 353 Ibid., 37.
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The NTMs identified by the Study that affect trade and investment include sanitary and phytosanitary 

measures; technical barriers to trade; import licenses; quantitative restrictions; and regulatory measures 

that restrict market entry or foreign participation, or impede cross-border services delivery, investment 

protection, and investment dispute settlement.354

The Study recommends advancing regional economic integration through capacity-building projects, 

technical assistance, and policy-based solutions.355

In November 2016, APEC leaders endorsed the Study and its executive summary. They then issued the 

Lima Declaration on FTAAP, instructing officials to consider next steps towards the eventual realization 

of the FTAAP.356

Global Value Chain Development and Cooperation

In 2013, APEC economic leaders agreed to promote global value chain (GVC) development and 

cooperation in the APEC region on the basis of previous work on connectivity.357 In 2014, APEC member 

economies endorsed the APEC Strategic Blueprint for Promoting Global Value Chains Development and 

Cooperation (Blueprint) as the mechanism they would use to strengthen economic cooperation within 

the global and regional value chain network.358 Under the Blueprint, nine work streams have been set 

up.359 The United States leads two GVC work streams, one on “addressing trade and investment issues 

that impact GVCs,” and the other on “APEC GVCs and Trade in Value Added (TiVA) measurement.”360

The CTI noted substantial progress made in 2016 on the work stream on “APEC GVCs and TiVA 

Measurement,” including convening the Third Technical Group meeting in February 2016 in Lima, Peru, 

and holding the second capacity-building workshop and the Fourth Technical Group meeting in October 

2016 in Bangkok, Thailand. At these meetings and the workshop, the group discussed technical issues 

and identified technical assistance needs related to data sources and compilation methodologies that 

will be used to construct the APEC TiVA database.361 

The CTI also noted progress in other areas of GVC cooperation in 2016. Highlights included a publicprivate dialogue in August 2016 on enhancing the integration of regional value chains in Asia with those 

in Latin America and the Caribbean; three subregional, public-private dialogues on improving the 

354 Ibid., 51–105. 355 Ibid., 181. 356 APEC, 2016 Leaders’ Declaration, “Annex A: Lima Declaration on FTAAP,” November 20, 2016. 357 APEC, 2014 Leaders’ Declaration, “Annex B: APEC Strategic Blueprint,” November 11, 2014. 358 The term global value chains (GVCs) refers to a growing phenomenon in which different stages of production 

processes are located in different countries. For more information, see OECD, “Global Value Chains,” n.d. 

(accessed April 3, 2017).

359 For additional information on these nine work streams, see USITC, The Year in Trade 2015, 67th Report, July 

2016, 120.

360 The United States co-leads Work Stream 2, “APEC GVCs and TiVA Measurement,” with China. The objective of 

this work stream is to establish an APEC TiVA database by 2018. Upon USTR’s request, in the capacity of technical 

support, USITC staff members served as the U.S. co-chair of the Technical Group in 2016, and have been co-leading 

the project with Chinese counterparts since 2014. 

361 APEC, 2016 Committee on Trade and Investment Annual Report to Ministers, November 2016, 13–14.
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investment climate for GVC development; and a draft report on how to improve APEC developing 

economies’ participation in GVCs.362 

Negotiations on a Trade in Services 

Agreement

In July 2012, a number of WTO members released a joint statement expressing their intent to open 

negotiations toward a plurilateral Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), in part as a response to the slow 

pace of services negotiations under the multilateral framework of the Doha Development Agenda 

(DDA).363 Initially numbering 20 participants in 2013 when negotiations were launched, there were 23 

participants by yearend 2016.364

TiSA participants conducted 21 negotiating rounds during 2013–16, and aimed at finishing negotiations 

by December 2016.365 However, the parties were unable to conclude by yearend and agreed to 

reconvene in 2017 to take stock of areas in need of ongoing technical work, although no new rounds 

were scheduled.366

While the structure of the agreement and sectors to be covered under the TiSA are evolving, the 

agreement is thought to be structured in four basic parts: (I) the core text; (II) market access and 

national treatment commitments; (III) sectoral annexes; and (IV) institutional matters.367 The core text 

builds on provisions in the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and includes horizontal 

provisions that apply to all parts of the agreement. The market access and national treatment 

commitments will contain an individual party’s schedules and any listed exceptions or nonconforming 

measures. The sectoral annexes set out disciplines for particular services sectors and issues. The 

institutional provisions lay out the basic rules for how the TiSA functions, addressing dispute settlement, 

amendments to the agreement, new membership, and possible future multilateralization, among other 

things.

362 Ibid., 14, 16. 363 The WTO Director-General has explained that the TiSA negotiations do not take place within the WTO, but that 

the participants have provided updates on their discussions to the WTO Council on Trade in Services. WTO, Trade 

Policy Review Body, “Overview of Developments in the International Trading Environment,” January 31, 2014, 58, 

par. 3.127. TiSA participants have said during these updates that they saw no contradiction between the TiSA talks 

and the services negotiations under the Doha Round, saying that the TiSA was developed to be compatible with 

the GATS and could be multilateralized in the future. WTO, “Annual Report of the Council for Trade in Services,” 

November 28, 2014, 4, par. 6.2.

364 The 23 economies participating in the TiSA negotiations in 2016 were Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa 

Rica, the European Union, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, 

Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United States. USTR, 2017 

Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 1, 2017, 166. 365 CRS, Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) Negotiations: Overview, January 3, 2017, I; USDOS, Secretary of State, 

“19th Round of TiSA Negotiations (State 84866),” July 28, 2016, par. 6; Coalition of Services Industries (CSI), “The 

Trade In Services Agreement (TiSA),” n.d. (accessed March 13, 2017).

366 Government of Australia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), “Trade in Services Agreement––

News,” n.d. (accessed March 23, 2017); CRS, Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) Negotiations: Overview, January 3, 

2017, i.

367 CRS, Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) Negotiations: Overview, January 3, 2017, 5.
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Although still a work in progress, by yearend 2016 approximately 19 sectoral annexes had been 

proposed according to several governments.368 These include annexes on (1) delivery services, (2) directselling services, (3) domestic regulation, (4) electronic commerce, (5) energy-related services, (6) 

environmental services, (7) export subsidies, (8) facilitation of patient mobility, (9) financial services, (10) 

government procurement, (11) localization, (12) movement of natural persons, (13) professional 

services, (14) state-owned enterprises, (15) telecommunications, (16) transparency, (17) transport 

services––air, (18) transport services––maritime, and (19) transport services––road.369

Trade and Investment Framework 

Agreements

By yearend 2016, the United States had entered into 55 trade and investment framework agreements 

(TIFAs) (table 4.1). TIFAs provide a framework to expand trade and investment and a forum to resolve 

trade and investment issues between the United States and various trading partners. These TIFAs cover 

a range of matters, including market access, labor, the environment, protection of intellectual property 

rights, and capacity building. TIFA councils meet to discuss these issues on a regular basis.370 In 2016, 

two new TIFAs (with Argentina and Laos) were signed and various TIFA councils met. 

368 Government of New Zealand, MFAT, “Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA),” n.d. (accessed March 24, 2017); 

Government of Colombia, Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo [Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and 

Tourism], “Rondas de Negociación e Informes del Acuerdo sobre el Comercio de Servicios (TiSA),” [Negotiating 

rounds and reports on the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA)] (last modified March 17, 2017); compilation from 

Government of Australia, DFAT, “Trade in Services Agreement––News,” n.d. (accessed March 23, 2017); European 

Parliament, “The Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA): An End to Negotiations in Sight?” October 12, 2015, 18. 369 The exact number of annexes can often vary depending on how different sectors are combined or broken out, 

e.g., whether electronic commerce and telecommunications are combined as a single proposed annex, or each is in 

a separate sectoral annex.

370 USTR, “Trade and Investment Framework Agreements,” n.d. (accessed March 15, 2017).
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Table 4.1 U.S. trade and investment framework agreements in 2016

Type and name Date signed

Bilateral

U.S.-Afghanistan TIFA September 21, 2004

U.S.-Algeria TIFA July 13, 2001

U.S.-Angola TIFA May, 2009

U.S.-Argentina TIFA March 23, 2016

U.S.-Armenia TIFA May 7, 2015

U.S.-Bahrain TIFAa June 18, 2002

U.S.-Bangladesh TICFA November 25, 2013

U.S.-Brunei TIFA December 16, 2002

U.S.-Burma TIFA May 21, 2013

U.S.-Cambodia TIFA July 14, 2006

U.S.-Egypt TIFA July 1, 1999

U.S.-Georgia TIFA June 20, 2007

U.S.-Ghana TIFA February 26, 1999

U.S.-Iceland TICF January 15, 2009

U.S.-Indonesia TIFA July 16, 1996

U.S.-Iraq TIFA July 11, 2005

U.S.-Kuwait TIFA February 6, 2004

U.S.-Laos TIFA February 25, 2016

U.S.-Lebanon TIFA November 30, 2006

U.S.-Liberia TIFA February 15, 2007

U.S.-Libya TIFA May 20, 2010

U.S.-Malaysia TIFA May 10, 2004

U.S.-Maldives TIFA October 17, 2009

U.S.-Mauritius TIFA September 18, 2006

U.S.-Mongolia TIFA July 15, 2004

U.S.-Mozambique TIFA June 21, 2005

U.S.-Nepal TIFA April 15, 2011

U.S.-New Zealand TIFA October 2, 1992

U.S.-Nigeria TIFA February 16, 2000

U.S.-Oman TIFAa July 7, 2004

U.S.-Pakistan TIFA June 25, 2003

U.S.-Philippines TIFA November 9, 1989

U.S.-Qatar TIFA March 19, 2004

U.S.-Rwanda TIFA June 7, 2006

U.S.-Saudi Arabia TIFA July 31, 2003

U.S.-South Africa TIFA June 18, 2012b

U.S.-Sri Lanka TIFA July 25, 2002

U.S.-Switzerland TICF May 25, 2006

U.S.-Taiwan TIFA September 19, 1994

U.S.-Thailand TIFA October 23, 2002

U.S.-Tunisia TIFA October 2, 2002

U.S.-Turkey TIFA September 29, 1999

U.S.-Ukraine TICA April 1, 2008

U.S.-United Arab Emirates TIFA March 15, 2004

U.S.-Uruguay TIFAc January 25, 2007

U.S.-Vietnam TIFA June 21, 2007

U.S.-Yemen TIFA February 6, 2004

Regional

U.S.-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) TIFAd August 25, 2006

U.S.-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) TIFAe May 28, 2013

U.S.-Central Asian TIFA (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) June 1, 2004

U.S.-Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) TIFAf October 29, 2001

U.S.-East African Community TIFA (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda) July 16, 2008

U.S.-Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)g August 5, 2014

U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Framework Agreement for Trade, Economic, Investment, and 

Technical Cooperation (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates)

September 25, 2012

U.S.-West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) TIFAh April 24, 2002

Source: USTR, “Trade and Investment Framework Agreements,” n.d. (accessed March 15, 2017).

Note: TICF stands for Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum, TICA stands for Trade and Investment Cooperation Agreement, and TICFA 

stands for Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement. All are considered TIFAs by USTR. For more information, see USTR, “Trade 

and Investment Framework Agreements” (accessed March 15, 2017). 

a Bahrain and Oman have both FTAs and TIFAs in effect with the United States.
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b The United States-South Africa TIFA was amended on June 18, 2012, and replaces the original TIFA, signed on February 18, 1999. c On October 2, 2008, the United States and Uruguay signed a TIFA protocol on trade and environment and a TIFA protocol on trade 

facilitation. 

d The 10 countries of ASEAN are Brunei Darussalam (Brunei), Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, 

and Vietnam. 

e The 15 members of CARICOM are Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, 

Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. It also has 5 associate members: 

Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

f The 19 members of COMESA are Burundi, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, 

Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

g The 15 members of ECOWAS are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, 

Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

h The 8 members of WAEMU are Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.

Developments in TIFA Negotiations during 2016 

On March 23, 2016, U.S. and Argentine officials signed a TIFA. The agreement establishes a U.S.-

Argentina Council on Trade and Investment to discuss bilateral trade and investment and related issues, 

with the goal of facilitating dialogue on a range of issues, including intellectual property rights, market 

access, and agriculture.371 In 2016, U.S. exports to Argentina totaled $8.6 billion and imports from 

Argentina were valued at $4.7 billion. The top three U.S. exports to Argentina by value were petroleum 

oils and oils from bituminous minerals ($1.2 billion); civilian aircraft, engines, and parts ($646.3 million); 

and medicaments ($263.2 million). These three exports comprised 24.5 percent of all U.S. exports to 

Argentina in 2016.372 The top three imports were biodiesel ($1.2 billion), wine ($305.5 million), and 

crude petroleum ($206.4 million). These three imports made up 37.3 percent of all U.S. imports from 

Argentina in 2016.373

On November 7, 2016, the U.S.-Argentina TIFA council met for the first time in Buenos Aires, 

Argentina.374 The two sides discussed several topics, including WTO dispute settlement, trade 

facilitation, and reducing excess steel capacity, and agreed to establish an Innovation and Creativity 

Forum for Economic Development. This forum will focus on several topics of mutual interest, including 

geographical indications, industrial designs, and protection of intellectual property rights; it held its first 

meeting on December 6, 2016.375 Argentina had requested that the United States reconsider 

redesignating Argentina as a beneficiary country under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). In 

response, the USTR announced at the meeting that they would initiate a public review process to 

determine whether Argentina meets GSP eligibility criteria.376 

On February 25, 2016, officials from the United States and Laos signed a TIFA. The agreement 

establishes a forum for dialogue between the United States and Laos on trade and investment issues, 

including intellectual property, labor, environment, capacity building, and issues pertaining to Laos’s 

membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).377 Further, U.S. officials worked 

with Laos to support its implementation of its WTO accession commitments, as well as commitments 

371 USTR, “United States and Argentina Sign,” March 23, 2016; White House, “Fact Sheet: United States-Argentina 

Relationship,” March 23, 2016. 372 USITC DataWeb/USDOC (accessed March 3, 2015). 373 Ibid. 374 USTR, “United States and Argentina Hold Ministerial-Level Meeting,” November 7, 2016. 375 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 134. 376 USTR, “United States and Argentina Hold Ministerial-Level Meeting,” November 7, 2016; USTR, 2017 Trade 

Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 186. 377 USTR, “United States and Laos Sign,” February 25, 2016.
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under the U.S.-Laos Bilateral Trade Agreement, which extends normal trade relations status to products 

of Laos.378 

In 2016, U.S. exports to Laos totaled $30.9 million and imports from Laos were valued at $55.0 million. 

The top three U.S. exports to Laos by value were synthetic woven fabrics ($11.2 million), nonindustrial 

diamonds ($4.8 million), and construction machinery parts and attachments ($1.3 million). These top 

three exports represented 55.9 percent of all U.S. exports to Laos in 2016.379 The top three U.S. imports 

from Laos by value were telephone sets ($10.7 million), nonindustrial diamonds ($9.3 million), and 

silicon ($6.6 million). These imports represented 48.4 percent of total U.S. imports from Laos in 2016.

380

Developments in Existing TIFAs during 2016 

During 2016, the following TIFA councils met:

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

On February 17, 2016, U.S and ASEAN officials met in San Francisco, California, to attend the U.S.-ASEAN 

TIFA council meeting. The parties focused on the environment, investment, transparency, information 

and communications technology, SME development, trade facilitation, and technical barriers to trade 

and regulatory barriers.381 

Central Asia

On April 5, 2016, officials of the governments of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, 

Uzbekistan, and the United States convened in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the 10th anniversary of the 

Council Meeting of the U.S.-Central Asia TIFA. The parties discussed trade, transit, and investment issues 

among the Central Asian countries, as well as expanding exports from the region under the U.S. GSP. 

Working group proposals included the creation of a regional International Laboratory Accreditation 

Cooperation group to implement customs reforms and a Women’s Economic Empowerment Working 

Group to promote women’s entrepreneurship.382

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

On February 8, 2016, U.S. and COMESA officials met in Lusaka, Zambia, to hold the eighth meeting of the 

U.S.-COMESA TIFA. Topics of discussion included the U.S.-COMESA trade and investment relationship 

under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), agricultural productivity and trade, deepening 

bilateral trade, and business and investment policies in the region.383 

East African Community (EAC)

On September 27, 2016, United States and EAC officials held a meeting of the U.S.-EAC TIFA. The 

meeting focused on the implementation of the EAC-U.S. “Cooperation Agreement on Trade Facilitation, 

378 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 143. 379 USITC DataWeb/USDOC (accessed March 3, 2015). 380 Ibid. 381 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 143. 382 USTR, “Joint Statement on the Results of the Council Meeting,” April 5, 2016. 383 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 145.
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Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, and Technical Barriers to Trade,” which was signed in February 

2015. Officials also discussed efforts to increase bilateral trade through AGOA and strategic ways to 

deepen the U.S.-EAC Trade and Investment Partnership.384

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

On September 27, 2016, U.S. and ECOWAS officials met in Washington, DC, for the second meeting of 

the U.S.-ECOWAS TIFA council. A range of topics were discussed, including activities in support of trade 

and investment objectives, the long-term U.S.-ECOWAS trade relationship, and expanding the trade and 

investment relationship.385 

Indonesia

On April 12, 2016, the United States and Indonesia met in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, under the U.S.-

Indonesia TIFA. The parties discussed Indonesia’s economic reforms and liberalization agenda, TPP 

outcomes, investment issues, intellectual property, localization requirements for the high-tech sector, 

agricultural import requirements, and cooperation on environmental issues.386 

Mozambique

On November 8, 2016, the United States and Mozambique held the fifth meeting of the U.S.-

Mozambique TIFA in Maputo, Mozambique. The parties discussed the U.S.-Mozambique Trade Africa 

partnership, as well as ways to improve Mozambique’s business and investment climate and to increase 

bilateral trade and investment.387 

Nepal

On June 10, 2016, the United States and Nepal held the second TIFA council meeting in Washington, DC. 

The two sides discussed strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties, trade facilitation, intellectual 

property, global value chains, and capacity building. Nepal also requested technical assistance to assist 

with integration into global value chains, address capacity constraints, and maximize its use of U.S. trade 

preferences.388 

Pakistan

On October 18, 2016, the United States and Pakistan convened the eighth meeting of the U.S.-Pakistan 

TIFA Council in Islamabad, Pakistan. The parties discussed market access for U.S. beef products, tax 

predictability for U.S. businesses, and the electronic filing of customs documents.

389

Philippines

On March 18, 2016, officials from the United States and the Philippines met in Washington, DC, to hold a 

meeting of the U.S.-Philippines TIFA. The parties focused on several issues, including investment, 

384 Ibid., 144. 385 Ibid., 145. 386 USTR, “United States and Indonesia Explore Initiatives to Increase Trade and Investment,” April 12, 2016. 387 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 145. 388 USTR, “Joint Statement on the 2nd Joint U.S.-Nepal Trade and Investment,” June 10, 2016. 389 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 146.
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intellectual property, customs, and agriculture. Officials also discussed ways to deepen cooperation on 

issues pertaining to WTO, APEC, and ASEAN.390

Sri Lanka

On April 28, 2016, the 12th U.S.-Sri Lanka TIFA council meeting was held in Washington, DC. To facilitate 

two-way trade and investment, the two sides adopted a U.S.-Sri Lanka Joint Action Plan to Boost Trade 

and Investment. The plan’s five-year objectives include reforming Sri Lanka’s trade and investment 

regime; improving the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s exports; promoting interaction between U.S. and 

Sri Lankan business communities; strengthening workers’ rights and environmentally sustainable 

manufacturing practices; reforming the educational sector to be responsive to the needs of business; 

and increasing the participation of women in business and trade.391 

Taiwan

On October 4, 2016, U.S. and Taiwan officials met in Washington, DC, to convene the 10th TIFA council 

meeting. The parties discussed a range of trade and investment issues, including intellectual property 

protection and enforcement, transparency, technical barriers to trade, and agricultural issues, such as 

the removal of barriers on U.S. beef and pork.392 

Tunisia

On March 22, 2016, the United States and Tunisia held the sixth meeting of the U.S.-Tunisia TIFA council 

in Washington, DC. The council focused on several topics to facilitate bilateral trade and investment, 

including branding strategies for Tunisian firms, female entrepreneurship, and the development of 

Tunisia’s intellectual property rights protection regime. The Tunisian delegation also stated their intent 

to ratify the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and become an observer to the WTO Government 

Procurement Agreement.393

Ukraine

On October 5, 2016, the United States and Ukraine held the sixth meeting of the U.S.-Ukraine Trade and 

Investment Council in Washington, DC. The parties discussed several issues regarding the enhancement 

of bilateral trade and investment, including the enforcement and protection of intellectual property 

rights, Ukraine’s regulatory regime, and expanding Ukraine’s use of the United States GSP. Officials also 

discussed reforms to Ukraine’s business climate, specifically regarding Ukraine’s efforts to increase 

transparency and predictability for both foreign and domestic businesses.394 

Uruguay

On May 11, 2016, the United States and Uruguay held the seventh Trade and Investment Council 

meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay. The parties addressed a range of issues, including trade facilitation, 

390 USTR, “United States and Philippines Strengthen Engagement on Trade,” March 18, 2016. 391 USTR, “Joint Statement on the 12th Joint U.S.-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment,” April 28, 2016. 392 USTR, “United States and Taiwan Hold Dialogue,” October 4, 2016. For more information on the TIFA with 

Taiwan, see the chapter 6 section on Taiwan.

393 USTR, “Joint Statement of the U.S.-Tunisia Council on Trade and Investment,” March 22, 2016. 394 USTR, “Joint Statement on the United States-Ukraine Trade and Investment Council,” October 5, 2016.
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the digital economy, opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses, market access, and ongoing 

trade initiatives.395

395 USTR, “United States and Uruguay Hold Meeting,” May 11, 2016.
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Chapter 5 

U.S. Free Trade Agreements

This chapter summarizes developments related to U.S. free trade agreements (FTAs) during 2016. It 

describes trends in U.S. merchandise trade with FTA partners, features highlights of the status of U.S. 

FTA negotiations during the year, and summarizes major activities and dispute settlement developments 

involving the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and other U.S. FTAs in force during 2016.

U.S. Trade with FTA Partners in 2016

The United States was party to 14 FTAs involving a total of 20 countries as of December 31, 2016. 

Starting with the most recent, the FTAs in force during 2016 were the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion 

Agreement (TPA) (entered into force in 2012); the U.S.-Colombia TPA (2012); the U.S.-Korea FTA (2012); 

the U.S.-Oman FTA (2009); the U.S.-Peru TPA (2009); a multiparty FTA with the countries of Central 

America and the Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR) that includes the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, 

Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (entered into force 2006–2007) and Costa Rica (2009); the U.S.-

Bahrain FTA (2006); the U.S.-Morocco FTA (2006); the U.S.-Australia FTA (2005); the U.S.-Chile FTA 

(2004); the U.S.-Singapore FTA (2004); the U.S.-Jordan FTA (2001); NAFTA, with Canada and Mexico 

(1994); and the U.S.-Israel FTA (1985).

U.S. Total Merchandise Trade with FTA Partners 

Total two-way merchandise trade between the United States and its 20 FTA partners was $1.4 trillion in 

2016, which accounted for 39.1 percent of total U.S. merchandise trade with the world. The value of 

U.S. exports to FTA partners totaled $676.6 billion, a 4.7 percent decline from $710.3 billion in 2015, 

which reflected the 3.3 percent decline in total U.S. exports to the world in 2016. U.S. exports to most 

FTA partners declined in 2016; the exceptions were exports to Jordan, Morocco, the Dominican 

Republic, Guatemala, and Nicaragua (and to CAFTA-DR combined). U.S. imports from FTA partners were 

valued at $748.8 billion, a 3.3 percent decline from $774.3 billion in 2015. The U.S. merchandise trade 

deficit with all FTA partners increased 12.9 percent to $66.7 billion in 2016 (tables 5.1–5.3).

U.S. trade with the two NAFTA countries (Canada and Mexico) continued to contribute the most to all

U.S. trade with FTA partners. In 2016, these countries accounted for $1.1 trillion, or 75.0 percent, of 

total U.S. trade with its FTA partners. From 2015 to 2016, the value of U.S. exports to NAFTA countries 

fell 3.8 percent ($19.4 billion) to $496.9 billion. U.S. imports from NAFTA countries fell 3.4 percent 

($20.3 billion), to $572.2 billion from 2015 to 2016. The U.S. merchandise trade deficit with its NAFTA 

partners fell 1.2 percent to $75.3 billion in 2016 because U.S. imports decreased more than U.S. exports 

to its NAFTA partners (tables 5.1–5.3).

U.S. trade with non-NAFTA FTA partners was valued at $356.2 billion in 2016, which was a 5.2 percent 

decrease from 2015. U.S. exports to these FTA partners decreased 7.4 percent ($14.3 billion), from 

$193.9 billion in 2015 to $179.7 billion in 2016. U.S. imports from these partners decreased 2.9 percent 

($5.2 billion) from $181.8 billion in 2015 to $176.6 billion in 2016. U.S. exports decreased more than 

imports, which caused the U.S. merchandise trade surplus with its non-NAFTA FTA partners to decline 

74.4 percent to $3.1 billion. 
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Table 5.1 Total U.S. exports to FTA partners, by FTA partner, 2014–16

FTA partner 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

NAFTA 553,148 516,354 496,920 -3.8

Canada 312,817 280,609 265,961 -5.2

Mexico 240,331 235,745 230,959 -2.0

Non-NAFTA 211,935 193,946 179,683 -7.4

Israel 15,065 13,539 13,197 -2.5

Jordan 2,050 1,359 1,495 10.0

Chile 16,542 15,445 12,941 -16.2

Singapore 30,072 28,472 26,868 -5.6

Australia 26,682 25,036 22,225 -11.2

Morocco 2,102 1,625 1,866 14.8

Bahrain 1,060 1,271 902 -29.0

CAFTA-DR 31,128 28,722 28,866 0.5

Oman 2,015 2,355 1,784 -24.3

Peru 10,056 8,726 8,029 -8.0

South Korea 44,625 43,446 42,266 -2.7

Colombia 20,068 16,287 13,099 -19.6

Panama 10,470 7,664 6,144 -19.8

FTA partner total 765,083 710,300 676,603 -4.7

World total 1,621,172 1,502,572 1,453,721 -3.3

FTA partner share of world (%) 47.2 47.3 46.5

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Table 5.2 Total U.S. imports from FTA partners, by FTA partner, 2014–16

FTA partner 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

NAFTA 645,017 592,564 572,218 -3.4

Canada 349,278 296,156 278,067 -6.1

Mexico 295,739 296,408 294,151 -0.8

Non-NAFTA 186,943 181,769 176,566 -2.9

Israel 23,007 24,477 22,206 -9.3

Jordan 1,401 1,492 1,557 4.4

Chile 9,479 8,772 8,799 0.3

Singapore 16,502 18,267 17,801 -2.6

Australia 10,697 10,894 9,534 -12.5

Morocco 995 1,012 1,022 1.0

Bahrain 965 902 768 -14.9

CAFTA-DR 28,412 23,750 23,384 -1.5

Oman 978 907 1,109 22.2

Peru 6,079 5,053 6,249 23.7

South Korea 69,680 71,759 69,932 -2.5

Colombia 18,316 14,075 13,796 -2.0

Panama 432 408 408 -0.1

FTA partner total 831,961 774,332 748,784 -3.3

World total 2,356,366 2,248,232 2,189,183 -2.6

FTA partner share of world (%) 35.3 34.4 34.2

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 
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Table 5.3 U.S. merchandise trade balance with FTA partners, by FTA partner, 2014–16

FTA partner 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

NAFTA -91,869 -76,209 -75,298 1.2

Canada -36,461 -15,547 -12,106 22.1

Mexico -55,408 -60,663 -63,192 -4.2

Non-NAFTA 24,992 12,177 3,117 -74.4

Israel -7,942 -10,938 -9,009 17.6

Jordan 649 -133 -62 53.0

Chile 7,062 6,673 4,141 -37.9

Singapore 13,571 10,205 9,068 -11.1

Australia 15,985 14,142 12,690 -10.3

Morocco 1,107 613 844 37.6

Bahrain 95 368 134 -63.7

CAFTA-DR 2,716 4,973 5,482 10.2

Oman 1,037 1,448 675 -53.4

Peru 3,976 3,672 1,780 -51.5

South Korea -25,055 -28,313 -27,666 2.3

Colombia 1,752 2,212 -696 (

a

)

Panama 10,039 7,255 5,736 -20.9

FTA partner total -66,877 -64,032 -72,181 -12.7

World total -735,194 -745,660 -735,462 1.4

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). a

Not meaningful. 

U.S. Imports Entered under FTAs 

The value of U.S. imports entered under FTAs totaled $374.2 billion in 2016, which accounted for half 

(50.0 percent) of total U.S. imports from FTA partners and 17.1 percent of U.S. imports from the world 

(tables 5.4–5.5). 

Table 5.4 U.S. imports for consumption entered under FTAs, by FTA partner, 2014–16

FTA partner 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

NAFTA 356,958 316,160 301,946 -4.5

Canada 174,737 140,727 131,152 -6.8

Mexico 182,220 175,432 170,794 -2.6

Non-NAFTA 58,792 56,802 72,296 27.3

Israel 2,952 2,907 2,741 -5.7

Jordan 1,217 1,349 1,357 0.6

Chile 4,940 4,861 4,694 -3.4

Singapore 1,565 1,654 1,833 10.8

Australia 4,701 5,123 3,630 -29.2

Morocco 242 256 189 -26.3

Bahrain 540 527 498 -5.3

CAFTA-DR 12,854 13,518 13,658 1.0

Oman 611 599 814 35.8

Peru 3,414 2,732 2,659 -2.6

South Korea 17,110 17,831 34,823 95.3

Colombia 8,614 5,405 5,345 -1.1

Panama 32 41 54 31.9

FTA partner total 415,750 372,962 374,242 0.3

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).
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Table 5.5 Ratio of U.S. imports for consumption under FTAs to U.S. general imports, by partner, 2014–

16

FTA partner 2014 2015 2016

Percent

NAFTA 55.3 53.4 52.8

Canada 50.0 47.5 47.2

Mexico 61.6 59.2 58.1

Non-NAFTA 31.4 31.2 40.9

Israel 12.8 11.9 12.3

Jordan 86.8 90.4 87.1

Chile 52.1 55.4 53.3

Singapore 9.5 9.1 10.3

Australia 43.9 47.0 38.1

Morocco 24.3 25.3 18.5

Bahrain 56.0 58.4 64.9

CAFTA-DR 45.2 56.9 58.4

Oman 62.4 66.1 73.4

Peru 56.2 54.1 42.6

South Korea 24.6 24.8 49.8

Colombia 47.0 38.4 38.7

Panama 7.4 10.0 13.3

FTA partner total 50.0 48.2 50.0

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

The value of U.S. imports entered under FTAs in 2016 increased $1.3 billion (0.3 percent), up from 

$373.0 billion in 2015. FTA imports from South Korea grew $17.0 billion (95.3 percent), which 

represented the largest increase. The growth was primarily driven by a large increase in motor vehicle 

imports, which became duty free under the FTA on January 1, 2016. Imports under FTAs from Oman and 

Panama also increased, by 35.8 percent ($215 million) and 31.9 percent ($13 million), respectively; 

however, they changed from much smaller baselines. Combined imports from NAFTA partners 

decreased 4.5 percent ($14.2 billion), which was mostly due to a decrease in energy-related imports 

from both Canada and Mexico, and road tractor imports from Mexico.

Jordan remained the partner with the highest ratio of imports entered under an FTA to total imports, 

with a ratio of 87.1 percent (table 5.5). Other countries with notably high ratios include Oman (73.4 

percent), Bahrain (64.9 percent), and Mexico (58.1 percent). CAFTA-DR countries as a whole also had a 

high ratio, at 58.4 percent. Each CAFTA-DR partner also had large shares, except for Costa Rica, for 

which the ratio was just 33.1 percent. The partners with the smallest shares of imports entered under an 

FTA to total imports continued to be Singapore (10.3 percent), Israel (12.3 percent), and Panama (13.3 

percent). The imports from these countries often entered the United States free of duty under normal 

trade relations rates.
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Developments in FTA Negotiations during 

2016 

Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

On February 4, 2016, the United States and 11 other countries party to the agreement signed the TransPacific Partnership (TPP) following the conclusion of negotiations in 2015.396 Over the course of 2016, 

the U.S. administration worked to prepare the agreement for congressional consideration; however,

both of the leading presidential candidates expressed opposition to the TPP as drafted, and the 

implementing legislation was not submitted to Congress by yearend 2016.397 In January 2017, President 

Donald Trump instructed the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to formally withdraw from TPP 

discussions.398

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership 

(TTIP) Agreement 

Launched in 2013, the United States and the European Union (EU) continued negotiations in 2016 

towards a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement. Four rounds of 

negotiations were held in 2016 (table 5.6), with the goal of completing “an ambitious, comprehensive 

and high-standard agreement this year.”399 Meetings between USTR Michael Froman and EU Trade 

Minister Cecilia Malmström intensified in 2016, but certain areas of the agreement still needed 

“significant work” at yearend.400 All of the rounds, except the 15th round in October 2016, included 

meetings with stakeholders, including representatives from academia, business, labor, and 

environmental and consumer groups.

Table 5.6 Timetable of major TTIP negotiations, 2016

Date Negotiating round

February 22–26 12th round, Brussels, Belgium

April 25–29 13th round, New York, NY

July 11–15 14th round, Brussels, Belgium

October 3–7 15th round, New York, NY

Source: USTR, “Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership,” https://ustr.gov/ttip (accessed March 22, 2017). 

During the year, the two parties made progress in all areas of the negotiations, including market access, 

regulatory issues, and rules. In the area of market access, negotiators entered the year with an 

agreement to eliminate duties on 97 percent of tariff lines.401 During 2016, negotiations centered on 

reducing or eliminating transition periods on those tariff lines for which duties were not immediately 

396 The 11 other countries under the agreement are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, 

Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.

397 See, for example, Inside U.S. Trade, “TPP’s Fate in Lame-Duck Uncertain,” September 29, 2016. 398 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 143. 399 White House, “Remarks by President Obama at Hannover Messe Trade Show Opening,” April 24, 2016. 400 USTR, “U.S.-EU Joint Report on TTIP Progress to Date,” January 17, 2017; EC, “Fourteenth Round of 

Negotiations,” July 15, 2016. 

401 USTR, “U.S. Press Statement at the Close of the T-TIP Round,” February 26, 2016.
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eliminated at entry into force of the agreement.402 In July, the EU made its first market access offer in 

financial services,403 which had been delayed by the EU until the United States agreed to include 

financial services regulatory cooperation in TTIP.404 Although an agreement was not reached, a related 

bilateral forum separate from TTIP, in which financial sector regulatory issues have been discussed since 

2002, was enhanced, renamed, and had its first meeting in July.405 In the area of government 

procurement, both sides presented first offers in February.406 The U.S. chief TTIP negotiator said it was 

the most ambitious offer the United States had made in any trade agreement, including the TPP.407 But 

the EU said it was seeking more market access,408 including procurement opportunities at the Federal 

Aviation Administration and in rail transportation.409 

Both sides indicated that progress has been made in the regulatory area.410 Discussions advanced in 

2016 on regulatory cooperation and on good regulatory practices, which aim to set out principles and 

rules that the United States and EU can apply in developing regulations.411 For example, progress was 

made on developing a framework for regulatory cooperation that would facilitate greater compatibility 

in future regulations and on strengthening transparent rulemaking by ensuring opportunities for public 

input.412 Discussions moved forward on technical barriers to trade, including progress on reducing 

duplicative product testing and certification requirements, as well as on devising ways to increase 

participation by stakeholders in the development of each other’s product standards.413 Both sides 

continued to discuss how to organize a regulatory cooperation forum.414

Talks also addressed regulatory compatibility in nine sectors, including motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, 

chemicals, medical devices, cosmetics, textiles, engineering services, information and communication 

technologies, and pesticides. During the final negotiating round of 2016, the U.S. chief negotiator noted 

that good progress had been made in resolving conceptual and language differences in the auto, 

pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors.415 Also, the two sides made progress in 2016 on updating a 

mutual recognition agreement from 1998 on good manufacturing practices for drug inspections.416

402 Ibid.; USTR, “Opening Remarks by U.S. and EU Chief Negotiators from the New York Round,” April 29, 2016; 

USTR, “Statement by Assistant USTR Dan Mullaney,” July 15, 2016. 403 USTR, “Statement by Assistant USTR Dan Mullaney,” July 15, 2016. 404 EC, “Report of the 14th Round of Negotiations,” July 2016. 405 U.S. Treasury, “Joint U.S.-EU Financial Regulatory Forum Joint Statement,” July 25, 2016; U.S. Treasury, 

“Improvements in EU-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation,” July 19, 2016. 406 USTR, “U.S. Press Statement at the Close of the T-TIP Round,” February 26, 2016. 407 USTR, “Statement by Assistant USTR Dan Mullaney,” July 15, 2016. 408 EC, “TTIP: The Finish Line and How to Get There,” June 29, 2016. 409 European Parliament, “EU-US Negotiations on TTIP: A Survey,” July 2016, 21. 410 USTR, “U.S.-EU Joint Report on TTIP Progress to Date,” January 17, 2017. 411 USTR, “U.S. Press Statement at the Close of the T-TIP Round,” February 26, 2016; USTR, “Opening Remarks by 

U.S. and EU Chief Negotiators from the New York Round,” April 29, 2016.

412 USTR, “Opening Remarks by U.S. and EU Chief Negotiators from the New York Round,” April 29, 2016. 413 USTR, “U.S.-EU Joint Report on TTIP Progress to Date,” January 17, 2017. 414 EurActiv, “EU, US Negotiators Officially Drop Aim of Concluding TTIP in 2016,” Oct. 10, 2016; EC, “Report of the 

15th Round of Negotiations,” October 2016, 7.

415 USTR, “Opening Remarks by U.S. and EU Chief Negotiators for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment 

Partnership,” October 7, 2016.

416 USTR, “U.S.-EU Joint Report on TTIP Progress to Date,” January 17, 2017; Corrigan, “Remarks to the Food and 

Drug Law,” March 16, 2016. On March 1, 2017, the updated revised agreement entered into force. Decision No 

1/2017 of 1 March 2017 of the Joint Committee established under Article 14 of the Agreement on Mutual 
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Negotiations also progressed during the year on labor; the environment; customs and trade facilitation; 

small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); energy; intellectual property rights, including geographical 

indications; competition; state-owned enterprises; investor protection; and state-to-state dispute 

settlement.417 In the 12th round in February, the EU presented its approach on investment protection 

and dispute resolution, and views were exchanged for the first time.418 During the 13th round, the U.S. 

chief negotiator said that customs and trade facilitation, competition, and SMEs were at a “very 

advanced state of negotiation.”419

In a joint report on the status of negotiations as of the end of 2016, the United States and EU said that 

the following areas still required “significant work”: (1) the most sensitive tariff lines (the final 3 percent 

of tariff lines); (2) market access in service sectors; (3) sanitary and phytosanitary measures; (4) mutual 

recognition of professional qualifications; (5) government procurement; (6) standards and conformity 

assessment procedures; (7) investor protection; (8) labor and environmental protection; (9) electronic 

commerce; (10) energy; and (11) trademarks, generic names, and geographical indications.420 

Developments in the North American Free 

Trade Agreement (NAFTA)421

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) among the United States, Canada, and Mexico 

entered into force on January 1, 1994. All of the agreement’s provisions were implemented, as 

scheduled, by the three parties by January 1, 2008, with the exception of the NAFTA cross-border 

trucking provisions.422

NAFTA’s central oversight body is the Free Trade Commission, which is responsible for overseeing 

NAFTA’s implementation and elaboration, as well as activities under its dispute settlement provisions. 

The commission has not met since 2012. However, officials of the three member countries have met 

regularly to expand and deepen trade and investment opportunities in North America.423

The following sections describe the major activities of NAFTA’s Commission for Labor Cooperation (CLC) 

and Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) during 2016, as well as dispute settlement 

activities under NAFTA Chapters 11 and 19 for the year.

Recognition between the European Community and the United States of America, amending the Sectoral Annex for 

Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) [2017/382], 2017 O.J. (L 58/36), March 4, 2017. 417 USTR, “Opening Remarks by U.S. and EU Chief Negotiators for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment 

Partnership,” October 7, 2016.

418 EC, “The Twelfth Round of Negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP),” March 

2016, 19.

419 USTR, “Opening Remarks by U.S. and EU Chief Negotiators from the New York Round,” April 29, 2016; EC, “The 

Transatlantic Trade and investment Partnership (TTIP)—State of Play,” April 27, 2016. 420 USTR, “U.S.-EU Joint Report on TTIP Progress,” January 17, 2017. 421 U.S. bilateral trade relations with Canada and Mexico are described in chapter 6 of this report. 422 The section on Mexico in chapter 6 provides an update on recent developments in NAFTA’s cross-border 

trucking provisions; more information appears in USITC, The Year in Trade 2008, 2009, 5–16. All product categories 

offer duty-free entry to originating goods from Mexico, and all shipments of goods from Canada are likewise 

eligible except those exceeding a TRQ.

423 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 128. 
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Commission for Labor Cooperation 

The CLC, composed of a ministerial council and an administrative secretariat, was established under the 

North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC). The NAALC is a supplemental agreement to 

NAFTA that aims to promote effective enforcement of domestic labor laws and foster transparency in 

administering them. The CLC is responsible for implementing the NAALC. Each NAFTA partner has a 

national administrative office (NAO) within its labor ministry to act as the contact point with the other 

parties, the secretariat, other government agencies, and the public. The United States’ NAO is the Office 

of Trade and Labor Affairs in the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).424 Another NAO function is to 

receive and respond to public communications on labor law matters arising in another NAALC country. 

Each NAO establishes its own domestic procedures for reviewing and responding to public 

communications. The NAOs and the secretariat also carry out the cooperative activities of the CLC, 

including seminars, conferences, joint research projects, and technical assistance.425 

In 2016, the USDOL and the Mexican Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) published a joint 

report on the educational and outreach activities completed in 2015 about the rights of workers under 

H-2A and H-2B visas.426 In the United States, the USDOL held 29 outreach events reaching more than 

2,300 workers and 1,000 employers. In Mexico, STPS held 11 events reaching almost 1,600 

individuals.427

In July 2016, the Mexican NAO received a submission from two former H-2 workers, the Centro de los 

Derechos del Migrante (Center for Migrant Rights), and 27 other organizations, alleging gender 

discrimination in the U.S. H-2 system. The Mexican NAO accepted the submission for review in August of 

the same year.428

Also in 2016, the U.S. NAO published its Public Report of Review of U.S. Submission 2015-04 (Mexico)

concerning Mexico’s obligations regarding workers’ rights under the NAALC.429 In 2015, the USDOL 

received a submission from four groups: the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770, the Frente 

Auténtico del Trabajo (Authentic Workers’ Front), the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, and the 

Project on Organizing, Development, Education, and Research. The USDOL accepted the submission for 

review on January 11, 2016. 

The report, published in July 2016, indicates that there was too little evidence to support specific 

conclusions about complaints that the Mexican government failed to effectively enforce certain aspects 

of its labor laws at the chain of stores referenced in the submission. However, the report notes that 

USDOL has had longstanding concerns about protection contracts and the factors that facilitate them, 

such as structural bias in the Conciliation and Arbitration Boards that administer labor justice in Mexico. 

The report also indicated that recent steps taken by the government of Mexico and reforms that had 

been proposed would address the factors underlying these concerns, if they were effectively 

424 USDOL, ILAB, OTLA, “Division of Monitoring and Enforcement of Trade Agreements” (accessed March 15, 2017). 425 USDOL, ILAB, OTLA, “North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation: A Guide” (accessed March 15, 2017). 426 USDOL, ILAB, OTLA, Public Report on Outreach Events, 2016 (accessed March 30, 2017); USTR, 2017 Trade Policy 

Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 128. 427 Ibid. 428 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 128. 429 Ibid., 129.
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implemented.430 Mexico’s Congress approved one of those proposed reforms—the constitutional 

reform that abolishes the Conciliation and Arbitration Boards and creates a system of labor courts—in 

November 2016.431 The report recommends expeditious passage and implementation of the reform. 

The U.S. NAO will continue to monitor and engage with the Mexican government on these and other 

issues mentioned in the submission. Other issues include pregnancy discrimination and the misuse of 

government-sponsored volunteer programs in retail stores.432

Commission for Environmental Cooperation 

The CEC was established under article 8 of the North American Agreement on Environmental 

Cooperation. This supplemental agreement, which came into force at the same time as NAFTA, is 

designed to support the environmental goals of NAFTA, which are to protect and improve the 

environment, support sustainable development, and increase cooperation in reaching these goals.433

The CEC was established to support cooperation among the parties to reach these goals.434 

Articles 14 and 15 of the supplemental agreement provide citizens and nongovernmental organizations 

with a mechanism to help enforce environmental laws in the NAFTA countries. Article 14 governs 

alleged violations submitted for review by the CEC. It sets out guidelines about criteria for submissions 

and parties that can file complaints. Article 15 outlines the CEC Secretariat’s obligations in considering 

the submissions and publishing findings in the factual record.435 At the end of 2016, three complaint files 

remained active under Articles 14 and 15, two of which were submitted in 2016. All three active files 

involved Mexico (table 5.7).

Table 5.7 Active files as of yearend 2016 under Articles 14 and 15 of the North American Agreement on 

Environmental Cooperation

Case title Case number First filed Countrya Status

La Primavara 

Forest

SEM-15-001 July 20, 2015 Mexico The Secretariat informed the CEC Council that the Secretariat 

considers that the submission warrants development of a factual 

record.

Agricultural Waste 

Burning in Sonora

SEM-16-001 Jan. 22, 2016 Mexico The Secretariat informed the CEC Council that the Secretariat 

considers that the submission warrants development of a factual 

record.

Monterrey VI 

Aqueduct

SEM-16-002 July 11, 2016 Mexico The Secretariat received a response from the concerned 

government party and began considering whether to 

recommend a factual record.

Source: CEC, “Submission on Enforcement Matters: Active Submissions” (accessed March 15, 2017).

a

Refers to the country against which an allegation was filed.

At the 23rd regular session of the CEC Council on September 9, 2016, in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, the 

Council focused on “Sustainable Communities and Ecosystems” as well as on “Youth and the 

430 USDOL, ILAB, OTLA, Public Report of Review of U.S. Submission 2015-04 (Mexico), July 8, 2016, ii–iii; and USTR, 

2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 129. 431 As of January 2017, a majority of Mexico’s state legislatures had approved the constitutional reforms, as 

required by law for ratification, and the reforms are expected to be implemented by early 2018. Additional 

legislative reforms to address protection contracts and union representation challenges are pending in Mexico’s 

Congress.

432 USDOL, ILAB, OTLA, Public Report of Review of U.S. Submission 2015-04 (Mexico), July 8, 2016, i–iv. 433 CEC, “North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation” (accessed March 17, 2017). 434 CEC, “About the CEC” (accessed March 17, 2017). 435 CEC, “About Submissions on Enforcement Matters” (accessed March 15, 2017).
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Environment in North America.” The CEC’s Joint Public Advisory Committee also hosted a public forum 

on biodiversity and climate change.436 The CEC Ministerial Statement noted that several significant 

milestones for the three countries occurred in 2016, including the signing of the Paris Agreement on 

climate change as well as the North American Leaders Summit. The summit was held in Ottawa, Canada,

on June 29, 2016, and the North American leaders launched an Action Plan on Climate, Clean Energy, 

and Environmental Partnership there. The 24th session will be held in 2017 in Charlottetown, Prince 

Edward Island, Canada.437 

The Border Environment Cooperation Commission and the North American Development Bank were 

created in 1993 to address environmental issues in the U.S.-Mexico border region.438 As of December 

31, 2016, the bank had contracted a total of nearly $2.8 billion in loans and grants, of which 96 percent 

has been disbursed for use in 216 environmental infrastructure projects.439 

Dispute Settlement 

The dispute settlement provisions of NAFTA Chapters 11 (Investment) and 19 (Review and Dispute 

Settlement in Antidumping/Countervailing Duty Matters) cover a variety of areas.440 The sections below 

describe developments during 2016 in NAFTA Chapter 11 investor-state disputes and Chapter 19 

binational reviews of final determinations of antidumping and countervailing cases. Appendix table A.26 

presents an overview of developments in NAFTA Chapter 19 dispute settlement cases to which the 

United States was a party in 2016.

Chapter 11 Dispute Settlement Developments

Chapter 11 of NAFTA includes provisions designed to protect cross-border investors and to make it 

easier to settle investment disputes. Under subpart B of Chapter 11, an individual investor who alleges 

that a NAFTA country has breached its investment obligations under Chapter 11 may pursue arbitration 

through internationally recognized channels or remedies available in the host country’s domestic 

courts.441 A key feature of the Chapter 11 arbitral provisions is the enforceability in domestic courts of 

final awards made by arbitration tribunals.442 In 2016, there were five active Chapter 11 cases filed 

against the United States, four of them filed by Canadian investors and one filed by Mexican 

436 CEC, “CEC Ministerial Statement—2016: Twenty-third Regular Session” (accessed March 15, 2017). 437 CEC, “CEC Ministerial Statement—2016: Twenty-third Regular Session” (accessed March 15, 2017). 438 NADB, “About Us: Origins,” http://www.nadbank.org/about/origins.asp (accessed March 17, 2017). 439 NADB, “Summary of Project Implementation Activities: Active Projects,” December 31, 2016. 440 NAFTA Secretariat, “Overview of the Dispute Settlement Provisions” (accessed March 15, 2017). 441 Internationally recognized arbitral mechanisms include the International Centre for the Settlement of 

Investment Disputes (ICSID) at the World Bank, ICSID’s Additional Facility Rules, and the rules of the United Nations 

Commission on International Trade Law. NAFTA Secretariat, “Overview of the Dispute Settlement Provisions” 

(accessed March 15, 2017).

442 Ibid.
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investors;443 one filed by U.S. investors against Canada; 444 and one filed by U.S. investors against 

Mexico.445 

Chapter 19 Dispute Panel Reviews 

Chapter 19 of NAFTA contains a mechanism that provides for a binational panel to review final 

determinations made by national investigating authorities in antidumping and countervailing duty 

cases.446 Such a panel serves as an alternative to judicial review by domestic courts and may be 

established at the request of any involved NAFTA country.447 At the end of 2016, the NAFTA Secretariat 

listed six binational panels active under Chapter 19 (table 5.8). Four of the six active cases challenged 

the Mexican agency’s determinations on products from the United States, and two challenged U.S. 

agencies’ determinations on products from Canada and Mexico.448

Table 5.8 NAFTA Chapter 19 binational panels, active reviews through 2016

Country Filed by Case number

National agencies’

final determinationa Case title

Mexico

United States MEX-USA-2012-1904-01 SE Antidumping 

Administrative Review

Chicken Thighs and Legs

United States MEX-USA-2012-1904-02 SE Antidumping 

Administrative Review

Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl 

Ether

United States MEX-USA-2015-1904-01 SE Antidumping 

Administrative Review

Ammonium Sulphate

United States MEX-USA-2016-1904-01 SE Antidumping 

Administrative Review

Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl 

Ether

United States

Canada USA-CDA-2015-1904-01 USDOC Antidumping 

Administrative Review

Supercalendered Paper

Mexico USA-MEX-2014-1904-02 USITC Injury Determination Steel Concrete Reinforcing 

Bar

Source: NAFTA Secretariat, “Status Report of Panel Proceedings—Chapter 19 Active Cases” (accessed March 15, 2017). a In Canada, final dumping and subsidy determinations are made by the Canada Border Services Agency, and injury determinations are made 

by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal. In Mexico, all determinations are made by the Secretariat of the Economy. In the United States, 

dumping and subsidy determinations are made by the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC), and injury determinations are made by the 

USITC. NAFTA Secretariat, “Overview of the Dispute Settlement Provisions” (accessed March 15, 2017).

Developments in Other FTAs Already in Force 

during 2016

In 2016, U.S. officials met with FTA partners for discussions on a variety of matters, including dispute 

settlement, labor issues, enhancing trade and investment, and environmental issues. Highlights of these 

consultations are presented in this section. 

443 USDOS, “NAFTA Investor-State Arbitrations: Cases Filed against the United States” (accessed March 15, 2017). 444 USDOS, “NAFTA Investor-State Arbitrations: Cases Filed against the Government of Canada” (accessed March 

15, 2017).

445 USDOS, “NAFTA Investor-State Arbitrations: Cases Filed against the United Mexican States” (accessed March 15, 

2017).

446 The binational panel is made up of representatives of the two nationalities that are involved in the dispute. 447 NAFTA Secretariat, “Overview of the Dispute Settlement Provisions” (accessed March 15, 2017). Such reviews 

involve the parties and designated agencies, rather than individuals or firms. 448 NAFTA Secretariat, “Status Report of Panel Proceedings—Chapter 19 Active Cases” (accessed March 15, 2017).
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Twelve of the 14 U.S. FTAs have investment provisions designed to protect foreign investors and their 

investments and to facilitate the settlement of investment disputes.449 According to the U.S. 

Department of State, among the U.S. FTAs that provide for investor-state dispute settlements, there are 

ongoing investor disputes under NAFTA (as discussed above), the U.S.-Chile FTA, CAFTA-DR, the U.S.-

Peru TPA, and the U.S.-Oman FTA.450

Thirteen of the 14 U.S. FTAs have labor provisions to protect worker rights and facilitate cooperation on 

labor issues.451 By yearend 2016, USDOL and other agencies had acted on labor complaints made by 

interested parties in seven FTA partners: Bahrain, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, 

Honduras, Mexico, and Peru. In 2016, USDOL received one submission, under the labor chapter of the 

U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. USDOL also released two review reports, one on the 

submission filed against Mexico under the NAALC, the other on the submission filed against Peru under 

the labor chapter of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement.452 For more detailed information 

regarding these developments, see the section on each respective FTA in this chapter. 

U.S.-Australia FTA

On May 3, 2016, officials from the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee held a meeting 

to review implementation of the U.S.-Australia FTA, including issues related to goods and services, 

investment, and intellectual property.453 

CAFTA-DR

The central oversight body for the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade 

Agreement (CAFTA-DR) is the Free Trade Commission, comprising the U.S. Trade Representative and the 

trade ministers of the other CAFTA-DR parties or their designees.454 In August 2016, technical-level staff 

of the parties met in Managua, Nicaragua, to follow up on agreements made during the previous Free 

Trade Commission meeting in 2015 to advance technical and administrative implementation issues.455 

Labor 

In October 2016, USDOL issued its fifth periodic review on implementation of the recommendations in 

its 2013 report. The original report found evidence of apparent and potential violations of labor law in 

449 CRS, U.S. International Investment Agreements: Issues for Congress, April 29, 2013, 14. The U.S. FTAs with 

Bahrain and Jordan do not have investment provisions. The U.S.-Israel FTA has limited treatment of investment in 

the context of trade-related performance requirements. The U.S.-Australia FTA has investment provisions but does 

not include investor-state arbitration provisions. 450 For more information, see USDOS, “International Claims and Investment Disputes (L/CID),” n.d. (accessed 

March 9, 2017). 

451 Only the 1985 U.S.-Israel has no such provisions. For more information, see USDOL, ILAB, “Submissions under 

the Labor Provisions of Free Trade Agreements,” n.d. (accessed March 9, 2017).

452 For more information on NAALC and Mexico, see the previous section on NAFTA in this chapter. 453 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 116. 454 Ibid. 455 Ibid.
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the Dominican sugar sector, while the 2016 review noted positive steps taken by the Dominican 

Republic and the sugar industry to address these concerns.456

Environment

Officials responsible for trade and environment under CAFTA-DR held several meetings in 2016 to 

discuss environmental cooperation funding, the monitoring and implementation of environmental 

obligations under the agreement, and preparation for senior-level meetings of the Environmental Affairs 

Council. The council met in July 2016 in San Salvador, El Salvador, to mark the 10-year anniversary of 

CAFTA-DR.457 

U.S.-Chile FTA

The central oversight body for the U.S.-Chile FTA is the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Commission, composed of 

the U.S. Trade Representative and Chile’s Director General of International Economic Affairs or their 

designees. This commission held its 11th meeting in December 2016. The commission recognized the 

value of discussions about the implementation of Chapter 17 (IPR) and further reviewed implementation 

of the FTA, including the need to update product-specific rules of origin to reflect the 2017 changes to 

the global Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System) used to classify 

traded goods. It reaffirmed the parties’ goal of resolving concerns about sanitary and phytosanitary 

standards (SPS) and continued cooperation on these matters.458

Labor

The FTA Labor Chapter establishes a Labor Cooperation Mechanism for the United States and Chile to 

work together to improve labor standards and advance common commitments. In June 2016, a 

delegation from the Chilean Ministry of Labor visited Washington, DC. Their agenda included a workinggroup meeting of the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor and a visit to the Job Corps 

center of the U.S. Department of Labor. Chile has enacted several pieces of labor legislation over the 

past decade that are relevant to the FTA Labor Chapter, including guaranteeing the rights of workers to 

collective bargaining in 2016. Effective April 2017, this law limits employers’ power to replace striking 

workers, expands collective bargaining rights to some temporary workers and apprentices, and removes 

obstacles that previously inhibited bargaining beyond the individual enterprise level. The USDOL, in its 

annual report on child labor, found that Chile has made significant progress in the areas of law 

enforcement, policy, legislative efforts, and social programs.459

U.S.-Colombia TPA 

The central oversight body for the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement is the U.S.-Colombia Free 

Trade Commission, composed of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Colombian Minister of Trade, 

Industry, and Tourism or their designees. In 2016, the United States and Colombia continued to work 

together to carry out initiatives launched at the commission’s 2012 meeting, including the elimination of 

456 USDOL, ILAB, “Fifth Periodic Review of Implementation of Recommendations,” October 5, 2016. 457 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 152. 458 Ibid., 121. 459 Ibid., 122.
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tariffs for certain goods, the establishment of certain elements related to the dispute settlement 

mechanism, and updating the agreement’s rules of origin.460

Labor

The agreement’s entry into force was accompanied by the Action Plan Related to Labor Rights (Action 

Plan) for Colombia, developed jointly by the parties and launched in 2011. The year 2016 marked the 

five-year anniversary of the Action Plan. In 2016, the Colombian government continued implementing 

the plan, including issuing a presidential decree to crack down on illegal forms of subcontracting. 

Ongoing engagement between U.S. and Colombian officials in 2016 included videoconferences with 

Colombia’s Minister of Labor, a July meeting in Washington, DC, with the Minister of Labor, and a 

November mission to Colombia by USTR and USDOL officials.461

In May 2016, labor unions and nongovernmental organizations in the United States and Colombia filed a 

public submission with USDOL, alleging that the government of Colombia had failed to effectively 

enforce labor laws and had not adopted laws to protect labor rights. The USDOL accepted this 

submission and began the detailed review process in July 2016. The review considers all information 

provided by the submitters, the government of Colombia, and others with knowledge of the issue.462

U.S.-Israel FTA

The central oversight body for the U.S.-Israel FTA is the U.S.-Israel Joint Committee. The Joint 

Committee met in February 2016 to discuss potential efforts to increase bilateral trade and investment. 

The parties also discussed specific impediments to bilateral trade related to standards and customs 

practices. In addition, Israel proposed resuming negotiations on a permanent U.S.-Israel Agreement on 

Trade in Agricultural Products (ATAP). Initially negotiated in 1996, ATAP allowed U.S. products 

preferential market access to Israel, but did not conform to the U.S.-Israel FTA’s objective of free trade 

in agricultural products. ATAP was renegotiated in 2004 to include additional market access 

opportunities in agricultural products and was to remain in effect until December 2008. ATAP has been 

extended on an annual basis since 2008 after Israel and the United States were unable to conclude a 

successor agreement. In July, the United States revised modalities for a new permanent ATAP 

agreement. These proposals are being reviewed by both sides.463

U.S.-Jordan FTA 

The U.S.-Jordan Joint Committee met in May 2016 to discuss labor issues, technical barriers to 

agricultural trade, acceptance of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement, and 

Jordan’s accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement. After the meetings concluded, the 

460 Ibid., 122. 461 Ibid., 123. 462 USDOL issued a public report regarding this submission on January 11, 2017. The report raises concerns about 

the labor law inspection and enforcement system in place to protect rights to freedom of association and collective 

bargaining. USDOL, “Submission under U.S.-Colombia TPA,” n.d. (accessed March 14, 2017). 463 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 123–24.
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issue of licensing imports of poultry from the United States was resolved, allowing U.S. poultry to be 

imported into Jordan.464

U.S.-Korea FTA (KORUS) 

The Joint Committee is the central oversight committee under the U.S.-Korea FTA. It is responsible for 

supervising the agreement’s implementation, coordinating the work of other committees, and resolving 

issues that may arise.465 In 2016, nine committees and working groups established under KORUS met to 

discuss issues related to the agreement. Highlights of these meetings are detailed below:

The Committee on Trade in Goods discussed the South Korean Customs Service’s interpretation of the 

FTA’s rules of origin and verification procedures, resulting in the closure of two outstanding customs 

reviews of U.S. manufacturers. The committee also discussed U.S. concerns about new customs 

clearance procedures for express delivery packages at Incheon airport.

The Medicines and Medical Devices Committee discussed South Korea’s import pricing system, South 

Korea’s patent linkage system, and updates on draft regulations related to pharmaceutical drugs in 

South Korea.

The Professional Services Working Group focused on potential efforts to enhance trade in professional 

services. 

The Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Matters discussed South Korea’s process for reviewing 

and approving new biotechnology events,466 outstanding plant and animal market access issues, and 

issues pertaining to maximum residue limits in pesticides.467

In November 2016, U.S. and South Korean officials held technical-level conversations related to the 

KORUS labor chapter. The parties also discussed cooperative efforts to facilitate corporate compliance 

with international labor standards in global supply chains.468

U.S.-Morocco FTA

In October 2016, U.S. and Moroccan officials held an Agriculture and Sanitary and Phytosanitary FTA 

Subcommittee meeting in Washington, DC. The meeting covered a variety of issues, including exports of 

bovine genetics and pet food from the United States to Morocco.469

Labor

In 2016, the government of Morocco passed a domestic worker law that addresses an issue of concern 

that was raised by the United States during a 2014 meeting of the FTA Subcommittee on Labor. This law, 

464 Ibid., 124. 465 USTR, “Statement on Meeting of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement,” December 15, 2014. 466 An event is the insertion of a particular transgene into a specific location on a chromosome. The term “event” is 

often used to differentiate genetically engineered crop varieties.

467 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 126. 468 Ibid. 469 Ibid., 127.
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which takes effect in August 2017, extends protections and benefits to workers by setting a minimum 

wage, limiting weekly hours of work, providing a day of rest, and establishing a minimum age of 

employment.470

U.S.-Panama TPA

In November 2016, the Free Trade Commission, the central oversight body of the U.S.-Panama TPA, held 

a meeting to review progress on implementing the TPA. The committee also discussed next steps on 

outstanding intellectual property commitments and concerns related to bilateral trade in agricultural 

products. In December 2016, the parties agreed to update the TPA’s rules of origin to correspond to 

changes in the system of product names (nomenclature) used in the international Harmonized System. 

During the year, the two sides also made progress on establishing the dispute settlement infrastructure 

under the agreement.471

Labor

The TPA includes a labor chapter requiring both countries to adopt and maintain fundamental labor 

rights, to enforce their labor laws, and to avoid waiving or deviating from these laws in a way that would 

affect trade or investment. In February 2016, U.S. and Panamanian officials met in Washington, DC, to 

discuss labor law enforcement issues and best practices in the areas of child labor, wage-and-hour 

protections, and occupational safety and health.472

Environment

The November 2016 meeting of the Free Trade Commission also included discussions on the next steps 

in staffing an independent secretariat. The secretariat mechanism is responsible for encouraging the 

public to take part in identifying environmental enforcement issues and is to consider public 

submissions about the enforcement of environmental laws.473 

U.S.-Peru TPA 

The main oversight body of the U.S.-Peru TPA is the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Commission. In 2016, the 

commission continued work on sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade, 

with much of the work centering on logging issues under the Annex on Forest Sector Governance. In 

March 2016, following technical-level exchanges and engagements between Peruvian officials and USTR 

and USDA, an official letter was finalized with Peru that resulted in the removal of trade restrictions 

related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy.474

470 Ibid. 471 Ibid., 130–31. 472 Ibid., 131. 473 Ibid., 154. 474 Ibid., 132. This ailment is also known as mad cow disease.
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Labor

In March 2016, USDOL issued a report in response to the public submission filed under the Labor 

chapter of the TPA by the International Labor Rights Forum and seven Peruvian workers’ organizations. 

The submission alleged that the government of Peru had failed to adopt and maintain laws that protect 

labor rights and to enforce existing labor laws. USDOL’s report raised concerns regarding freedom of 

association as well as questions about labor law enforcement.475

Environment

In 2016, the two countries held several meetings to discuss and monitor issues in implementing the 

TPA’s environment chapter and its Annex on Forest Sector Governance.476 

In February 2016, the USTR requested that the government of Peru verify that certain wood products 

exported to the United States in 2015 adhered to applicable Peruvian laws and regulations. Peru’s 

subsequent investigation showed that a significant portion of these timber shipments did not comply 

with Peruvian laws on trade in timber products. In August 2016, the Timber Committee issued a set of 

recommendations to address this violation, and in November 2016 the USTR reached an agreement with 

Peru on a concrete set of actions.477 

In November 2016, officials from the United States and Peru conducted several meetings in Lima, Peru, 

under the Environmental Affairs Council, the Subcommittee on Forest Sector Governance, and the 

Environmental Cooperation Commission.478 

475 USDOL, ILAB, “2015 Submission under U.S.-Peru TPA,” March 18, 2016. 476 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 154. 477 Ibid., 155. 478 Ibid.
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Chapter 6 

U.S. Trade Relations with Selected 

Trading Partners

This chapter reviews U.S. bilateral trade relations with 10 selected trading partners. Among these are 

some of the United States’ major trading partners in 2016, as well as others that are notable as a result 

of recent changes to U.S. bilateral trade relations. This year, the report covers the following trading 

partners: the European Union (EU), China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Brazil, 

and Cuba (ordered by the value of their two-way merchandise trade). For each trading partner, the 

chapter summarizes U.S. bilateral trade, including two-way merchandise and private services trade, the 

U.S. trade balance, U.S. merchandise exports, and U.S. merchandise imports. That description is 

followed by summaries of the major bilateral trade-related developments during 2016. 

European Union

U.S.-EU Trade

The EU as a single entity is the United States’ largest two-way (exports plus imports) trading partner in 

terms of both goods and services. The value of U.S. merchandise trade with the 28 member states of the 

EU declined 1.8 percent, from $699.6 billion in 2015 to $687.0 billion in 2016. However, the EU share of 

U.S. trade increased for the third year in a row, from 18.7 percent in 2015 to 18.9 percent in 2016, as 

total U.S. trade with the world declined by more than U.S. trade with the EU. The U.S. trade deficit with 

the EU fell $9.2 billion from $155.6 billion in 2015 to $146.3 billion in 2016 as U.S. imports from the EU 

dropped more than U.S. exports to the EU (figure 6.1). At the same time, the United States continued to 

register a trade surplus in services with the EU, increasing $0.9 billion in 2016 to $61.4 billion (figure 

6.2). The EU accounted for 32.8 percent ($397.8 billion) of U.S. two-way trade in services in 2016. The 

United Kingdom was the EU’s largest services trader with the United States, with 29.2 percent of the EU 

total, followed by Germany and France.479 

The EU became the largest market for U.S. merchandise exports in 2016, surpassing Canada, which had 

ranked as the largest export market in 2015. U.S. exports to the EU were stable, falling just 0.6 percent 

to $270.3 billion in 2016. Leading U.S. exports to the EU included civilian aircraft, engines, and parts; 

medicaments (medicines); blood fractions (e.g., antiserum); refined petroleum products; and handexecuted paintings, drawings, and pastels. 

The EU was the second-largest source of U.S. imports, following China. U.S. imports from the EU 

decreased 2.5 percent, from $427.6 billion in 2015 to $416.7 billion in 2016. Leading U.S. imports were 

passenger motor vehicles, medicaments, blood fractions, refined petroleum products, and parts of 

turbojets and turbopropellers. U.S.-EU merchandise trade data are shown in appendix tables A.27 

through A.30.

479 The services trade data by country reported in this chapter are based on trade in private services, which exclude 

government sales and purchases of services.
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Figure 6.1 U.S. merchandise trade with the EU, 2012–16

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.5.

Figure 6.2 U.S. private services trade with the EU, 2012–16a

Source: USDOC, BEA, U.S. International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions data, tables 1.2 and 1.3, March 21, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.7.

a

Data for 2016 are preliminary.

-200

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Billion $

Total exports General imports Merchandise trade balance

0

50

100

150

200

250

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Billion $

Exports Imports Services trade balance
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Trade Developments

The major focus of the U.S.-EU trade relationship in 2016 was negotiations to conclude the Transatlantic 

Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement. TTIP trade negotiators aimed to complete the 

negotiations in 2016, but issues remained at yearend.480 The Transatlantic Economic Council continued 

its work in parallel to TTIP, focusing primarily on long-term regulatory cooperation. Other notable 

developments in 2016 included a U.S.-EU agreement on the Privacy Shield, a framework that allows 

U.S.-based companies to transfer personal data from the EU to the United States consistent with EU law, 

and negotiations to conclude an agreement on insurance and reinsurance. These are described 

below.481

In December 2016, the United States took initial steps toward reinstating trade action against the EU in 

a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute that began in 1996 over the EU’s ban on meat treated with 

certain growth-promoting hormones (DS26).482 Although a bilateral memorandum of understanding 

(MOU) was signed in 2009 in an effort to resolve the disagreement, the United States claims that its beef 

industry has been prevented from gaining the intended benefits from the MOU.483 There were also 

developments in other WTO dispute settlement cases involving the United States and the EU in 2016. A 

compliance panel report was circulated in September 2016 that addressed the long-running complaint 

by the United States about EU measures affecting trade in large civil aircraft (DS316). Also, a panel 

report was circulated in November 2016 in the complaint by the EU regarding conditional tax incentives, 

established by Washington state, for large civil aircraft (DS487). For more information about WTO 

dispute settlement cases, see chapter 3 and appendix table A.25.

Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC)

The Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) was launched in 2007 to promote bilateral cooperation aimed 

at lowering transatlantic barriers to trade and investment in order to strengthen integration and 

growth.484 The TEC’s efforts tend to be long term and focus on aligning “transatlantic standards and 

regulation to enable the growth of innovative, export-oriented industries in the United States and the 

EU.”485 On November 30, 2016, U.S. and EU officials met for the first time since November 2015 to 

review progress and discuss new opportunities for collaboration to support innovation and growth.486

A report of the meeting noted progress in 2016 on the following:487

• Electric vehicles: Work continued on developing common standards, test procedures, and tools

to promote universal compatibility and interoperability between electric vehicles, supply

480 For more information on TTIP, see chapter 5 of this report. 481 In addition, in June 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union (“Brexit”), but the UK’s actual break from 

the EU is not expected to be completed for several years.

482 81 Fed. Reg. 95724 (December 28, 2016); USTR, “Obama Administration Takes Action to Address European 

Union’s Unfair Trade Practices against U.S. Beef Industry,” December 22, 2016.

483 USTR, “Obama Administration Takes Action,” December 22, 2016. For more information on this issue, see 

discussion of Section 301 cases in chapter 2. 484 USDOS, EUR, “Framework for Advancing Transatlantic Economic Integration,” April 30, 2007. 485 USDOS, EUR, “Transatlantic Economic Council, Facilitators’ Report,” November 30, 2016. 486 Ibid. 487 Ibid.
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equipment, and electric power supply infrastructure. In 2016, the two sides agreed to cooperate 

on battery testing, energy efficiency of electric and hybrid vehicles, interoperability of smart 

grids (upgraded “intelligent” electricity networks), electromagnetic compatibility, and wider 

standardization work.488

• E-health: To encourage the more effective use of information and communications technology

for delivery of health services, work continued in two areas: (1) developing and promoting the

use of internationally recognized standards to enable the exchange of patient summary records

globally, and (2) developing common curricula to train health workers on health-related

information and communications technology to build skilled e-health workforces in the United

States and EU. In July 2016, the two sides updated the e-health roadmap, which lays out the

vision, challenges, and action plans, including specific deliverables, of the work on standards and

workforce development, as well as newer work to encourage innovation in the e-health

industry.489

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): Work continued on enhancing cooperation to

promote trade and investment opportunities for U.S. and EU SMEs. The seventh U.S.-EU SME

workshop was held in June 2016, in Tallinn, Estonia, to exchange best practices and discuss

topics including access to finance, intellectual property rights (IPRs), access to standards, and

entrepreneurship. U.S. and EU negotiators of the SME chapter in TTIP also met with SME

representatives at the workshop to discuss their needs and expectations of TTIP. In addition, the

United States and EU worked together to support SME events at several international fairs and

at a cluster matchmaking event to help SMEs find strategic partners in thematic areas of mutual

interest.490

• The bio-based economy: Work continued on developing guidance on the nature of bio-based

products, data collection, and benchmarking, as well as on aligning international standards in

this sector.

• Nanotechnology: Regular meetings continued in 2016 to exchange information on regulatory

and scientific developments to help inform decision-making in the United States and the EU.

• Raw materials: TEC participants continued to share best practices and develop approaches to

ensure fair access to and responsible use of critical raw materials, in part to avoid future trade

disruptions.491

TEC officials also agreed at the annual meeting to add one new area for cooperation. The two sides

agreed to explore opportunities for cooperating on ocean research projects to help support sustainable 

economic activities in the Atlantic.492

488 Ibid.; EC, “Interoperability and E-Mobility,” n.d., https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/research-topic/interoperabilityand-e-mobility (accessed February 23, 2017). 489 USDOS, EUR, “Transatlantic Economic Council, Facilitators’ Report,” November 30, 2016; USDOS, “Transatlantic 

eHealth/Health IT Cooperation Roadmap,” July 28, 2016; USDOS, “Transatlantic eHealth/Health IT Cooperation 

Roadmap: Annex—Actions and Deliverables,” July 28, 2016. 490 USDOS, EUR, “Transatlantic Economic Council, Facilitators’ Report,” November 30, 2016; USDOS, EUR, “Joint 

Statement on the 7th U.S.-EU SME Best Practices Workshop,” June 2, 2016. 491 USDOS, EUR, “Transatlantic Economic Council, Facilitators’ Report,” November 30, 2016; EC, “Transatlantic 

Economic Council: Cooperation on Innovation for Growth,” November 30, 2016.
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U.S.-EU Privacy Shield

EU data protection regulations allow the transmission of EU personal data to third countries only if the 

country is deemed to provide an adequate level of protection by reason of domestic law or international 

commitments.493 In February 2016, the United States and EU announced a new method for companies 

to transfer personal data from the EU to the United States that is consistent with EU law. The new 

framework—the U.S.-EU Privacy Shield—replaces the Safe Harbor agreement that was invalidated by 

the European Court of Justice in October 2015.494 On July 12, 2016, the Privacy Shield entered into force 

when the European Commission deemed the Privacy Shield framework adequate to enable data 

transfers under EU law.495

Company participation in the Privacy Shield is voluntary. To participate, a company must certify that it 

will comply with the data-handling requirements of the Privacy Shield. The U.S. Department of 

Commerce began accepting certifications to the Privacy Shield from U.S. companies on August 1, 

2016.496

The Privacy Shield framework consists of four broad areas, including:497

1. The Privacy Shield principles, which are a code of conduct or set of obligations on U.S.-based

companies regarding the handling of data transferred from the EU to the United States. To

become a Privacy Shield participant, a company must commit to comply with these principles so

that the commitment becomes enforceable under U.S. law. For example, a participant must

ensure accountability for data transferred to third parties, and must provide free and accessible

dispute resolution.

2. Oversight and enforcement of the program by the U.S. government. For example, the U.S.

government will verify that companies have met self-certification requirements before the

certification is finalized, and will proactively monitor participating companies.

3. A new ombudsperson, located at the U.S. Department of State. This new mechanism aims to

facilitate the processing of requests relating to national security access to data transmitted to

the United States from the EU.

4. Safeguards and limitations on U.S. government access to data in the areas of national security

and law enforcement.498

492 USDOS, EUR, “Transatlantic Economic Council, Facilitators’ Report,” November 30, 2016; EC, “Transatlantic 

Economic Council,” November 30, 2016. 493 Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the Protection of 

Individuals with Regard to the Processing of Personal Data and on the Free Movement of Such Data, 1995 O.J. (L 

281/31). http://ec.europa.eu/justice/policies/privacy/docs/95-46-ce/dir1995-46_part1_en.pdf. 494 For more background, see USITC, The Year in Trade 2015, July 2016, 164–65. 495 CRS, “Digital Trade and U.S. Policy,” January 2017, 20; USDOC, “Privacy Shield Overview” (accessed February 23, 

2017).

496 USDOC, “Fact Sheet: Overview of the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework,” July 12, 2016. 497 USDOC, “The EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework FAQs” (accessed February 23, 2017). 498 USDOC, “EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework Principles,” February 29, 2016; USDOC, “The EU-U.S. Privacy Shield 

Framework FAQs” (accessed February 23, 2017); USDOC, “Key New Requirements” (accessed February 23, 2017); 

CRS, “Digital Trade and U.S. Policy,” January 2017, 20.
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The Privacy Shield framework also provides for an annual review of the program by U.S. and EU officials.

Agreement on Insurance and Reinsurance

In 2016, U.S. and EU officials met five times to negotiate an agreement on insurance and reinsurance, 

although a final agreement was not concluded by yearend.499 The aim of the United States was to 

ensure that a new agreement would “level the regulatory playing field for U.S.-based insurers and 

reinsurers operating [in the EU]” following the January 1, 2016, implementation of a new insurance 

regulatory regime in the EU, known as Solvency II.500 Solvency II501 requires that U.S. insurers and 

reinsurers be deemed equivalent to EU providers in order to ensure continued access to the EU 

market.502 Three major areas of prudential insurance supervision were the subject of negotiations: 

group supervision, exchange of information between supervisory authorities on both sides, and 

reinsurance supervision, including collateral.503

China 

U.S.-China Trade

In 2016, China remained the United States’ largest single-country trading partner based on two-way 

merchandise trade, accounting for 15.9 percent of total U.S. merchandise trade. U.S. two-way 

merchandise trade with China amounted to $578.6 billion in 2016, a decrease of 3.5 percent over the 

$599.3 billion recorded in 2015. The U.S. merchandise trade deficit with China, which fell $20.1 billion to 

$347.0 billion in 2016, remained higher than the U.S. trade deficit with any other trading partner. The 

contraction of this deficit was attributable to a $20.4 billion decrease in U.S. merchandise imports from 

China, while U.S. merchandise exports to China decreased by much less, $297 million (figure 6.3). In 

2016, China continued to be the United States’ fourth-largest single-country trading partner based on 

two-way services trade of $69.0 billion. U.S. services trade with China has been increasing in recent 

years; it amounted to 5.7 percent of total U.S. services trade in 2016, compared to 5.3 percent in 2015 

and 4.9 percent in 2014. The U.S. services trade surplus with China increased $4.2 billion in 2016 to 

$37.0 billion, as a result of growing U.S. exports. In 2016, U.S. services exports to China grew $5.2 billion, 

or 10.8 percent, while U.S. services imports from China grew $995 million, or 6.6 percent, relative to the 

year before (figure 6.4).

499 On January 13, 2017, U.S. and EU officials announced the conclusion of an agreement, which was sent to 

Congress the same day. In general, the agreement provides that U.S. insurance groups operating in the EU will not 

have to meet EU worldwide group capital, reporting, or governance requirements, and will be supervised at the 

worldwide group level only by relevant U.S. insurance supervisors. It also encourages U.S. and EU insurance 

supervisory authorities to share information on insurers and reinsurers that operate in the U.S. and EU markets. 

Finally, it eliminates collateral and local presence requirements for U.S. reinsurers operating in the EU insurance 

market, subject to certain conditions. U.S. Department of the Treasury, “Bilateral Agreement between the 

European Union and the United States of America on Prudential,” January 18, 2017.

500 Wall and Harney, letter to Richard Shelby et al., November 20, 2015. 501 Directive 2009/138/EC (Solvency II), as amended by Directive 2014/51/EU, replaces 14 existing directives 

commonly known as Solvency I.

502 Wall and Harney, letter to Richard Shelby et al., November 20, 2015; Trans-Atlantic Business Council, “TABC 

Welcomes U.S.-EU Agreement,” January 13, 2016. 503 USTR, “Joint Statement on U.S.-EU Negotiations,” December 12, 2016.
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Figure 6.3 U.S. merchandise trade with China, 2012–16

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.5.

Figure 6.4 U.S. private services trade with China, 2012–16a

Source: USDOC, BEA, U.S. International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions data, tables 1.2 and 1,3, March 21, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.7.

a

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China was the third-largest single-country destination for U.S. merchandise exports in 2016, behind 

Canada and Mexico. U.S. merchandise exports to China amounted to $115.8 billion in 2016, decreasing 

0.3 percent, or $297 million, relative to 2015. The slight drop in U.S. exports to China in 2016 was 

broadly reflective of shrinking demand from China, given that its imports from all countries in the world 

decreased 5.1 percent relative to 2015.504 Leading U.S. exports to China in 2016 were civilian aircraft, 

engines, and parts (12.6 percent of total U.S. exports to China) and soybeans (12.3 percent). Other 

leading U.S. exports to China included processors and controllers, machines for semiconductor or 

integrated circuit manufacturing, and cellphones. Exports of passenger motor vehicles, when combined, 

constitute the third largest U.S. export product to China at $8.9 billion.505 

In 2016, U.S. merchandise imports from China amounted to $462.8 billion, representing 21.1 percent of 

all U.S. goods imports in that year. While this was more than imports from any other country, U.S. 

merchandise imports from China fell 4.2 percent relative to the year before. Leading 2016 U.S. imports 

from China were cellphones; portable computers and tablets; telecommunications equipment; tricycles, 

scooters, and related toys; and computer parts and accessories. U.S.-China merchandise trade data are 

shown in appendix tables A.31 through A.34.

Trade Developments

Among the prominent trade developments that unfolded in 2016 between the United States and China 

were certain dispute settlement cases between the two countries. Since China’s accession to the WTO in 

2001, the United States has filed 21 of the 39 complaints against China under the WTO dispute 

settlement mechanism, and China has filed 10 such complaints against the United States.506 In 2016, the 

United States filed 3 new complaints against China. On July 13, 2016, the United States requested 

consultations with China regarding China’s export duties on certain raw materials, including antimony, 

cobalt, copper, graphite, lead, magnesia, talc, tantalum, and tin.507 On September 13, 2016, the United 

States requested consultations with China regarding certain measures through which China appears to 

provide domestic support in favor of agricultural producers producing wheat, indica rice, japonica rice, 

and corn.508 Finally, on December 15, 2016, the United States requested consultations with China 

regarding China’s administration of its tariff-rate quotas, including those on wheat, short- and mediumgrain rice, long-grain rice, and corn.509 On December 12, 2016, China requested consultations with the 

United States concerning certain provisions of U.S. law pertaining to the determination of normal value 

for “nonmarket economy” countries in antidumping proceedings involving products from China.510

Developments in these and other WTO dispute settlement proceedings during 2016 are described in 

more detail in chapter 3 and appendix table A.25.

504 IHS Markit, GTA database (accessed February 27, 2017). 505 USITC DataWeb/USDOC (accessed March 21, 2017). Passenger motor vehicles include the following HTS 6-digit 

lines: 8703.21, 8703.22, 8703.23, 8703.24, 8703.31, 8703.32, 8703.33, 8703.90, 8704.21, and 8704.31.

506 WTO, “Chronological List of Dispute Settlement Cases” (accessed March 5, 2017). 507 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS508; China―Export Duties on Certain Raw Materials” (accessed March 5, 2017). 508 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS511; China―Domestic Support for Agricultural Producers” (accessed March 5, 

2017).

509 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS517; China―Tariff Rate Quotas for Certain Agricultural Products” (accessed 

March 5, 2017). On January 12, 2017, the United States also requested consultations with China at the WTO 

concerning subsidies that China is alleged to provide to its producers of aluminum (DS519). For more information 

on the aluminum industry, see USITC, Aluminum: Competitive Conditions Affecting the U.S. Industry, June 2017. 510 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS515; United States―Measures Related to Price Comparison Methodologies” 

(accessed March 5, 2017).
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In 2016, the most prominent U.S.-China bilateral trade issues were discussed during three key meetings: 

at the annual U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) held in June 2016; on the sidelines of 

the G20 Summit in September 2016; and at the annual Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) 

held in November 2016. The S&ED, established in 2009, is a high-level forum in which the United States 

and China can discuss a wide range of bilateral and global political, strategic, security, and economic 

issues. The JCCT, established in 1983, is a forum for the highest-level dialogue on bilateral trade issues 

and is broadly considered a vehicle for promoting commercial relations. In 2016, major topics addressed 

by U.S. and Chinese officials in these and other discussions included China’s protection and enforcement 

of IPRs; overcapacity in China’s steel industry; and policies that have restricted market access of U.S. 

exports, including information and communications technology products and services. 

Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement 

The United States and China have long held consultations on IPR issues, particularly since China’s WTO 

accession and its acceptance of the WTO Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) 

Agreement.511 As a result, China has undertaken substantial legal and judicial reforms, although U.S. 

companies continue to report problems, most notably on issues related to the enforcement of preexisting IPR laws and on the protection of trade secrets.512 

In its 2016 Special 301 Report, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) described recent IPRrelated policy developments in China, as well as ongoing IPR-related problems.513 The report notes that 

in its continuing efforts to update its laws and regulations on copyrights, patents, trade secrets, drug 

review and approvals, and IP components of its 2008 Anti-Monopoly Law, the Chinese government 

introduced new measures in draft legislation. Those measures offer domestic Chinese industry officials 

and entrepreneurs a means of participating in the policy development process.514 They also include the 

use of market mechanisms to help guide policy makers’ research and development initiatives.515 In 

addition, China initiated a capacity-building three-year pilot study on the merits of specialized 

intellectual property courts, including those in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Moreover, at the 

November 2016 JCCT meeting, China made a series of IPR-related commitments. These included 

commitments to end bad-faith trademark filings, joint efforts with U.S. government agencies to train 

U.S. and Chinese SMEs on IPR protection in e-commerce, implementation measures to end illegal online 

broadcasting of sporting events, and initiatives to decrease the likelihood of trade secret 

misappropriation (e.g., lowering judicial requirements for information that may contain trade secrets, 

and increased protection of information when sensitive company data is required for judicial review).516

Despite these developments, U.S. companies continued to report ineffective protection of IPRs in all 

forms, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and protection of pharmaceutical test 

data. Consequently, USTR’s 2016 Special 301 Report again placed China on its “Priority Watch List,” 

noting particular concerns with trade secret theft, measures that favor domestically owned intellectual 

property in the name of promoting innovation, online copyright piracy, trade of counterfeit goods, and 

511 For more information on the effect of China’s IPR infringement, see USITC, China: Intellectual Property 

Infringement, November 2010, and USITC, China: Effects of Intellectual Property Infringement, May 2011. 512 USTR, 2016 Report to Congress on China’s WTO Compliance, January 2017, 4. 513 USTR, 2016 Special 301 Report, April 2016, 3. 514 Ibid., 7–8, 29–36. 515 Ibid. 516 USTR, “U.S.-China Joint Fact Sheet on the 27th U.S.-China Joint Commission,” November 2016. 
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technology transfer requirements.517 In addition, USTR again named Chinese online and physical 

marketplaces that reportedly engage in and facilitate substantial copyright piracy and trademark 

counterfeiting in its 2016 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets.

518

China’s Excess Capacity in Steel

The United States and China intensified their focus on China’s excess production of steel and other 

metals in 2016 through a series of bilateral discussions. Efforts included a September 2016 meeting 

between President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping, a December 2016 Global Forum on Steel 

Excess Capacity at the G20, and high-level discussions at the 2016 JCCT and U.S.-China S&ED.519 Both 

countries agreed to promote the establishment of the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity and to 

actively participate in and strengthen information sharing.520 Such a forum is intended to create a venue 

for identifying market-distorting policies, developing best practices, and encouraging countries to 

realign industrial production with market trends.521 By December 2016, the United States and China had 

also agreed to hold an informal U.S.-China JCCT Steel Dialogue in 2017. Such a specialized component of 

the JCCT is intended to allow both countries to share information on global steel capacity, production, 

and trade gathered since the 2016 JCCT Steel Dialogue.522

China’s steelmaking capacity exhibited robust growth in the past 10 years, and since the early 2000s, it 

has accounted for the majority of the world’s total steel capacity growth.523 This growth in steel capacity 

was led by strong demand in China, which increased from an estimated 612.1 million metric tons (mt) to 

740.4 million mt between 2010 and 2014.524 However, by 2014, amid the slowdown in China’s real 

estate market, China’s demand for steel started to decline for the first time since 1995.525 This loss in 

demand motivated many steel producers in China to increase their steel exports.526 According to USTR, 

three key factors dramatically decreased the relative competitiveness of U.S. steel producers and 

exporters in 2016: the doubling of Chinese-led global excess capacity in the steel industry between 2000 

and 2014, the rise in China’s steel exports on global markets, and the precipitous drop in steel prices 

associated with subsidization in China and other countries.527 

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Security 

Policy 

According to USTR, a series of new Chinese policies may impose major restrictions on a wide range of 

foreign ICT products and services.528 Given that these Chinese government measures called for the 

517 USTR, 2016 Special 301 Report, April 2016, 3, 7–8. 518 USTR, 2016 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets, December 2016. 519 USTR, “U.S. Fact Sheet on the 27th U.S.-China Joint Commission,” November 2016. 520 Ibid. 521 White House, “Global Economic Growth and Steel Excess Capacity,” September 2016. 522 USTR, “U.S. Fact Sheet on the 27th U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade,” November 2016. 523 OECD, “Capacity Developments in the World Steel Industry,” April 2016, 14, 21. 524 Ibid., 16. 525 Ibid., 21. 526 USTR, “2016 USTR Report to Congress on China’s WTO Compliance,” January 2017, 13. 527 USTR, “Addressing Steel Excess Capacity and Its Impacts,” April 2016; USDOC and USTR, “Statement by U.S. 

Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman,” December 2016; White 

House, “Global Economic Growth and Steel Excess Capacity,” September 2016.

528 USTR, 2016 USTR Report to Congress on China’s WTO Compliance, January 2017, 11.
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adoption of “secure and controllable” ICT products and services, USTR was concerned that such 

initiatives would add significant costs to foreign companies operating in China, and that China’s longterm goal would be eventually to replace its imports of such products and services.529

In 2016, the United States and China made progress in addressing these concerns in their highest-level 

bilateral discussions. During the November JCCT meeting, for example, China stated that its “secure and 

controllable” policies were not aimed at limiting or preventing commercial sales opportunities for 

foreign ICT suppliers. China also stated that such policies were not intended to impose nationality-based 

conditions and restrictions on commercial ICT purchases, sales, or users. In 2016, China also agreed to 

notify the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade about relevant technical regulations of its 

policy measures, in accordance with their WTO obligations.530 

Cybersecurity Law

In November 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China enacted a new 

Cybersecurity Law aimed at tightening government control over information flows and technology 

products.531 The enactment of this law, together with the National Security Law of 2015, raised concerns 

among U.S. technology companies that businesses would be compelled to provide their source codes 

and trade secrets to the Chinese government.532 U.S. technology firms were also concerned that such 

measures may help the Chinese government favor domestic technology firms over foreign businesses.533

USTR considered these to be measures that would affect broader Chinese industrial and economic 

policy, and stated that the new Cybersecurity Law would impose far-reaching and onerous trade 

restrictions on imported ICT products and services in China.534

At the conclusion of the U.S.-China S&ED meeting in June 2016, China committed to keeping its 

Cybersecurity Law consistent with WTO agreements. It also affirmed that this law was nondiscriminatory 

in nature and ensured that it would not impose nationality-based conditions or restrictions on the 

purchase, sale, or use of ICT products by commercial enterprises.535 Both the United States and China 

committed to keeping their cybersecurity measures generally applicable to their commercial sector and 

not to limit or prevent commercial sales opportunities for foreign suppliers of ICT products or 

services.536

529 Ibid. 530 USTR, “U.S. Fact Sheet on the 27th U.S.-China Joint Commission,” November 2016; USTR, 2016 USTR Report to 

Congress on China’s WTO Compliance, January 2017, 11. 531 USCC, Economics and Trade Bulletin, December 6, 2016. 532 Ibid. 533 Ibid. 534 USTR, 2016 USTR Report to Congress on China’s WTO Compliance, January 2017, 11. 535 Ibid. 536 Ibid.
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Canada

U.S.-Canada Trade

Canada was the second-largest U.S. single-country trading partner in 2016 after China, having fallen, in 

2015, from the top position it held for a number of years. The value of U.S. merchandise trade with 

Canada fell 5.7 percent in 2016 to $544.0 billion, accounting for 14.9 percent of total U.S. merchandise 

trade in 2016, compared to 15.4 percent in 2015. Both U.S. exports and imports with Canada continued 

to decline in 2016, but U.S. imports decreased more than exports, resulting in the narrowing of the 

bilateral trade deficit in 2016 to $12.1 billion (figure 6.5). The 22.1 percent decrease ($3.4 billion) in the 

U.S. trade deficit with Canada between 2015 and 2016 largely resulted from the steep decline in energyrelated imports.

Canada remained the second-largest single-country U.S. trading partner in services in 2016, after the UK. 

Canada’s two-way services trade with the United States fell $1.7 billion in 2016 to $83.0 billion, 

representing 6.8 percent of all U.S. services trade with the world. Nonetheless, it still ranked ahead of 

that of Japan ($71.4 billion), China ($69.0 billion), and Mexico ($53.9 billion). U.S. exports of services to 

Canada continued to fall from their peak of $62.5 billion in 2013 to $53.7 billion in 2016, a decline of 4.2 

percent from 2015. At the same time, U.S. imports of services from Canada rose slightly, by 2.1 percent, 

to $29.3 billion in 2016 (figure 6.6). As a result, the U.S. surplus in services with Canada narrowed 

further in 2016 to $24.4 billion, a decrease of 10.9 percent from 2015. 

In 2016, Canada became the United States’ second-largest export market for goods after the EU, losing 

its long-time position as the largest U.S. export market. U.S. exports of goods to Canada declined 5.2 

percent ($14.6 billion), from $280.6 billion in 2015 to $266.0 billion in 2016. The top U.S. exports to 

Canada in 2016 included passenger motor vehicles; motor vehicles for goods transport; civilian aircraft,

engines, and parts; and light oils. U.S. exports to Canada declined in nearly all sectors in 2016, but the 

drop in U.S. exports of energy products to Canada was especially significant; these fell $5.9 billion (26.7 

percent).537 Declines in exports of crude oil, refined petroleum products, and natural gas accounted for 

most of this decline. 

In 2016, Canada became the United States’ third-largest single-country import source, behind China and 

Mexico, falling from second in previous years. The top U.S. imports from Canada included crude 

petroleum, passenger motor vehicles, natural gas, and coniferous sawn wood. U.S. imports from Canada 

were $278.1 billion, down 6.1 percent ($18.1 billion) from the previous year. This decline was largely a 

result of a $15.7 billion decline in the value of U.S. imports of energy-related products from Canada. 

Crude petroleum—the top U.S. import from Canada—declined by $10.8 billion in 2016, refined 

petroleum products by $2.4 billion, light oils by nearly $1.0 billion, and natural gas by $0.9 billion. U.S.-

Canada merchandise trade data are shown in appendix tables A.35 through A.38.

537 While U.S. exports of crude petroleum to Canada declined by value and by quantity in 2016, total U.S. exports 

of crude petroleum to all other markets increased as a result of the removal of restrictions on U.S. exports of crude 

petroleum to countries other than Canada in December 2015. EIA, “Petroleum and Other Liquids, Exports by 

Destination,” March 20, 2017. 
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Figure 6.5 U.S. merchandise trade with Canada, 2012–16

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.5.

Figure 6.6 U.S. private services trade with Canada, 2012–16a

Source: USDOC, BEA, U.S. International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions data, tables 1.2 and 1,3, March 21, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.7.

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Trade Developments

In 2016, the United States and Canada continued to explore renewal of the Canada-United States 

Softwood Lumber Agreement, which had expired in October 2015. Also, the Canada-United States 

Regulatory Cooperation Council met to review progress in various sectors. These topics are discussed in 

more detail below. Finally, U.S. dairy producers expressed concern about the implementation of a new 

price class of milk (class 6) in Ontario and Manitoba in 2016. These pricing regulations might affect U.S. 

exports of ultra-filtered milk.538

Softwood Lumber

The 2006 U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) officially expired on October 12, 2015, 

following a two-year extension agreed on January 23, 2012.539 The agreement contained a one-year 

grace period for renegotiation (“standstill”), during which U.S. lumber interests could not file any trade 

litigation. 

On March 10, 2016, the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Canada instructed their 

trade agencies to explore options for addressing the issue of the softwood lumber industry in both 

countries and to report on their discussions.540 On June 29, 2016, the President and Prime Minister 

released a joint statement saying that both governments would continue to work together to reach a 

durable new agreement on softwood lumber that would address the differences between the two sides, 

bearing in mind the expiration of the legal standstill after October 12, 2016.541

Absent a new agreement, the U.S. lumber industry petitioned the U.S. Department of Commerce 

(USDOC) and the USITC on November 25, 2016,542 to initiate antidumping and countervailing duty 

investigations concerning imports of certain softwood lumber products from Canada.543

Canada and the United States held talks about bilateral trade in softwood lumber on the margins of the 

December 3–4, 2016, WTO ministerial meeting, but reached no conclusion.544 

538 In the first half of 2017, this pricing was extended beyond the two provinces when the Canadian government 

added a new class of milk nationwide (class 7). EY, Trade Watch, June 2016, 8; Agri-Food Economic Systems, 

“Understanding the Dynamics of Milk Pricing and Revenue,” May 2016; USTR, 2016 National Trade Estimate, 70. 539 “Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada 

Extending the Softwood Lumber Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the 

Government of Canada, as Amended. Article 1––Extension of the SLA 2006,” January 23, 2012. 540 White House, “Fact Sheet: United States—Canada Relationship,” March 10, 2016. 541 White House, “Joint Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada and the President,” June 29, 2016. 542 The petitions were lodged by the Committee Overseeing Action for Lumber International Trade Investigations 

or Negotiations (the “Coalition”). The Coalition is an ad hoc association whose members are the U.S. Lumber 

Coalition, Inc.; Collum’s Lumber Products, L.L.C.; Hankins, Inc.; Potlatch Corp.; Rex Lumber Company; Seneca 

Sawmill Company; Sierra Pacific Industries; Stimson Lumber Company; Swanson Group; Weyerhaeuser Company; 

Carpenters Industrial Council; Giustina Land and Timber Company; and Sullivan Forestry Consultants, Inc. USITC, 

Softwood Lumber Products from Canada, January 2017, 2. 543 See 81 Fed. Reg. 87069 (December 2, 2016); 81 Fed. Reg. 93892 (December 22, 2016); 81 Fed. Reg. 93897 

(December 22, 2016). On January 6, 2017, the USITC found a reasonable indication of material injury to U.S. 

industry by reason of imports of softwood lumber products from Canada; 82 Fed. Reg. 4418 (January 13, 2017). 544 Menyasz, “Bilateral Agreements––U.S., Canadian Trade Officials to Talk,” November 29, 2016, 3.
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Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council

In February 2011, the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) was formed to 

identify regulatory issues that hinder cross-border trade and investment but that might be mitigated by 

technical collaboration between the two governments. The RCC engages business and consumer groups 

to help find areas where regulatory cooperation between the two countries can help improve health 

and safety in the process of promoting economic growth.545

On May 4–5, 2016, the United States and Canada held the annual RCC stakeholder event in Washington, 

DC. U.S. departments and agencies—including the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy, and 

Transportation; the Environmental Protection Agency; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration; and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration—met with their Canadian 

counterparts to explore the regulatory situation in over 20 areas. These sectors included crop 

protection, workplace chemicals, food safety, energy efficiency, transport of dangerous goods, 

aquaculture, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and “connected” vehicles (vehicles with electronic 

links for safety puposes).546 Such RCC meetings help identify opportunities for regulatory streamlining 

and cooperation that can be developed as part of these agencies’ annual work plans.547 In addition, the 

RCC and U.S.-Canada Consultative Committee on Agriculture held various technical workshops as part of 

the work plan development in the agricultural area.

Mexico

U.S.-Mexico Trade 

In 2016, Mexico was the United States’ third-largest single-country merchandise trading partner, 

following China and Canada. Merchandise trade between the two countries slipped 1.3 percent to 

$525.1 billion in 2016, accounting for 14.4 percent of U.S. trade with the world. While both imports and 

exports declined in 2016, the U.S. merchandise trade deficit with Mexico rose $2.5 billion to $63.2 

billion, since U.S. exports to Mexico declined more than U.S. imports did (figure 6.7). At the same time, 

the U.S. trade surplus in services with Mexico shrank 22.3 percent to $7.2 billion in 2016 (figure 6.8), 

largely a result of increasing U.S. services imports from Mexico. Mexico continued to be the United 

States’ sixth-largest single-country trading partner for services in 2016, after the UK, Canada, Japan, 

China, and Germany.

Mexico remained the United States’ second-largest single-country export market in 2016, accounting for 

15.9 percent of total U.S. exports to the world. U.S. merchandise exports to Mexico totaled $231.0 

billion, a decrease of 2.0 percent from 2015. In 2016, the leading U.S. exports to Mexico were computer 

parts and accessories; refined petroleum products; parts and accessories for motor vehicles; 

telecommunications equipment; civilian aircraft, engines, and parts; and corn. 

545 USDOS, EB, “2012 Investment Climate Statement,” June 2012. 546 USDOC, ITA, “U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council: United States and Canada Announce” (accessed 

March 20, 2017). Using connected-vehicle technology, which is similar to radar and camera equipment already 

used in vehicles, short-range radio signals communicate with each other so that vehicles that are near to each 

other can be aware of one another. USDOT, OST-R, “Connected Vehicle Basics” (accessed April 5, 2017). 547 Government of Canada, “Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council E-Newsletter,” March 2016 

(modified April 15, 2016).
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Figure 6.7 U.S. merchandise trade with Mexico, 2012–16

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.5.

Figure 6.8 U.S. private services trade with Mexico, 2012–16a

Source: USDOC, BEA, U.S. International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions data, tables 1.2 and 1.3, March 21, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.7.

a

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Mexico was the United States’ second-largest single-country import source in 2016 and accounted for 

13.4 percent of U.S. total imports. In 2016, U.S. merchandise imports from Mexico fell 0.8 percent to 

$294.2 billion, driven by a large decrease in the value of U.S. imports of energy-related products. 

Leading U.S. imports from Mexico included passenger motor vehicles; motor vehicles for goods 

transport; computers; telecommunications equipment; color TV reception apparatus; and crude 

petroleum. U.S.-Mexico merchandise trade data are shown in appendix tables A.39 through A.42.

Trade Developments

To strengthen the U.S.-Mexico commercial and economic relationship, a new High-Level Economic 

Dialogue (HLED) was established in 2013. Developments in 2016 regarding the HLED and NAFTA’s crossborder trucking provisions are described below. 

High-Level Economic Dialogue 

On September 20, 2013, U.S. and Mexican officials launched the High-Level Economic Dialogue, a 

cabinet-level group that meets annually. The HLED is a forum for bilateral economic cooperation to 

promote economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness for both Mexico and the United 

States.548 The HLED work plan has three pillars: promoting competitiveness and connectivity; fostering 

economic growth, productivity, entrepreneurship, and innovation; and partnering for regional and 

global leadership.549 According to the USDOC, the HLED has been a valuable mechanism to advance both 

countries’ strategic economic and trade priorities, serving as an instrument of cooperation on regional 

priorities.550

On February 25, 2016, U.S. and Mexican officials held the third cabinet-level meeting of the HLED in 

Mexico City to review their accomplishments and set new priorities for 2016.551 At the meeting, the U.S. 

and Mexican governments agreed to continue work in the areas of energy, modern borders, workforce 

development, regulatory cooperation, partnering in regional and global leadership, and stakeholder 

engagement.552 

Energy

In 2016, the United States and Mexico formally founded the U.S.-Mexico Energy Business Council and 

held its inaugural meeting in December.553 The council’s objective is to bring together U.S. and Mexican 

energy industry representatives to discuss issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen the U.S.-

Mexico relationship on trade, investment, and competitiveness in the energy sector.554 

548 White House, “Joint Statement: 2016 U.S.-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue,” February 25, 2016. 549 White House, “Fact Sheet: U.S.-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue,” September 20, 2013. 550 USDOC, “Fact Sheet: High Level Economic Dialogue: Three Years of Achievements,” December 8, 2016. 551 White House, “Joint Statement: 2016 U.S.-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue,” February 25, 2016. 552 Ibid. 553 USDOC, “Fact Sheet: High-Level Economic Dialogue: Three Years,” December 8, 2016. 554 81 Fed. Reg. 8907 (February 23, 2016).
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Modern Borders

The United States and Mexico continued to make progress on border infrastructure projects. In 2016, 

U.S. and Mexican government officials inaugurated the Tornillo-Guadalupe Port of Entry and 

International Bridge in Tornillo, Texas. The port of entry, for which ground was broken in July 2011, 

connects Tornillo, Texas, and Guadalupe, Mexico, replacing the Fabens-Caseta Port of Entry completed 

in 1938.555 The Tornillo-Guadalupe project is intended to improve international trade and environmental 

conditions, as well as relieve congestion in the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez metropolitan area. It will increase 

capacity and lanes both on the bridge and at the port of entry. Moreover, it will now allow commercial 

traffic to use the bridge to cross between the United States and Mexico, as pedestrians and personal 

vehicles already do.556 This project adds to the border infrastructure projects of previous years, such as 

the West Rail Bypass Bridge connecting Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas, which opened 

in August 2015. The West Rail Bypass Bridge was the first new international rail bridge constructed 

between the two nations in 100 years.557

Also in 2016, a second cargo pre-inspection pilot project was inaugurated at the Mesa de Otay Port of 

Entry, Baja California. Under the program, certain cargo is to be pre-inspected in Mexico before crossing 

the border into the United States. The programs are designed to improve the flow of trade by reducing 

the number of inspections, shortening wait times, and lowering transaction costs.558 The first Cargo PreInspection Program pilot was established at the Laredo International Airport, Texas, and began 

operations on October 15, 2015.559

Cross-Border Trucking between the United States and Mexico

Under the cross-border trucking commitments in Chapter 12 of NAFTA, Mexican trucks were allowed to 

provide cross-border truck services throughout the United States beginning in 2000. However, the 

implementation of these provisions was delayed because of U.S. safety concerns.560 To address these 

concerns, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 

(FMCSA) launched the U.S.-Mexico Cross-Border Long-Haul Trucking Pilot Program on October 14, 

2011.561 The program concluded on October 10, 2014.562 

On January 9, 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation submitted a report on the pilot program to 

Congress showing that the Mexican companies’ violations, driver violations, and vehicle out-of-service 

rates reflected the same level of safety as U.S. and Canadian-headquartered motor carriers.563 As a 

555 USDOC, “U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Delivers Remarks at Inauguration,” February 4, 2016. 556 USDOC, “U.S. and Mexican Officials Celebrate the Inauguration,” February 4, 2016; USDOC, “U.S. Departments 

of Commerce and Energy Appoint Inaugural U.S. Section,” June 30, 2016. 557 Infrastructure at the border is further discussed in USITC, The Year in Trade 2015, July 2016, 181. 558 USDHS, “CBP Commissioner Inaugurates Cargo Pre-Inspection Program,” January 12, 2016. 559 Ibid. 560 Developments in cross-border truck services between the United States and Mexico are reported in USITC, The 

Year in Trade 2008, July 2009, 5-16; USITC, The Year in Trade 2009, July 2010, 5-16; USITC, The Year in Trade 2010, 

July 2011, 5-12; USITC, The Year in Trade 2011, July 2012, 5-14; USITC, The Year in Trade 2012, July 2013, 5-13; 

USITC, The Year in Trade 2013, 2014, 149; USITC, The Year in Trade 2014, July 2015, 177. 561 76 Fed. Reg. 20807 (April 13, 2011). 562 USDOT, FMCSA, United States-Mexico Cross-Border Long-Haul Trucking, January 2015. 563 USDOT, FMCSA, “United States to Expand Trade Opportunities with Mexico,” January 9, 2015.
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result, as of January 15, 2015, the FMCSA began accepting applications from Mexico-domiciled motor 

carriers interested in conducting long-haul operations beyond the U.S. commercial zones.564

In 2016, reports from the FMCSA indicated that Mexican-owned or Mexico-domiciled motor carriers 

were operating more safely than U.S. carriers on U.S. roads. For instance, FMCSA data from 2016 

showed that roadside inspections of Mexican-owned or Mexico-domiciled carriers resulted in driver outof-service rates—that is, rates of violations serious enough to halt drivers’ trips immediately565—of 0.86 

percent, compared with a rate of 4.9 percent for all motor carriers on U.S. highways.566

Japan

U.S.-Japan Trade

In 2016, Japan remained the United States’ fourth-largest single-country trading partner in terms of twoway merchandise trade, accounting for 5.4 percent of total U.S. merchandise trade. U.S. merchandise 

trade with Japan increased 0.9 percent, from $193.8 billion in 2015 to $195.5 billion in 2016. The 

increase in total bilateral merchandise trade was attributable to an $821.6 million increase in U.S. 

exports to Japan and a corresponding $837.7 million increase in U.S. imports from Japan. As a result of 

these changes, in 2016 the U.S. merchandise trade deficit with Japan grew slightly ($16.1 million) to 

$68.9 billion (figure 6.9). In 2016, Japan was once again the United States’ third-largest single-country 

trading partner based on two-way services trade. U.S. services exports to Japan increased $195 million, 

or 0.4 percent, to $44.0 billion in 2016, while U.S. services imports from Japan also increased, growing 

$1.0 billion, or 3.9 percent, to $27.4 billion. As a result, the U.S. surplus in services trade with Japan 

narrowed to $16.7 billion from $17.5 billion the year before (figure 6.10).

Japan remained the fourth-largest destination for U.S. merchandise exports in 2016, accounting for 4.4 

percent of global U.S. exports. Between 2015 and 2016, U.S. exports to Japan increased 1.3 percent, 

from $62.4 billion in 2015 to $63.2 billion in 2016. Leading U.S. exports to Japan were civilian aircraft, 

engines, and parts; corn; medicaments; liquefied propane; and medical instruments and appliances. 

Japan remained the fourth-largest source of U.S. merchandise imports in 2016, accounting for 6.0 

percent of global U.S. imports. The value of U.S. imports from Japan increased 0.6 percent in 2016, from 

$131.4 billion in 2015 to $132.2 billion in 2016. Leading U.S. imports from Japan were passenger motor 

vehicles, parts for airplanes or helicopters, motor vehicle gearboxes, and parts for printers. U.S.-Japan 

merchandise trade data are shown in appendix tables A.43–A.46.

564 80 Fed. Reg. 2179 (January 10, 2015). The U.S. commercial zones refer to the 25-mile commercial zones along 

the southern U.S. border.

565 USDOT, FMCSA, “Out-of-Service (OOS) Rates (Mexican-Owned or Mexico-Domiciled Carriers),” March 24, 2017. 566 USDOT, FMCSA, “Roadside Inspection Out-of-Service (OOS) Rates,” March 24, 2017.
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Figure 6.9 U.S. merchandise trade with Japan, 2012–16 

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.5.

Figure 6.10 U.S. private services trade with Japan, 2012–16a

Source: USDOC, BEA, U.S. International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions data, tables 1.2 and 1,3, March 21, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.7.

a

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Trade Developments

Economic dialogue between the United States and Japan in 2016 focused on a variety of topics, 

including agricultural trade issues; transparency in pricing and regulation in Japan’s medical device and 

pharmaceutical sectors; and market access issues in Japan’s insurance market. These topics are 

discussed in more detail below. In addition, the United States and Japan worked on other trade issues of 

interest at the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. These included WTO dispute 

settlement matters; expansion of the WTO Information Technology Agreement; the plurilateral Trade in 

Services Agreement; an “Intellectual Property and Innovation Education and Diffusion” initiative with 

the WTO TRIPS Council; and environmental goods tariff reductions, as well as next-generation issues 

such as digital trade.567

Agricultural Products

Japan remained an important market for U.S. agricultural exports in 2016. In that year, U.S. agricultural 

exports to Japan amounted to $12.1 billion, and related negotiations focused on market access issues 

associated with rice, pork, fish, and seafood (see appendix table A.45).

In 2016, U.S. officials noted a variety of issues associated with Japan’s rice market. Despite the fact that 

Japan is the United States’ second-largest export market for rice, Japan’s importation and distribution 

systems are considered highly regulated and nontransparent by USTR.568 Japan’s established 682,000 mt 

tariff-rate quota (TRQ) on imported rice is managed by its Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries 

through two types of tenders—ordinary minimum access (OMA) tenders and simultaneous-buy-sell 

(SBS) tenders.569 Most imported rice is purchased through OMA tenders for government-held stocks and 

is used for industrial food processing, livestock feed, or food aid.570 Meanwhile, the SBS tenders, which 

provide important access to Japan’s more highly valued table rice market,571 were suspended 

temporarily from October to December 2016.572 USTR is monitoring Japan’s rice import system in light 

of the market access issues U.S. rice exporters face and Japan’s WTO import commitments.573 In 2016, 

the United States’ 246,740 metric tons of rice exports to Japan were valued at $236 million.574 

Japan’s fluctuating and unpredictable tariffs on U.S. pork meat were also a subject of U.S. concern in 

2016.575 Japan’s tariff on pork is established by a “gate price” system that applies an ad valorem tariff (of 

4.3 percent) when the import value is greater than or equal to an established reference price, and an 

567 USTR, 2016 Special 301 Report, April 2016, 13; USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 

2017, 160.

568 USTR, 2017 National Trade Estimate Report, March 2017, 245. 569 USDA, ERS, “Japan—Trade,” updated October 11, 2016; USTR, 2017 National Trade Estimate Report, March 

2017, 245. 570 USTR, 2017 National Trade Estimate Report, March 2017, 245. 571 Rice is imported through SBS tenders for end users such as the food service sector. USA Rice, “Japan Resumes 

Rice Tenders,” December 16, 2016. 

572 Japan suspended SBS tender trading from October to December 2016 to investigate allegations of price 

manipulation by importers and wholesalers. New rules resulting from the investigation prohibited importers and 

wholesalers from directly exchanging money. USTR, 2017 National Trade Estimate Report, March 2017, 245; USA 

Rice Federation, “Japan Resumes Rice Tenders,” December 16, 2016 (accessed May 5, 2017).

573 USTR, 2017 National Trade Estimate Report, March 2017, 245. 574 Ibid.; USITC DataWeb/USDOC (accessed April 11, 2017). Rice exports included those under HTS 1006. 575 USTR, 2017 National Trade Estimate Report, March 2017, 246.
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additional tariff when the value of the pork meat imports falls below a given reference price. Japan is 

the largest export market for U.S. pork and pork products on a value basis and is a market that has 

shown increased demand. In 2016, U.S. exports of fresh or frozen pork meat to Japan amounted to 

nearly $1.5 billion and accounted for about 35 percent of all U.S. exports of this commodity.

576

High Japanese tariffs on several fish and seafood products remained a recurring topic in bilateral trade 

negotiations in 2016. In 2016, U.S. exports of fish and seafood amounted to nearly $666 million to Japan 

alone.577 Moreover, Japan is the third-largest market for these U.S. exports, after Canada and China.578

In addition to high tariffs on these products, U.S. exporters also face import quotas on Alaska pollock, 

cod, Pacific whiting, mackerel, sardines, squid, and Pacific herring, as well as on products such as pollock 

roe, cod roe, and surimi. Although Japan has reduced tariffs, increased import quota volumes, and 

lowered associated administrative burdens, the import quotas continued to be reported to be a barrier 

to U.S. exporters in 2016.579 Furthermore, while Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare revised 

existing standards and specifications for food, which includes seafood, in February 2016, the effects of 

these changes on U.S. exports are yet to be determined.580 

Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals

In 2016, the United States and Japan continued to address longstanding barriers to U.S. medical device 

and pharmaceutical exports to Japan. Although there have been improvements in Japan’s regulatory 

review process for medical devices and pharmaceuticals in recent years, U.S. concerns continue over 

broader transparency issues as they relate to pricing and regulation.581 For example, the Pricing for 

Market Expansion scheme that was introduced in April 2016 dramatically cut the prices of drugs on the 

Japanese market if the drug achieved higher sales than anticipated.582 The ad hoc nature of the price 

reductions in both 2015 and 2016, and the unusually short stakeholder consultation period beforehand, 

led the U.S. government in 2016 to request that the Japanese government follow a more transparent 

process and provide stakeholders with enough time to provide meaningful input.583 

In 2016, U.S. medical device exports to Japan amounted to $4.1 billion, or 10.4 percent of U.S. medical 

device exports worldwide. In 2016, Japan was the United States’ second-largest market for medical 

devices.584 The United States also exported $3.8 billion of pharmaceutical products to Japan in 2016, 

representing 8.2 percent of total U.S. pharmaceutical exports in that year.585 In 2016, Japan was the 

third-largest market for U.S. pharmaceutical exports after Belgium and the Netherlands.586

576 USDA, FAS, Japan—Livestock and Products Annual 2016 Market Situation Update, September 9, 2016, 7–8; 

USITC DataWeb/USDOC (accessed April 11, 2017). Pork exports included those under HTS 0203. 

577 USITC DataWeb/USDOC (accessed April 11, 2017). Fish and seafood exports included those exports under HTS 

03.

578 Ibid. Fish and seafood exports included those exports under HTS 03. 579 USTR, 2017 National Trade Estimate Report, March 2017, 246. 580 USDA, FAS, Japan Issues New Safety Standards for Agricultural Food, January 25, 2016, 1. 581 USTR, 2017 National Trade Estimate Report, March 2017, 256. 582 Ibid. 583 Ibid. 584 USITC DataWeb/USDOC (accessed May 11, 2017). Medical device exports included those under HTS 9018, 9021, 

and 9022.

585 Ibid. Pharmaceutical exports included those under HTS 30. 586 Ibid. Pharmaceutical exports included those under HTS 30. 
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Insurance Market

The United States and Japan continued to hold high-level discussions on market access issues related to 

Japan’s insurance market in 2016. Despite important legal changes, Japan’s postal life insurance system, 

run by Japan Post Holdings, has continued to dominate Japan’s insurance market.587 However, the 

United States and Japan have been regularly discussing ways of allowing greater international 

competition within Japan’s insurance market. In 2016, Japan Post imposed a limit on the amount of 

insurance they could provide and a cap on the types of financial activities and products they could 

offer.588 Such market measures have historically limited the extent to which Japan Post dominated its 

country’s local insurance market.589 However, as of April 2016, the Japanese government allowed Japan 

Post to raise the per-customer deposit cap from 10 million yen to 13 million yen (about $92,000 to 

$120,000) and to raise the per-policyholder insurance coverage cap from 13 million yen to 20 million 

yen (about $120,000 to $184,000).590

Other developments have also had the potential to impact the position of Japan Post Holdings. Under 

the TPP, U.S. insurance companies would have been granted open access to the Japan Post Insurance 

distribution network, allowing them to compete under equivalent conditions.591 Outside the TPP 

framework, Japan Post Holdings began a process of wide-scale privatization in late 2015, which 

influenced market dynamics in this segment of Japan’s economy.592 Japan Post Holdings’ sale of its 

shares is expected to take place in July 2017.593

Republic of Korea

U.S.-Korea Trade 

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) was the United States’ sixth-largest single-country merchandise 

trading partner in 2016. Two-way merchandise trade was valued at $112.2 billion in 2016, falling from 

$115.2 billion in 2015. In spite of this decline, the share of U.S. trade with South Korea remained 

unchanged from 2015 and accounted for 3.1 percent of U.S. trade with the world. The United States 

recorded a $27.7 billion merchandise trade deficit with South Korea in 2016, a 2.3 percent decrease 

from $28.3 billion in 2015 as U.S. imports from South Korea declined more than U.S. exports to South 

Korea (figure 6.11). In 2016, South Korea continued to be the tenth-largest single-country services 

trading partner based on two-way trade. U.S. exports of services to South Korea increased 5.1 percent in 

2016, reaching a five-year high of $21.3 billion. At the same time, U.S. imports of services from South 

Korea remained relatively stable, declining 0.1 percent to $8.8 billion. As a result of these two trends, 

the U.S. trade surplus in services with South Korea rose from $11.4 billion in 2015 to $12.5 billion in 

2016, an increase of 9.1 percent (figure 6.12). 

587 USTR, 2017 National Trade Estimate Report, March 2017, 248. 588 Ibid. 589 Ibid. 590 Ibid. 591 USITC, Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Likely Impact, May 2016, 362. 592 USDOC, ITA, “Japan—Openness to and Restriction on Foreign Investment,” January 24, 2017. 593 Bloomberg, “Japanese Government Seeks to Privatize Japan Post” January 16, 2017. 
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Figure 6.11 U.S. merchandise trade with South Korea, 2012–16

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.5.

Figure 6.12 U.S. private services trade with South Korea, 2012–16 a

Source: USDOC, BEA, U.S. International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions data, tables 1.2 and 1,3, March 21, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.7. a

Data for 2016 are preliminary.

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U.S. merchandise exports to South Korea were valued at $42.3 billion in 2016, declining 2.7 percent 

($1.2 billion) from 2015. Because South Korean imports from all sources declined, the share of United 

States’ exports in total South Korean imports rose from 10.1 percent to 10.6 percent in 2016.594 Among 

the leading U.S. exports to South Korea were civilian aircraft, engines, and parts; processors or 

controllers; machines for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or electronic integrated circuits; 

helicopters; and corn. Exports of passenger motor vehicles, when combined, were valued at $1.6 billion 

in 2016, increasing 23.1 percent from $1.3 billion.595 

U.S. merchandise imports from South Korea totaled $69.9 billion in 2016, a decrease of 2.5 percent 

($1.8 billion) from 2015. Leading U.S. imports from South Korea included passenger vehicles, cellphones, 

blood fractions (e.g., antiserum), refined petroleum products, and photosensitive semiconductor 

devices. U.S.-South Korea merchandise trade data are shown in appendix tables A.47 through A.50.

Trade Developments

In 2016, U.S. trade relations with South Korea occurred within the framework of the U.S.-Korea Free 

Trade Agreement (FTA), as discussed below and in chapter 5. Additional dialogue focused on supporting 

the growth of the digital economy and the information and communications technology industry in both 

countries while also recognizing the importance of privacy and data protection. Other trade 

developments included the WTO dispute regarding U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty measures 

on large residential washers from South Korea; the panel report for this dispute was circulated on March 

11, 2016, and the Appellate Body report was circulated on September 7, 2016.596 

U.S.-Korea FTA 

The U.S.-Korea FTA, commonly referred to as KORUS, entered into force on March 15, 2012. In terms of 

value of trade covered, it is the second-largest U.S. FTA after NAFTA.597 As of January 1, 2017, six rounds 

of tariff cuts have taken place under the agreement, with tariffs eliminated on approximately 95 percent 

of consumer and industrial products.598 As of January 1, 2016, imports of passenger vehicles from the 

United States enter South Korea duty free.599 See chapter 5 for more information on the U.S.-Korea FTA.

Information Technology and Digital Trade

In August 2016, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S.-Korea Business Council, and U.S.-Japan Business 

Council had their first Trilateral Digital Economy Steering Committee meeting. This initiative aims to 

594 IHS Markit, GTA (accessed April 11, 2017). 595 USITC DataWeb/USDOC (accessed March 21, 2017). Passenger motor vehicles includes the following HTS 6-digit 

lines: 8703.21, 8703.22, 8703.23, 8703.24, 8703.31, 8703.32, 8703.33, 8703.90, 8704.21, and 8704.31.

596 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS464; United States—Anti-dumping and Countervailing Measures on Large 

Residential Washers from Korea” (accessed March 28, 2016). For more information, see chapter 3.

597 See tables 5.1 and 5.2 for complete data. 598 USTR, 2017 National Trade Estimate, March 2017, 275; USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual 

Report, March 2017, 125; USTR, “U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement,” n.d. (accessed April 4, 2017). The six rounds 

of tariff cuts and eliminations took place on the date of the agreement’s entry into force (March 15, 2012) and on 

January 1, 2013; January 1, 2014; January 1, 2015; January 1, 2016; and January 1, 2017.

599 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 125.
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bring together government and nongovernment efforts revolving around the digital economy.600 For 

example, the group aims to develop initiatives that promote an open Internet and seamless data flows. 

In September 2016, representatives of the U.S. and South Korean governments, industry, and 

nongovernmental organizations attended the third bilateral Information and Communication 

Technology (ICT) Policy Forum. The two-day forum’s objective was to provide an opportunity to discuss 

issues such as supporting the growth of the digital economy as well as the ICT industry in both countries. 

Both sides affirmed support for policies that promote innovation, trade, investment, and growth, while 

also emphasizing the importance of privacy and data protection.601 

India 

U.S.-India Trade

In 2016, India became the United States’ 9th-largest single-country trading partner (based on two-way 

merchandise trade), rising from 10th-largest in 2015. U.S. two-way merchandise trade with India 

increased 2.2 percent to $67.7 billion in 2016. In addition, India’s share of total U.S. merchandise trade 

with the world rose to 1.9 percent, up from 1.8 percent in 2015, continuing a slow but steady increase in 

India’s share of U.S. merchandise trade with the world over recent years. Although U.S. exports to India 

went up slightly in 2016, the U.S. merchandise trade deficit with India rose 4.2 percent to $24.3 billion in 

2016 as imports grew even more than exports (figure 6.13). Although India was again the United States’ 

seventh-largest single-country services trading partner, based on two-way trade, it continued to be the 

only top trading partner with which the United States has a services trade deficit; however, this trade 

deficit has slowly decreased since 2014. In 2016, U.S. exports again rose slightly more than U.S. imports 

of services, which resulted in a 1.6 percent decline in the U.S. services trade deficit to $6.8 billion (figure 

6.14). Total U.S. services trade with India grew 10.3 percent to $46.7 billion in 2016. 

U.S. merchandise exports to India increased 1.1 percent from $21.5 billion in 2015 to $21.7 billion in 

2016. Leading U.S. exports to India in 2016 were nonindustrial diamonds; nonmonetary gold; civilian 

aircraft, engines, and parts; almonds; and petroleum coke. 

U.S. merchandise imports from India increased 2.7 percent in 2016 to $46.0 billion. Leading U.S. imports 

from India in 2016 were nonindustrial diamonds, medicaments, gold jewelry, light oils, and frozen

shrimp.602 U.S. merchandise trade data are shown in appendix tables A.51 through A.54.

600 U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “U.S. Chamber Launches Trilateral Digital Economy Steering Committee,” August 

30, 2016.

601 USDOS, “Joint Statement on the 3rd U.S.-Republic of Korea ICT Policy Forum,” September 12, 2016. 602 Because the United States and India are both major centers for global trade of cut or faceted diamonds, 

diamonds lead U.S.-India trade in terms of both imports and exports.
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Figure 6.13 U.S. merchandise trade with India, 2012–16

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.5.

Figure 6.14 U.S. private services trade with India, 2012–16 a

Source: USDOC, BEA, U.S. International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions data, tables 1.2 and 1,3, March 21, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.7.

a

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Trade Developments

There were several active WTO dispute settlement proceedings involving the United States and India in 

2016. In March, India requested consultations with the United States about measures concerning nonimmigrant temporary work visas.603 In July, the United States requested arbitration regarding a dispute 

with India concerning the importation of certain agricultural products on the basis that India failed to 

bring its measures into compliance within the agreed reasonable period of time.604 In September, India 

requested consultations with the United States regarding alleged domestic-content requirements in the 

renewable energy sector provided by several U.S. states.605 Finally, in October 2016, the Dispute 

Settlement Body adopted the Appellate Body report and the panel report, as modified by the Appellate 

Body report, regarding India’s purchase power agreements with solar firms and domestic-content 

requirements.606 For more information on WTO dispute settlement cases, see chapter 3.

In 2016, the United States and India continued dialogue on improving bilateral trade and investment, 

including IPR protection. In June 2016, President Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in 

Washington, DC, for their third major bilateral summit. The second U.S.-India Strategic and Commercial 

Dialogue was held in New Delhi, India, in August 2016 and was co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of State John 

Kerry, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj, and 

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry of India Nirmala Sitharaman. A number of topics were 

discussed, including trade and investment, improving the ease of doing business, and standards 

cooperation. The Trade Policy Forum and IPR protection, two important areas of bilateral dialogue in 

2016, are discussed in detail below. 

India and United States Trade Policy Forum

On October 20, 2016, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and India’s Minister of Commerce and 

Industry Nirmala Sitharaman met in Delhi for the 10th ministerial-level meeting of the India and United 

States Trade Policy Forum. This meeting covered several topics that are the focus of established interministerial working groups, including agriculture, trade in goods and services, promoting investment, 

manufacturing, and IPRs.607

Agriculture 

The United States and India noted the need to establish science- and risk-based regulations that are 

grounded in international standards and guidelines and also agreed to share best practices between 

their sanitary and phytosanitary authorities. Minister Sitharaman and Ambassador Froman recognized 

each other’s requests, agreeing to explore the possibility of enhanced market access for specific 

agricultural products, such as the export of grapes from India and the export of cherries and alfalfa hay 

603 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS503; United States—Measures Concerning Non-Immigrant Visas” (accessed 

March 15, 2017).

604 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS430; India—Measures Concerning the Importation of Certain Agricultural 

Products” (accessed March 31, 2017).

605 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS510; United States—Certain Measures Relating to the Renewable Energy Sector” 

(accessed March 15, 2017).

606 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS456; India—Certain Measures Relating to Solar Cells and Solar Modules” 

(accessed March 6, 2017). 

607 USTR, “India and United States Joint Statement on the Trade Policy Forum,” October 20, 2016. 
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from the United States. The two sides also discussed regulations relating to the import and export of 

boric acid, as well as U.S. concerns regarding market access for dairy products.608

Services

The United States and India recognized the role of the services sector in the United States and India and 

discussed efforts to promote foreign investment in key service sectors. The United States called upon 

India to relax local-sourcing requirements in single-brand retail trade. Both parties agreed to address 

market access and trade costs for pharmaceutical products and medical devices through technical 

discussions, and also agreed to continue their work on visa issues to facilitate the movement of 

professionals and experts. The two sides agreed to promote the digital economy through an open 

Internet and to explore the adoption of joint principles that ensure an open Internet. They also agreed 

to further the digital agenda that was adopted at the India-U.S. Information Communication and 

Technology Working Group.609

Manufacturing 

The United States and India committed to exchange information on standards, conformity assessment 

procedures, and the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement in the electronics sector, a mutualrecognition arrangement for information technology security evaluations. Both parties highlighted the 

importance of predictability and transparency in the creation of new rules and agreed to continue to 

share best practices and information on public stakeholder consultations before framing laws or policy. 

In addition, both parties noted their desire to take appropriate action on the recommendations of the 

U.S.-India CEO Forum.610

Intellectual Property

India has been on USTR’s Priority Watch List or has been designated a priority foreign country since 

1989. India remained on the Priority Watch List in the 2016 Special 301 Report due to concerns about 

weak protection and enforcement of IPR. Of concern are inadequate trade secret protection; the 

production, domestic distribution, and export of counterfeit pharmaceuticals; and online piracy. The 

High-Level Working Group on Intellectual Property under the Trade Policy Forum (discussed above) held 

several meetings in 2016 focusing on creating stronger IPR protection and enforcement in India. In 2016, 

workshops were also held on copyright and trade secrets.611

Similarly, USTR notes in its 2016 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets report that “numerous 

markets in India have appeared in past lists, with no identified meaningful, effective response by the 

Indian government.”612 Several markets were highlighted for counterfeit apparel, pirated media, and 

counterfeit auto parts.613

608 Ibid. 609 Ibid. 610 Ibid. 611 USTR, 2016 Special 301 Report to Congress, April 2016, 38–45. 612 USTR, 2016 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets, December 2016, 20. 613 Ibid.
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Taiwan

U.S.-Taiwan Trade

In 2016, Taiwan was the United States’ 10th-largest single-economy trading partner, dropping from the 

9th position that it held in 2015. U.S. trade with Taiwan accounted for 1.8 percent of total U.S. trade 

with the world. U.S. two-way merchandise trade with Taiwan amounted to $65.4 billion in 2016, a 

decrease of 2.1 percent from $66.8 billion in 2015. The U.S. merchandise trade deficit with Taiwan fell 

$1.8 billion, from $15.0 billion in 2015 to $13.3 billion in 2016 (figure 6.15). As described below, U.S. 

trade flows with Taiwan remained heavily dependent upon consumer electronics—most notably 

computer components. Also in 2016, the U.S. services trade surplus with Taiwan fell $763 million 

relative to the year before, from $4.3 billion in 2015 to $3.5 billion in 2016. The decline in the services 

trade surplus was attributable to a $739 million (6.2 percent) decline in U.S. services exports to Taiwan 

and a $24 million (0.3 percent) increase in U.S. services imports from Taiwan in 2016 (figure 6.16).

In 2016, U.S. merchandise exports to Taiwan amounted to $26.0 billion, a 0.7 percent increase from 

$25.9 billion in 2015. Leading U.S. exports to Taiwan were civilian aircraft, engines, and parts; machines 

for semiconductor or integrated circuit manufacturing; processors and controllers; memories; and 

microchips. 

In 2016, U.S. merchandise imports from Taiwan amounted to $39.3 billion, a 3.9 percent decrease from 

$40.9 billion in 2015. Leading U.S. imports were microchips, telecommunications equipment, computer 

parts and accessories, processors and controllers, and semiconductor storage devices. U.S.-Taiwan 

merchandise trade data are shown in appendix tables A.55 through A.58.
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Figure 6.15 U.S. merchandise trade with Taiwan, 2012–16

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.5.

Figure 6.16 U.S. private services trade with Taiwan, 2012–16a

Source: USDOC, BEA, U.S. International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions data, tables 1.2 and 1,3, March 21, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.7.

a

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Trade Developments

As described below, the U.S.-Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) has served as a 

key mechanism for U.S.-Taiwan dialogue on trade issues in the absence of official diplomatic ties. In 

2016, U.S.-Taiwan trade relations focused on IPR-related issues; access to Taiwan’s agricultural market; 

certain technical barriers to trade; and issues associated with Taiwan’s investment review procedures.

U.S.-Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement

The U.S.-Taiwan TIFA, signed in 1994, has served as the main forum for discussing bilateral trade and 

investment issues and strengthening commercial ties.614 The 10th annual TIFA Council meeting, which 

continues to be held under the auspices of the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic 

and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, was on October 4, 2016, in Washington, DC.615

Discussions in that forum, and in the working groups leading up to that forum, focused on IPR-related 

issues and market access for U.S. agricultural, biotech, and medical device exports.616 Other prominent 

points raised during the 2016 TIFA meetings included certain technical barriers in Taiwan’s agricultural 

and cosmetics industry and certain investment approval procedures, both described in greater detail 

below. 

Intellectual Property Rights

At the 2016 TIFA meeting, the United States recognized progress that was made with respect to 

Taiwan’s pharmaceutical IPR protection and its commitment to strengthen engagement on IPR 

legislation.617 The United States also recognized Taiwan’s enhanced promotion of intellectual propertyrelated educational material, and its enhanced enforcement cooperation with the United States.618 In 

September 2016, Taiwan also extended the mandatory notice and comment period for new trade, 

investment, and IPR-related regulations and laws from 14 to 60 days, especially helpful to foreign 

firms.619 With regard to transparency, both the United States and Taiwan agreed to continue exchanging 

views on pending revisions to Taiwan’s Copyright Act.620 

Agricultural Barriers

At the 2016 TIFA meeting, the United States and Taiwan also agreed that more progress was needed on 

a broad range of agricultural trade issues. The United States was mostly concerned about the degree to 

which biotechnology played a role in Taiwan’s agricultural trade policies, and expressed strong interest

that Taiwan remove bans on U.S. pork and certain beef products produced using ractopamine.621 During 

614 USTR, “United States and Taiwan Deepen Dialogue on Trade and Investment Priorities,” October 2016. 615 Ibid.; American Institute in Taiwan, “United States and Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreements 

Council Meeting,” September 2016. 

616 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 141. 617 Ibid. 618 Ibid. 619 Ibid., 413. 620 USTR, 2017 Trade Policy Agenda and 2016 Annual Report, March 2017, 141. 621 Ibid.
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the 2016 discussions, the U.S. trade negotiators also expressed continued concerns over barriers U.S. 

beef offal exporters have experienced in Taiwan.622 A resolution to these issues is still pending. 

Technical Barriers to Trade

Technical barriers to trade have been one of the most pronounced U.S.-Taiwan bilateral trade issues in 

recent years. During the 2016 TIFA Council meeting, discussions of these technical barriers largely 

revolved around the labeling of agricultural goods, the regulation of cosmetic products, and procedures 

for registering new chemicals.623

With respect to the first issue, discussion at the 2016 TIFA Council meeting addressed the transparency 

and rationale for Taiwan’s newly implemented biotechnology labeling requirements for prepackaged 

foods, food additives, and unpackaged foods.624 The new rules require corn syrup, for example, to be 

labeled “genetically engineered,” as it is made from biotechnology corn, yet beverages made using corn 

syrup are exempt from such labeling. While the rationale for this difference in labeling is based on a 3 

percent biotechnology content threshold, the United States sought clarity in its bilateral dialogues with 

Taiwan regarding the justification for regulatory measures that have been implemented.625 

On September 9, 2016, Taiwan’s Cabinet imposed new regulatory requirements for Taiwan’s cosmetic 

industry by amending the Statute for Control of Cosmetic Hygiene (recently renamed the Cosmetic 

Hygiene Control Act). While such measures still require legislative approval, the Taiwan Food and Drug 

Administration drafted guidelines in 2016 on the new approval processes. These guidelines require 

additional product information files, product notifications, and good manufacturing practices, while also 

affecting product claims, advertisements, and confidential business information. 

U.S. stakeholders have been concerned about short transition times associated with the changes, and 

that such additional requirements would place a large burden on the industry by requiring them to 

provide additional pre-market documentation. After consultations with the Taiwan Food and Drug 

Administration, U.S. stakeholders were assured that both pre-market approval and the documentation 

associated with post-market surveillance would not be needed during the transition to the new system. 

Since those consultations, USTR has been advocating for appropriate transition periods for related 

products, such as toothpaste, breath fresheners, and sunscreen. These were not previously covered 

under the Statute for Control of Cosmetic Hygiene, and their manufacturers would need time to adapt 

to the new regulatory system. In 2016, USTR also raised concerns about the proportionality of 

punishment for infractions in advertising for related products.626 

Investment Barriers

During the October 2016 TIFA meeting, U.S. and Taiwanese trade officials discussed issues related to 

Taiwan’s investment review practices. Specifically, USTR was concerned about transparency and 

consistency in Taiwan’s practices for reviewing proposed foreign investments, given that proposed 

amendments to eliminate approval requirements for foreign investments that were less than $1 million 

622 USTR, 2017 National Trade Estimate Report, March 2017, 414. 623 Ibid., 413. 624 Ibid. 625 Ibid. 626 Ibid., 414.
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did not pass Taiwan’s legislative branch.627 Following those bilateral consultations in 2016, Taiwan’s 

Ministry of Economic Affairs proposed a new set of related amendments, whose outcomes are not yet 

known.

In 2016, USTR expressed concerns about the predictability of Taiwan’s investment approval procedures 

and openness to foreign investment in areas deemed sensitive (e.g., in the media industry and for 

transactions involving private equity).628 In that year, authorities in Taiwan closely scrutinized several 

foreign investment applications, which contributed to ongoing concerns by U.S. stakeholders. According 

to USTR, investment applications can be subject to long review periods, repetitive requests for 

documentation, and ad hoc interventions from elected officials who are not part of the normal 

regulatory review process.629

Brazil

U.S.-Brazil Trade

In 2016, Brazil was the United States’ largest South American trading partner. Two-way merchandise 

trade between the United States and Brazil decreased 4.5 percent to $56.5 billion from $59.1 billion in 

2015, and although Brazil’s share of total U.S. merchandise trade remained at 1.6 percent, its position 

dropped from the 12th-largest single-country merchandise trading partner in 2015 to the 14th-largest in 

2016. This downward trend in bilateral merchandise trade was primarily caused by a decrease in U.S. 

exports to Brazil in recent years, in part due to an overall economic downturn, political uncertainty 

highlighted by the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff, and low international crude oil prices.630

Nonetheless, the United States recorded a merchandise trade surplus with Brazil of $4.1 billion in 2016, 

slightly less than the 2015 surplus of $4.2 billion (figure 6.17). In terms of services trade, U.S. exports of 

services to Brazil fell for a second year, declining $3.2 billion (11.4 percent) to $24.8 billion. U.S. services 

imports from Brazil declined by a larger share (13.4 percent), but less by value ($1.0 billion), to reach 

$6.7 billion in 2016 (figure 6.18). As a result of the larger decline in exports, the services trade surplus 

dropped 10.7 percent, from $20.2 billion in 2015 to $18.0 billion in 2016, and Brazil became the United 

States’ ninth-largest single-country trading partner in services, falling from eighth in 2015. 

In 2016, U.S. merchandise exports to Brazil fell 4.3 percent, from $31.7 billion in 2015 to $30.3 billion in 

2016. U.S. exports to Brazil in most sectors declined in 2016, but exports of energy-related products and 

agricultural products increased in 2016, though they did not reach 2014 levels. As in previous years, the 

top U.S. exports to Brazil were civilian aircraft, engines, and parts (14.6 percent of total U.S. 

merchandise exports to Brazil) and refined petroleum products (9.8 percent of total U.S. exports). Other 

leading U.S. exports included light oils, medicaments, and bituminous coal. 

627 Ibid., 419. 628 Ibid. 629 Ibid. 630 IMF, Brazil, IMF Country Report No. 16/348, November 2016, 3–10; EIA, “Spot Prices for Crude Oil” (accessed 

March 15, 2017).
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Figure 6.17 U.S. merchandise trade with Brazil, 2012–16

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.5.

Figure 6.18 U.S. private services trade with Brazil, 2012–16 a

Source: USDOC, BEA, U.S. International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions data, tables 1.2 and 1,3, March 21, 2017.

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.7. a

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U.S. merchandise imports from Brazil dropped 4.7 percent, from $27.5 billion in 2015 to $26.2 billion in 

2016, largely driven by declines in U.S. imports of energy-related products and of minerals and metals. 

Leading U.S. imports from Brazil included airplanes and other aircraft; crude petroleum; unroasted 

coffee; chemical wood pulp, soda, or sulfate; and semifinished iron or non-alloy steel products. U.S.-

Brazil merchandise trade data are shown in appendix tables A.59 through A.62.

Trade Developments

In 2016, the United States and Brazil continued to advance their bilateral trade relationship via the third 

meeting of the United States-Brazil Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation (first ministerial 

meeting) and via the U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue. In these official meetings, participants discussed 

topics including economic cooperation, trade facilitation, and standards and conformity assessment. 

Also, after years of talks, Brazil’s barriers to U.S. exports of beef and beef products were removed. These 

topics are described in more detail below. Additionally, on November 11, Brazil requested consultations 

at the WTO with the United States over U.S. countervailing duty measures on hot- and cold-rolled steel 

products from Brazil.631 

U.S.-Brazil Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation—Third 

Meeting

The Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the United States and Brazil, which was 

signed in March 2011, was designed to expand the trade and investment relationship between the two 

countries on a broad range of key issues, including trade facilitation, IPRs, and technical barriers to 

trade.632 To achieve the Agreement’s goals, the two countries have held three formal meetings. The 

March 30, 2016, meeting, held in Washington, DC, was the third meeting of the United States-Brazil 

Commission on Economic and Trade Relations and the first ministerial-level meeting. Preceding the 

official meeting, officials held technical-level discussions focused on trade and investment issues such as 

market access; the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), of which Brazil is a beneficiary; tax and 

labor issues; and greater cooperation on WTO issues and agricultural trade.633 

At the ministerial meeting, topics discussed included national trade agendas, bilateral and multilateral 

trade, WTO issues, and the challenges of global excess steel capacity. Ministers also highlighted several

developments, such as the signing and delivery of Brazil’s letter of acceptance of the Trade Facilitation 

Agreement to the WTO and the work of the United States-Brazil Commercial Dialogue. Additionally, 

ministers discussed the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cotton (which 

concluded a WTO dispute on cotton);634 reducing restrictions on the participation of U.S. insurance firms 

631 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS514; United States—Countervailing Measures on Cold- and Hot-Rolled Steel Flat 

Products from Brazil” (accessed April 4, 2017). In November 2016, Brazil requested consultations at the WTO with 

the United States over two countervailing duty cases on hot- and cold-rolled steel. For more information, see the 

section on WTO dispute settlement in Chapter 3.

632 USDOC, ITA, “Joint Statement of the 14th Edition of the Brazil-U.S. Commercial Dialogue,” June 29, 2016. 633 USTR, “United States and Brazil Hold Third Meeting of the Commission on Economic and Trade Relations under 

the United States-Brazil Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation,” March 2016; USTR, “GSP in Use-Country 

Specific Information” (April 5, 2017). 634 WTO, “Dispute Settlement: DS267; United States—Subsidies on Upland Cotton” (accessed March 2, 2017). On 

October 16, 2014, the United States and Brazil mutually agreed to end this dispute. Currently it is being 

implemented; for more information, refer to USITC’s The Year in Trade 2014, chapter 6.
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U.S. International Trade Commission |175

in the Brazilian market; cooperation on standards and conformity assessment; and the development and 

passing of a Patent Prosecution Highway pilot program by U.S. and Brazilian intellectual property 

agencies that would accelerate review of patent applications and facilitate information sharing between 

the two offices to speed the patenting process.635 Brazil is expected to host the next meeting of the 

Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation in 2017.636

U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue

On June 28–29, 2016, U.S. and Brazilian officials met in Washington, DC, for the 14th meeting and 10th 

anniversary of the U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue. The U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue encourages the 

exchange of ideas on a number of subjects assigned to the following five working groups: Trade 

Partnership, Industry and Investments, Services, Standards, and Innovation and Intellectual Property 

Rights.637 

In this meeting, officials continued to discuss ways to strengthen the U.S.-Brazil bilateral trade 

relationship. Officials stated that working groups have helped expedite trade procedures by encouraging 

the use of electronic signatures and fostering greater collaboration on measurement sciences to 

standardize trade administrative procedures. Other topics discussed were advances in trade facilitation; 

support for SMEs; retail and e-commerce; concerns on express delivery; greater interaction in 

professional services; cooperation in business intelligence to provide services trade data; and regulatory 

cooperation.638 Moreover, officials announced plans to continue advancing discussions by encouraging 

greater collaboration across working groups, incorporating other relevant government stakeholders, and 

increasing private sector participation. Finally, officials also participated in a roundtable briefing hosted 

by the Brazil-U.S. Business Council.639

Bilateral Trade of Beef and Beef Products

On August 1, 2016, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the USDA and 

Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply had agreed to allow access for U.S. beef and 

beef products in the Brazilian market for the first time since 2003. Although beef and beef products 

from the United States have been classified as a negligible risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy by 

the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), U.S. beef and beef products had been banned from the 

Brazilian market due to concerns about the disease. Given this decision to allow U.S. beef products to 

enter the Brazilian market, the USDA also stated that both Brazil and the United States would update 

their administrative procedures to immediately start trade.640 

In a separate decision, after completing a multiyear review on U.S. food safety regulations for countries 

that export meat, poultry, and egg products to the United States, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection 

Service concluded that Brazil’s food safety standards for meat products such as beef are equivalent to 

those of the United States. As a result, the United States can import fresh, chilled, or frozen beef from 

635 USTR, “United States and Brazil Hold Third Meeting of the Commission,” March 2016; USDOC, USPTO, 

“Memorandum of Understanding on a Patent Prosecution,” November 24, 2015.

636 USTR, “United States and Brazil Hold Third Meeting of the Commission,” March 2016. 637 USDOC, ITA, “Joint Statement of the 14th Edition of the Brazil-U.S. Commercial Dialogue,” June 29, 2016. 638 Ibid. 639 USDOC, ITA, “United States and Brazil Celebrate the 10th Anniversary,” June 29, 2016. 640 USDA, “USDA Announces Reopening of Brazilian Market,” August 1, 2016. 
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Brazil.641 As of September 2016, five plants were considered eligible to export fresh beef to the United 

States, and expectations for increasing trade were high.642 

Cuba

U.S.-Cuba Trade

Although U.S. restrictions have limited bilateral trade, the U.S.-Cuba bilateral trade relationship has 

changed markedly since President Obama’s December 2014 statement announcing a shift in U.S. policy 

toward Cuba.643 Since then, government officials from both countries have held a number of meetings 

and U.S. policies were amended to allow increased trade. In 2015, at the request of the U.S. Senate 

Committee on Finance, the Commission examined the effects of U.S. restrictions on U.S. exports to 

Cuba, as well as potential barriers to trade and investment in Cuba, in Overview of Cuban Imports of 

Goods and Services and Effects of U.S. Restrictions. This report was the third report on Cuba trade 

published by the Commission.

644 

Cuba continues to be a small export market for the United States, with total exports reaching $247.2 

million in 2016 (figure 6.19). Before the 2014 policy change, exports to Cuba were limited to medicine 

and medical goods as well as products allowed under the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 and the Trade 

Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000; the vast majority of these were agricultural 

commodities.645 The 2015 and 2016 amendments to U.S. regulations (see below) removed certain 

financing restrictions on non-agricultural goods and allowed an expanded range of U.S. exports of 

manufactured goods to Cuba, including telecommunications equipment. U.S. exports to Cuba had 

declined consistently from 2012 to 2015, but increased 37.2 percent in 2016 from 2015 levels, although 

they are still below 2014 levels. 

While U.S. exports of manufactured goods to Cuba have increased since 2014, a significant portion 

(nearly 90 percent) of U.S. exports continues to be agricultural products, with much of the remaining 

U.S. exports consisting largely of crop protection chemicals and medical supplies. As in recent years, 

frozen chicken was the top U.S. export to Cuba in 2016, valued at $106 million and accounting for 42.9 

percent of all U.S. exports to Cuba. Other major U.S. exports to Cuba included corn ($39 million, or 15.8 

percent of U.S. exports to Cuba) and soybean oilcake ($36 million, or 14.6 percent of U.S. exports). 

These, plus soybeans and soybean oil, make up the top five U.S. exports to Cuba, and together 

accounted for over 85 percent of U.S. exports to Cuba in 2016. Data on U.S. merchandise exports to 

Cuba are shown in appendix tables A.63 through A.64.

641 USDA, “USDA Announces Reopening of Brazilian Market,” August 1, 2016. 642 USDA, FAS, Brazil: Livestock and Products Annual, September 8, 2016, 4. As of March 2017, due to investigations 

of a corruption scandal in Brazil’s beef processing plants, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service instituted 

additional pathogen testing of all shipments of Brazilian beef products and increased testing at ports of entry 

across the United States. USDA, “USDA on Tainted Brazilian Meat: None Has Entered U.S.,” March 22, 2017. 643 White House, “Statement by the President on Cuba Policy Changes,” December 17, 2014. 644 USITC, Overview of Cuban Imports of Goods and Services, March 2016. The two earlier reports on Cuba 

published by the USITC were The Economic Impact of U.S. Sanctions with Respect to Cuba, February 2001, and U.S. 

Agricultural Sales to Cuba, July 2007. 645 For more information, see chapter 3, “Current U.S. Restrictions,” in USITC, Overview of Cuban Imports of Goods 

and Services, March 2016.
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Figure 6.19 U.S. merchandise trade with Cuba, 2012–16

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Underlying data can be found in appendix table B.5.

Due to U.S. restrictions dating from the 1960s, there were no direct U.S. imports from Cuba in 2016.646

However, as a result of changes in U.S. policy that allowed the importation of certain goods produced by 

independent Cuban entrepreneurs, some coffee produced in Cuba was imported, indirectly, into the 

United States that year.647 Nespresso USA secured licensing from the U.S. Department of Treasury to 

ship coffee, grown in Cuba and processed and packaged in Europe, to the United States.648 The first 

shipments of the Nespresso coffee product went on sale in the United States in August 2016.649 

Trade Developments

Commercial travel to Cuba, which had been previously restricted, resumed in 2016. In June, six U.S. 

airlines were approved to begin scheduled flights to Cuba, and the first commercial flight in 55 years 

between the two countries occurred on August 31, 2016, with a JetBlue Airways flight from Fort 

Lauderdale to Santa Clara, Cuba.650 The Adonia, owned by Carnival Corporation, became the first cruise 

ship to travel between the United States and Cuba on May 2, 2016.651 As a result of the amendments to 

646 The first direct U.S. import of goods from Cuba in over 50 years occurred in January 2017, with the importation 

of 40 tons of Cuban charcoal made from marabu. Marsh, “Charcoal Becomes First Cuban Export to United States,” 

January 5, 2017.

647 USDOS, “The State Department’s Section 515.582 List,” April 22, 2016. 648 Baertlein and Nicholson, “Cuban Coffee Returning to U.S.,” June 20, 2016. 649 Sesin, “Nestle’s Nespresso Now Selling Cuban Coffee for U.S. Market,” August 19, 2016. 650 USDOT, “U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Approves U.S. Airlines to Begin Scheduled Service to Cuba,” June 

10, 2016; USDOT, “U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Arrives in Cuba on First Scheduled Flight in Over 50 Years,” 

August 31, 2016. 

651 Herrara, “Carnival’s Adonia, the Ship That Took Americans to Cuba,” November 23, 2016. 

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the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) since 

January 2015, described below, other U.S. firms have entered the Cuban market. In March 2016, 

Starwood Hotels signed three new hotel deals in Cuba, taking over and renovating three existing hotels 

in Havana.652 The first of those hotels reopened in July 2016.653 In December 2016, Google signed a deal 

with the Cuban government to allow the company to install servers in Cuba that will store some of the 

company’s most popular content, increasing the speed of Google websites on the island.654

Amendments to the CACR and EAR

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of 

Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced three sets of amendments to the CACR 

and EAR in 2016. The amendments that went into effect on January 27 authorized additional U.S. 

exports to Cuba, including telecommunications equipment and additional agricultural products; 

removed restrictions on payment and credit financing terms for the authorized export of nonagricultural goods; and facilitated travel to Cuba for authorized purposes.655 

In March 2016, OFAC and BIS further amended the CACR and EAR, easing restrictions on exports to the 

Cuban private sector and authorizing individual people-to-people educational travel. The amendments 

also authorized fund transfers from banks outside of the United States that pass through U.S. financial 

institutions before being transferred to banks outside the United States (known as “U-turn 

transactions”) in which Cuba or Cuban nationals have an interest. Additionally, U.S. banking institutions

were authorized to process U.S. dollar-denominated transactions presented indirectly by Cuban banks, 

and U.S. banks were authorized to open bank accounts for Cuban nationals. The amendments also 

expanded the definition of an authorized “business presence” in Cuba to include exporters of goods that 

are authorized for export or re-export to Cuba, and the mail, shipping, and parcel services that facilitate 

these transactions.656

In October 2016, OFAC and BIS further amended the CACR and EAR. These amendments authorized, 

among other things, trade in more products, including consumer goods for personal use; removed limits 

on the value of Cuban-origin products brought back by U.S. travelers; clarified that only authorized 

“agricultural commodities” are subject to the payment and finance limitations of the Trade Sanctions 

Reform and Export Enhancement Act; authorized joint medical research projects with Cuban nationals; 

and allowed the importation of Cuban-origin pharmaceuticals approved by the U.S. Food and Drug 

Administration into the United States.657

652 Starwood, “Starwood Hotels & Resorts Announces Groundbreaking Expansion,” April 4, 2016. 653 Starwood, “Starwood Hotels & Resorts Makes Historic Debut,” July 7, 2016. 654 Frank, “Google Signs Internet Deal with Cuba’s Telecommunications Monopoly,” December 12, 2016. 655 U.S. Treasury, “Treasury and Commerce Announce Further Amendments,” January 27, 2016. 656 U.S. Treasury, “Treasury and Commerce Announce Significant Amendments,” March 15, 2016. 657 U.S. Treasury, “Treasury and Commerce Announce Further Amendments to the Cuba Sanctions Regulations,” 

October 14, 2016. 
U.S. International Trade Commission |179

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https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/dgra_28feb17_e.htm. 

World Trade Organization (WTO). “Trade Facilitation––WTO Members Welcome Entry into Force of the 

Trade Facilitation Agreement.” News release, February 27, 2017. 

https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/fac_27feb17_e.htm. 

World Trade Organization (WTO). “Trade Facilitation––WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement Enters into 

Force.” News release, February 22, 2017. 

https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/fac_31jan17_e.htm. 

World Trade Organization (WTO). “Understanding the WTO: The Organization; Members and 

Observers,” July 29, 2016. https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/org6_e.htm. 

World Trade Organization (WTO). “WTO Members Affirm Interest in New International Fisheries 

Subsidies Rules, but Differ on Way Forward.” News release, June 29, 2016. 

https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news16_e/rule_06jul16_e.htm. 

World Trade Organization (WTO). “WTO Members Conclude Landmark $1.3 Trillion IT Trade Deal.” News 

release, December 16, 2015. 

https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news15_e/ita_16dec15_e.htm. 
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release, December 9, 2016. 

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2016. https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2016/wp16183.pdf. 
208| www.usitc.gov
U.S. International Trade Commission |209

Appendix A 

Data Tables
210| www.usitc.gov
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |211

Table A.1 U.S. total exports to the world, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 164,420 146,630 148,772 1.5

2 Forest products 41,169 39,061 37,962 -2.8

3 Chemicals and related products 234,954 227,882 218,143 -4.3

4 Energy-related products 161,165 109,703 99,414 -9.4

5 Textiles and apparel 23,985 23,274 21,615 -7.1

6 Footwear 1,456 1,464 1,366 -6.7

7 Minerals and metals 152,914 135,659 128,621 -5.2

8 Machinery 145,881 138,719 128,005 -7.7

9 Transportation equipment 336,495 327,286 319,379 -2.4

10 Electronic products 267,833 264,079 260,535 -1.3

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 47,636 47,377 47,760 0.8

12 Special provisions 43,263 41,439 42,149 1.7

Total 1,621,172 1,502,572 1,453,721 -3.3

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

Table A.2 U.S. general imports from the world, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 136,333 136,959 139,465 1.8

2 Forest products 42,212 42,378 43,147 1.8

3 Chemicals and related products 251,542 260,278 259,908 -0.1

4 Energy-related products 351,626 194,068 158,045 -18.6

5 Textiles and apparel 121,687 126,548 120,312 -4.9

6 Footwear 26,017 27,650 25,634 -7.3

7 Minerals and metals 205,502 189,255 183,618 -3.0

8 Machinery 185,530 185,858 179,627 -3.4

9 Transportation equipment 404,024 426,207 418,355 -1.8

10 Electronic products 439,079 449,865 450,110 0.1

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 114,426 124,842 125,058 0.2

12 Special provisions 78,388 84,326 85,904 1.9

Total 2,356,366 2,248,232 2,189,183 -2.6

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Table A.3 Leading U.S. total exports to the world, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8800.00 Civilian aircraft, engines, and parts 113,130 119,453 120,784 1.1

2710.19 Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and products containing by weight 70 percent or more of 

petroleum oils, not biodiesel or waste 73,324 47,367 38,561 -18.6

2710.12 Light oils and preparations containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals, not 

containing biodiesel, not waste oils 37,087 25,277 25,453 0.7

1201.90 Soybeans, other than seed 23,871 18,883 22,869 21.1

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc but 

not over 3,000 cc 25,412 21,754 21,941 0.9

8542.31 Processors and controllers, electronic integrated circuits 17,461 18,151 19,851 9.4

7102.39 Diamonds, nonindustrial, worked, including polished or drilled 20,929 18,323 18,846 2.9

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 17,232 18,504 18,844 1.8

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 20,824 20,870 18,816 -9.8

8703.24 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3,000 cc 22,418 20,674 18,546 -10.3

7108.12 Gold, nonmonetary, unwrought n.e.s.o.i. (other than powder) 20,779 19,077 17,522 -8.2

3002.10 Antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products 11,080 13,241 16,060 21.3

8473.30 Parts and accessories for automatic data processing machines and units thereof, magnetic or optical readers, transcribing 

machines, etc., n.e.s.o.i. 15,856 15,699 15,510 -1.2

9018.90 Instruments and appliances for medical, surgical or veterinary sciences, n.e.s.o.i., and parts and accessories thereof 11,685 11,863 12,313 3.8

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 10,630 11,770 10,462 -11.1

1005.90 Corn (maize), other than seed corn 10,704 8,380 10,049 19.9

8517.12 Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks 11,208 10,494 9,917 -5.5

8708.29 Parts and accessories of bodies (including cabs) for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 9,432 9,091 9,350 2.9

8542.39 Electronic integrated circuits, n.e.s.o.i. 9,135 8,771 9,289 5.9

7113.19 Jewelry and parts thereof, of precious metal other than silver 9,742 9,110 9,005 -1.1

8486.20 Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrates circuits 7,468 8,237 8,841 7.3

8704.31 Motor vehicles for goods transport n.e.s.o.i., with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, gvw not over 5 metric tons 8,215 7,641 8,679 13.6

2709.00 Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, crude 12,184 8,769 8,251 -5.9

9701.10 Paintings, drawings and pastels, hand-executed works of art, framed or not framed 7,374 7,866 8,114 3.2

2711.12 Propane, liquefied 7,716 5,553 7,472 34.5

Total of items shown 534,897 484,816 485,344 0.1

All other products 1,086,274 1,017,757 968,377 -4.9

Total of all commodities 1,621,172 1,502,572 1,453,721 -3.3

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included; gvw = gross vehicle weight.
Appendix A: Data Tables

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Table A.4 Leading U.S. general imports from the world, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change

2015–16

Million $

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc 

but not over 3,000 cc 83,891 97,426 106,378 9.2

2709.00 Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, crude 246,969 126,064 101,848 -19.2

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 39,526 47,882 51,063 6.6

8703.24 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3,000 cc 60,202 57,659 50,111 -13.1

8517.12 Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks 53,026 52,706 49,797 -5.5

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 33,532 40,067 45,289 13.0

8471.30 Portable automatic data processing machines, weight not more than 10 kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, 

keyboard and a display 42,111 39,243 35,858 -8.6

7102.39 Diamonds, nonindustrial, worked, including polished or drilled 24,054 23,086 23,025 -0.3

2710.19 Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and products containing by weight 70 percent or more of these 

oils, not biodiesel or waste 48,793 29,320 21,785 -25.7

8542.31 Processors and controllers, electronic integrated circuits 17,762 18,171 20,887 14.9

8471.50 Digital processing units other than those of 8471.41 and 8471.49, n.e.s.o.i. 14,749 17,838 19,633 10.1

2710.12 Light oils and preparations containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals, not 

containing biodiesel, not waste oils 27,631 19,685 17,271 -12.3

8704.31 Motor vehicles for goods transport n.e.s.o.i., with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, gvw not over 5 metric tons 12,685 13,516 15,889 17.6

8473.30 Parts and accessories for automatic data processing machines and units thereof, magnetic or optical readers, transcribing 

machines, etc., n.e.s.o.i. 17,188 16,617 15,203 -8.5

7108.12 Gold, nonmonetary, unwrought n.e.s.o.i. (other than powder) 12,819 10,131 15,193 50.0

8803.30 Parts of airplanes or helicopters, n.e.s.o.i. 15,185 14,467 14,406 -0.4

9503.00 Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls’ carriages; dolls; other toys; etc. 12,157 13,519 13,914 2.9

8708.29 Parts and accessories of bodies (including cabs) for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 12,617 13,662 13,846 1.3

3002.10 Antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products 7,096 9,027 13,493 49.5

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 13,567 13,611 13,356 -1.9

8528.72 Reception apparatus for television, color, n.e.s.o.i. 15,508 15,877 12,600 -20.6

8411.91 Parts of turbojets or turbopropellers 12,069 12,303 11,829 -3.9

8703.22 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,000 cc 

but not over 1,500 cc 5,592 7,016 10,962 56.2

8541.40 Photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cells; light-emitting diodes 6,381 8,424 10,737 27.5

8544.30 Insulated ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets for vehicles, aircraft and ships 10,103 10,741 10,475 -2.5

Total of items shown 845,212 728,059 714,847 -1.8

All other products 1,511,153 1,520,174 1,474,336 -3.0

Total of all commodities 2,356,366 2,248,232 2,189,183 -2.6

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included; gvw = gross vehicle weight.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Table A.5 U.S. merchandise trade with top 15 single-country trading partners, 2016

Rank Country Total Exports General Imports Total % of total trade

Million $

1 China 115,775 462,813 578,588 15.9

2 Canada 265,961 278,067 544,027 14.9

3 Mexico 230,959 294,151 525,110 14.4

4 Japan 63,264 132,202 195,466 5.4

5 Germany 49,362 114,227 163,589 4.5

6 South Korea 42,266 69,932 112,199 3.1

7 United Kingdom 55,396 54,326 109,722 3.0

8 France 30,941 46,765 77,706 2.1

9 India 21,689 45,998 67,687 1.9

10 Taiwan 26,045 39,313 65,358 1.8

11 Italy 16,754 45,210 61,964 1.7

12 Switzerland 22,701 36,374 59,075 1.6

13 Netherlands 40,377 16,152 56,529 1.6

14 Brazil 30,297 26,176 56,473 1.6

15 Ireland 9,556 45,504 55,060 1.5

Top countries 1,021,343 1,707,209 2,728,553 74.9

All others 432,377 481,973 914,351 25.1

Total 1,453,721 2,189,183 3,642,904 100.0

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

Table A.6 Top 15 U.S. single-country merchandise export markets, 2016

Rank Country Million $ % of total exports

1 Canada 265,961 18.3

2 Mexico 230,959 15.9

3 China 115,775 8.0

4 Japan 63,264 4.4

5 United Kingdom 55,396 3.8

6 Germany 49,362 3.4

7 South Korea 42,266 2.9

8 Netherlands 40,377 2.8

9 Hong Kong, China 34,908 2.4

10 Belgium 32,271 2.2

11 France 30,941 2.1

12 Brazil 30,297 2.1

13 Singapore 26,868 1.8

14 Taiwan 26,045 1.8

15 Switzerland 22,701 1.6

Top 15 countries 1,067,393 73.4

All others 386,328 26.6

Total 1,453,721 100.0

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. Exports here are measured in total exports.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |215

Table A.7 Top 15 U.S. single-country merchandise import sources, 2016

Rank Country Million $ % of total imports

1 China 462,813 21.1

2 Mexico 294,151 13.4

3 Canada 278,067 12.7

4 Japan 132,202 6.0

5 Germany 114,227 5.2

6 South Korea 69,932 3.2

7 United Kingdom 54,326 2.5

8 France 46,765 2.1

9 India 45,998 2.1

10 Ireland 45,504 2.1

11 Italy 45,210 2.1

12 Vietnam 42,109 1.9

13 Taiwan 39,313 1.8

14 Malaysia 36,687 1.7

15 Switzerland 36,374 1.7

Top 15 countries 1,743,678 79.6

All others 445,504 20.4

Total 2,189,183 100.0

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. Imports here are measured in general imports.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Table A.8 U.S. private services exports to the world, by category, 2014–16 (million dollars)

Service industry 2014 2015 2016

% change, 

2015–16

Travel 191,325 204,523 206,836 1.1

Charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e. 129,890 124,664 122,227 -2.0

Financial services 107,712 102,461 96,752 -5.6

Professional and management consulting services 59,623 64,912 73,964 13.9

Air passenger fares 44,071 41,704 39,148 -6.1

Research and development services 32,946 34,526 36,155 4.7

Technical, trade-related, and other business services 36,248 35,210 30,495 -13.4

Maintenance and repair services, n.i.e. 22,132 24,036 26,484 10.2

Air transporta 23,982 22,968 22,783 -0.8

Sea transportb 18,161 18,044 18,141 0.5

Insurance services 17,312 17,142 17,743 3.5

Other 39,530 40,400 41,824 3.5

Total 722,932 730,590 732,552 0.3

Source: USDOC, BEA, Interactive data, International Transactions, Services, &IIP, International Transactions Data, “Table 3.1 U.S. International 

Trade in Services,” March 21, 2017.

Note: Data for 2016 are preliminary. N.i.e. = not indicated elsewhere.

a

Air transport includes airport and air freight services. b

Sea transport includes sea port and sea freight services.

Table A.9 U.S. private services imports from the world, by category, 2014–16 (million dollars)

Service industry 2014 2015 2016

% change, 

2015–16

Travel 105,529 112,873 121,526 7.7

Insurance services 51,824 47,772 48,400 1.3

Charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e. 42,208 39,495 42,744 8.2

Professional and management consulting services 38,937 40,436 41,186 1.9

Air passenger fares 34,890 35,494 37,387 5.3

Sea transporta 36,254 37,295 35,085 -5.9

Research and development services 30,902 32,022 34,983 9.2

Computer services 27,093 27,785 29,689 6.9

Financial services 24,906 25,162 25,231 0.3

Technical, trade-related, and other business services 24,730 26,896 24,485 -9.0

Other 39,755 41,912 41,235 -20.6

Total 457,028 467,142 481,951 3.2

Source: USDOC, BEA, Interactive data, International Transactions, Services, &IIP, International Transactions Data, “Table 3.1 U.S. International 

Trade in Services,” March 21, 2017.

Note: Data for 2016 are preliminary. N.i.e. = not indicated elsewhere.

a

Sea transport includes sea port and sea freight services.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |217

Table A.10 Antidumping cases active in 2016, by USITC investigation number

USITC 

investigation 

number Product Country of origin

Date of 

institution

USITC 

prelim ITAaprelim

ITA 

final

USITC 

final

Date of final 

actionb

Affirmative = A; Negative = N

731-TA-1264 Uncoated paper Australia 1/21/2015 A A A A 2/22/2016

731-TA-1265 Uncoated paper Brazil 1/21/2015 A A A A 2/22/2016

731-TA-1266 Uncoated paper China 1/21/2015 A A A A 2/22/2016

731-TA-1267 Uncoated paper Indonesia 1/21/2015 A A A A 2/22/2016

731-TA-1268 Uncoated paper Portugal 1/21/2015 A A A A 2/22/2016

731-TA-1269 Silicomanganese Australia 2/19/2015 A A A N 4/6/2016

731-TA-1270 Polyethylene terephthalate resin Canada 3/10/2015 A A A A 4/28/2016

731-TA-1271 Polyethylene terephthalate resin China 3/10/2015 A A A A 4/28/2016

731-TA-1272 Polyethylene terephthalate resin India 3/10/2015 A A A A 4/28/2016

731-TA-1273 Polyethylene terephthalate resin Oman 3/10/2015 A A A A 4/28/2016

731-TA-1274 Corrosion-resistant steel products China 3/10/2015 A A A A 7/15/2016

731-TA-1275 Corrosion-resistant steel products India 3/10/2015 A A A A 7/15/2016

731-TA-1276 Corrosion-resistant steel products Italy 3/10/2015 A A A A 7/15/2016

731-TA-1277 Corrosion-resistant steel products Korea 3/10/2015 A A A A 7/15/2016

731-TA-1278 Corrosion-resistant steel products Taiwan 3/10/2015 A A A A 7/15/2016

731-TA-1279 Hydrofluorocarbon blends China 6/25/2015 A A A A 8/5/2016

731-TA-1280 Heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes Korea 7/21/2015 A A A A 9/6/2016

731-TA-1281 Heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes Mexico 7/21/2015 A A A A 9/6/2016

731-TA-1282 Heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes Turkey 7/21/2015 A A A A 9/6/2016

731-TA-1283 Cold-rolled steel flat products Brazil 7/28/2015 A A A A 9/12/2016

731-TA-1284 Cold-rolled steel flat products China 7/28/2015 A A A A 7/7/2016

731-TA-1285 Cold-rolled steel flat products India 7/28/2015 A A A A 9/12/2016

731-TA-1286 Cold-rolled steel flat products Japan 7/28/2015 A A A A 7/7/2016

731-TA-1287 Cold-rolled steel flat products Korea 7/28/2015 A A A A 9/12/2016

731-TA-1289 Cold-rolled steel flat products Russia 7/28/2015 A A A N 9/12/2016

731-TA-1290 Cold-rolled steel flat products U.K. 7/28/2015 A A A A 9/12/2016

731-TA-1291 Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products Australia 8/11/2015 A A A A 9/26/2016

731-TA-1292 Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products Brazil 8/11/2015 A A A A 9/26/2016

731-TA-1293 Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products Japan 8/11/2015 A A A A 9/26/2016

731-TA-1294 Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products Korea 8/11/2015 A A A A 9/26/2016

731-TA-1295 Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products Netherlands 8/11/2015 A A A A 9/26/2016

731-TA-1296 Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products Turkey 8/11/2015 A A A A 9/26/2016

731-TA-1297 Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products U.K. 8/11/2015 A A A A 9/26/2016

731-TA-1298 Welded stainless pressure pipe India 9/30/2015 A A A A 11/9/2016

731-TA-1299 Circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe Oman 10/28/2015 A A A A 12/12/2016

731-TA-1300 Circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe Pakistan 10/28/2015 A A A A 12/12/2016

731-TA-1302 Circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe United Arab Emirates 10/28/2015 A A A A 12/12/2016

731-TA-1303 Circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe Vietnam 10/28/2015 A A A N 12/12/2016

731-TA-1304 Iron mechanical transfer drive components Canada 10/28/2015 A A A N 12/12/2016

731-TA-1305 Iron mechanical transfer drive components China 10/28/2015 A A A N 12/12/2016

731-TA-1306 Large residential washers China 12/16/2015 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)
The Year in Trade 2016

218| www.usitc.gov

USITC 

investigation 

number Product Country of origin

Date of 

institution

USITC 

prelim ITAaprelim

ITA 

final

USITC 

final

Date of final 

actionb

731-TA-1307 Pneumatic off-the-road (OTR) tires China 1/8/2016 N (

c

) (

c

) (

c

) 3/2/2016

731-TA-1308 Pneumatic off-the-road (OTR) tires India 1/8/2016 N A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1309 Biaxial integral geogrid products China 1/13/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1310 Amorphous silica fabric China 1/20/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1311 Truck and bus tires China 1/29/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1312 Stainless steel sheet and strip China 2/12/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1313 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) China 3/3/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1314 Phosphor copper Korea 3/9/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1315 Ferrovanadium Korea 3/28/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1316 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) China 3/31/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1317 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate Austria 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1318 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate Belgium 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1319 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate Brazil 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1320 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate China 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1321 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate France 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1322 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate Germany 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1323 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate Italy 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1324 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate Japan 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1325 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate Korea 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1326 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate South Africa 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1327 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate Taiwan 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1328 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate Turkey 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1329 Ammonium sulfate China 5/25/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1330 Dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) Korea 6/30/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1331 Finished carbon steel flanges India 6/30/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1332 Finished carbon steel flanges Italy 6/30/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1333 Finished carbon steel flanges Spain 6/30/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1334 Emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber Brazil 7/21/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1335 Emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber Korea 7/21/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1336 Emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber Mexico 7/21/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1337 Emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber Poland 7/21/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1338 Steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) Japan 9/20/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1339 Steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) Taiwan 9/20/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1340 Steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) Turkey 9/20/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1341 Hardwood plywood China 11/18/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

731-TA-1342 Softwood lumber Canada 11/25/2016 (

c

) (

c

) (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

Source: U.S. International Trade Commission.

Note: “Korea” refers to the “Republic of Korea (South Korea).”

a “ITA” is the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC). b For cases in which the final action was taken by the ITA, the date shown is the Federal Register notice date of that action. For cases in which the final action was taken by USITC, the date of the 

USITC notification of USDOC is shown.

c Pending or not applicable as of December 31, 2016.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |219

Table A.11 Antidumping duty orders and suspension agreements in effect as of December 31, 2016

Country Commodity

Effective date of original 

action

Argentina Lemon juice (suspended) September 10, 2007

Australia Uncoated paper March 5, 2016

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products October 3, 2016

Belarus Steel concrete reinforcing bar September 7, 2001

Belgium Stainless steel plate in coils May 21, 1999

Brazil Iron construction castings May 9, 1986

Carbon steel butt-weld pipe fittings December 17, 1986

Circular welded nonalloy steel pipe November 2, 1992

Stainless steel bar February 21, 1995

Carbon steel wire rod October 29, 2002

Prestressed concrete steel wire strand January 28, 2004

Frozen warm-water shrimp and prawns February 1, 2005

Uncoated paper March 5, 2016

Cold-rolled steel flat products September 20, 2016

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products October 3, 2016

Canada Iron construction castings March 5, 1986

Citric acid and certain citrate May 29, 2009

Polyethylene terephthalate resin May 6, 2016

Chile Preserved mushrooms December 2, 1998

China Potassium permanganate January 31, 1984

Chloropicrin March 22, 1984

Barium chloride October 17, 1984

Iron construction castings May 9, 1986

Petroleum wax candles August 28, 1986

Porcelain-on-steel cooking ware December 2, 1986

Tapered roller bearings June 15, 1987

Heavy forged hand tools - axes & adzes February 19, 1991

Heavy forged hand tools - bars & wedges February 19, 1991

Heavy forged hand tools - hammers & sledges February 19, 1991

Heavy forged hand tools - picks & mattocks February 19, 1991

Silicon metal June 10, 1991

Carbon steel butt-weld pipe fittings July 6, 1992

Sulfanilic acid August 19, 1992

Helical spring lock washers October 19, 1993

Fresh garlic November 16, 1994

Paper clips November 25, 1994

Silicomanganese December 22, 1994

Cased pencils December 28, 1994

Glycine March 29, 1995

Pure magnesium (ingot) May 12, 1995

Furfuryl alcohol June 21, 1995

Persulfates July 7, 1997

Crawfish tail meat September 15, 1997

Carbon steel plate October 24, 1997

Preserved mushrooms February 19, 1999

Steel concrete reinforcing bar September 7, 2001

Foundry coke September 17, 2001

Pure magnesium (granular) November 19, 2001

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products November 29, 2001

Honey December 10, 2001

Folding gift boxes January 8, 2002

Ferrovanadium January 28, 2003

Non-malleable cast iron pipe fittings April 7, 2003

Polyvinyl alcohol October 1, 2003

Barium carbonate October 1, 2003

Refined brown aluminum oxide November 19, 2003

Malleable iron pipe fittings December 12, 2003

Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol August 6, 2004

Ironing tables August 6, 2004

Polyethylene retail carrier bags August 9, 2004

Hand trucks December 2, 2004

Carbazole violet pigment 23 December 29, 2004
The Year in Trade 2016

220| www.usitc.gov

Country Commodity

Effective date of original 

action

Wooden bedroom furniture January 4, 2005

Crepe paper January 25, 2005

Frozen warm-water shrimp and prawns February 1, 2005

Tissue paper March 30, 2005

Magnesium April 15, 2005

Chlorinated isocyanurates June 24, 2005

Certain artist canvas June 1, 2006

Certain lined paper September 28, 2006

Certain activated carbon April 27, 2007

Certain polyester staple fiber June 1, 2007

Sodium hexametaphosphate March 19, 2008

Circular welded carbon quality steel pipe July 22, 2008

Steel nails August 1, 2008

Light-walled rectangular pipe and tube August 5, 2008

Laminated woven sacks August 7, 2008

Sodium nitrite August 27, 2008

New pneumatic off-the-road tires September 4, 2008

Raw flexible magnets September 17, 2008

Steel wire garment hangers October 6, 2008

Electrolytic manganese dioxide October 7, 2008

Polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet, and strip November 10, 2008

Lightweight thermal paper November 24, 2008

Uncovered innerspring units February 19, 2009

Small diameter graphite electrodes February 26, 2009

Circular welded austenitic stainless pressure pipe March 17, 2009

Steel threaded rod April 14, 2009

Circular welded carbon quality steel line pipe May 13, 2009

Citric acid and certain citrate May 29, 2009

Tow behind lawn groomer August 3, 2009

Kitchen appliance shelving and racks September 14, 2009

Oil country tubular goods May 21, 2010

Prestressed concrete steel wire strand June 29, 2010

Potassium phosphate salts July 22, 2010

Steel grating July 23, 2010

Narrow woven ribbons with woven selvedge September 1, 2010

Magnesia carbon bricks September 20, 2010

Seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe November 10, 2010

Coated paper suitable for high-quality print graphics using sheet-fed presses November 17, 2010

Seamless refined copper pipe and tube November 22, 2010

Aluminum extrusions May 26, 2011

Multilayered wood flooring December 8, 2011

Stilbenic optical brightening agent May 10, 2012

High pressure steel cylinders June 21, 2012

Crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells December 7, 2012

Utility scale wind towers February 15, 2013

Drawn stainless steel sinks April 11, 2013

Xanthan gum July 19, 2013

Prestressed concrete steel rail tie wire June 24, 2014

Monosodium glutamate November 26, 2014

Non-oriented electrical steel December 3, 2014

Carbon and certain alloy steel wire January 8, 2015

Calcium hypochlorite January 30, 2015

Crystalline silicon photovoltaic products February 18, 2015

Passenger vehicle and light truck tires August 10, 2015

Boltless steel shelving units prepackaged for sale October 21, 2015

Melamine December 28, 2015

Uncoated paper March 5, 2016

Polyethylene terephthalate resin May 6, 2016

Cold-rolled steel flat products July 14, 2016

Corrosion-resistant steel products July 25, 2016

Hydrofluorocarbon blends August 19, 2016

France Brass sheet & strip March 6, 1987

Low enriched uranium February 13, 2002
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |221

Country Commodity

Effective date of original 

action

Germany Brass sheet & strip March 6, 1987

Seamless pipe August 3, 1995

Sodium nitrite August 27, 2008

Non-oriented electrical steel December 3, 2014

India Welded carbon steel pipe May 12, 1986

Sulfanilic acid March 2, 1993

Stainless steel wire rod December 1, 1993

Stainless steel bar February 21, 1995

Preserved mushrooms February 19, 1999

Carbon steel plate February 10, 2000

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products December 3, 2001

Silicomanganese May 23, 2002

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film July 1, 2002

Prestressed concrete steel wire strand January 28, 2004

Carbazole violet pigment 23 December 29, 2004

Frozen warm-water shrimp and prawns February 1, 2005

Certain lined paper September 28, 2006

Commodity matchbooks December 11, 2009

Oil country tubular goods September 10, 2014

Polyethylene terephthalate resin May 6, 2016

Corrosion-resistant steel products July 25, 2016

Cold-rolled steel flat products September 20, 2016

Welded stainless pressure pipe November 17, 2016

Indonesia Preserved mushrooms February 19, 1999

Carbon steel plate February 10, 2000

Steel concrete reinforcing bar September 7, 2001

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products December 3, 2001

Carbon steel wire rod October 29, 2002

Polyethylene retail carrier bags May 4, 2010

Coated paper suitable for high-quality print graphics using sheet-fed presses November 17, 2010

Monosodium glutamate November 26, 2014

Uncoated paper March 5, 2016

Iran Raw in-shell pistachios July 17, 1986

Italy Pressure sensitive plastic tape October 21, 1977

Brass sheet & strip March 6, 1987

Granular polytetrafluoroethylene resin August 30, 1988

Pasta July 24, 1996

Stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings February 23, 2001

Corrosion-resistant steel products July 25, 2016

Japan Prestressed concrete steel wire strand December 8, 1978

Carbon steel butt-weld pipe fittings February 10, 1987

Brass sheet & strip August 12, 1988

Gray portland cement & clinker May 10, 1991

Stainless steel bar February 21, 1995

Clad steel plate July 2, 1996

Stainless steel wire rod September 15, 1998

Stainless steel sheet & strip July 27, 1999

Large diameter seamless pipe June 26, 2000

Small diameter seamless pipe June 26, 2000

Tin mill products August 28, 2000

Welded large diameter line pipe December 6, 2001

Polyvinyl alcohol July 2, 2003

Diffusion-annealed, nickel-plated flat-rolled steel products May 29, 2014

Non-oriented electrical steel December 3, 2014

Cold-rolled steel flat products July 14, 2016

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products October 3, 2016

Kazakhstan Silicomanganese May 23, 2002

Korea Circular welded nonalloy steel pipe November 2, 1992

Welded ASTM A-312 stainless steel pipe December 30, 1992

Stainless steel wire rod September 15, 1998

Stainless steel sheet & strip July 27, 1999

Carbon steel plate February 10, 2000

Polyester staple fiber May 25, 2000
The Year in Trade 2016

222| www.usitc.gov

Country Commodity

Effective date of original 

action

Prestressed concrete steel wire strand January 28, 2004

Light-walled rectangular pipe and tube August 5, 2008

Large power transformers August 31, 2012

Large residential washers February 15, 2013

Oil country tubular goods September 10, 2014

Non-oriented electrical steel December 3, 2014

Steel nails July 13, 2015

Welded line pipe December 1, 2015

Corrosion-resistant steel products July 25, 2016

Heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes September 13, 2016

Cold-rolled steel flat products September 20, 2016

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products October 3, 2016

Latvia Steel concrete reinforcing bar September 7, 2001

Malaysia Stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings February 23, 2001

Polyethylene retail carrier bags August 9, 2004

Welded stainless pressure pipe July 21, 2014

Steel Nails July 13, 2015

Mexico Circular welded nonalloy steel pipe November 2, 1992

Fresh tomatoes (Suspended) November 1, 1996

Carbon steel wire rod October 29, 2002

Prestressed concrete steel wire strand January 28, 2004

Light-walled rectangular pipe and tube August 5, 2008

Magnesia carbon bricks September 20, 2010

Seamless refined copper pipe and tube November 22, 2010

Large residential washers February 15, 2013

Prestressed concrete steel rail tie wire June 24, 2014

Steel concrete reinforcing bar November 6, 2014

Heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes September 13, 2016

Moldova Steel concrete reinforcing bar September 7, 2001

Carbon steel wire rod October 29, 2002

Netherlands Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products October 3, 2016

Oman Steel nails July 13, 2015

Polyethylene terephthalate resin May 6, 2016

Philippines Stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings February 23, 2001

Poland Steel concrete reinforcing bar September 7, 2001

Portugal Uncoated paper March 5, 2016

Romania Small diameter seamless pipe August 10, 2000

Russia Uranium (suspended) October 16, 1992

Carbon steel plate (suspended) October 24, 1997

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products July 12, 1999

Silicon metal March 26, 2003

South Africa Stainless steel plate in coils May 21, 1999

Ferrovanadium January 28, 2003

Uncovered innerspring units December 11, 2008

Spain Stainless steel bar March 2, 1995

Chlorinated isocyanurates June 24, 2005

Sweden Non-oriented electrical steel December 3, 2014

Taiwan Small diameter carbon steel pipe May 7, 1984

Carbon steel butt-weld pipe fittings December 17, 1986

Light-walled rectangular tube March 27, 1989

Circular welded nonalloy steel pipe November 2, 1992

Welded ASTM A-312 stainless steel pipe December 30, 1992

Helical spring lock washers June 28, 1993

Stainless steel wire rod September 15, 1998

Stainless steel plate in coils May 21, 1999

Stainless steel sheet & strip July 27, 1999

Polyester staple fiber May 25, 2000

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products November 29, 2001

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film July 1, 2002

Raw flexible magnets September 17, 2008

Polyethylene retail carrier bags May 4, 2010

Narrow woven ribbons with woven selvedge September 1, 2010

Stilbenic optical brightening agent May 10, 2012
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |223

Country Commodity

Effective date of original 

action

Steel wire garment hangers December 10, 2012

Oil country tubular goods September 10, 2014

Non-oriented electrical steel December 3, 2014

Crystalline silicon photovoltaic products February 18, 2015

Steel nails July 13, 2015

Corrosion-resistant steel products July 25, 2016

Thailand Welded carbon steel pipe March 11, 1986

Carbon steel butt-weld pipe fittings July 6, 1992

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products November 29, 2001

Prestressed concrete steel wire strand January 28, 2004

Polyethylene retail carrier bags August 9, 2004

Frozen warm-water shrimp and prawns February 1, 2005

Welded stainless pressure pipe July 21, 2014

Trinidad & Tobago Carbon steel wire rod October 29, 2002

Turkey Welded carbon steel pipe May 15, 1986

Pasta July 24, 1996

Light–walled rectangular pipe and tube May 30, 2008

Oil country tubular goods September 10, 2014

Welded line pipe December 1, 2015

Heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes September 13, 2016

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products October 3, 2016

United Kingdom Cold-rolled steel flat products September 20, 2016

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products October 3, 2016

Ukraine Carbon steel plate (suspended) October 24, 1997

Steel concrete reinforcing bar September 7, 2001

Ammonium nitrate September 12, 2001

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products November 29, 2001

Silicomanganese September 17, 2001

United Arab Emirates Polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet, and strip November 10, 2008

Steel nails May 10, 2012

Venezuela Silicomanganese May 23, 2002

Vietnam Frozen fish fillets August 12, 2003

Frozen warm-water shrimp and prawns February 1, 2005

Uncovered innerspring units December 11, 2008

Polyethylene retail carrier bags May 4, 2010

Steel wire garment hangers February 5, 2013

Utility scale wind towers February 15, 2013

Welded stainless pressure pipe July 21, 2014

Oil country tubular goods September 10, 2014

Steel nails July 13, 2015

Source: U.S. International Trade Commission.

Note: “Korea” refers to the “Republic of Korea (South Korea).”
The Year in Trade 2016

224| www.usitc.gov

Table A.12 Countervailing duty cases active in 2016, by USITC investigation number

USITC 

investigation 

no. Product

Country of 

origin

Date of 

institution

USITC 

prelim

ITAa

prelim ITA final

USITC 

final

Date of final 

actionb

Affirmative = A; Negative = N

701-TA-528 Uncoated paper China 1/21/2015 A A A A 2/22/2016

701-TA-529 Uncoated paper Indonesia 1/21/2015 A A A A 2/22/2016

701-TA-531 Polyethylene terephthalate resin China 3/10/2015 A A A A 4/28/2016

701-TA-532 Polyethylene terephthalate resin India 3/10/2015 A A A A 4/28/2016

701-TA-533 Polyethylene terephthalate resin Oman 3/10/2015 A N N (

c

) 3/14/2016

701-TA-534 Corrosion-resistant steel products China 6/3/2015 A A A A 7/15/2016

701-TA-535 Corrosion-resistant steel products India 6/3/2015 A A A A 7/15/2016

701-TA-536 Corrosion-resistant steel products Italy 6/3/2015 A A A A 7/15/2016

701-TA-537 Corrosion-resistant steel products Korea 6/3/2015 A A A A 7/15/2016

701-TA-538 Corrosion-resistant steel products Taiwan 6/3/2015 A A N (

c

) 6/2/2016

701-TA-539 Heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes Turkey 7/21/2015 A A A A 9/6/2016

701-TA-540 Cold-rolled steel flat products Brazil 7/28/2015 A A A A 9/12/2016

701-TA-541 Cold-rolled steel flat products China 7/28/2015 A A A A 7/7/2016

701-TA-542 Cold-rolled steel flat products India 7/28/2015 A A A A 9/12/2016

701-TA-543 Cold-rolled steel flat products Korea 7/28/2015 A N A A 9/12/2016

701-TA-545 Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products Brazil 8/11/2015 A A A A 9/26/2016

701-TA-546 Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products Korea 8/11/2015 A A A A 9/26/2016

701-TA-547 Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products Turkey 8/11/2015 A A A N 9/26/2016

701-TA-548 Welded stainless pressure pipe India 9/30/2015 A A A A 11/9/2016

701-TA-549 Circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe Pakistan 10/28/2015 A A A N 12/12/2016

701-TA-550 Iron mechanical transfer drive components China 10/28/2015 A A A N 12/12/2016

701-TA-551 Pneumatic off-the-road (OTR) tires China 1/8/2016 N (

c

) (

c

) (

c

) 3/2/2016

701-TA-552 Pneumatic off-the-road (OTR) tires India 1/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-553 Pneumatic off-the-road (OTR) tires Sri Lanka 1/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-554 Biaxial integral geogrid products China 1/13/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-555 Amorphous silica fabric China 1/20/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-556 Truck and bus tires China 1/29/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-557 Stainless steel sheet and strip China 2/12/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-558 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) China 3/31/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-559 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate Brazil 4/8/2016 N (

c

) (

c

) (

c

) 5/31/2016

701-TA-560 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate China 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-561 Carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate Korea 4/8/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-562 Ammonium sulfate China 5/25/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-563 Finished carbon steel flanges India 6/30/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-564 Steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) Turkey 9/20/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-565 Hardwood plywood China 11/18/2016 A A (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

701-TA-566 Softwood lumber Canada 11/25/2016 (

c

) (

c

) (

c

) (

c

) (

c

)

Source: U.S. International Trade Commission.

Note: “Korea” refers to the “Republic of Korea (South Korea).”

a “ITA” is the International Trade Administration of the USDOC.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |225

b For cases in which the final action was taken by the ITA, the date shown is the Federal Register notice date of that action. For cases in which the final action was taken by USITC, the date of the 

USITC notification of USDOC is shown.

c Pending or not applicable as of December 31, 2016.
The Year in Trade 2016

226| www.usitc.gov

Table A.13 Countervailing duty orders and suspension agreements in effect as of December 31, 2016

Country Commodity

Effective date of 

original action

Brazil Heavy iron construction castings May 15, 1986

Carbon steel wire rod October 22, 2002

Cold-rolled steel flat products September 20, 2016

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products October 3, 2016

Canada Supercalendered paper December 10, 2015

China Heavy forged hand tools - hammers & sledges February 19, 1991

Circular welded carbon quality steel pipe July 22, 2008

Light-walled rectangular pipe and tube August 5, 2008

Laminated woven sacks August 7, 2008

Sodium nitrite August 27, 2008

New pneumatic off-the-road tires September 4, 2008

Raw flexible magnets September 17, 2008

Lightweight thermal paper November 24, 2008

Circular welded carbon quality steel line pipe January 23, 2009

Circular welded austenitic stainless pressure pipe March 19, 2009

Citric acid and certain citrate May 29, 2009

Kitchen appliance shelving and racks September 14, 2009

Oil country tubular goods January 20, 2010

Prestressed concrete steel wire strand July 7, 2010

Potassium phosphate salts July 22, 2010

Steel grating July 23, 2010

Narrow woven ribbons with woven selvedge September 1, 2010

Magnesia carbon bricks September 21, 2010

Seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe November 10, 2010

Coated paper suitable for high-quality print graphics using sheet-fed presses November 17, 2010

Aluminum extrusions May 26, 2011

Multilayered wood flooring December 8, 2011

High pressure steel cylinders June 21, 2012

Crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells December 7, 2012

Utility scale wind towers February 15, 2013

Drawn stainless steel sinks April 11, 2013

Chlorinated isocyanurates November 13, 2014

Non-oriented electrical steel December 3, 2014

Carbon and certain alloy steel wire January 8, 2015

Calcium hypochlorite January 30, 2015

Crystalline silicon photovoltaic products February 18, 2015

Passenger vehicle and light truck tires August 10, 2015

Boltless steel shelving units prepackaged for sale October 21, 2015

Melamine December 28, 2015

Uncoated paper March 5, 2016

Polyethylene terephthalate resin May 6, 2016

Cold-rolled steel flat products July 14, 2016

Corrosion-resistant steel products July 25, 2016

India Sulfanilic acid March 2, 1993

Carbon steel plate February 10, 2000

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products December 3, 2001

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film July 1, 2002

Prestressed concrete steel wire strand February 4, 2004

Carbazole violet pigment 23 December 29, 2004

Commodity matchbooks December 11, 2009

Oil country tubular goods September 10, 2014

Polyethylene terephthalate resin May 6, 2016

Corrosion-resistant steel products July 25, 2016

Cold-rolled steel flat products September 20, 2016

Welded stainless pressure pipe November 17, 2016

Certain lined paper September 28, 2006

Indonesia Carbon steel plate February 10, 2000

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products December 3, 2001

Coated paper suitable for high-quality print graphics using sheet-fed presses November 17, 2010

Uncoated paper March 5, 2016

Iran Raw in-shell pistachios March 11, 1986

Roasted in-shell pistachios October 7, 1986
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |227

Country Commodity

Effective date of 

original action

Italy Pasta July 24, 1996

Corrosion-resistant steel products July 25, 2016

Korea Stainless steel sheet & strip August 6, 1999

Carbon steel plate February 10, 2000

Large residential washers February 15, 2013

Corrosion-resistant steel products July 25, 2016

Cold-rolled steel flat products September 20, 2016

Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products October 3, 2016

Russia Uranium (suspended) October 16, 1992

South Africa Stainless steel plate in coils May 11, 1999

Taiwan Non-oriented electrical steel December 3, 2014

Thailand Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products December 3, 2001

Turkey Welded carbon steel pipe March 7, 1986

Pasta July 24, 1996

Oil country tubular goods September 10, 2014

Steel concrete reinforcing bar November 6, 2014

Welded line pipe December 1, 2015

Heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes September 13, 2016

Vietnam Polyethylene retail carrier bags May 4, 2010

Steel wire garment hangers February 5, 2013

Steel nails July 14, 2015

Source: U.S. International Trade Commission.

Note: “Korea” refers to the “Republic of Korea (South Korea).”
The Year in Trade 2016

228| www.usitc.gov

Table A.14 Reviews of existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders and suspended 

investigations completed in 2016, by date of completiona

USITC 

investigation 

number Product

Country 

of origin Action

Completion 

datea

701-TA-468 Magnesia carbon bricks China Continued 1/15/2016

731-TA-1166 Magnesia carbon bricks China Continued 1/15/2016

731-TA-1167 Magnesia carbon bricks Mexico Continued 1/15/2016

731-TA-125 Potassium permanganate China Continued 2/2/2016

701-TA-469 Seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe China Continued 3/2/2016

731-TA-1168 Seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe China Continued 3/2/2016

731-TA-167 Pressure sensitive plastic tape Italy Continued 4/4/2016

701-TA-462 Polyethylene retail carrier bags Vietnam Continued 4/18/2016

731-TA-1043 Polyethylene retail carrier bags China Continued 4/18/2016

731-TA-1044 Polyethylene retail carrier bags Malaysia Continued 4/18/2016

731-TA-1045 Polyethylene retail carrier bags Thailand Continued 4/18/2016

731-TA-1156 Polyethylene retail carrier bags Indonesia Continued 4/18/2016

731-TA-1157 Polyethylene retail carrier bags Taiwan Continued 4/18/2016

731-TA-1158 Polyethylene retail carrier bags Vietnam Continued 4/18/2016

731-TA-282 Petroleum wax candles China Continued 5/10/2016

731-TA-1070-B Tissue paper China Continued 6/23/2016

731-TA-1071 Magnesium China Continued 6/30/2016

731-TA-298 Porcelain-on-steel cooking ware China Continued 7/22/2016

731-TA-770 Stainless steel wire rod Italy Revoked 7/25/2016

731-TA-771 Stainless steel wire rod Japan Continued 7/25/2016

731-TA-772 Stainless steel wire rod Korea Continued 7/25/2016

731-TA-773 Stainless steel wire rod Spain Revoked 7/25/2016

731-TA-775 Stainless steel wire rod Taiwan Continued 7/25/2016

731-TA-308 Carbon steel butt-weld pipe fittings Brazil Continued 8/3/2016

731-TA-309 Carbon steel butt-weld pipe fittings Japan Continued 8/3/2016

731-TA-310 Carbon steel butt-weld pipe fittings Taiwan Continued 8/3/2016

731-TA-520 Carbon steel butt-weld pipe fittings China Continued 8/3/2016

731-TA-521 Carbon steel butt-weld pipe fittings Thailand Continued 8/3/2016

731-TA-856 Ammonium nitrate Russia Revoked 8/20/2016

701-TA-467 Narrow woven ribbons with woven selvedge China Continued 9/9/2016

731-TA-1164 Narrow woven ribbons with woven selvedge China Continued 9/9/2016

731-TA-1165 Narrow woven ribbons with woven selvedge Taiwan Continued 9/9/2016

731-TA-TA-385 Granular polytetrafluoroethylene resin Italy Revoked 9/18/2016

731-TA-808 Hot-rolled carbon steel flat products Russia Continued 9/29/2016

731-TA-1082 Chlorinated isocyanurates China Continued 11/16/2016

731-TA-1083 Chlorinated isocyanurates Spain Continued 11/16/2016

731-TA-1174 Seamless refined copper pipe and tube China Continued 12/2/2016

731-TA-1175 Seamless refined copper pipe and tube Mexico Continued 12/2/2016

731-TA-457-A-D Heavy forged hand tools China Continued 12/15/2016

731-TA-TA-340-E Solid urea Russia Revoked 12/20/2016

731-TA-TA-340-H Solid urea Ukraine Revoked 12/20/2016

701-TA-249 Iron construction castings Brazil Continued 12/21/2016

731-TA-262 Iron construction castings Brazil Continued 12/21/2016

731-TA-263 Iron construction castings Canada Continued 12/21/2016

731-TA-265 Iron construction castings China Continued 12/21/2016

701-TA-379 Stainless steel plate in coils South Africa Continued 12/22/2016

701-TA-470 Coated paper suitable for high-quality print graphics using sheet-fed presses China Continued 12/22/2016

701-TA-471 Coated paper suitable for high-quality print graphics using sheet-fed presses Indonesia Continued 12/22/2016

731-TA-1169 Coated paper suitable for high-quality print graphics using sheet-fed presses China Continued 12/22/2016

731-TA-1170 Coated paper suitable for high-quality print graphics using sheet-fed presses Indonesia Continued 12/22/2016

731-TA-788 Stainless steel plate in coils Belgium Continued 12/22/2016

731-TA-792 Stainless steel plate in coils South Africa Continued 12/22/2016

731-TA-793 Stainless steel plate in coils Taiwan Continued 12/22/2016

Source: U.S. International Trade Commission.

Note: “Korea” refers to the “Republic of Korea (South Korea).”

a The completion date shown is the date of the USITC notification of USDOC, except in the case of a revocation where the date shown is the 

date of ITA’s Federal Register notice.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |229

Table A.15 Section 337 investigations and related proceedings completed by the Commission during 

2016 and those pending on December 31, 2016

Status of 

investigation Article Countrya Commission determinationb

Completed

337-TA-567 Certain Foam Footwear Canada One related (ancillary) advisory opinion 

proceeding; advisory opinion issued.

337-TA-698 Certain DC-DC Controllers and Products Containing the 

Same

Hong Kong, Taiwan One related (ancillary) remand 

enforcement proceeding; terminated 

based on a settlement agreement.

337-TA-823 Certain Kinesiotherapy Devices and Components 

Thereof

China, Sweden, 

Netherlands

Eleven related (ancillary) rescission 

proceedings; remedial orders rescinded.

337-TA-833 Certain Digital Models, Digital Data, and Treatment 

Plans for Use, in Making Incremental Dental 

Positioning Adjustment Appliances, the Appliances 

Made Therefrom, and Methods of Making the Same

Pakistan One related (ancillary) remand 

proceeding; remedial orders rescinded.

337-TA-921 Certain Marine Sonar Imaging Devices, Including 

Downscan and Sidescan Devices, Products Containing 

the Same, and Components Thereof

Taiwan One related (ancillary) modification 

proceeding; remedial orders modified.

337-TA-926 Certain Marine Sonar Imaging Systems, Products 

Containing the Same, and Components Thereof

Taiwan One related (ancillary) modification 

proceeding and one related (ancillary) 

rescission proceeding; modification 

denied; remedial orders rescinded.

337-TA-929 Certain Beverage Brewing Capsules, Components 

Thereof, and Products Containing the Same

China, Hong Kong Issued limited exclusion order and cease 

and desist orders.

337-TA-930 Certain Laser Abraded Denim Garments Canada, Italy, Sweden Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement and withdrawal of the 

complaint.

337-TA-933 Certain Stainless Steel Products, Certain Processes for 

Manufacturing or Relating to Same and Certain 

Products Containing Same

India, Germany, Taiwan Issued limited exclusion order and cease

and desist order.

337-TA-933 Certain Stainless Steel Products, Certain Processes for 

Manufacturing or Relating to Same and Certain 

Products Containing Same

India, Germany, Taiwan One related (ancillary) advisory opinion 

proceeding and one related (ancillary) 

bond forfeiture proceeding; request for 

advisory opinion denied and request for 

forfeiture denied.

337-TA-934 Certain Dental Implants Brazil Issued limited exclusion order.

337-TA-935 Certain Personal Transporters, Components Thereof, 

and Manuals Therefor

China Issued general exclusion order, limited 

exclusion order, and cease and desist 

order.

337-TA-936 Certain Footwear Products Canada, Italy, Australia, 

Japan, China

Issued general exclusion order.

337-TA-937 Certain Windshield Wipers and Components Thereof Mexico Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-939 Certain Three-Dimensional Cinema Systems and 

Components Thereof

Korea Issued limited exclusion order and cease 

and desist orders.

337-TA-941 Certain Graphics Processing Chips, Systems on a Chip, 

and Products Containing the Same

Taiwan, Hong Kong Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-943 Certain Wireless Headsets Japan, Germany, 

Australia, Singapore, 

Ireland, Denmark

Terminated based on a finding of no 

violation.

337-TA-944 Certain Network Devices, Related Software and 

Components Thereof (I)

No foreign respondents Issued limited exclusion order and cease 

and desist order.

337-TA-946 Certain Ink Cartridges and Components Thereof China, Hong Kong Issued general exclusion order and 

cease and desist orders.

337-TA-949 Certain Audio Processing Hardware and Software and 

Products Containing Same

Taiwan, China, Japan Terminated based on withdrawal of the 

complaint.

337-TA-951 Certain Lithium Metal Oxide Cathode Materials, 

Lithium-Ion Batteries for Power Tool Products 

Containing Same, and Power Tools Products With 

Lithium-Ion Batteries Containing Same

Belgium, Japan Issued limited exclusion order.

337-TA-952 Certain Electronic Devices, Including Wireless 

Communication Devices, Computers, Tablet 

Computers, Digital Media Players, and Cameras

No foreign respondents Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.
The Year in Trade 2016

230| www.usitc.gov

Status of 

investigation Article Countrya Commission determinationb

337-TA-953 Certain Wireless Standard Compliant Electronic 

Devices, Including Communication Devices and Tablet 

Computers

No foreign respondents Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-954 Certain Variable Valve Actuation Devices and 

Automobiles Containing the Same

Mexico, Italy, Serbia, 

United Kingdom

Terminated based on withdrawal of the 

complaint.

337-TA-956 Certain Recombinant Factor VIII Products Denmark Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-957 Certain Touchscreen Controllers and Products 

Containing the Same

China Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-958 Certain Automated Teller Machines and Point of Sale 

Devices and Associated Software Thereof

Canada Terminated based on withdrawal of the 

complaint.

337-TA-962 Certain Resealable Packages with Slider Devices No foreign respondents Terminated based on a finding of no 

violation.

337-TA-963 Certain Activity Tracking Devices, Systems, and 

Components Thereof

Mauritius Terminated based on a finding of no 

violation.

337-TA-964 Certain Windscreen Wipers and Components Thereof Mexico Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-966 Certain Silicon-on-Insulator Wafers France Terminated based on withdrawal of the 

complaint.

337-TA-966 Certain Silicon-on-Insulator Wafers France One related (ancillary) sanctions 

proceeding; sanctions denied.

337-TA-967 Certain Document Cameras and Software for Use 

Therewith

No foreign respondents Issued limited exclusion order and cease 

and desist order.

337-TA-969 Certain Blood Cholesterol Test Strips and Associated 

Systems Containing Same

Korea Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-970 Certain Height-Adjustable Desk Platforms and 

Components Thereof

No foreign respondents Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-974 Certain Aquarium Fittings and Parts Thereof China Terminated based on a consent order.

337-TA-975 Certain Computer Cables, Chargers, Adapters, 

Peripheral Devices and Packaging Containing the Same

China Issued limited exclusion order.

337-TA-978 Certain Chassis Parts Incorporating Movable Sockets 

and Components Thereof

Canada Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-980 Certain Rack Mountable Power Distribution Units France Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-981 Certain Electronic Devices Containing Strengthened 

Glass and Packaging Thereof

No foreign respondents Terminated based on withdrawal of the 

complaint.

337-TA-983 Certain Laser-Driven Light Sources, Subsystems 

Containing Laser-Driven Light Sources, and Products 

Containing Same

Netherlands, Germany Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-984 Certain Computing or Graphics Systems, Components 

Thereof, and Vehicles Containing Same

Germany, Japan Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-985 Certain Surgical Stapler Devices and Components 

Thereof

China Terminated based on a consent order.

337-TA-986 Certain Diaper Disposal Systems and Components 

Thereof, Including Diaper Refill Cassettes

China, Canada Terminated based on withdrawal of the 

complaint.

337-TA-987 Certain Hospital Beds and Components Thereof Canada Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-991 Certain Nanopores and Products Containing Same United Kingdom Terminated based on a consent order.

337-TA-992 Certain Height-Adjustable Desk Platforms and 

Components Thereof

No foreign respondents Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.

337-TA-993 Certain Overflow and Drain Assemblies for Bathtubs 

and Components Thereof

Taiwan Terminated based on a consent order.

337-TA-994 Certain Portable Electronic Devices and Components 

Thereof

Canada, Taiwan, Korea,

China, Sweden, Japan

Terminated based on a finding of no 

violation.

337-TA-996 Certain Quartz Slabs and Portions Thereof No foreign respondents Terminated based on withdrawal of the 

complaint.

337-TA-999 Certain Air Mattress Bed Systems and Components 

Thereof

No foreign respondents Terminated based on a consent order, a 

settlement agreement, and withdrawal 

of the complaint.

337-TA-1009 Certain Inflatable Products and Processes for Making 

the Same

Hong Kong, China Terminated based on a consent order.

337-TA-1011 Certain Inkjet Printers, Printheads, and Ink Cartridges, 

Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same

Ireland, Australia Terminated based on a settlement 

agreement.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |231

Status of 

investigation Article Countrya Commission determinationb

337-TA-1017 Certain Quartz Slabs and Portions Thereof (II) China, Vietnam Terminated based on withdrawal of the 

complaint.

Pending

337-TA-698 Certain DC-DC Controllers and Products Containing the 

Same

Hong Hong, Taiwan One related (ancillary) rescission 

proceeding; pending before the 

Commission

337-TA-854 Certain Two-Way Global Satellite Communication 

Devices, Systems and Components Thereof

No foreign respondents One related (ancillary) rescission 

proceeding; pending before the 

Commission

337-TA-890 Certain Sleep-Disordered Breathing Treatment Systems 

and Components Thereof

China One related (ancillary) remand 

proceeding; pending before the 

Commission.

337-TA-921 Certain Marine Sonar Imaging Devices, Including 

Downscan and Sidescan Devices, Products Containing 

the Same, and Components Thereof

No foreign respondents One related (ancillary) enforcement 

proceeding; pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-929 Certain Beverage Brewing Capsules, Components 

Thereof, and Products Containing the Same

No foreign respondents One related (ancillary) enforcement 

proceeding and one related (ancillary) 

rescission proceeding; pending before 

the ALJ.

337-TA-944 Certain Network Devices, Related Software and 

Components Thereof (I)

No foreign respondents One related (ancillary) enforcement 

proceeding; pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-945 Certain Network Devices, Related Software and 

Components Thereof (II)

No foreign respondents Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-947 Certain Light-Emitting Diode Products and 

Components Thereof

China, Taiwan Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-959 Certain Electric Skin Care Devices, Brushes and 

Chargers Therefor, and Kits Containing Same

China, Korea, United 

Kingdom, Canada, Israel

Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-965 Certain Table Saws Incorporating Active Injury 

Mitigation Technology and Components Thereof

Germany Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-967 Certain Document Cameras and Software for Use 

Therewith

No foreign respondents One related (ancillary) rescission 

proceeding; pending before the 

Commission

337-TA-968 Certain Radiotherapy Systems and Treatment Planning 

Software, and Components Thereof

Sweden, United Kingdom, 

Germany, China

Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-971 Certain Air Mattress Systems, Components Thereof, 

and Methods of Using the Same

No foreign respondents Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-972 Certain Automated Teller Machines, ATM Modules, 

Components Thereof, and Products Containing the 

Same

Korea Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-973 Certain Wearable Activity Tracking Devices, Systems, 

and Components Thereof

No foreign respondents Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-976 Certain Woven Textile Fabrics and Products Containing 

Same

India Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-977 Certain Arrowheads With Deploying Blades and 

Components Thereof and Packaging Therefor

China Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-979 Certain Radio Frequency Identification ("RFID") 

Products and Components Thereof

Canada, Thailand, Hong 

Kong

Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-982 Certain RF Capable Integrated Circuits and Products 

Containing the Same

Korea Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-988 Certain Pumping Bras China Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-989 Certain Automated Teller Machines, ATM Modules, 

Components Thereof, and Products Containing the 

Same

No foreign respondents Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-990 Certain Mobile Electronic Devices Incorporating 

Haptics (Including Smartphones and Smartwatches) 

and Components Thereof

No foreign respondents Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-995 Certain Electrical Conductor Composite Cores and 

Components Thereof

China Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-997 Certain Sleep-Disordered Breathing Treatment Systems 

and Components Thereof

China Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-998 Certain Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Components 

Thereof

Germany Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1000 Certain Motorized Self-Balancing Vehicles China, Hong Kong Pending before the ALJ.
The Year in Trade 2016

232| www.usitc.gov

Status of 

investigation Article Countrya Commission determinationb

337-TA-1001 Certain Digital Video Receivers and Hardware and 

Software Components Thereof

United Kingdom, France Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1002 Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Products China Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1003 Certain Composite Aerogel Insulation Materials and 

Methods for Manufacturing the Same

China Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1004 Certain Mobile and Portable Electronic Devices 

Incorporating Haptics (Including Smartphones and 

Laptops) and Components Thereof

No foreign respondents Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1005 Certain L-Tryptophan, L-Tryptophan Products, and 

Their Methods of Production

Korea, Indonesia Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1006 Certain Passenger Vehicle Automotive Wheels No foreign respondents Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1007 Certain Personal Transporters, Components Thereof, 

and Packaging and Manuals Therefor

No foreign respondents Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1008 Certain Carbon Spine Board, Cervical Collar and 

Various Medical Training Manikin Devices, and 

Trademarks, Copyrights of Product Catalogues, 

Product Inserts, and Components Thereof

China Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-1010 Certain Semiconductor Devices, Semiconductor Device 

Packages, and Products Containing Same

Taiwan, Singapore, 

United Kingdom, France

Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1012 Certain Magnetic Data Storage Tapes and Cartridges 

Containing the Same

Japan Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1013 Certain Potassium Chloride Powder Products Canada Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-1014 Certain Composite Intermediate Bulk Containers China Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1015 Certain Hand Dryers and Housings for Hand Dryers United Kingdom, China Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1016 Certain Access Control Systems and Components 

Thereof

China, Hong Kong Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1018 Certain Athletic Footwear No foreign respondents Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-1019 Certain Krill Oil Products and Krill Meal for Production 

of Krill Oil Products

Canada, Norway, New 

Zealand

Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1020 Certain Industrial Control System Software, Systems 

Using Same, and Components Thereof

Germany, Taiwan Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-1021 Certain Personal Transporters and Components 

Thereof

Netherlands, China, 

Turkey

Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1022 Certain Sleep-Disordered Breathing Treatment Mask 

Systems and Components Thereof

New Zealand Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1023 Certain Memory Modules and Components Thereof, 

and Products Containing Same

Korea Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1024 Certain Integrated Circuits with Voltage Regulators and 

Products Containing Same

China, Ireland, Vietnam, 

Israel, Malaysia

Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1025 Certain Silicon-on-Insulator Wafers France Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1026 Certain Audio Processing Hardware, Software, and 

Products Containing the Same

Korea Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1027 Certain Food Supplements and Vitamins, Including 

Ocular Antioxidants and Components Thereof and 

Products Containing the Same

India Pending before the Commission.

337-TA-1028 Certain Mobile Device Holders and Components 

Thereof

China, Hong Kong Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1029 Certain Mobile Electronic Devices China Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1030 Certain High-Potency Sweeteners, Processes for 

Making Same, and Products Containing Same

China Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1031 Certain UV Curable Coatings for Optical Fibers, Coated 

Optical Fibers, and Products Containing Same

China Pending before the ALJ.

337-TA-1032 Certain Single-Molecule Nucleic Acid Sequencing 

Systems and Reagents, Consumables, and Software for 

Use with Same

United Kingdom Pending before the ALJ.

Source: U.S. International Trade Commission. 

a The country designation is based on the address of the foreign respondents named in the notice of investigation. “Hong Kong” refers to 

“Hong Kong, China”; “Macau” refers to “Macau, China”; and “Korea” refers to the “Republic of Korea (South Korea).” b ALJ = administrative law judge.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |233

Table A.16 Outstanding section 337 exclusion orders as of December 31, 2016

Investigation 

no. Article Countrya

Date patent 

expiresb

337-TA-69 Certain Airtight Cast-Iron Stoves Taiwan, Korea Nonpatent

337-TA-87 Certain Coin-Operated Audio-Visual Games and Components 

Thereof

Japan, Taiwan Nonpatent

337-TA-105 Certain Coin-Operated Audio-Visual Games and Components 

Thereof (viz., Rally-X and Pac-Man)

Japan, Taiwan Nonpatent

337-TA-112 Certain Cube Puzzles Taiwan, Japan Nonpatent

337-TA-114 Certain Miniature Plug-In Blade Fuses Taiwan Nonpatent

337-TA-118 Certain Sneakers with Fabric Uppers and Rubber Soles Korea Nonpatent

337-TA-137 Certain Heavy-Duty Staple Gun Tackers Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea Nonpatent

337-TA-152 Certain Plastic Food Storage Containers Hong Kong, Taiwan Nonpatent

337-TA-167 Certain Single Handle Faucets Taiwan Nonpatent

337-TA-174 Certain Woodworking Machines Taiwan, South Africa Nonpatent

337-TA-195 Certain Cloisonne Jewelry Taiwan Nonpatent

337-TA-197 Certain Compound Action Metal Cutting Snips and Components 

Thereof

Taiwan Nonpatent

337-TA-229 Certain Nut Jewelry and Parts Thereof Philippines, Taiwan Nonpatent

337-TA-231 Certain Soft Sculpture Dolls, Popularly Known as “Cabbage Patch 

Kids,” Related Literature and Packaging Therefor

No foreign respondents Nonpatent

337-TA-266 Certain Reclosable Plastic Bags and Tubing Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, 

Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia

Nonpatent

337-TA-279 Certain Plastic Light Duty Screw Anchors Taiwan Nonpatent

337-TA-285 Certain Chemiluminescent Compositions and Components 

Thereof and Methods of Using, and Products Incorporating, the 

Same

France Nonpatent

337-TA-319 Certain Automotive Fuel Caps and Radiator Caps and Related 

Packaging and Promotional Materials

Taiwan Nonpatent

337-TA-321 Certain Soft Drinks and Their Containers Colombia Nonpatent

337-TA-378 Certain Asian-Style Kamaboko Fish Cakes Japan Nonpatent

337-TA-380 Certain Agricultural Tractors under 50 Power Take-Off 

Horsepower

Japan Nonpatent

337-TA-424 Certain Cigarettes and Packaging Thereof No foreign respondents Nonpatent

337-TA-440 Certain 4-Androstenediol China July 13, 2018

337-TA-481/491 Certain Display Controllers with Upscaling Functionality and 

Products Containing Same; and Certain Display Controllers and 

Products Containing Same

Taiwan Feb. 24, 2017

337-TA-486 Certain Agricultural Tractors, Lawn Tractors, Riding Lawnmowers, 

and Components Thereof

China Nonpatent

337-TA-487c Certain Agricultural Vehicles and Components Thereof China, Netherlands, France, 

Germany, Canada

Nonpatent

337-TA-494 Certain Automotive Measuring Devices, Products Containing 

Same, and Bezels for Such Devices

Taiwan Nonpatent

337-TA-498 Certain Insect Traps No foreign respondents Jan. 30, 2018

337-TA-500 Certain Purple Protective Gloves Malaysia Nonpatent

337-TA-505 Certain Gun Barrels Used in Firearms Training Systems Switzerland, Netherlands Aug. 25, 2017

337-TA-512 Certain Light-Emitting Diodes and Products Containing Same Malaysia Sept. 22, 2017

Sept. 22, 2017

Sept. 22, 2017

Sept. 22, 2017

Sept. 22, 2017

July 27, 2018

July 27, 2018

July 27, 2018

337-TA-514 Certain Plastic Food Containers China Dec. 23, 2017

Dec. 23, 2017

337-TA-522 Certain Ink Markers and Packaging Thereof China, India, Korea, Hong Kong Nonpatent

337-TA-541 Certain Power Supply Controllers and Products Containing Same Taiwan Sept. 24, 2019

Sept. 24, 2019

337-TA-545 Certain Laminated Floor Panels Canada, China, Malaysia June 10, 2017

June 10, 2017

Sept. 26, 2017
The Year in Trade 2016

234| www.usitc.gov

Investigation 

no. Article Countrya

Date patent 

expiresb

337-TA-549 Certain Ink Sticks for Solid Ink Printers Korea Apr. 29, 2022

Apr. 29, 2022

Apr. 29, 2022

337-TA-557 Certain Automotive Parts Taiwan June 22, 2018

July 27, 2018

Sept. 28, 2018

Oct. 5, 2018

Oct. 26, 2018

Mar. 1, 2019

Mar. 22, 2019

337-TA-563 Certain Portable Power Stations and Packaging Therefor China Feb. 4, 2017

Nonpatent

337-TA-565 Certain Ink Cartridges and Components Thereof Hong Kong, China, Germany, 

Korea

May 18, 2019

May 18, 2019

Apr. 3, 2022

Aug. 17, 2023

Aug. 26, 2023

337-TA-567 Certain Foam Footwear Canada Mar. 28, 2020

Oct. 3, 2020

337-TA-575 Certain Lighters Hong Kong, China Nonpatent

337-TA-582 Certain Hydraulic Excavators and Components Thereof Canada Nonpatent

337-TA-588 Certain Digital Multimeters, and Products with Multimeter 

Functionality

Hong Kong, China Nonpatent

337-TA-590 Certain Coupler Devices for Power Supply Facilities, Components 

Thereof, and Products Containing Same

Taiwan, Germany, China Aug. 5, 2024

337-TA-604 Certain Sucralose, Sweeteners Containing Sucralose, and Related 

Intermediate Compounds Thereof

China, United Kingdom, Hong 

Kong

Oct. 17, 2017

Apr. 18, 2023

337-TA-611 Certain Magnifying Loupe Products and Components Thereof China May 20, 2022

337-TA-615 Certain Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters and Products Containing 

the Same

China Nov. 21, 2020

May 3, 2021

Apr. 28, 2025

337-TA-617 Certain Digital Televisions and Certain Products Containing Same 

and Methods of Using Same

Taiwan, Hong Kong, China Apr. 9, 2018

337-TA-629 Certain Silicon Microphone Packages and Products Containing the 

Same

Malaysia June 21, 2021

Sept. 16, 2022

337-TA-637 Certain Hair Irons and Packaging Thereof Singapore, China, Hong Kong Nonpatent

337-TA-643 Certain Cigarettes and Packaging Thereof Moldova, Belize, Singapore, 

Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Gibraltar, 

United Kingdom, Switzerland

Nonpatent

337-TA-644 Certain Composite Wear Components and Products Containing 

Same

India, Italy Aug. 27, 2017

337-TA-650d Certain Coaxial Cable Connectors and Components Thereof and 

Products Containing Same

Taiwan, China Aug. 2, 2017

Jan. 24, 2020

337-TA-655 Certain Cast Steel Railway Wheels, Processes for Manufacturing 

or Relating to Same and Certain Products Containing Same

China Nonpatent

337-TA-678 Certain Energy Drink Products No foreign respondents Nonpatent

337-TA-679 Certain Products Advertised as Containing Creatine Ethyl Ester No foreign respondents Nonpatent

337-TA-691 Certain Inkjet Ink Supplies and Components Thereof China, Hong Kong Mar. 9, 2018

May 11, 2018

337-TA-700 Certain MEMS Devices and Products Containing Same No foreign respondents Jan. 29, 2021

337-TA-718 Certain Electronic Paper Towel Dispensing Devices and 

Components Thereof

Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, 

Turkey

Feb. 9, 2021

Feb. 9, 2021

Mar. 15, 2021

May 27, 2021

337-TA-720 Certain Biometric Scanning Devices, Components Thereof, 

Associated Software, and Products Containing the Same

Korea May 9, 2017

Jan. 16, 2023

337-TA-722 Certain Automotive Vehicles and Designs Therefore China Jan. 3, 2020

337-TA-723 Certain Inkjet Ink Cartridges with Printheads and Components 

Thereof

Taiwan, China, Hong Kong Aug. 30, 2019

July 24, 2020

July 24, 2020

Oct. 30, 2020

Oct. 30, 2020

337-TA-725 Certain Caskets Mexico Sept. 13, 2020
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |235

Investigation 

no. Article Countrya

Date patent 

expiresb

337-TA-730 Certain Inkjet Ink Supplies and Components Thereof China Aug. 20, 2023

Oct. 29, 2023

337-TA-739 Certain Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters and Products Containing 

Same

China Oct. 21, 2023

337-TA-740 Certain Toner Cartridges and Components Thereof China, Hong Kong, Canada, 

Korea, Macau

Feb. 18, 2018

Sept. 22, 2019

July 18, 2021

July 15, 2022

July 15, 2022

Apr. 29, 2023

May 21, 2023

Dec. 19, 2024

337-TA-754 Certain Handbags, Luggage, Accessories, and Packaging Thereof China Nonpatent

337-TA-763 Certain Radio Control Hobby Transmitters and Receivers and 

Products Containing Same

China Oct. 18, 2025

Nonpatent

337-TA-780 Certain Protective Cases and Components Thereof China, Hong Kong Sept. 29, 2023

May 11, 2024

June 15, 2024

June 15, 2024

Mar. 22, 2025

Apr. 19, 2025

Jan. 25, 2029

Nonpatent

337-TA-791/826 Certain Electric Fireplaces, Components Thereof, Manuals for 

Same, Certain Processes for Manufacturing or Relating to Same 

and Certain Products Containing Same; and Certain Electric 

Fireplaces, Components Thereof, Manuals for Same, Certain 

Processes for Manufacturing or Relating to Same and Certain 

Products Containing Same

China Nonpatent

337-TA-796 Certain Electronic Digital Media Devices and Components Thereof Korea Sept. 6, 2026

Jan. 5, 2027

337-TA-804 Certain LED Photographic Lighting Devices and Components 

Thereof

China, Taiwan Dec. 7, 2021

Dec. 7, 2021

337-TA-807 Certain Digital Photo Frames and Image Display Devices and 

Components Thereof

Taiwan, Canada, Japan July 6, 2020

Dec. 26, 2020

Oct. 29, 2021

337-TA-832 Certain Ink Application Devices and Components Thereof and 

Methods of Using the Same

Canada, China Feb. 28, 2020

Sept. 2, 2020

337-TA-849 Certain Rubber Resins and Processes for Manufacturing Same China, Hong Kong, Canada Nonpatent

337-TA-861/867 Certain Cases for Portable Electronic Devices; and Certain Cases 

for Portable Electronic Devices

Taiwan, Hong Kong, China Feb. 6, 2029

337-TA-878 Certain Electronic Devices Having Placeshifting or Display 

Replication Functionality and Products Containing Same

No foreign respondents May 26, 2019

May 26, 2019

June 7, 2025

June 7, 2025

June 7, 2025

May 1, 2029

337-TA-883 Certain Opaque Polymers Turkey, Netherlands Nonpatent

337-TA-887 Certain Crawler Cranes and Components Thereof China May 12, 2027

Nonpatent

337-TA-890 Certain Sleep-Disordered Breathing Treatment Systems and 

Components Thereof

China May 11, 2017

Feb. 16, 2018

March 19, 2023

March 19, 2023

July 20, 2027

337-TA-894 Certain Tires and Products Containing Same China, Thailand June 4, 2016

March 9, 2018

Jan. 19, 2024

March 2, 2024

March 2, 2024

337-TA-895 Certain Multiple Mode Outdoor Grills and Parts Thereof China, Hong Kong May 4, 2027
The Year in Trade 2016

236| www.usitc.gov

Investigation 

no. Article Countrya

Date patent 

expiresb

337-TA-918 Certain Toner Cartridges and Components Thereof China, Hong Kong, Macau Dec. 26, 2027

Dec. 26, 2027

Dec. 26, 2027

Dec. 26, 2027

March 24, 2028

337-TA-919 Certain Archery Products and Related Marketing Materials China March 30, 2018

Jan. 15, 2023

Nonpatent

337-TA-921 Certain Marine Sonar Imaging Devices, Including Downscan and 

Sidescan Devices, Products Containing Same, and Components 

Thereof

Taiwan July 14, 2029

July 14, 2029

337-TA-923 Certain Loom Kits for Creating Linked Articles China Dec. 15, 2031

337-TA-929 Certain Beverage Brewing Capsules, Components Thereof and 

Products Containing the Same

Hong Kong, China July 13, 2027

337-TA-933 Certain Stainless Steel Products, Certain Processes for 

Manufacturing or Relating to Same and Certain Products 

Containing Same

India, Germany, Taiwan Nonpatent

337-TA-934 Certain Dental Implants Brazil May 23, 2024

Nov. 26, 2026

337-TA-935e Certain Personal Transporters, Components Thereof and Manuals 

Therefor

China June 4, 2019

June 4, 2019

Oct. 13, 2020

Sept. 25, 2021

Sept. 25, 2021

Nonpatent

337-TA-936 Certain Footwear Products Canada, Italy, China, Australia, 

Japan

Nonpatent

337-TA-939 Certain Three-Dimensional Cinema Systems and Components 

Thereof

Korea Oct. 18, 2026

Sept. 28, 2027

Nov. 17, 2028

337-TA-944 Certain Network Devices, Related Software and Components 

Thereof (I)

No foreign respondents Jan. 6, 2020

May 22, 2020

May 22, 2020

337-TA-946 Certain Ink Cartridges and Components Thereof Hong Kong, China Dec. 15, 2026

Dec. 15, 2026

Dec. 15, 2026

Dec. 15, 2026

Sept. 4, 2029

337-TA-951 Lithium Metal Oxide Cathode Materials, Lithium-Ion Batteries for 

Power Tool Products Containing Same, and Power Tool Products 

with Lithium-Ion Batteries Containing Same

Belgium, Japan Oct. 19, 2021

Nov. 2, 2021

337-TA-967 Certain Document Cameras and Software for Use Therewith No foreign respondents Jan. 28, 2030

337-TA-975 Certain Computer Cables, Chargers, Adapters, Peripheral Devices 

and Packaging Containing the Same

China Nonpatent

Source: U.S. International Trade Commission.

a This column lists the countries of the foreign respondents named in the notice of investigation. “Hong Kong” refers to “Hong Kong, China”; 

“Macau” refers to “Macau, China”; and “Korea” refers to the “Republic of Korea.” b Multiple dates indicate the expiration dates of separate patents within the investigation.

c There are three outstanding exclusion orders in inv. no. 337-TA-487. d There are two outstanding exclusion orders in inv. no. 337-TA-650. e There are two outstanding exclusion orders in Inv. no. 337-TA-935.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |237

Table A.17 U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under GSP, by source, 2014–16

Source 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Thousand $

India 4,472,886 4,602,068 4,655,881 1.2

Thailand 3,499,151 3,593,352 3,961,033 10.2

Brazil 1,904,893 1,930,605 2,155,839 11.7

Indonesia 1,689,219 1,678,214 1,775,895 5.8

Philippines 1,334,269 1,375,669 1,465,384 6.5

Turkey 1,150,426 1,220,606 1,411,691 15.7

South Africa 1,365,643 1,128,093 981,769 -13.0

Ecuador 291,243 317,065 390,348 23.1

Pakistan 160,906 180,443 246,891 36.8

Sri Lanka 179,794 177,767 172,589 -2.9

Cambodia 57,092 77,101 163,997 112.7

Bolivia 101,006 100,823 114,807 13.9

Tunisia 81,011 216,965 113,689 -47.6

Uruguay 76,636 86,733 94,258 8.7

Venezuela 91,009 94,382 92,137 -2.4

Kazakhstan 213,705 104,649 89,354 -14.6

Congo, Democratic Republic of the 96,618 111,010 78,941 -28.9

Egypt 67,194 69,947 75,482 7.9

Serbia 39,065 49,834 71,553 43.6

Paraguay 60,533 66,317 68,345 3.1

Côte d`Ivoire 76,371 58,324 67,857 16.3

Lebanon 40,215 43,110 65,064 50.9

Georgia 165,657 88,733 57,887 -34.8

Ukraine 26,421 40,860 46,057 12.7

Ghana 23,285 24,716 36,527 47.8

Subtotal, top 25 GSP beneficiaries in 2016 17,264,246 17,437,387 18,453,275 5.8

All other beneficiaries 1,534,941 256,625 231,170 -9.9

Total U.S. imports for consumption under GSP 18,799,187 17,694,012 18,684,445 5.6

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

Table A.18 Value of U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under GSP, by USITC digest sector, 

2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 2,658 2,951 3,193 8.2

2 Forest products 643 681 571 -16.2

3 Chemicals and related products 3,534 3,367 3,789 12.5

4 Energy-related products 846 0 2 797.3

5 Textiles and apparel 527 584 625 7.1

6 Footwear 10 7 11 47.7

7 Minerals and metals 4,208 3,511 3,319 -5.5

8 Machinery 2,296 2,086 2,120 1.7

9 Transportation equipment 1,808 2,161 2,305 6.7

10 Electronic products 1,078 1,062 1,115 4.9

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 1,192 1,283 1,634 27.4

Total U.S. imports for consumption under GSP 18,799 17,694 18,684 5.6

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 

2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Table A.19 Share of U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under GSP, by USITC digest sector, 

2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

Percent of eligible imports

1 Agricultural products 14.1 16.7 17.1

2 Forest products 3.4 3.8 3.1

3 Chemicals and related products 18.8 19.0 20.3

4 Energy-related products 4.5 0.0 0.0

5 Textiles and apparel 2.8 3.3 3.3

6 Footwear 0.1 0.0 0.1

7 Minerals and metals 22.4 19.8 17.8

8 Machinery 12.2 11.8 11.3

9 Transportation equipment 9.6 12.2 12.3

10 Electronic products 5.7 6.0 6.0

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 6.3 7.3 8.7

Total U.S. imports for consumption under GSP 100.0 100.0 100.0

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (February 23, 2017). 

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |239

Table A.20 Leading U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under GSP, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

7113.19 Jewelry and parts thereof, of precious metal other than silver 267 338 554 64.1

2202.90 Nonalcoholic beverages, n.e.s.o.i. (including milk-based drinks and nonalcoholic beer) 228 274 359 30.9

7202.41 Ferrochromium, containing more than 4% (wt.) carbon 458 259 263 1.6

8415.90 Parts, n.e.s.o.i., of air conditioning machines 381 262 261 -0.3

4015.19 Gloves, except surgical and medical gloves, of vulcanized rubber, n.e.s.o.i. 209 249 239 -4.0

6802.99 Worked monumental or building stone n.e.s.o.i., of stone n.e.s.o.i. 181 187 232 24.1

7606.12 Aluminum alloy rectangular (including square) plates, sheets and strip, over 0.2 mm thick 274 222 224 0.8

2106.90 Food preparations n.e.s.o.i. 204 199 204 2.7

8481.80 Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances for pipes, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valves, n.e.s.o.i. 191 166 204 23.3

8708.94 Steering wheels, steering columns and steering boxes for motor vehicles 157 212 203 -4.4

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 206 209 200 -4.3

4011.10 New pneumatic tires, of rubber, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars) 186 163 197 21.1

3907.60 Polyethylene terephthalate, in primary forms 86 89 189 112.8

6802.91 Worked monumental or building stone n.e.s.o.i., of marble, travertine and alabaster 135 175 189 8.3

4011.20 New pneumatic tires, of rubber, of a kind used on buses or trucks 53 88 180 105.7

8708.70 Road wheels and parts and accessories thereof for motor vehicles 113 147 177 20.5

2008.99 Fruit and other edible parts of plants, n.e.s.o.i., prepared or preserved, whether or not containing added sweetening or spirit, 

n.e.s.o.i. 165 164 176 7.3

1701.14 Cane sugar in solid form, raw, not containing added flavoring or coloring matter, n.e.s.o.i. 129 100 170 70.0

7323.93 Table, kitchen or other household articles and parts thereof, of stainless steel 140 164 167 1.9

8544.30 Insulated ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets for vehicles, aircraft and ships 73 70 162 129.8

8501.10 Electric motors of an output not exceeding 37.5 w 109 143 160 12.0

1704.90 Sugar confectionary (including white chocolate), not containing cocoa, n.e.s.o.i. 127 123 159 29.5

2934.99 Nucleic acids and their salts, whether or not chemically defined; other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.s.o.i. 57 81 158 95.3

8408.20 Compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel), for the propulsion of vehicles except railway or 

tramway stock 14 33 150 358.5

3923.21 Sacks and bags (including cones), of polymers of ethylene 112 123 137 11.7

Total of items shown 4,255 4,239 5,316 25.4

All other HTS products 14,544 13,455 13,369 -0.6

Total of all commodities 18,799 17,694 18,684 5.6

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, 

figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Table A.21 U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under AGOA, by source, 2014–16

Source 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Thousand $

Nigeria 2,798,015 1,403,195 3,474,962 147.6

Angola 3,539,542 1,830,054 1,954,781 6.8

South Africa 1,750,421 1,730,110 1,864,038 7.7

Chad 1,632,682 1,478,697 775,178 -47.6

Kenya 417,148 428,224 389,992 -8.9

Lesotho 288,892 299,314 295,426 -1.3

Mauritius 218,173 207,083 188,032 -9.2

Madagascar 42 39,831 93,419 134.5

Congo, Republic of 360,168 254,572 61,681 -75.8

Ethiopia 35,675 40,897 61,564 50.5

Gabon 607,486 167,003 60,050 -64.0

Mauritania 0 0 47,711 (

a

)

Malawi 57,386 40,952 44,882 9.6

Tanzania 17,486 28,166 36,952 31.2

Ghana 57,055 9,626 29,691 208.4

Cameroon 23,005 53 16,758 31,473.6

Botswana 9,458 8,251 4,766 -42.2

Mozambique 802 284 1,470 418.0

Rwanda 187 435 1,220 180.7

Cape Verde 333 523 586 12.1

Sierra Leone 0 0 523 (

a

)

Uganda 59 144 288 99.8

Burkina Faso 10 3 167 6,323.4

Côte d`Ivoire 555 530 120 -77.3

Senegal 24 15,544 87 -99.4

Seychelles 0 0 34 (

a

)

Zambia 36 265 32 -87.9

Togo 3 11 20 80.0

Liberia 0 0 17 (

a

)

Benin 0 0 15 (

a

)

Mali 6 14 13 -7.7

Djibouti 411 464 11 -97.6

Guinea 0 4 7 60.5

Niger 2 0 3 (

a

)

Swaziland 59,076 (

b

) (

b

) (

a

)

Guinea-Bissau 0 0 0 (

a

)

Namibia 0 0 0 (

a

)

São Tomé and Prîncipe 0 0 0 (

a

)

Total U.S. imports for consumption under AGOA 11,874,139 7,984,250 9,404,497 17.8

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. 

a Undefined.

b Swaziland was not AGOA eligible in 2015 and 2016.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |241

Table A.22 Leading U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under AGOA, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% 

change 

2015–16

Million $

2709.00 Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, crude 7,919 4,814 6,159 27.9

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc but not 

over 3,000 cc 1,298 1,349 1,498 11.1

2710.12 Light oils and preparations containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals, not containing 

biodiesel, not waste oils 580 278 225 -19.1

6203.42 Men’s or boys’ trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of cotton, not knitted or crocheted 166 179 193 7.6

6205.20 Men’s or boys’ shirts of cotton, not knitted or crocheted 148 148 143 -3.7

6110.30 Sweaters, pullovers, sweatshirts, vests and similar articles of manmade fibers, knitted or crocheted 98 102 109 6.9

6204.62 Women’s or girls’ trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of cotton, not knitted or crocheted 95 88 98 10.8

6104.63 Women’s or girls’ trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of synthetic fibers, knitted or crocheted 84 98 92 -6.4

0802.62 Macadamia nuts, shelled, fresh or dried 71 103 85 -17.3

6105.20 Men’s or boys’ shirts of manmade fibers, knitted or crocheted 53 60 78 28.7

6109.90 T-shirts, singlets, tank tops and similar garments, of textile materials n.e.s.o.i., knitted or crocheted 53 47 52 11.5

3823.70 Industrial fatty alcohols 46 42 47 12.3

0805.10 Oranges, fresh 41 46 38 -18.8

7202.11 Ferromanganese, containing more than 2% (wt.) carbon 183 87 33 -61.4

2401.20 Tobacco, partly or wholly stemmed/stripped 48 26 32 24.5

2204.21 Wine of fresh grapes (other than sparkling wine) and grape must with fermentation prevented, etc. by adding alcohol, containers of not 

over 2 liters 33 35 31 -10.6

6103.43 Men’s or boys’ trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of synthetic fibers, knitted or crocheted 32 31 30 -1.8

2710.19 Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and products containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum 

oils, not biodiesel or waste 514 55 29 -47.6

6204.63 Women’s or girls’ trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of synthetic fibers, not knitted or crocheted 36 32 28 -13.2

7606.12 Aluminum alloy rectangular (including square) plates, sheets and strip, over 0.2 mm thick 0 0 23 (

a

)

6203.43 Men’s or boys’ trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of synthetic fibers, not knitted or crocheted 15 19 23 16.8

6403.99 Footwear, with outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather and uppers of leather n.e.s.o.i., not covering the ankle 16 15 19 23.0

6104.62 Women’s or girls’ trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of cotton, knitted or crocheted 19 21 15 -30.0

0805.20 Mandarins (including tangerines and satsumas); clementines, wilkings and similar citrus hybrids, fresh or dried 9 12 14 15.2

8111.00 Manganese and articles thereof, including waste and scrap 25 19 12 -33.5

Total of items shown 11,582 7,706 9,105 18.1

All other HTS products 293 278 299 7.8

Total of all commodities 11,874 7,984 9,404 17.8

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included. a Undefined.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Table A.23 Leading U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under CBERA, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

2905.11 Methanol (methyl alcohol) 1,024 651 258 -60.4

6109.10 T-shirts, singlets, tank tops and similar garments of cotton, knitted or crocheted 247 272 207 -23.9

2709.00 Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, crude 192 145 86 -40.5

6110.20 Sweaters, pullovers, sweatshirts, vests and similar articles of cotton, knitted or crocheted 121 121 84 -30.3

3903.11 Polystyrene, expandable, in primary forms 156 87 67 -23.3

0714.30 Yams (dioscorea spp.), fresh, chilled, frozen or dried 18 20 21 3.5

2106.90 Food preparations n.e.s.o.i. 10 13 16 18.2

2933.61 Melamine 17 4 12 185.8

6109.90 T-shirts, singlets, tank tops and similar garments, of textile materials n.e.s.o.i., knitted or crocheted 13 18 12 -32.4

2103.90 Sauces and preparations therefor, n.e.s.o.i.; mixed condiments and mixed seasonings 14 13 11 -11.1

0804.50 Guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, fresh or dried 13 14 8 -39.0

2009.19 Orange juice, other than frozen, whether or not sweetened 7 8 6 -18.2

2008.99 Fruit and other edible parts of plants, n.e.s.o.i., prepared or preserved, whether or not containing added sweetening or spirit, 

n.e.s.o.i. 5 5 6 14.4

2005.99 Vegetables and mixtures of vegetables prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar, acetic acid or sugar, not frozen 4 4 5 29.5

2009.11 Orange juice, frozen, whether or not sweetened 9 6 5 -19.6

8504.31 Electrical transformers n.e.s.o.i., having a power handing capacity not exceeding 1 kva (

a

) 3 4 21.8

2208.40 Rum and tafia 3 3 3 17.8

0807.20 Papayas (papaws), fresh 8 8 3 -61.6

2202.90 Nonalcoholic beverages, n.e.s.o.i. (including milk-based drinks and nonalcoholic beer) 4 4 3 -27.5

0406.30 Cheese, processed, not grated or powdered 3 4 3 -31.3

2202.10 Waters, including mineral waters and aerated waters, sweetened or flavored 5 3 3 -9.8

2104.10 Soups and broths and preparations therefor 2 2 2 24.4

8537.10 Boards, panels, consoles, etc. with electrical apparatus, for electric control or distribution of electricity, for a voltage not 

exceeding 1,000 v 2 2 2 -8.8

0910.99 Spices, n.e.s.o.i. 1 2 2 5.8

0812.90 Fruit, n.e.s.o.i., and nuts, provisionally preserved, but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption 1 2 2 5.9

Total of items shown 1,879 1,414 832 -41.1

All other HTS products 94 128 43 -66.1

Total of all commodities 1,973 1,542 876 -43.2

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included; kva = kilovolt-amps. a Less than $500,000.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |243

Table A.24 U.S. imports for consumption claiming eligibility under CBERA, by source, 2014–16

Source 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Thousand $

Trinidad and Tobago 1,234,474 830,265 383,460 -53.8

Haiti 405,395 433,411 317,860 -26.7

Jamaica 71,779 81,563 75,189 -7.8

Bahamas 158,191 88,389 68,403 -22.6

Belize 60,582 36,881 17,136 -53.5

St. Kitts and Nevis 18,341 10,481 7,304 -30.3

Barbados 5,295 22,570 2,254 -90.0

Grenada 443 1,728 1,809 4.7

Guyana 11,857 34,912 1,552 -95.6

St. Lucia 1,162 1,301 561 -56.8

Curaçao 5,365 3 85 3,168.9

St. Vincent and the Grenadines 182 16 45 186.6

Antigua Barbuda 19 82 37 -54.1

Dominica 66 77 22 -71.0

Aruba 75 93 15 -84.1

British Virgin Islands 50 9 9 2.5

Montserrat 0 0 0 (

a

)

Total U.S. imports for consumption under CBERA 1,973,277 1,541,778 875,744 -43.2

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. 

a Undefined.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Table A.25 WTO dispute settlement cases to which the United States was a party, developments in 

2016

Case no. Title Complainant Action (month/day/year)

DS217 United States—Continued 

Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act 

of 2000 (CDSOA or Byrd 

Amendment)

Australia, Brazil, 

Chile, European 

Communities 

(EC), India, 

Indonesia, Japan, 

South Korea, 

Thailand

Complaining parties request consultations (12/21/00).

Panel is established (08/23/01) and composed (10/25/01).

Panel report is circulated (09/16/02).

U.S. notifies Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) it will appeal panel decision 

(10/18/02).

Appellate Body report is circulated (01/16/03).

Arbitrator finds that U.S. has failed to implement the DSB 

recommendations and rulings (01/15/04).

Arbitrator circulates decisions relating to a level of suspension of 

concessions to offset disbursements under the CDSOA (08/31/04).

Authority to retaliate granted (11/26/04, 12/17/04).

DSB authorizes or takes note of various requests or agreements to suspend 

concessions (2004–05).

U.S. states at DSB meeting that recent changes bring U.S. law into 

conformity with its WTO obligations (02/17/06).

Japan and EC notify DSB annually of the new list of products on which the 

additional import duty would apply, before the entry into force of a level of 

suspension of concessions (2006–14).

Japan notifies DSB that, because the level of authorization was marginal, no 

suspension of concessions would be applied for the 10th year starting 

September 1, 2014 (08/18/14).

Japan notifies DSB that it will continue its non-application of the suspension 

of concessions because the authorized level continues to be marginal 

(09/18/15).

Japan notifies DSB that it will continue its non-application of the suspension 

of concessions because the authorized level continues to be marginal 

(08/22/16).

DS316 European Communities—

Measures Affecting Trade in 

Large Civil Aircraft

United States U.S. requests consultations with EC (10/06/04).

Panel is established (07/20/05) and composed (10/17/05).

Panel report is circulated (06/30/10).

European Union (EU) notifies DSB it will appeal decision to Appellate Body 

(07/21/10); U.S. does the same (08/19/10).

Appellate Body report is circulated (05/18/11).

DSB adopts Appellate Body and panel reports (06/01/11).

EU informs DSB it intends to implement DSB recommendation (06/17/11).

EU informs DSB it has taken steps to bring its measures into conformity 

with obligations (12/01/11).

U.S. requests consultations with EU under Article 21.5 and requests 

authority to take countermeasures (12/09/11).

EU objects to requested level of U.S. measures and requests matter be 

referred to arbitration under Article 22.6; DSB refers to arbitration 

(12/22/11).

U.S. and EU request arbitrator to suspend work (01/19/12). Arbitrator 

suspends work until either party requests resumption (01/20/12).

U.S. requests establishment of an Article 21.5 panel (03/30/12); panel 

established (04/13/12).

Panel report issued (09/22/16).

EU notifies the Appellate Body of its decision to appeal certain issues of law 

and interpretation in the panel report (10/13/16).

U.S. notifies the Appellate Body of its decision to appeal certain issues of 

law and interpretation in the panel report (11/10/16).
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |245

Case no. Title Complainant Action (month/day/year)

DS322 United States—Measures 

Relating to Zeroing and Sunset 

Reviews

Japan Japan requests consultations (11/24/04).

Panel is established (02/28/05) and composed (04/15/05).

Panel report is circulated (09/20/06).

Japan informs DSB it will appeal the decision (10/11 /06); U.S. informs DSB 

it will also appeal (10/23/06).

Appellate Body report is circulated (01/9/07).

DSB adopts Appellate Body and panel reports (01/23/07).

Implementation of adopted reports. Japan asks that a reasonable period of 

time for implementation be determined by binding arbitration pursuant to 

Article 21.3(c) of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU) (03/29/07); 

DSB appoints arbitrator ((04/27/07). U.S. and Japan inform DSB they have 

agreed on a reasonable period of time, expiring December 24, 2007, and no 

longer seek to have the reasonable period of time determined through 

binding arbitration (05/04/07). 

Compliance proceedings. Japan requests establishment of a compliance 

panel (04/07/08), and DSB refers to the original panel (04/18/08). Article 

21.5 compliance panel report is circulated (04/24/09). U.S. notifies DSB it 

will appeal compliance panel decision to the Appellate Body (05/20/09). 

Article 21.5 Appellate Body report is circulated (08/18/09), and DSB adopts 

Appellate Body and compliance panel reports (08/31/09).

Proceedings under Article 22 of the DSU (remedies). Japan seeks 

authorization to suspend concessions pursuant to Article 22.2 of the DSU 

(01/10/08). U.S. objects to the level of suspension and requests the matter 

be referred to arbitration under Article 22.6 of the DSU (01/18/08). DSB 

agrees to refer to arbitration (01/21/08). U.S. and Japan ask arbitrator to 

suspend work (06/06/08); Japan asks arbitrator to resume (04/23/10); U.S. 

and Japan ask arbitrator to suspend work (12/15/10); and U.S. and Japan 

inform DSB of a memorandum of understanding regarding the dispute 

(02/06/12). Japan withdraws request for authorization to suspend 

concessions/obligations under Article 22.6 after U.S. completes steps 

notified to DSB in February 2012 (08/03/12). Following receipt of a request 

from Japan and U.S., arbitrator informs DSB that no award is necessary, 

that it is not necessary to issue a decision, and that work is considered 

completed (08/14/12).

DS350 United States—Continued 

Existence and Application of 

Zeroing Methodology

European 

Communities

EC requests consultations (10/02/06).

Panel is established (06/04/07) and composed (07/06/07).

Panel report is circulated (10/01/08).

EC (11/06/08) and U.S. (11/18/08) notify DSB of decision to appeal.

Appellate Body report is circulated (02/04/09); DSB adopts Appellate Body 

and panel reports (02/19/09).

U.S. and EC agree that a reasonable period for U.S. to implement DSB’s 

recommendations and rulings is by December 19, 2009 (06/02/09).

EU and U.S. notify DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 22 

(01/04/10).

EU and U.S. inform DSB of a memorandum between the U.S. and the

European Commission which envisages a roadmap addressing the dispute 

(02/06/12).
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Case no. Title Complainant Action (month/day/year)

DS353 United States—Measures 

Affecting Trade in Large Civil 

Aircraft—Second Complaint

European 

Communities

EC requests consultations (06/27/05).

Panel is established (02/17/06) and composed (11/22/06).

Panel chairman informs DSB multiple times that panel needs additional 

time to complete work in light of complexities of the dispute (05/18/07, 

07/11/08, 12/16/09, 07/07/10).

Panel report is circulated (03/31/11).

EU notifies DSB that it will appeal the decision to the Appellate Body 

(04/01/11); U.S. also notifies its decision to appeal (04/28/11).

Appellate Body report is circulated (03/12/12); DSB adopts Appellate Body 

and panel reports (03/23/12).

U.S. informs DSB it intends to implement DSB recommendations and rulings 

(04/13/12).

EU and U.S. inform DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 22 of 

DSU and Article 7 of Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures 

(SCM Agreement) (04/24/12).

U.S. notifies DSB of withdrawal of subsidies and removal of adverse effects 

in this dispute, and that it fully complies with DSB recommendations and 

rulings (09/23/12).

Compliance proceedings: EU requests consultations under Article 21.5 

(09/25/12), and then requests establishment of a compliance panel 

(10/11/12). A compliance panel is composed (10/30/12). The chair initially 

informs DSB that, due to the scale and complexity of the dispute, the panel 

expects to circulate its report within the first half of 2014 (01/15/13). The 

chair later informs DSB that the panel does not expect to complete its work 

before mid-2015 (05/27/14); still later, that it will not complete it before 

mid-2016 (06/27/16).

Countermeasures: EU requests authority to take countermeasures under 

Article 22 of the DSU (remedies) and Articles 4, 10, and 7.9 of the SCM 

Agreement (09/27/12). U.S. objects to the level of suspension of 

concessions and other obligations, and refers the matter to arbitration 

under Article 22.6 of the DSU (10/22/12). At DSB meeting the two parties 

agree to refer the matter to arbitration (10/23/10). U.S. and EU later ask 

the arbitrator to suspend arbitration proceedings (11/27/12), and the 

arbitrator suspends proceedings (11/28/12).

DS363 China—Measures Affecting 

Trading Rights and Distribution 

Services for Certain Publications 

and Audiovisual Entertainment 

Products

United States U.S. requests consultations with China (04/10/07).

Panel is established (11/27/07) and composed (03/27/08).

Panel report is circulated (08/12/09).

China (09/22/09) and U.S. (10/05/09) notify DSB of their respective 

decisions to appeal the panel decision to the Appellate Body.

Appellate Body report is circulated (12/21/09).

DSB adopts Appellate Body and panel reports (01/19/10).

China and U.S. inform DSB that they have agreed that a reasonable period 

for China to implement DSB recommendations and rulings is by March 14, 

2011 (07/12/10).

China reports to DSB that it has made efforts to implement DSB 

recommendations and rulings, but U.S. expresses concern about lack of 

progress by China (03/25/11).

U.S. and China inform DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 22 of 

the DSU (04/13/11).

China reports to DSB it has completed amendments to most measures and 

has signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. (02/22/12).

China tells DSB that it has ensured full implementation of DSB 

recommendations and rulings except for measures concerning films for 

theatrical release. U.S. states that it is not in a position to agree that China 

has fully implemented DSB recommendations and rulings in all areas except 

films for theatrical release (03/23/12).

China and U.S. inform DSB of key elements relating to theatrical release as 

set forth in the memorandum of understanding noted at the February 22, 

2012, DSB meeting (05/09/12).

China tells DSB it has taken all necessary steps and has complied with DSB 

recommendations. U.S. says that the memorandum of understanding 

(MOU) represented significant progress but not a final resolution 

(05/24/12).
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |247

Case no. Title Complainant Action (month/day/year)

DS379 United States—Definitive Antidumping and Countervailing 

Duties on Certain Products from 

China

China China requests consultations with U.S. (09/19/08).

Panel is established (01/20/09) and composed (03/04/09).

Panel report is circulated (10/22/10).

China notifies DSB it will appeal the panel’s decision to the Appellate Body 

(12/01/10).

Appellate Body report is circulated (03/11/11).

DSB adopts Appellate Body and panel reports (03/25/11).

China and U.S. inform DSB that they have agreed that a reasonable time for 

U.S. to implement DSB’s recommendations and rulings is by February 25, 

2012 (07/05/11).

China and U.S. inform DSB that they have modified the reasonable time 

period, with the period to expire April 25, 2012 (01/17/12).

China and U.S. notify DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 22 of 

the DSU (05/11/12).

U.S. tells DSB it has brought the measures at issue into full compliance with 

DSB recommendations and rulings (08/31/12); however, China says that it 

does not agree with U.S. claim to that effect (09/28/12).

DS381 United States—Measures 

Concerning the Importation, 

Marketing and Sale of Tuna and 

Tuna Products

Mexico Mexico requests consultations with U.S. (10/24/08).

Panel is established (04/20/09) and composed (12/14/09).

Panel chairman informs DSB that the panel expects to issue report in 

February 2011 (06/15/10).

Parties agree on new panel member following death of one member 

(08/12/10).

Panel report is circulated (09/15/11).

U.S. notifies DSB of its decision to appeal the panel’s decision (01/20/12); 

Mexico does the same (01/25/12).

Appellate Body report is circulated (05/16/12); DSB adopts the Appellate 

Body and panel reports (06/13/12).

U.S. states that it intends to implement DSB recommendations and rulings 

(06/25/12), and U.S. and Mexico inform DSB that they have agreed that a 

reasonable period of time to do so is by July 13, 2013 (09/17/12).

U.S. advises DSB that it has made effective a final rule amending dolphinsafe labeling requirements for tuna and tuna products, bringing its 

requirements into compliance (07/23/13).

Mexico and U.S. inform DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 22 

of the DSU (08/02/13).

Compliance proceedings. Mexico requests establishment of a compliance 

panel (11/14/13); DSB agrees to refer to the original panel (01/22/14); 

panel is composed (01/27/14).

Compliance panel report circulated to members (04/14/15).

U.S. notifies DSB of its decision to appeal certain issues of law covered in 

the compliance panel report (06/05/15); Mexico files an appeal in the same 

dispute (06/10/15).

Appellate Body report is circulated to members (11/20/15).

DSB adopts Article 21.5 Appellate Body reports and panel reports, as 

modified by Appellate Body reports (12/03/15).Mexico requests Article 

22.2 authorization to suspend concessions (03/10/16).

U.S. requests Article 22.6 arbitration of Mexico’s request to suspend 

concessions (03/22/16) and requests establishment of an Article 21.5 panel 

to resolve disagreement over U.S. compliance measures (04/11/16). Panels 

established and composed (04/22/16, 05/27/16).

Mexico requests Article 21.5 (second recourse) consultations with U.S. 

(05/13/16); consultations held (06/02/16).

Mexico requests establishment of an Article 21.5 panel to resolve 

disagreement over the U.S. final rule as amended in 2016.

Article 21.5 panel established and composed, as requested by Mexico 

(07/11/16).

Due to the complexity of the case and ongoing arbitration proceedings, 

both U.S. and Mexican Article 21.5 panels inform DSB they expect to submit 

their reports by mid-May 2017 (11/18/16).
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Case no. Title Complainant Action (month/day/year)

DS384 United States—Certain Country 

of Origin Labelling (COOL) 

Requirements 

Canada Canada requests consultations with U.S. (12/01/08).

Single panel is established to examine this dispute and DS386 (11/19/09); 

panel composed (05/10/10).

Panel report is circulated (11/18/11).

U.S. notifies DSB that it will appeal the decision to the Appellate Body 

(03/23/12), and Canada notifies DSB it will do the same (03/28/12).

Appellate Body report is circulated (06/29/12); DSB adopts the Appellate 

Body and panel reports (07/23/12).

Reasonable period of time, arbitration. U.S. informs DSB it intends to 

implement DSB recommendations and rulings and will need a reasonable 

period of time to do so (08/21/12). Canada requests that reasonable time 

to implement be determined through binding arbitration (09/13/12), and

requests that the Director-General appoint an arbitrator (09/26/12); 

arbitrator appointed (10/04/12). Arbitrator determines that the reasonable 

time is by May 23, 2013 (12/04/12). U.S. informs DSB that the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule that brings U.S. 

labelling requirements into compliance (05/24/13). Canada disagrees that 

changes bring U.S. requirements into compliance, and U.S. and Canada 

inform DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 22 of DSU 

(06/10/13).

Compliance proceedings. Canada requests establishment of a compliance 

panel (08/19/13); DSB refers to original panel if possible (09/25/13); 

compliance panel composed (09/27/13) to review matters in DS384 and 

DS386. Compliance panel issues report finding violation in this dispute and 

DS386 (10/20/14). U.S. notifies DSB it will appeal decision to the Appellate 

Body (11/28/14). Canada files appeal (12/12/14).

Compliance Appellate Body report is circulated to members (05/18/15).

DSB adopts Article 21.5 Appellate Body reports and panel reports, as 

modified by Appellate Body reports (05/29/15).

Canada requests authorization from DSB, pursuant to Article 22.2 of the 

DSU, to suspend application of certain tariff concessions and related 

obligations to U.S. under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 

(GATT) 1994 (06/04/15).

U.S. objects to level of suspension of concessions and obligations proposed 

by Canada (06/16/15).

DSB takes note that the matter has been referred to arbitration as required 

under Article 22.6 of the DSU ((06/17/15).

Decision of arbitrator is circulated to members (12/07/15).

Canada requests authorization from DSB to suspend application of certain 

tariff concessions and related obligations to U.S. under GATT 1994 in the 

amount of CAD $1,054,729 on an annual basis (12/07/15).

DSB authorizes Canada to suspend application to U.S. of concessions or 

other obligations (12/21/15).
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |249

Case no. Title Complainant Action (month/day/year)

DS386 United States—Certain Country 

of Origin Labelling 

Requirements

Mexico Mexico requests consultations with U.S. (12/17/08).

Single panel is established to examine this dispute and DS384 (11/19/09); 

panel composed (05/10/10).

Panel report is circulated (11/18/11).

U.S. notifies DSB that it will appeal decision to the Appellate Body 

(03/23/12), and Mexico notifies DSB it will do the same (03/28/12).

Appellate Body report is circulated (06/29/12); Appellate Body and panel 

reports are adopted (07/23/12).

Reasonable period of time, arbitration. U.S. informs DSB it intends to 

implement DSB recommendations and rulings (08/21/12). Mexico requests 

that reasonable time to implement be determined through binding 

arbitration (09/13/12), and requests that the Director-General appoint an 

arbitrator (09/26/12); arbitrator appointed (10/04/12). Arbitrator 

determines that the reasonable time is by May 23, 2013 (12/04/12). U.S. 

informs DSB that USDA has issued a final rule that brings U.S. labeling 

requirements into compliance (05/24/13). Mexico disagrees that changes 

bring U.S. requirements into compliance, and U.S. and Mexico inform DSB 

of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 22 of DSU (06/10/13).

Compliance proceedings. Mexico requests establishment of a compliance 

panel (08/19/13); DSB refers to original panel if possible (09/25/13); 

compliance panel composed (09/27/13) to review matters in DS384 and 

DS386. Compliance panel issues report finding violation in this dispute and 

DS384 (10/20/14). 

U.S. notifies DSB it will appeal decision to the Appellate Body (11/28/14). 

Mexico files appeal (12/12/14).

Compliance Appellate Body report is circulated (05/18/15).

DSB adopts the Article 21.5 Appellate Body reports and panel reports, as 

modified by the Appellate Body reports (05/29/15).

Mexico requests authorization from DSB, pursuant to Article 22.2 of the 

DSU, to suspend application of certain tariff concessions and related 

obligations to U.S. under GATT 1994 (06/04/15).

Mexico submits corrigendum concerning requested amount of suspension 

of concessions (06/12/15).

Mexico resubmits its request for DSB authorization to suspend concessions 

to U.S. under GATT 1994 (06/17/15).

U.S. objects to level of suspension of concessions or other obligations 

proposed by Mexico; parties agree that the matter has been referred to 

arbitration (06/22/15).

Decision of arbitrator circulated to members (12/07/15).

Mexico requests authorization from DSB to suspend application to U.S. of 

tariff concessions and other related obligations in the goods sector under 

GATT 1994 in an amount of US$227,758, 000 annually (12/07/15).

DSB authorizes Mexico to suspend application to U.S. of concessions or 

other obligations (12/21/15).

DS387 China—Grants, Loans and Other 

Incentives

United States U.S. requests consultations (12/19/08).

DS389 European Communities—

Certain Measures Affecting 

Poultry Meat and Poultry Meat 

Products from the United States

United States U.S. requests consultations (01/16/09).

Panel established (11/19/09).

DS403 Philippines—Taxes on Distilled 

Spirits

United States U.S. requests consultations (01/14/10).

Single panel established to consider DS403 and DS396 (complaint by EU) 

(04/20/10); panel composed (07/05/10).

Panel report circulated to members (08/15/11).

Philippines notifies DSB of its decision to appeal to the Appellate Body 

(09/23/11), as does EU (09/28/11).

Appellate Body report is circulated (12/21/11), and DSB adopts the 

Appellate Body and panel reports (01/20/12).

Philippines states that it intends to implement DSB’s recommendations and 

rulings and will require a reasonable period of time to do so (02/22/12), 

and Philippines and U.S. inform DSB that they have agreed that the 

reasonable period of time is by March 8, 2013 (04/20/12).

Philippines reports enactment of legislation that completes implementation 

of DSB’s recommendations and rulings (01/28/13).
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Case no. Title Complainant Action (month/day/year)

DS404 United States—Anti-dumping 

Measures on Certain Shrimp 

from Viet Nam

Vietnam Vietnam requests consultations (02/01/10).

Panel is established (05/18/10) and composed (07/26/10).

Panel report is circulated (07/11/11); and DSB adopts the panel report 

(09/02/11).

Vietnam and U.S. inform DSB they have agreed that a reasonable period of 

time for U.S. to implement DSB recommendations is by July 2, 2012 

(10/31/11).

Vietnam and U.S. inform DSB they have reached a mutually agreed solution 

(07/22/16).

DS406 United States—Measures 

Affecting the Production and 

Sale of Clove Cigarettes

Indonesia Indonesia requests consultations (04/07/10).

Panel established (07/20/10) and composed (09/09/10).

Panel report circulated to members (09/02/11).

U.S. notifies DSB of its decision to appeal to the Appellate Body (01/05/12).

Appellate Body report is circulated to members (04/04/12) and adopted 

(04/24/12).

U.S. informs DSB of its intent to implement DSB recommendations and 

rulings in a manner that protects public health and respects its WTO 

obligations, and states that it will need a reasonable period of time to do so 

(05/24/12).

Indonesia and U.S. inform DSB that the reasonable period of time is by July 

24, 2013 (06/14/12).

Proceedings under Article 22 of the DSU (remedies). Indonesia requests 

authorization from DSB to suspend concessions or other obligations under 

Article 22.2 of the DSU (08/12/13). U.S. objects to level of suspension of 

concessions or other obligations and refers the matter to arbitration 

pursuant to Article 22.6 of the DSU (08/22/13). Matter referred to 

arbitration at DSB meeting (08/23/13). U.S. and Indonesia request 

arbitrator to suspend circulation of arbitrator’s award (06/23/14), and 

arbitrator does so (06/24/14). U.S. and Indonesia notify DSB they have 

reached a mutually agreed solution, and that Indonesia is withdrawing its 

request to suspend concessions or other obligations (10/03/14). Chair of 

arbitrator notifies DSB it is not necessary to issue a decision, and that the 

arbitrator has completed its work (10/08/14).

DS413 China—Certain Measures 

Affecting Electronic Payment 

Services

United States U.S. requests consultations (09/15/10).

Panel is established (03/25/11) and composed (07/04/11).

Panel report is circulated to members (07/16/12) and adopted by DSB 

(08/31/12).

China states that it intends to implement DSB’s recommendations and 

rulings and will need a reasonable period of time to do so (09/28/12).

China and U.S. inform DSB that the reasonable period of time for China to 

implement is by July 31, 2013 (11/22/12).

China reports to DSB that it has fully implemented DSB’s recommendations 

and rulings; U.S. states that it does not agree, and that it will monitor and 

review China’s actions (07/23/13).

China and U.S. inform DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 22 of 

the DSU (08/19/13).
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |251

Case no. Title Complainant Action (month/day/year)

DS414 China—Countervailing and Antidumping Duties on Grain 

Oriented Flat-rolled Electrical 

Steel from the United States

United States U.S. requests consultations (09/15/10).

Panel established (03/25/11) and composed (05/10/11).

Panel report circulated to members (06/15/12).

China notifies DSB of its decision to appeal to the Appellate Body 

(07/20/12).

Appellate Body report is circulated to members (10/18/12) and adopted by 

DSB (11/16/12).

Reasonable period of time; arbitrator’s determination. China states that it 

intends to implement DSB’s recommendations and rulings and will need a 

reasonable period of time to do so (11/30/12). U.S. requests that the 

reasonable period of time be determined through binding arbitration 

pursuant to Article 21.3(c) of the DSU (02/08/13). Director-General 

appoints arbitrator (02/28/13). Arbitration report circulated; arbitrator 

determines that the reasonable period of time is by July 31, 2013 

(05/03/13). China and U.S. inform DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 

21 and 22 of DSU (08/19/13). China and U.S. inform DSB of agreed 

procedures under Articles 21 and 22 of DSU (08/19/13).

Compliance proceedings. U.S. requests consultations pursuant to Article 

21.5 of the DSU (01/13/14). U.S. requests establishment of a compliance 

panel (02/13/14); DSB agrees to refer to original panel if possible 

(02/26/14); the panel is composed (03/17/14). 

Compliance panel report circulated to members (07/31/15).

DSB adopts compliance panel report (08/31/15).

China informs DSB that the antidumping and countervailing duty measures 

on imports of grain-oriented flat-rolled electrical steel (GOES) from the U.S. 

expired on April 10, 2015 (08/31/15).

DS419 China—Measures Concerning 

Wind Power Equipment

United States U.S. requests consultations (12/22/10).

EU and Japan request to join consultations (01/12/11 and 01/17/11, 

respectively).

DS420 United States—Anti-dumping 

Measures on CorrosionResistant Carbon Steel Flat 

Products from Korea

South Korea South Korea requests consultations (01/31/11).

South Korea requests establishment of a panel (09/15/11).

South Korea withdraws request for panel (09/27/11).

South Korea requests establishment of a panel (02/09/12).

South Korea informs DSB of agreement on procedures between U.S. and 

South Korea (02/14/12).

Panel is established (02/22/12).

Before the panel is composed, South Korea requests that panel proceedings 

be suspended in accordance with Article 12.12 of the DSU until further 

notification (06/12/12).

DS422 United States—Anti-dumping 

Measures on Shrimp and 

Diamond Sawblades from China

China China requests consultations (02/28/11).

Panel is established (10/25/11) and composed (12/21/11).

Panel report is circulated (06/08/12), and DSB adopts panel report 

(07/23/12).

China and U.S. inform DSB that they have agreed that the reasonable 

period of time for U.S. to implement is by March 23, 2013 (07/27/12).

U.S. informs DSB that it has fully implemented DSB recommendations and 

rulings; China states that it does not share U.S. view, as U.S. has not 

revoked antidumping duty on sawblades (03/26/13). 

DS424 United States—Anti-dumping 

Measures on Imports of 

Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip 

in Coils from Italy

European Union EU requests consultations (04/01/11).

Japan requests to join the consultations (04/18/11).
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Case no. Title Complainant Action (month/day/year)

DS427 China—Anti-dumping and 

Countervailing Duty Measures 

on Broiler Products from the 

United States

United States U.S. requests consultations (09/20/11).

Panel established (01/20/12) and composed (05/24/12).

Panel report circulated (08/02/13) and is adopted by DSB (09/25/13).

China informs DSB it intends to implement DSB recommendations and 

rulings (10/22/13).

China and U.S. inform DSB that they have agreed that a reasonable period 

of time to implement is by July 9, 2014 (12/19/13).

China informs DSB that it has fully implemented DSB recommendations and 

rulings, but U.S. disagrees that China has fully complied (07/22/14).

China and U.S. inform DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 22 of 

the DSU (07/15/14).

U.S. requests Article 21.5 consultations for China’s failure to comply with 

DSB recommendations (05/10/16).

DS429 United States—Anti-Dumping 

Measures on Certain Shrimp 

from Viet Nam

Vietnam Vietnam requests consultations (02/20/12).

Panel is established (02/27/13) and composed (07/12/13).

Panel report is circulated (11/17/14). Vietnam notifies DSB it will appeal 

decision to the Appellate Body (01/06/15).

Appellate Body report is circulated to members (04/07/15).

DSB adopts Appellate Body report and panel report, as upheld by the 

Appellate Body report (04/22/15).

U.S. informs DSB that it intends to implement DSB’s recommendations and 

ruling, and will need a reasonable period of time to do so (05/20/15).

Vietnam requests that the reasonable period of time be determined 

through binding arbitration pursuant to Article 21.3(c) of the DSU 

(09/17/15).

Award of the arbitrator is circulated; arbitrator determines the reasonable 

period of time is 15 months, to expire on July 22, 2016 (12/15/15).

DS430 India—Measures Concerning 

the Importation of Certain 

Agricultural Products from the 

United States

United States U.S. requests consultations (03/06/12).

Panel is established (06/25/12) and composed (02/18/13).

Panel report is circulated (10/14/14). India and U.S. request DSB to extend 

period for filing an appeal by 60 days (11/06/14), and DSB agrees 

(11/18/14).

India notifies DSB it will appeal the decision to the Appellate Body 

(01/26/15).

Appellate Body issues its report (06/04/15).

DSB adopts the Appellate Body report and the panel report, as modified by 

the Appellate Body report (06/19/15).

India informs DSB it intends to implement DSB’s recommendations and 

rulings and will need a reasonable period of time to do so (07/13/15).

India and U.S. inform DSB that they have agreed that the reasonable period 

of time is 12 months, to expire on June 19, 2016 (12/08/15).

U.S. requests authorization to suspend concessions for India’s failure to 

comply with DSB recommendations (07/07/16).

India requests Article 22.6 arbitration of U.S. request to suspend 

concessions (07/18/16).
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |253

Case no. Title Complainant Action (month/day/year)

DS431 China—Measures Related to 

the Exportation of Rare Earths, 

Tungsten and Molybdenum

United States U.S. requests consultations (03/13/12).

Single panel is established to examine DS431 (as well as DS432 and DS433,

brought by EU and Japan) (07/23/12); panel is composed (09/24/12).

Panel report is circulated (03/26/14).

U.S. notifies DSB that it will appeal the decision to the Appellate Body 

(04/08/14); China notifies DSB it will appeal the decision in this dispute 

(04/17/14) and the other two disputes (04/25/14).

Appellate Body issues three reports in one document (08/07/14); DSB 

adopts Appellate Body and panel reports (08/29/14).

China informs DSB that it intends to implement DSB’s recommendations 

and rulings, and will need a reasonable period of time to do so (09/26/14). 

China and U.S. inform DSB they have agreed that the reasonable period of 

time will expire on May 2, 2015 (12/08/14).

China informs DSB that the export duties and export quotas and restrictions 

on trading rights of exporting enterprises that were found to be 

inconsistent with WTO rules have been removed and that China has fully 

implemented DSB’s recommendations and rulings; U.S. indicates it does not 

share China’s assessment that China has fully complied (05/20/15).

China and U.S. inform DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 22 of 

the DSU (05/21/15). 

DS436 United States—Countervailing 

Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled 

Carbon Steel Flat Products from 

India

India India requests consultations (04/12/12).

Panel is established (08/31/12) and composed (02/18/13).

Panel report is circulated (07/14/14).

India notifies DSB that it will appeal the decision (08/08/14); U.S. files an 

appeal (08/13/14).

Appellate Body issues its report (12/08/14); and DSB adopts the Appellate 

Body and panel reports (12/19/14).

U.S. informs DSB that it intends to implement DSB’s recommendations and 

rulings and will need a reasonable period of time to do so (01/16/15).

India and U.S. inform DSB of agreed procedures under DSU Articles 21 and 

22 for a reasonable period of time (05/06/16).

DS437 United States—Countervailing 

Duty Measures on Certain 

Products from China

China China requests consultations (05/25/12).

Panel is established (09/28/12) and composed (11/26/12).

Panel report is circulated (07/14/14).

China appeals the panel decision to the Appellate Body (08/22/14); U.S. 

files a cross-appeal of a preliminary determination by the panel (08/27/14).

Appellate Body issues its report (12/18/14); DSB adopts Appellate Body and 

panel reports (01/16/15).

U.S. informs DSB that it intends to implement DSB’s recommendations and 

rulings and that it will need a reasonable period of time to do so 

(02/13/15).

China requests that the reasonable period of time be determined through 

binding arbitration pursuant to Article 21.3(c) of the DSU (06/26/15).

China requests the Director-General to appoint the arbitrator (07/09/15); 

the Director-General appoints the arbitrator (07/17/15).

Award of the arbitrator is circulated to members. The arbitrator determines 

that the reasonable period of time expires on April 1, 2016 (10/09/15).

China and U.S. inform DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 22 of 

the DSU (04/15/16).

China requests DSU Article 21.5 consultations (05/13/16) and subsequently 

establishment of an Article 21.5 panel (07/08/16).

Article 21.5 Panel is established (07/21/16) and composed (10/05/16).

DS440 China—Anti-dumping and 

Countervailing Duties on 

Certain Automobiles from the 

United States

United States U.S. requests consultations (07/05/12).

Panel is established (10/23/12) and composed (02/11/13).

Panel report is circulated (05/23/14) and adopted by DSB (06/18/14).
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Case no. Title Complainant Action (month/day/year)

DS444 Argentina—Measures Affecting 

the Importation of Goods

United States U.S. requests consultations (08/21/12).

Single panel is established to examine DS438, DS44, and DS445 (01/28/13); 

the panel is composed (05/27/13).

Panel report is circulated (08/22/14).

Argentina notifies DSB of its decision to appeal (09/26/14).

Appellate Body issues its reports in DS438, DS444, and DS445 (01/15/15); 

DSB adopts the Appellate Body and panel reports (01/26/15).

Argentina informs DSB that it intends to implement DSB’s 

recommendations and rulings and that it will need a reasonable period of 

time to do so (02/23/15).

Argentina and U.S. inform DSB that they have agreed that the reasonable 

period of time will expire on December 31, 2015 (07/02/15).

U.S. and Argentina inform DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 

22 of the DSU (01/18/16). 

DS447 United States—Measures 

Affecting the Importation of 

Animals, Meat and Other 

Animal Products from Argentina

Argentina Argentina requests consultations (08/30/12).

Panel is established (01/28/13) and composed (08/08/13).

Panel report is circulated to members (07/24/15).

DSB adopts the panel report (08/31/15).

DS448 United States—Measures 

Affecting the Importation of 

Fresh Lemons

Argentina Argentina requests consultations (09/03/12).

Argentina requests establishment of a panel (12/06/12); establishment is 

deferred (12/17/12).

DS449 United States—Countervailing 

and Anti-dumping Measures on 

Certain Products from China

China China requests consultations (09/17/12).

Panel is established (12/17/12) and composed (03/04/13).

Panel report is circulated (03/27/14).

China notifies DSB it will appeal the decision to the Appellate Body 

(04/08/14); U.S. notifies DSB of its decision to appeal (04/17/14).

Appellate Body issues its report (07/07/14), and DSB adopts the Appellate 

Body and panel reports (07/22/14); U.S. informs DSB it intends to 

implement DSB recommendations and rulings and will need a reasonable 

period of time to do so (08/21/14).

China and U.S. inform DSB that they have agreed that the reasonable 

period of time would expire on July 22, 2015 (02/20/15).

China and U.S. inform DSB that they have mutually agreed to modify the 

reasonable period time to expire on August 5, 2015 (07/23/15).

China and U.S. inform DSB of agreed procedures under Articles 21 and 22 of 

the DSU (08/21/15).

DS450 China—Certain Measures 

Affecting the Automobile and 

Automobile-Parts Industries

United States U.S. requests consultations (09/17/12).

DS455 Indonesia—Importation of 

Horticultural Products, Animals 

and Animal Products

United States U.S. requests consultations (01/10/13).

Panel is established (04/24/13).

DS456 India—Certain Measures 

Relating to Solar Cells and Solar 

Modules

United States U.S. requests consultations (02/06/13); U.S. requests supplementary

consultations (02/10/14).

Panel is established (05/23/14) and composed (09/24/14).

Panel report is circulated to members (02/24/16).

Panel chair informs DSB that it issued the final report to the parties on 

August 28, 2015, and that public circulation was originally scheduled for 

late December 2015; due to several requests from the parties, circulation 

has been delayed because of continuing discussions relating to the dispute 

(02/25/16).

India notifies DSB of its decision to appeal to the Appellate Body certain 

issues of law and legal interpretation in the panel report (04/20/16).

Appellate Body report circulated (09/16/16).

DSB adopts the panel and Appellate Body reports (10/26/16).

DS464 United States—Anti-dumping 

and Countervailing Measures 

on Large Residential Washers 

from Korea

South Korea South Korea requests consultations (08/29/13).

Panel is established (01/22/14) and composed (06/20/14).

Panel report is circulated to members (03/11/16).

U.S. notifies DSB of its decision to appeal to the Appellate Body certain 

issues of law and legal interpretation in the panel report (04/19/16).

Appellate Body report circulated (09/07/16).

Appellate Body and panel reports adopted (09/26/16).

South Korea requests arbitration of the reasonable period of time for 

implementation (12/09/16).
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U.S. International Trade Commission |255

Case no. Title Complainant Action (month/day/year)

DS465 Indonesia—Importation of 

Horticultural Products, Animals 

and Animal Products 

United States U.S. requests consultations (08/30/13).

DS471 United States—Certain 

Methodologies and Their 

Application to Anti-dumping 

Proceedings Involving China

China China requests consultations (12/3/13).

Panel is established (03/26/14) and composed (08/28/14).

Chair of panel informs DSB that the start of proceedings has been deferred 

due to unavailability of Secretariat lawyers, and that in light of amount and 

complexity of work involved, the panel expects to issue its final report in 

June 2016 (02/23/15).

Panel report is circulated (10/19/16).

China notifies DSB of its decision to appeal certain issues of law and legal 

interpretation in the panel report (11/18/16).

DS478 Indonesia—Importation of 

Horticultural Products, Animals 

and Animal Products

United States U.S. requests consultations (05/08/14).

U.S. requests establishment of a panel (03/18/15); panel established 

(05/20/15); panel composed (10/08/15).

Panel report is circulated (12/22/16).

DS487 United States—Conditional Tax 

Incentives for Large Civil 

Aircraft

European Union EU requests consultations (12/19/14).

EU requests establishment of a panel (02/12/15); panel established 

(02/23/15); panel composed (04/13/15).

Panel report is circulated (11/28/16).

U.S. notifies DSB of its decision to appeal certain issues of law and legal 

interpretation in the panel report (12/16/16).

DS488 United States—Anti-dumping 

Measures on Certain Oil 

Country Tubular Goods from 

Korea

South Korea South Korea requests consultations (12/22/14).

South Korea requests establishment of a panel (02/23/15). 

DSB establishes panel (03/25/15).

Parties agree on composition of the panel (07/13/15).

DS489 China—Measures Related to 

Demonstration Bases and 

Common Service Platforms 

Programmes

United States U.S. requests consultations (02/11/15).

U.S. requests establishment of a panel (04/09/15).

DSB establishes a panel (04/22/15).

China and U.S. inform DSB that they have reached an agreement in relation 

to the dispute in the form of a memorandum of understanding (04/14/16).

DS491 United States—Anti-dumping 

Measures and Countervailing 

Measures on Certain Coated 

Paper from Indonesia

Indonesia Indonesia requests consultations (03/13/15).

Indonesia requests establishment of a panel (07/09/15).

DSB establishes a panel (09/28/15).

Indonesia requests the Director-General to compose the panel (01/25/16); 

panel composed (02/04/16).

DS501 China—Tax Measures 

Concerning Certain 

Domestically Produced Aircraft

United States U.S. requests consultations (12/08/15).

DS503 United States—Measures 

Concerning Non-Immigrant 

Visas

India India requests consultations (03/03/16).

DS505 United States—Countervailing 

Measures on Supercalendered 

Paper from Canada

Canada Canada requests consultations (03/30/16).

Canada requests establishment of a panel (06/09/16).

DSB establishes a panel (07/21/16).

DS508 China—Export Duties on Certain 

Raw Materials

United States U.S. requests consultations (07/13/16).

DSB establishes a panel (11/08/16).

DS510 U.S.—Certain Measures 

Relating to the Renewable 

Energy Sector

India India requests consultations (09/09/16).

DS511 China—Domestic Support for 

Agricultural Producers

United States U.S. requests consultations (09/13/16).

DS514 United States—Countervailing 

Measures on Cold- and HotRolled Steel Flat Products from 

Brazil

Brazil Brazil requests consultations (11/11/16).

DS515 United States—Measures 

Related to Price Comparison 

Methodologies

China China requests consultations (12/12/16).

DS517 China—Tariff Rate Quotas for 

Certain Agricultural Products

United States U.S. requests consultations (12/15/16).

Source: WTO, “Chronological List of Dispute Cases,” https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_status_e.htm.
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Table A.26 NAFTA Chapter 19 substantive challenges to original and five-year review determinations of 

USITC and USDOC, developments in 2016

File no. Dispute Action (month/day/year)

MEX-USA-2012-1904-01 Chicken Thighs and Legs from the United 

States (AD) (Investigating authority: Secretaría 

de Economía)

Request for panel review (09/03/12). Oral 

argument hearing date (08/25/15). Decision 

date (04/21/17). Status: Active.

MEX-USA-2012-1904-02 Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (AD) 

(Investigating authority: Secretaría de 

Economía)

Request for panel review (10/09/12). Oral 

argument hearing date (03/10/15).Decision 

date (11/26/15). Status: Active.

MEX-USA-2015-1904-01 Ammonium Sulfate from U.S. and China (AD) 

(investigating authority: Secretaría de 

Economía)

Request for panel review (11/06/15). Status: 

Active.

MEX-USA-2016-1904-01 Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (AD) 

(Investigating authority: Secretaría de 

Economía)

Request for panel review (06/24/2016).

Status: Active.

USA-CDA-2015-1904-01 Supercalendered Paper from Canada (AD) 

(Investigating authority: International Trade 

Administration)

Request for panel review (11/18/15).Oral 

argument hearing date (10/25/16); Decision 

date (04/13/17). Status: Active.

USA-CDA-2015-1904-02 Supercalendered Paper from Canada (AD) 

(Investigating authority: U.S. International 

Trade Commission)

Request for panel review (12/30/15); request 

withdrawn (01/13/16). Status: Terminated.

USA-CDA-2016-1904-01 Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin from 

Canada (Investigating authority: U.S. 

International Trade Commission)

Request for panel review (06/06/16). Decision: 

complaint not filed in a timely manner 

(07/07/16). Status: Terminated.

USA-MEX-2014-1904-02 Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Mexico 

and Turkey (AD) (Investigating authority: U.S. 

International Trade Commission)

Request for panel review (12/01/14). Oral 

argument hearing date (03/16/16). Decision 

date (02/02/17). Status: Completed.

Source: NAFTA Secretariat, “Status Report: NAFTA and FTA Dispute Settlement Proceedings,” http://www.nafta-secalena.org/en/StatusReport.aspx (accessed June 6, 2017).

Note: This list includes active cases during 2016, including those in which little if any formal action occurred during 2016. AD stands for 

antidumping duty.
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U.S. International Trade Commission |257

Table A.27 U.S. total exports to the EU, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 14,828 14,142 13,329 -5.8

2 Forest products 5,274 5,339 5,119 -4.1

3 Chemicals and related products 59,105 62,915 60,634 -3.6

4 Energy-related products 23,938 16,753 14,544 -13.2

5 Textiles and apparel 2,600 2,612 2,563 -1.9

6 Footwear 105 89 88 -1.4

7 Minerals and metals 24,460 22,405 21,973 -1.9

8 Machinery 21,126 20,777 20,035 -3.6

9 Transportation equipment 56,791 59,713 63,880 7.0

10 Electronic products 49,449 48,382 47,854 -1.1

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 10,511 10,445 12,043 15.3

12 Special provisions 8,022 8,417 8,264 -1.8

Total 276,208 271,988 270,325 -0.6

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

Table A.28 U.S. general imports from the EU, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 22,799 23,523 24,785 5.4

2 Forest products 4,974 5,121 5,337 4.2

3 Chemicals and related products 96,207 105,936 106,653 0.7

4 Energy-related products 22,336 14,271 12,067 -15.4

5 Textiles and apparel 6,229 6,068 5,687 -6.3

6 Footwear 2,092 2,054 2,054 0.0

7 Minerals and metals 32,715 30,020 27,204 -9.4

8 Machinery 47,764 46,092 44,147 -4.2

9 Transportation equipment 100,170 105,942 95,782 -9.6

10 Electronic products 45,290 44,970 48,570 8.0

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 17,890 19,262 18,787 -2.5

12 Special provisions 22,126 24,303 25,592 5.3

Total 420,591 427,562 416,665 -2.5

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.
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Table A.29 Leading U.S. total exports to the EU, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8800.00 Civilian aircraft, engines, and parts 30,794 32,876 36,556 11.2

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 10,485 11,319 10,039 -11.3

3002.10 Antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products 6,904 8,351 10,010 19.9

2710.19 Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and products containing by weight 70 percent or more of 

petroleum oils, not biodiesel or waste 15,440 10,499 7,595 -27.7

9701.10 Paintings, drawings and pastels, hand-executed works of art, framed or not framed 3,839 3,593 4,908 36.6

9018.90 Instruments and appliances for medical, surgical or veterinary sciences, n.e.s.o.i., and parts and accessories thereof 4,382 4,393 4,373 -0.5

7108.12 Gold, nonmonetary, unwrought n.e.s.o.i. (other than powder) 3,293 3,670 3,983 8.5

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 3,554 3,692 3,961 7.3

8703.33 Passenger motor vehicles with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel), cylinder capacity over 2,500 cc 3,754 3,855 3,870 0.4

7102.39 Diamonds, nonindustrial, worked, including polished or drilled 4,355 3,535 3,692 4.4

8703.32 Passenger motor vehicles with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel), cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc 

but not over 2,500 cc 2,338 2,528 2,978 17.8

9018.39 Medical, etc. needles n.e.s.o.i., catheters, cannulae and the like; parts and accessories thereof 2,902 2,870 2,899 1.0

3822.00 Composite diagnostic or laboratory reagents, other than pharmaceutical preparations of heading 3002 or 3006 2,625 2,729 2,860 4.8

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc but 

not over 3,000 cc 1,974 1,748 2,317 32.6

1201.90 Soybeans, other than seed 1,860 1,898 1,877 -1.1

2701.12 Bituminous coal, whether or not pulverized, but not agglomerated 3,818 2,464 1,683 -31.7

7113.19 Jewelry and parts thereof, of precious metal other than silver 1,597 1,541 1,642 6.6

0802.12 Almonds, fresh or dried, shelled 1,675 1,792 1,515 -15.4

8411.99 Parts of gas turbines, n.e.s.o.i. (other than parts for turbojets or turbopropellers) 1,300 1,186 1,497 26.2

2709.00 Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, crude 193 302 1,466 386.4

3002.20 Vaccines for human medicine 1,411 2,216 1,416 -36.1

8703.24 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3,000 cc 992 1,230 1,402 14.0

9021.39 Artificial joints and parts and accessories thereof, n.e.s.o.i. 1,451 1,443 1,390 -3.7

8471.50 Digital processing units other than those of 8471.41 and 8471.49, n.e.s.o.i. 1,488 1,602 1,351 -15.7

9018.19 Electro-diagnostic apparatus (and apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological parameters) 

n.e.s.o.i., and parts, etc. 1,481 1,381 1,319 -4.5

Total of items shown 113,902 112,712 116,599 3.4

All other products 162,306 159,276 153,727 -3.5

Total of all commodities 276,208 271,988 270,325 -0.6

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |259

Table A.30 Leading U.S. general imports from the EU, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc 

but not over 3,000 cc 18,462 24,216 26,718 10.3

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 18,759 23,433 25,121 7.2

8703.24 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3,000 cc 18,371 17,934 13,518 -24.6

3002.10 Antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products 5,009 6,499 8,303 27.7

2710.12 Light oils and preparations containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals, not 

containing biodiesel, not waste oils 12,981 9,023 7,641 -15.3

8411.91 Parts of turbojets or turbopropellers 7,323 7,561 6,949 -8.1

8802.40 Airplanes and other aircraft n.e.s.o.i., of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000 kg 6,642 7,259 5,476 -24.6

3004.39 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc., containing hormones or other steroids used primarily as hormones, but not containing 

antibiotics, n.e.s.o.i. 3,738 4,535 5,370 18.4

9701.10 Paintings, drawings and pastels, hand-executed works of art, framed or not framed 4,931 6,759 5,236 -22.5

8803.30 Parts of airplanes or helicopters, n.e.s.o.i. 4,775 4,343 4,549 4.7

2934.99 Nucleic acids and their salts, whether or not chemically defined; other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.s.o.i. 4,852 7,245 4,343 -40.1

7102.39 Diamonds, nonindustrial, worked, including polished or drilled 4,107 4,062 3,672 -9.6

3002.20 Vaccines for human medicine 3,065 4,988 3,615 -27.5

3004.31 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc., containing insulin but not containing antibiotics 4,926 4,055 3,361 -17.1

8542.31 Processors and controllers, electronic integrated circuits 572 508 2,937 478.5

2204.21 Wine of fresh grapes (other than sparkling wine) and grape must with fermentation prevented, etc. By adding alcohol, 

containers of not over 2 liters 2,891 2,828 2,885 2.0

2935.00 Sulfonamides 2,038 2,609 2,885 10.6

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 2,544 2,447 2,878 17.6

2933.99 Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only, n.e.s.o.i. 1,955 2,331 2,867 23.0

8411.12 Turbojets of a thrust exceeding 25 kN 4,169 3,598 2,602 -27.7

9018.90 Instruments and appliances for medical, surgical or veterinary sciences, n.e.s.o.i., and parts and accessories thereof 2,450 2,309 2,536 9.9

9021.39 Artificial joints and parts and accessories thereof, n.e.s.o.i. 2,428 2,469 2,479 0.4

3002.90 Human blood; animal blood prepared for therapeutic, etc. Uses; toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and 

similar products n.e.s.o.i. 2,609 2,357 2,371 0.6

8407.34 Spark-ignition reciprocating piston engines for propulsion of vehicles except railway or tramway stock, over 1,000 cc cylinder 

capacity 3,001 2,976 2,343 -21.3

3302.10 Mixtures of odoriferous substances and mixtures (including alcoholic solutions) with a basis of these substances used in the food 

or drink industries 2,125 2,404 2,259 -6.0

Total of items shown 144,722 158,746 152,913 -3.7

All other products 275,869 268,815 263,752 -1.9

Total of all commodities 420,591 427,562 416,665 -2.5

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included; kN = kilonewtons.
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Table A.31 U.S. total exports to China, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 25,735 21,687 22,923 5.7

2 Forest products 7,020 6,431 6,904 7.4

3 Chemicals and related products 14,727 14,360 14,437 0.5

4 Energy-related products 2,048 2,628 3,062 16.5

5 Textiles and apparel 1,274 1,010 892 -11.7

6 Footwear 56 81 90 10.5

7 Minerals and metals 10,931 8,002 7,347 -8.2

8 Machinery 10,104 10,024 9,621 -4.0

9 Transportation equipment 29,994 28,767 27,643 -3.9

10 Electronic products 19,882 21,171 20,958 -1.0

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 858 956 875 -8.4

12 Special provisions 992 955 1,023 7.1

Total 123,621 116,072 115,775 -0.3

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

Table A.32 U.S. general imports from China, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 7,008 6,801 6,724 -1.1

2 Forest products 8,875 9,512 9,568 0.6

3 Chemicals and related products 31,895 31,005 29,839 -3.8

4 Energy-related products 635 538 711 32.3

5 Textiles and apparel 47,220 48,892 45,221 -7.5

6 Footwear 17,065 17,276 14,820 -14.2

7 Minerals and metals 31,038 32,065 30,270 -5.6

8 Machinery 48,138 50,523 48,450 -4.1

9 Transportation equipment 21,560 23,929 24,255 1.4

10 Electronic products 186,700 189,254 180,413 -4.7

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 62,896 67,893 67,079 -1.2

12 Special provisions 5,454 5,558 5,462 -1.7

Total 468,484 483,245 462,813 -4.2

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.
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Table A.33 Leading U.S. total exports to China, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8800.00 Civilian aircraft, engines, and parts 13,927 15,440 14,576 -5.6

1201.90 Soybeans, other than seed 14,476 10,523 14,204 35.0

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc 

but not over 3,000 cc 7,237 6,606 6,959 5.3

8542.31 Processors and controllers, electronic integrated circuits 2,749 3,474 3,848 10.7

8486.20 Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrates circuits 1,136 1,423 1,764 24.0

8517.12 Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks 1,094 1,317 1,558 18.3

7404.00 Copper waste and scrap 2,114 1,681 1,362 -19.0

4703.21 Chemical woodpulp, soda or sulfate, other than dissolving grades, semibleached or bleached, coniferous 830 850 1,062 24.9

8703.90 Passenger motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 678 399 1,026 157.3

4707.10 Waste and scrap of unbleached kraft paper or paperboard or of corrugated paper or paperboard 1,024 1,091 1,023 -6.2

1007.90 Grain sorghum, other than seed 1,467 2,116 1,023 -51.6

7602.00 Aluminum waste and scrap 1,761 1,309 916 -30.0

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 840 720 878 21.9

4101.50 Whole hides and skins, of a weight exceeding 16 kg, or bovine/equine animals, whether or not dehaired or split 1,125 917 823 -10.3

2711.12 Propane, liquefied 285 912 821 -9.9

8703.24 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3,000 cc 2,991 1,966 795 -59.5

8542.39 Electronic integrated circuits, n.e.s.o.i. 764 737 763 3.5

9018.90 Instruments and appliances for medical, surgical or veterinary sciences, n.e.s.o.i., and parts and accessories thereof 520 586 753 28.4

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 713 835 722 -13.5

3002.10 Antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products 328 553 671 21.3

4403.20 Coniferous wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood or roughly squared, not treated 866 523 616 17.8

9018.39 Medical, etc. needles n.e.s.o.i., catheters, cannulae and the like; parts and accessories thereof 379 469 586 25.0

4407.91 Oak wood, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed etc., over 6 mm (.236 in.) thick 514 457 576 25.9

3822.00 Composite diagnostic or laboratory reagents, other than pharmaceutical preparations of heading 3002 or 3006 446 455 565 24.1

8473.30 Parts and accessories for automatic data processing machines and units thereof, magnetic or optical readers, transcribing 

machines, etc., n.e.s.o.i. 520 529 563 6.5

Total of items shown 58,785 55,886 58,452 4.6

All other products 64,836 60,186 57,323 -4.8

Total of all commodities 123,621 116,072 115,775 -0.3

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included.
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Table A.34 Leading U.S. general imports from China, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8517.12 Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks 41,915 40,409 37,052 -8.3

8471.30 Portable automatic data processing machines, weight not more than 10 kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, 

keyboard and a display 38,705 36,663 33,608 -8.3

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 13,288 16,862 18,892 12.0

9503.00 Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls’ carriages; dolls; other toys; etc. 10,319 11,533 12,006 4.1

8473.30 Parts and accessories for automatic data processing machines and units thereof, magnetic or optical readers, transcribing 

machines, etc., n.e.s.o.i. 10,631 10,819 10,205 -5.7

8504.40 Electrical static converters; power supplies for adp machines or units of 8471 4,479 4,717 4,423 -6.2

9504.50 Video game consoles and machines, other than those of subheading 9504.30 4,537 4,690 3,546 -24.4

9401.61 Seats with wooden frames, upholstered, n.e.s.o.i. 2,953 3,355 3,452 2.9

8528.72 Reception apparatus for television, color, n.e.s.o.i. 4,190 4,362 3,359 -23.0

8528.59 Monitors, not incorporating television reception apparatus, n.e.s.o.i. 2,037 2,427 3,307 36.3

8471.50 Digital processing units other than those of 8471.41 and 8471.49, n.e.s.o.i. 2,901 3,230 3,256 0.8

8543.70 Electrical machines and apparatus, having individual functions, n.e.s.o.i. 2,373 2,938 3,236 10.1

8443.99 Parts and accessories of printers, copying machines and facsimile machines, n.e.s.o.i. 3,918 3,544 3,219 -9.2

9403.20 Metal furniture, n.e.s.o.i. 2,843 3,111 3,193 2.6

8523.51 Solid-state non-volatile semiconductor storage devices 2,083 2,702 3,003 11.1

9405.40 Electric lamps and lighting fittings, n.e.s.o.i. 2,466 2,616 2,949 12.7

4202.92 Container bags, boxes, cases and satchels n.e.s.o.i., with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials 3,058 3,159 2,918 -7.7

6404.19 Footwear, with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materials, n.e.s.o.i. 2,525 2,870 2,781 -3.1

6402.99 Footwear, with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics n.e.s.o.i., not covering the ankle 3,494 3,365 2,777 -17.5

6403.99 Footwear, with outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather and uppers of leather n.e.s.o.i., not covering the ankle 3,868 3,528 2,773 -21.4

6307.90 Made-up textile articles, n.e.s.o.i. 2,348 2,606 2,697 3.5

8471.70 Automatic data processing storage units, n.e.s.o.i. 3,598 3,167 2,632 -16.9

9403.60 Wooden furniture, n.e.s.o.i. 2,517 2,672 2,578 -3.5

8544.42 Electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 v, fitted with connectors, n.e.s.o.i. 2,449 2,601 2,499 -3.9

8443.31 Machines which perform two or more of the functions of printing, copying or fax transmission, capable of connecting to an ADP

machine or to a network 3,188 2,828 2,466 -12.8

Total of items shown 176,683 180,775 172,827 -4.4

All other products 291,801 302,470 289,986 -4.1

Total of all commodities 468,484 483,245 462,813 -4.2

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included; adp = automatic data processing.
Appendix A: Data Tables

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Table A.35 U.S. total exports to Canada, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 27,373 26,133 25,779 -1.4

2 Forest products 10,788 10,200 9,676 -5.1

3 Chemicals and related products 41,283 38,209 36,376 -4.8

4 Energy-related products 34,040 22,119 16,213 -26.7

5 Textiles and apparel 5,531 5,208 5,033 -3.4

6 Footwear 497 501 507 1.3

7 Minerals and metals 30,597 26,455 24,791 -6.3

8 Machinery 32,107 29,160 26,079 -10.6

9 Transportation equipment 78,094 74,233 72,846 -1.9

10 Electronic products 35,172 32,438 31,214 -3.8

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 9,903 8,853 8,415 -4.9

12 Special provisions 7,431 7,100 9,031 27.2

Total 312,817 280,609 265,961 -5.2

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

Table A.36 U.S. general imports from Canada, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 26,437 25,290 25,292 (

a

)

2 Forest products 18,968 18,068 18,711 3.6

3 Chemicals and related products 33,518 32,211 29,694 -7.8

4 Energy-related products 117,928 70,772 55,053 -22.2

5 Textiles and apparel 2,303 2,243 2,184 -2.6

6 Footwear 59 73 50 -31.7

7 Minerals and metals 33,324 29,770 28,785 -3.3

8 Machinery 13,694 12,914 12,161 -5.8

9 Transportation equipment 74,538 73,888 73,607 -0.4

10 Electronic products 9,114 8,935 8,924 -0.1

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 4,528 5,251 5,538 5.5

12 Special provisions 14,866 16,741 18,068 7.9

Total 349,278 296,156 278,067 -6.1

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. 

a Less than 0.05 percent.
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Table A.37 Leading U.S. total exports to Canada, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8703.24 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3,000 cc 6,442 6,652 7,380 10.9

8704.31 Motor vehicles for goods transport n.e.s.o.i., with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, gvw not over 5 metric tons 6,882 6,243 7,370 18.1

8800.00 Civilian aircraft, engines, and parts 7,478 8,285 7,352 -11.3

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc but 

not over 3,000 cc 6,802 6,273 5,649 -10.0

2710.12 Light oils and preparations containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals, not 

containing biodiesel, not waste oils 8,613 4,956 5,147 3.9

8708.29 Parts and accessories of bodies (including cabs) for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 5,073 4,752 5,112 7.6

2709.00 Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, crude 11,543 8,104 4,631 -42.9

8407.34 Spark-ignition reciprocating piston engines for propulsion of vehicles except railway or tramway stock, over 1,000 cc cylinder 

capacity 3,047 3,005 3,893 29.5

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 2,825 2,758 2,803 1.6

2710.19 Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and products containing by weight 70 percent or more of 

petroleum oils, not biodiesel or waste 5,575 4,039 2,758 -31.7

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 2,383 2,184 2,038 -6.7

8471.30 Portable automatic data processing machines, weight not more than 10 kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, 

keyboard and a display 2,177 2,053 2,033 -1.0

8708.40 Gear boxes for motor vehicles 2,379 1,928 2,011 4.3

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 2,208 1,970 1,943 -1.4

8708.30 Brakes and servo-brakes; parts thereof 1,380 1,469 1,489 1.4

2711.21 Natural gas, gaseous 4,447 2,229 1,471 -34.0

8481.80 Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances for pipes, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valves, n.e.s.o.i. 1,696 1,585 1,398 -11.8

8471.50 Digital processing units other than those of 8471.41 and 8471.49, n.e.s.o.i. 1,619 1,394 1,347 -3.4

8701.20 Road tractors for semi-trailers 2,048 1,969 1,269 -35.5

8708.94 Steering wheels, steering columns and steering boxes for motor vehicles 1,151 1,250 1,262 0.9

8517.12 Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks 997 1,480 1,243 -16.0

8708.80 Suspension shock absorbers for motor vehicles 1,271 1,239 1,211 -2.3

8537.10 Boards, panels, consoles, etc. with electrical apparatus, for electric control or distribution of electricity, for a voltage not exceeding 

1,000 v 1,326 1,206 1,196 -0.9

7606.12 Aluminum alloy rectangular (including square) plates, sheets and strip, over 0.2 mm thick 1,252 1,253 1,180 -5.8

9401.90 Parts of seats (except parts of medical, dentists’, barbers’ and similar seats), n.e.s.o.i. 1,089 1,148 1,159 0.9

Total of items shown 91,701 79,425 74,343 -6.4

All other products 221,116 201,184 191,617 -4.8

Total of all commodities 312,817 280,609 265,961 -5.2

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included; gvw = gross vehicle weight. 
Appendix A: Data Tables

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Table A.38 Leading U.S. general imports from Canada, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

2709.00 Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, crude 83,155 46,972 36,190 -23.0

8703.24 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3,000 cc 23,964 21,072 21,848 3.7

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc but 

not over 3,000 cc 18,628 21,044 21,518 2.3

2711.21 Natural gas, gaseous 12,615 6,834 5,942 -13.1

4407.10 Coniferous wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, etc., over 6 mm (.236 in.) thick 4,810 4,425 5,551 25.5

2710.12 Light oils and preparations containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals, not 

containing biodiesel, not waste oils 5,729 4,749 3,755 -20.9

8708.29 Parts and accessories of bodies (including cabs) for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 3,611 3,703 3,452 -6.8

2710.19 Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and products containing by weight 70 percent or more of 

petroleum oils, not biodiesel or waste 7,842 5,863 3,439 -41.3

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 3,165 3,722 3,431 -7.8

7108.12 Gold, nonmonetary, unwrought n.e.s.o.i. (other than powder) 3,266 2,618 3,057 16.8

8407.34 Spark-ignition reciprocating piston engines for propulsion of vehicles except railway or tramway stock, over 1,000 cc cylinder 

capacity 2,458 2,402 2,436 1.4

7601.10 Aluminum, not alloyed, unwrought 2,083 2,141 2,321 8.4

2716.00 Electrical energy 2,670 2,462 2,211 -10.2

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 2,203 1,988 2,029 2.1

7601.20 Aluminum alloys, unwrought 2,661 2,484 1,904 -23.3

3104.20 Potassium chloride 2,483 2,764 1,779 -35.6

3901.90 Polymers of ethylene n.e.s.o.i., in primary forms 2,150 1,884 1,766 -6.3

8802.30 Airplanes and other aircraft n.e.s.o.i., of an unladen weight exceeding 2,000 kg but not exceeding 15,000 kg 1,072 1,859 1,717 -7.6

8802.40 Airplanes and other aircraft n.e.s.o.i., of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000 kg 3,331 3,139 1,592 -49.3

1905.90 Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and similar baked products, n.e.s.o.i., and puddings, whether or not containing chocolate, fruit, nuts 

or confectionary 1,016 1,191 1,372 15.2

3901.20 Polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more, in primary forms 1,445 1,404 1,345 -4.2

8703.22 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,000 cc but 

not over 1,500 cc (

a

) 90 1,317 1,368.6

4703.21 Chemical woodpulp, soda or sulfate, other than dissolving grades, semibleached or bleached, coniferous 1,518 1,396 1,239 -11.2

7118.90 Coin, n.e.s.o.i. 1,004 1,102 1,219 10.6

1514.19 Rapeseed or colza oil and their fractions, low erucic acid, not chemically modified, n.e.s.o.i. 1,040 1,050 1,208 15.1

Total of items shown 193,920 148,357 133,639 -9.9

All other products 155,358 147,799 144,428 -2.3

Total of all commodities 349,278 296,156 278,067 -6.1

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included. a Less than $500,000.
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Table A.39 U.S. total exports to Mexico, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 20,087 18,298 18,520 1.2

2 Forest products 5,839 5,858 5,757 -1.7

3 Chemicals and related products 35,755 34,114 32,996 -3.3

4 Energy-related products 24,113 18,501 20,615 11.4

5 Textiles and apparel 5,732 5,997 5,442 -9.2

6 Footwear 120 134 97 -28.0

7 Minerals and metals 23,062 22,750 20,994 -7.7

8 Machinery 23,207 23,472 23,133 -1.4

9 Transportation equipment 41,359 42,259 39,954 -5.5

10 Electronic products 50,645 54,149 53,648 -0.9

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 3,018 3,080 3,042 -1.2

12 Special provisions 7,394 7,134 6,762 -5.2

Total 240,331 235,745 230,959 -2.0

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

Table A.40 U.S. general imports from Mexico, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 21,218 23,008 24,896 8.2

2 Forest products 1,817 1,951 1,911 -2.1

3 Chemicals and related products 10,657 10,759 10,616 -1.3

4 Energy-related products 30,282 13,674 8,727 -36.2

5 Textiles and apparel 5,976 5,902 5,806 -1.6

6 Footwear 499 494 413 -16.3

7 Minerals and metals 19,505 18,108 18,107 (

a

)

8 Machinery 29,062 30,101 29,923 -0.6

9 Transportation equipment 96,660 104,406 105,200 0.8

10 Electronic products 65,059 72,477 73,566 1.5

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 6,114 6,547 6,785 3.6

12 Special provisions 8,891 8,982 8,200 -8.7

Total 295,739 296,408 294,151 -0.8

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

a Less than 0.05 percent.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |267

Table A.41 Leading U.S. total exports to Mexico, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8473.30 Parts and accessories for automatic data processing machines and units thereof, magnetic or optical readers, transcribing 

machines, etc., n.e.s.o.i. 10,453 10,661 10,867 1.9

2710.12 Light oils and preparations containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals, not 

containing biodiesel, not waste oils 10,682 8,660 10,282 18.7

2710.19 Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and products containing by weight 70 percent or more of 

petroleum oils, not biodiesel or waste 7,803 5,674 5,977 5.3

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 3,538 4,992 3,671 -26.5

8542.31 Processors and controllers, electronic integrated circuits 2,360 2,771 3,311 19.5

8708.29 Parts and accessories of bodies (including cabs) for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 3,246 3,237 3,120 -3.6

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 2,649 3,457 3,047 -11.9

8471.70 Automatic data processing storage units, n.e.s.o.i. 2,253 2,306 2,814 22.0

8800.00 Civilian aircraft, engines, and parts 2,821 3,125 2,670 -14.5

1005.90 Corn (maize), other than seed corn 2,282 2,325 2,603 12.0

8708.40 Gear boxes for motor vehicles 2,275 2,371 2,546 7.4

8408.20 Compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel), for the propulsion of vehicles except railway or 

tramway stock 3,802 2,666 2,506 -6.0

8538.90 Parts for electrical apparatus for electrical circuits, boards, panels etc. For electric control or distribution of electricity, n.e.s.o.i. 2,322 2,431 2,468 1.5

3926.90 Articles of plastics, n.e.s.o.i. 2,389 2,405 2,378 -1.1

8542.39 Electronic integrated circuits, n.e.s.o.i. 2,004 1,828 2,106 15.2

2711.21 Natural gas, gaseous 2,875 2,173 2,036 -6.3

8528.71 Reception apparatus for television, not designed to incorporate a video display or screen 916 1,588 1,788 12.6

8536.90 Electrical apparatus for switching, protecting or making connections to or in electrical circuits, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 v, 

n.e.s.o.i. 1,804 1,810 1,787 -1.3

2603.00 Copper ores and concentrates 2,178 2,502 1,726 -31.0

8703.24 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3,000 cc 1,920 1,628 1,704 4.7

8409.91 Parts for use with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engines (including rotary engines), n.e.s.o.i. 1,512 1,570 1,682 7.1

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc but 

not over 3,000 cc 1,596 1,355 1,594 17.7

7326.90 Articles of iron or steel, n.e.s.o.i. 1,535 1,507 1,575 4.5

1201.90 Soybeans, other than seed 1,821 1,432 1,463 2.1

9018.90 Instruments and appliances for medical, surgical or veterinary sciences, n.e.s.o.i., and parts and accessories thereof 1,088 1,179 1,416 20.1

Total of items shown 78,123 75,652 77,136 2.0

All other products 162,208 160,093 153,823 -3.9

Total of all commodities 240,331 235,745 230,959 -2.0

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Table A.42 Leading U.S. general imports from Mexico, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc but 

not over 3,000 cc 14,851 16,388 17,970 9.7

8704.31 Motor vehicles for goods transport n.e.s.o.i., with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, gvw not over 5 metric tons 11,904 12,816 15,400 20.2

8471.50 Digital processing units other than those of 8471.41 and 8471.49, n.e.s.o.i. 10,604 13,445 15,166 12.8

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 7,280 10,178 11,067 8.7

8528.72 Reception apparatus for television, color, n.e.s.o.i. 10,801 11,053 8,720 -21.1

2709.00 Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, crude 27,740 12,487 7,583 -39.3

8544.30 Insulated ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets for vehicles, aircraft and ships 6,756 7,244 7,064 -2.5

9401.90 Parts of seats (except parts of medical, dentists’, barbers’ and similar seats), n.e.s.o.i. 5,785 6,388 6,613 3.5

8708.29 Parts and accessories of bodies (including cabs) for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 4,378 4,747 4,992 5.2

8701.20 Road tractors for semi-trailers 6,810 7,997 4,756 -40.5

8537.10 Boards, panels, consoles, etc. with electrical apparatus, for electric control or distribution of electricity, for a voltage not 

exceeding 1,000 v 3,726 3,875 4,096 5.7

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 3,693 3,790 3,847 1.5

8703.22 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,000 cc but 

not over 1,500 cc 2,089 2,264 3,613 59.6

9018.90 Instruments and appliances for medical, surgical or veterinary sciences, n.e.s.o.i., and parts and accessories thereof 3,039 3,159 3,407 7.9

8407.34 Spark-ignition reciprocating piston engines for propulsion of vehicles except railway or tramway stock, over 1,000 cc cylinder 

capacity 2,785 2,702 3,306 22.3

8708.40 Gear boxes for motor vehicles 2,436 2,974 3,224 8.4

2203.00 Beer made from malt 2,458 2,729 3,103 13.7

8704.22 Motor vehicles for goods transport n.e.s.o.i., with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel), gvw over 5 but 

not over 20 metric tons 4,019 3,394 3,070 -9.5

8418.10 Combined refrigerator-freezers fitted with separate external doors 2,527 2,823 2,968 5.2

7108.12 Gold, nonmonetary, unwrought n.e.s.o.i. (other than powder) 2,778 2,672 2,921 9.3

8409.91 Parts for use with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engines (including rotary engines), n.e.s.o.i. 2,248 2,428 2,504 3.1

8708.95 Safety airbags with inflator system; parts thereof 1,972 2,312 2,406 4.1

8704.21 Motor vehicles for goods transport n.e.s.o.i., with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel), gvw not over 5 

metric tons 2,092 2,243 2,397 6.9

8708.94 Steering wheels, steering columns and steering boxes for motor vehicles 1,720 1,948 2,090 7.3

8415.90 Parts, n.e.s.o.i., of air conditioning machines 2,247 1,950 1,984 1.7

Total of items shown 146,735 144,007 144,267 0.2

All other products 149,004 152,401 149,884 -1.7

Total of all commodities 295,739 296,408 294,151 -0.8

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included; gvw = gross vehicle weight.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |269

Table A.43 U.S. total exports to Japan, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 14,372 12,417 12,131 -2.3

2 Forest products 2,189 2,000 1,894 -5.3

3 Chemicals and related products 11,755 11,197 11,547 3.1

4 Energy-related products 2,965 2,022 2,629 30.0

5 Textiles and apparel 660 569 522 -8.3

6 Footwear 77 75 56 -24.3

7 Minerals and metals 3,861 3,587 3,399 -5.2

8 Machinery 4,341 4,795 4,315 -10.0

9 Transportation equipment 10,411 10,408 11,119 6.8

10 Electronic products 13,077 12,379 12,324 -0.4

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 1,946 1,839 2,172 18.1

12 Special provisions 1,223 1,155 1,156 (

a

)

Total 66,876 62,443 63,264 1.3

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

a Less than 0.05 percent.

Table A.44 U.S. general imports from Japan, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 782 828 917 10.8

2 Forest products 453 460 447 -2.9

3 Chemicals and related products 12,644 11,710 11,525 -1.6

4 Energy-related products 572 656 506 -22.9

5 Textiles and apparel 744 767 736 -4.0

6 Footwear 2 5 9 70.7

7 Minerals and metals 7,402 6,744 6,240 -7.5

8 Machinery 18,827 17,376 17,379 (

a

)

9 Transportation equipment 65,209 66,103 68,656 3.9

10 Electronic products 22,906 21,676 21,255 -1.9

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 1,149 1,261 1,201 -4.8

12 Special provisions 3,815 3,776 3,331 -11.8

Total 134,505 131,364 132,202 0.6

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

a Less than 0.05 percent.
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Table A.45 Leading U.S. total exports to Japan, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8800.00 Civilian aircraft, engines, and parts 6,503 6,385 6,879 7.7

1005.90 Corn (maize), other than seed corn 2,696 2,034 2,110 3.7

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 2,243 2,017 2,038 1.0

2711.12 Propane, liquefied 918 616 1,317 113.7

9018.90 Instruments and appliances for medical, surgical or veterinary sciences, n.e.s.o.i., and parts and accessories thereof 1,205 1,169 1,227 5.0

3002.10 Antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products 514 789 1,101 39.6

1201.90 Soybeans, other than seed 1,004 1,048 1,001 -4.5

0203.19 Meat of swine, n.e.s.o.i., fresh or chilled 996 898 974 8.4

2804.61 Silicon, containing by weight not less than 99.99% of silicon 747 557 950 70.6

2909.19 Acyclic ethers (excluding diethyl ether) and their halogenated, sulfonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives 855 720 912 26.6

8486.20 Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrates circuits 779 1,204 847 -29.7

0201.30 Meat of bovine animals, boneless, fresh or chilled 753 599 794 32.7

7113.19 Jewelry and parts thereof, of precious metal other than silver 615 605 705 16.6

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 746 677 692 2.2

9018.39 Medical, etc. needles n.e.s.o.i., catheters, cannulae and the like; parts and accessories thereof 738 681 673 -1.2

8803.30 Parts of airplanes or helicopters, n.e.s.o.i. 602 529 654 23.7

1001.99 Wheat and meslin, not durum wheat, other than seed 915 747 609 -18.4

0203.29 Meat of swine, n.e.s.o.i., frozen 840 575 483 -16.0

8411.99 Parts of gas turbines, n.e.s.o.i. (other than parts for turbojets or turbopropellers) 245 344 451 31.1

9021.39 Artificial joints and parts and accessories thereof, n.e.s.o.i. 531 535 435 -18.5

1214.90 Forage products, n.e.s.o.i., including rutabagas (swedes), mangolds, fodder roots, hay, clover, forage kale, vetches etc., whether or not 

in pellet form 502 476 435 -8.6

3822.00 Composite diagnostic or laboratory reagents, other than pharmaceutical preparations of heading 3002 or 3006 450 397 414 4.3

2701.12 Bituminous coal, whether or not pulverized, but not agglomerated 446 334 390 16.7

8486.90 Machines and apparatus of a kind used for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, etc., parts and accessories 297 349 362 3.6

4403.20 Coniferous wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood or roughly squared, not treated 424 361 360 -0.4

Total of items shown 26,564 24,645 26,813 8.8

All other products 40,312 37,798 36,451 -3.6

Total of all commodities 66,876 62,443 63,264 1.3

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |271

Table A.46 Leading U.S. general imports from Japan, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc but 

not over 3,000 cc 20,474 22,457 26,340 17.3

8703.24 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3,000 cc 12,145 11,912 10,555 -11.4

8803.30 Parts of airplanes or helicopters, n.e.s.o.i. 4,851 4,737 4,471 -5.6

8708.40 Gear boxes for motor vehicles 3,088 2,294 2,689 17.2

8443.99 Parts and accessories of printers, copying machines and facsimile machines, n.e.s.o.i. 2,988 2,877 2,598 -9.7

8703.22 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,000 cc but 

not over 1,500 cc 1,186 1,375 2,312 68.2

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 2,196 2,171 2,092 -3.7

8429.52 Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders with 360 degree revolving superstructure, self-propelled 2,055 2,032 1,942 -4.4

8411.91 Parts of turbojets or turbopropellers 1,870 1,912 1,815 -5.1

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 408 926 1,391 50.3

8409.91 Parts for use with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engines (including rotary engines), n.e.s.o.i. 1,330 1,222 1,288 5.4

8486.20 Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrates circuits 1,520 898 1,195 33.1

8525.80 Television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders 1,066 1,033 1,031 -0.2

8486.90 Machines and apparatus of a kind used for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, etc., parts and accessories 902 837 887 5.9

9018.19 Electro-diagnostic apparatus (and apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological parameters) 

n.e.s.o.i., and parts, etc. 878 940 871 -7.4

8429.51 Mechanical front-end shovel loaders, self-propelled 526 509 803 57.7

9102.11 Wrist watches, battery powered, with cases of materials (except of or clad with precious metal) n.e.s.o.i., with mechanical display 

only 984 924 782 -15.3

8408.90 Compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), n.e.s.o.i. 953 862 752 -12.8

8407.21 Outboard engines for marine propulsion 702 706 748 6.0

8479.89 Machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, n.e.s.o.i. 587 506 741 46.5

8481.80 Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances for pipes, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valves, n.e.s.o.i. 804 771 728 -5.6

8541.40 Photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cells; light-emitting diodes 596 663 696 4.9

8701.90 Tractors, n.e.s.o.i. 774 866 677 -21.7

8542.31 Processors and controllers, electronic integrated circuits 700 617 653 5.9

8708.29 Parts and accessories of bodies (including cabs) for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 545 576 642 11.5

Total of items shown 64,126 64,621 68,697 6.3

All other products 70,379 66,743 63,505 -4.9

Total of all commodities 134,505 131,364 132,202 0.6

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included.
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Table A.47 U.S. total exports to South Korea, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 7,510 6,736 6,859 1.8

2 Forest products 890 828 792 -4.3

3 Chemicals and related products 7,419 6,892 6,491 -5.8

4 Energy-related products 2,144 1,379 1,726 25.2

5 Textiles and apparel 391 380 316 -16.9

6 Footwear 88 74 53 -28.0

7 Minerals and metals 3,696 3,214 2,554 -20.5

8 Machinery 6,817 6,231 5,611 -10.0

9 Transportation equipment 6,151 7,847 8,591 9.5

10 Electronic products 8,021 8,385 7,649 -8.8

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 811 823 988 20.0

12 Special provisions 686 657 638 -3.0

Total 44,625 43,446 42,266 -2.7

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

Table A.48 U.S. general imports from South Korea, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 673 739 810 9.6

2 Forest products 616 578 544 -6.0

3 Chemicals and related products 5,858 6,225 8,511 36.7

4 Energy-related products 3,067 2,922 2,266 -22.5

5 Textiles and apparel 1,331 1,326 1,272 -4.0

6 Footwear 18 22 27 24.0

7 Minerals and metals 7,717 6,910 5,309 -23.2

8 Machinery 7,111 7,579 7,082 -6.6

9 Transportation equipment 23,960 27,015 25,330 -6.2

10 Electronic products 17,379 16,167 16,568 2.5

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 821 895 968 8.1

12 Special provisions 1,128 1,380 1,244 -9.8

Total 69,680 71,759 69,932 -2.5

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |273

Table A.49 Leading U.S. total exports to South Korea, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8800.00 Civilian aircraft, engines, and parts 1,999 3,946 3,506 -11.1

8542.31 Processors and controllers, electronic integrated circuits 2,579 2,750 2,094 -23.9

8486.20 Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrates circuits 2,181 1,928 1,911 -0.9

8802.12 Helicopters of an unladen weight exceeding 2,000 kg 0 0 1,084 (

a

)

1005.90 Corn (maize), other than seed corn 1,056 655 870 32.8

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc but not 

over 3,000 cc 401 602 741 23.2

8486.90 Machines and apparatus of a kind used for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, etc., parts and accessories 459 578 667 15.5

2711.12 Propane, liquefied 114 219 549 150.7

8803.30 Parts of airplanes or helicopters, n.e.s.o.i. 417 342 504 47.5

0202.30 Meat of bovine animals, boneless, frozen 335 325 418 28.8

8703.24 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3,000 cc 175 247 374 51.5

0202.20 Meat of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (other than half or whole carcasses), frozen 365 290 368 26.8

2902.50 Styrene (vinylbenzene; phenylethylene) 275 135 365 170.2

9306.90 Bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles and similar munitions of war and parts thereof; other ammunition and projectiles and 

parts thereof, n.e.s.o.i. 169 176 359 103.5

2106.90 Food preparations n.e.s.o.i. 255 290 356 22.9

8542.39 Electronic integrated circuits, n.e.s.o.i. 346 313 356 13.6

8703.33 Passenger motor vehicles with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel), cylinder capacity over 2,500 cc 277 228 326 42.9

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 700 481 302 -37.1

0203.29 Meat of swine, n.e.s.o.i., frozen 345 389 299 -23.4

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 248 259 290 12.0

2701.12 Bituminous coal, whether or not pulverized, but not agglomerated 376 238 287 20.8

2711.13 Butanes, liquefied 105 228 277 21.3

8411.91 Parts of turbojets or turbopropellers 223 299 257 -14.2

1001.99 Wheat and meslin, not durum wheat, other than seed 416 309 250 -19.0

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 156 158 248 56.8

Total of items shown 13,969 15,387 17,061 10.9

All other products 30,656 28,059 25,206 -10.2

Total of all commodities 44,625 43,446 42,266 -2.7

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included. a Undefined.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Table A.50 Leading U.S. general imports from South Korea, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc but not 

over 3,000 cc 10,159 11,552 10,808 -6.4

8517.12 Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks 6,524 6,394 6,287 -1.7

8703.24 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3,000 cc 2,794 3,517 2,647 -24.7

8703.22 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,000 cc but not 

over 1,500 cc 1,527 2,077 2,443 17.6

3002.10 Antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products 37 197 2,353 1,093.7

2710.19 Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and products containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum 

oils, not biodiesel or waste 2,782 2,606 2,073 -20.5

8541.40 Photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cells; light-emitting diodes 304 641 1,358 111.9

8473.30 Parts and accessories for automatic data processing machines and units thereof, magnetic or optical readers, transcribing machines, 

etc., n.e.s.o.i. 1,817 1,846 1,334 -27.7

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 1,273 1,296 1,302 0.5

8542.39 Electronic integrated circuits, n.e.s.o.i. 1,518 1,305 1,278 -2.1

4011.10 New pneumatic tires, of rubber, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars) 939 1,109 1,069 -3.6

8418.10 Combined refrigerator-freezers fitted with separate external doors 993 1,031 1,045 1.3

8523.51 Solid-state non-volatile semiconductor storage devices 632 692 1,037 49.9

8708.29 Parts and accessories of bodies (including cabs) for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 878 897 939 4.6

8803.30 Parts of airplanes or helicopters, n.e.s.o.i. 592 659 578 -12.3

2902.20 Benzene 816 612 563 -8.0

8708.40 Gear boxes for motor vehicles 402 503 496 -1.4

8708.94 Steering wheels, steering columns and steering boxes for motor vehicles 451 459 443 -3.6

8451.29 Drying machines (except centrifugal type) for textile yarns, fabrics or made up textile articles, with a dry linen capacity exceeding 10 kg 441 466 424 -8.9

8409.91 Parts for use with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engines (including rotary engines), n.e.s.o.i. 395 402 421 4.7

8542.31 Processors and controllers, electronic integrated circuits 396 372 372 -0.1

8701.90 Tractors, n.e.s.o.i. 284 363 361 -0.4

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 702 267 351 31.3

8517.70 Parts of telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data 584 281 342 21.8

4011.20 New pneumatic tires, of rubber, of a kind used on buses or trucks 292 283 333 17.6

Total of items shown 37,536 39,827 40,655 2.1

All other products 32,144 31,932 29,277 -8.3

Total of all commodities 69,680 71,759 69,932 -2.5

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |275

Table A.51 U.S. total exports to India, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 1,128 1,271 1,451 14.1

2 Forest products 902 713 706 -1.0

3 Chemicals and related products 3,142 3,304 3,352 1.4

4 Energy-related products 1,303 1,158 1,284 10.9

5 Textiles and apparel 178 183 206 12.9

6 Footwear 3 3 2 -52.3

7 Minerals and metals 6,129 7,610 7,844 3.1

8 Machinery 1,527 1,496 1,276 -14.7

9 Transportation equipment 3,735 2,152 1,997 -7.2

10 Electronic products 2,731 2,766 2,645 -4.4

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 398 414 554 33.8

12 Special provisions 326 382 373 -2.2

Total 21,501 21,452 21,689 1.1

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

Table A.52 U.S. general imports from India, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 4,444 3,849 3,515 -8.7

2 Forest products 206 223 251 12.8

3 Chemicals and related products 8,875 9,715 11,159 14.9

4 Energy-related products 4,622 2,672 2,370 -11.3

5 Textiles and apparel 7,383 7,951 7,952 (

a

)

6 Footwear 349 468 503 7.5

7 Minerals and metals 11,084 10,857 11,431 5.3

8 Machinery 2,199 2,421 2,064 -14.8

9 Transportation equipment 1,899 2,032 1,883 -7.3

10 Electronic products 1,225 1,166 1,210 3.8

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 2,568 2,828 3,041 7.5

12 Special provisions 500 610 620 1.7

Total 45,355 44,792 45,998 2.7

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

a Less than 0.05 percent.
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Table A.53 Leading U.S. total exports to India, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

7102.39 Diamonds, nonindustrial, worked, including polished or drilled 3,724 3,745 4,802 28.2

7108.12 Gold, nonmonetary, unwrought n.e.s.o.i. (other than powder) 1,104 2,294 1,726 -24.8

8800.00 Civilian aircraft, engines, and parts 1,424 773 965 24.9

0802.11 Almonds, fresh or dried, in shell 405 446 447 0.3

2713.11 Petroleum coke, not calcined 314 273 368 35.0

2701.12 Bituminous coal, whether or not pulverized, but not agglomerated 411 455 329 -27.6

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 376 371 287 -22.5

7113.19 Jewelry and parts thereof, of precious metal other than silver 237 250 286 14.4

5201.00 Cotton, not carded or combed 89 115 250 117.7

7204.49 Ferrous waste and scrap, n.e.s.o.i. 179 264 238 -9.6

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 100 193 236 22.2

2707.99 Oils and products of the distillation of high temperature coal tar, n.e.s.o.i.; similar products which have a predominate (wt.) aromatic 

constituent, n.e.s.o.i. 328 208 216 3.9

3105.30 Diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium phosphate) 278 287 182 -36.7

2207.10 Ethyl alcohol, undenatured, of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higher 78 73 173 137.5

4707.10 Waste and scrap of unbleached kraft paper or paperboard or of corrugated paper or paperboard 159 134 153 14.1

9018.90 Instruments and appliances for medical, surgical or veterinary sciences, n.e.s.o.i., and parts and accessories thereof 130 134 147 9.7

2809.20 Phosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acids 143 99 124 24.6

9306.90 Bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles and similar munitions of war and parts thereof; other ammunition and projectiles and 

parts thereof, n.e.s.o.i. 30 12 123 888.0

8409.99 Parts for use with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines, n.e.s.o.i. 99 140 113 -19.1

4703.21 Chemical woodpulp, soda or sulfate, other than dissolving grades, semibleached or bleached, coniferous 80 94 109 16.3

2711.11 Natural gas, liquefied 0 0 108 (

a

)

8471.50 Digital processing units other than those of 8471.41 and 8471.49, n.e.s.o.i. 90 85 92 8.0

3822.00 Composite diagnostic or laboratory reagents, other than pharmaceutical preparations of heading 3002 or 3006 81 85 92 8.4

0713.10 Peas (pisum sativum), dried shelled, including seed 122 68 90 32.0

3824.90 Chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries, n.e.s.o.i.; residual products of the chemical or allied 

industries, n.e.s.o.i 104 78 88 13.3

Total of items shown 10,085 10,675 11,745 10.0

All other products 11,416 10,777 9,944 -7.7

Total of all commodities 21,501 21,452 21,689 1.1

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included.

a Undefined.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |277

Table A.54 Leading U.S. general imports from India, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

7102.39 Diamonds, nonindustrial, worked, including polished or drilled 7,590 7,370 8,620 17.0

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 3,895 4,915 6,388 30.0

7113.19 Jewelry and parts thereof, of precious metal other than silver 1,196 1,310 1,508 15.1

2710.12 Light oils and preparations containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals, not 

containing biodiesel, not waste oils 2,697 1,646 1,469 -10.7

0306.17 Shrimps and prawns, frozen, other than cold-water 1,272 1,189 1,394 17.2

2710.19 Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and products containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum 

oils, not biodiesel or waste 1,895 994 885 -11.0

6302.31 Bed linen (other than printed) of cotton, not knitted or crocheted 796 791 788 -0.4

6302.60 Toilet and kitchen linen of cotton terry toweling or similar cotton terry fabrics 628 694 699 0.8

3004.20 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc., containing antibiotics, n.e.s.o.i. 442 484 420 -13.3

6110.20 Sweaters, pullovers, sweatshirts, vests and similar articles of cotton, knitted or crocheted 403 414 406 -1.8

7113.11 Jewelry and parts thereof, of silver 351 345 321 -6.9

6206.30 Women’s or girls’ blouses, shirts and shirt-blouses of cotton, not knitted or crocheted 259 284 264 -7.2

6403.99 Footwear, with outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather and uppers of leather n.e.s.o.i., not covering the ankle 188 244 244 0.1

6205.20 Men’s or boys’ shirts of cotton, not knitted or crocheted 218 239 237 -0.8

8701.90 Tractors, n.e.s.o.i. 210 325 235 -27.5

6206.40 Women’s or girls’ blouses, shirts and shirt-blouses of manmade fibers, not knitted or crocheted 166 210 235 11.9

3004.40 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc., containing alkaloids or derivatives thereof but not containing hormones and similar steroids or 

antibiotics 143 146 229 57.1

2934.99 Nucleic acids and their salts, whether or not chemically defined; other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.s.o.i. 141 171 218 27.3

6109.10 T-shirts, singlets, tank tops and similar garments of cotton, knitted or crocheted 188 229 205 -10.8

8708.30 Brakes and servo-brakes; parts thereof 230 227 202 -10.8

6105.10 Men’s or boys’ shirts of cotton, knitted or crocheted 178 186 191 2.5

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 184 208 191 -8.6

1302.32 Mucilages and thickeners, whether or not modified, derived from locust beans, locust bean seeds or guar seeds 1,190 583 178 -69.4

9403.60 Wooden furniture, n.e.s.o.i. 128 153 178 16.5

9404.90 Articles of bedding and similar furnishings (except mattresses and sleeping bags), fitted or stuffed etc., including quilts, pillows and 

cushions 129 153 178 16.1

Total of items shown 24,717 23,510 25,881 10.1

All other products 20,638 21,282 20,117 -5.5

Total of all commodities 45,355 44,792 45,998 2.7

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included.
The Year in Trade 2016

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Table A.55 U.S. total exports to Taiwan, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 3,617 3,278 3,330 1.6

2 Forest products 511 426 425 -0.3

3 Chemicals and related products 4,368 3,680 3,546 -3.7

4 Energy-related products 990 268 134 -49.9

5 Textiles and apparel 118 103 101 -1.9

6 Footwear 10 10 8 -19.1

7 Minerals and metals 1,970 1,287 1,281 -0.5

8 Machinery 4,540 5,101 5,527 8.3

9 Transportation equipment 3,506 3,501 3,744 6.9

10 Electronic products 5,687 5,962 6,605 10.8

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 849 1,821 866 -52.4

12 Special provisions 500 422 478 13.1

Total 26,667 25,860 26,045 0.7

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

Table A.56 U.S. general imports from Taiwan, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 500 516 532 3.2

2 Forest products 216 242 243 0.7

3 Chemicals and related products 3,571 3,675 3,548 -3.4

4 Energy-related products 55 237 96 -59.8

5 Textiles and apparel 1,186 1,188 1,038 -12.6

6 Footwear 51 87 85 -2.6

7 Minerals and metals 5,762 5,823 5,138 -11.8

8 Machinery 4,389 4,435 4,153 -6.4

9 Transportation equipment 3,372 3,589 3,395 -5.4

10 Electronic products 17,342 16,331 16,452 0.7

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 2,911 3,253 3,069 -5.7

12 Special provisions 1,484 1,533 1,564 2.0

Total 40,839 40,908 39,313 -3.9

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |279

Table A.57 Leading U.S. total exports to Taiwan, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8800.00 Civilian aircraft, engines, and parts 1,922 2,552 2,937 15.1

8486.20 Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrates circuits 2,136 2,500 2,744 9.8

8542.31 Processors and controllers, electronic integrated circuits 599 843 1,557 84.7

8542.32 Memories, electronic integrated circuits 1,247 1,251 1,047 -16.3

8542.39 Electronic integrated circuits, n.e.s.o.i. 710 594 658 10.6

9306.90 Bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles and similar munitions of war and parts thereof; other ammunition and projectiles and 

parts thereof, n.e.s.o.i. 528 1,519 635 -58.2

8486.90 Machines and apparatus of a kind used for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, etc., parts and accessories 542 611 621 1.6

1201.90 Soybeans, other than seed 722 577 586 1.4

1005.90 Corn (maize), other than seed corn 395 345 463 34.3

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 270 250 433 73.1

7204.49 Ferrous waste and scrap, n.e.s.o.i. 799 325 294 -9.7

8541.40 Photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cells; light-emitting diodes 28 270 264 -2.2

1001.99 Wheat and meslin, not durum wheat, other than seed 348 283 256 -9.4

2804.61 Silicon, containing by weight not less than 99.99% of silicon 178 154 254 65.3

8401.30 Fuel elements (cartridges), non-irradiated, for nuclear reactors, and parts thereof 63 68 244 258.6

9030.82 Instruments and apparatus w/a recording device designed to check or measure semiconductor wafers and devices(such as probe 

testers, resistivity checkers, logic analyzers) 110 160 219 36.9

0201.30 Meat of bovine animals, boneless, fresh or chilled 132 165 185 12.1

3824.90 Chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries, n.e.s.o.i.; residual products of the chemical or allied 

industries, n.e.s.o.i 161 107 183 71.2

8803.30 Parts of airplanes or helicopters, n.e.s.o.i. 493 170 171 0.7

0202.30 Meat of bovine animals, boneless, frozen 149 141 169 20.1

9030.90 Parts and accessories of instruments and apparatus for measuring, checking or detecting electrical quantities, or ionizing radiations, 

n.e.s.o.i. 164 156 169 8.4

9031.41 Optical instruments for inspecting semiconductor wafers or devices or for inspecting photomasks or reticles used in manufacturing 

semiconductor devices 284 257 159 -38.0

2106.90 Food preparations n.e.s.o.i. 148 156 157 0.8

8475.90 Parts of machines for assembling electric or electronic lamps, tubes, etc. in glass envelopes and for manufacturing or hot working 

glass or glassware 116 214 157 -26.5

8703.24 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3,000 cc 161 117 149 27.8

Total of items shown 12,405 13,784 14,711 6.7

All other products 14,263 12,076 11,334 -6.1

Total of all commodities 26,667 25,860 26,045 0.7

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included.
The Year in Trade 2016

280| www.usitc.gov

Table A.58 Leading U.S. general imports from Taiwan, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8542.39 Electronic integrated circuits, n.e.s.o.i. 1,383 1,389 1,480 6.5

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 1,000 1,114 1,455 30.7

8473.30 Parts and accessories for automatic data processing machines and units thereof, magnetic or optical readers, transcribing 

machines, etc., n.e.s.o.i. 1,422 1,196 1,248 4.3

8542.31 Processors and controllers, electronic integrated circuits 993 1,001 1,206 20.5

8523.51 Solid-state non-volatile semiconductor storage devices 691 981 1,127 14.8

8517.12 Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks 1,626 1,143 754 -34.0

8525.60 Transmission apparatus incorporating reception apparatus, for radio-broadcasting or television 60 692 720 4.2

8542.32 Memories, electronic integrated circuits 1,511 1,221 689 -43.6

8471.30 Portable automatic data processing machines, weight not more than 10 kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, 

keyboard and a display 446 334 679 103.4

8525.80 Television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders 480 563 609 8.1

8512.20 Electrical lighting or visual signaling equipment, for use on cycles or motor vehicles, except for use on bicycles 557 616 587 -4.7

8526.91 Radio navigational aid apparatus 812 655 563 -14.1

7318.14 Self-tapping screws, threaded, of iron or steel 481 545 504 -7.5

8708.29 Parts and accessories of bodies (including cabs) for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 458 461 462 0.2

7318.15 Threaded screws and bolts n.e.s.o.i., with or without their nuts or washers, of iron or steel 516 531 445 -16.3

8712.00 Bicycles and other cycles (including delivery tricycles), not motorized 402 536 395 -26.3

9506.91 Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics or athletics; n.e.s.o.i.; parts and accessories thereof 319 366 391 6.9

8541.40 Photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cells; light-emitting diodes 818 422 363 -14.0

8534.00 Printed circuits 372 372 359 -3.3

7318.16 Nuts, threaded, of iron or steel 361 374 330 -11.8

8481.80 Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances for pipes, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valves, n.e.s.o.i. 369 365 308 -15.7

8504.40 Electrical static converters; power supplies for adp machines or units of 8471 298 316 299 -5.4

8708.10 Bumpers and parts thereof for motor vehicles 251 264 279 5.9

4011.10 New pneumatic tires, of rubber, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars) 237 303 273 -10.1

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 284 296 262 -11.4

Total of items shown 16,149 16,057 15,789 -1.7

All other products 24,691 24,851 23,524 -5.3

Total of all commodities 40,839 40,908 39,313 -3.9

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included; adp = automatic data processing.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |281

Table A.59 U.S. total exports to Brazil, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 1,640 857 1,302 51.8

2 Forest products 403 361 339 -6.2

3 Chemicals and related products 10,340 8,530 7,370 -13.6

4 Energy-related products 7,579 3,955 5,099 28.9

5 Textiles and apparel 302 248 191 -23.1

6 Footwear 5 2 5 151.5

7 Minerals and metals 1,250 873 922 5.5

8 Machinery 3,956 2,875 2,125 -26.1

9 Transportation equipment 8,534 7,512 6,470 -13.9

10 Electronic products 7,254 5,553 5,540 -0.2

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 392 269 369 37.4

12 Special provisions 779 615 566 -8

Total 42,434 31,651 30,297 -4.3

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

Table A.60 U.S. general imports from Brazil, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 4,406 3,982 3,729 -6.3

2 Forest products 2,166 2,207 2,180 -1.2

3 Chemicals and related products 2,339 2,039 2,250 10.3

4 Energy-related products 6,367 4,546 2,718 -40.2

5 Textiles and apparel 131 142 131 -7.4

6 Footwear 208 203 235 16.2

7 Minerals and metals 6,235 5,295 4,601 -13.1

8 Machinery 998 783 814 3.9

9 Transportation equipment 4,254 4,781 5,063 5.9

10 Electronic products 275 318 337 5.8

11 Miscellaneous manufactures 384 482 499 3.7

12 Special provisions 2,257 2,691 3,617 34.4

Total 30,021 27,468 26,176 -4.7

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.
The Year in Trade 2016

282| www.usitc.gov

Table A.61 U.S. total exports to Brazil, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8800.00 Civilian aircraft, engines, and parts 4,730 4,581 4,433 -3.2

2710.19 Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and products containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum 

oils, not biodiesel or waste 4,298 1,912 2,964 55.0

2710.12 Light oils and preparations containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals, not 

containing biodiesel, not waste oils 974 653 799 22.4

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 845 636 618 -2.8

2701.12 Bituminous coal, whether or not pulverized, but not agglomerated 790 548 575 4.9

8517.62 Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and 

routing apparatus 832 601 572 -4.8

8542.31 Processors and controllers, electronic integrated circuits 769 553 567 2.4

2207.10 Ethyl alcohol, undenatured, of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higher 263 236 426 80.7

2711.12 Propane, liquefied 929 403 392 -2.7

8802.60 Spacecraft (including satellites) and suborbital and spacecraft launch vehicles 0 0 331 (

a

)

8708.99 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, n.e.s.o.i. 231 298 326 9.2

1001.99 Wheat and meslin, not durum wheat, other than seed 745 108 316 193.6

3105.40 Ammonium dihydrogenorthophosphate (monoammonium phosphate) and mixtures thereof with diammonium 

hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium phosphate) 281 303 310 2.3

3808.91 Insecticides, excluding those specified in subheading note 1 to chapter 38 534 357 290 -18.7

2815.12 Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), in aqueous solution (soda lye or liquid soda) 277 259 280 7.9

9018.90 Instruments and appliances for medical, surgical or veterinary sciences, n.e.s.o.i., and parts and accessories thereof 324 323 251 -22.2

7318.15 Threaded screws and bolts n.e.s.o.i., with or without their nuts or washers, of iron or steel 45 53 245 363.3

3105.59 Mineral or chemical fertilizers containing the two fertilizing elements nitrogen and phosphorus, n.e.s.o.i. 181 188 242 28.5

8471.70 Automatic data processing storage units, n.e.s.o.i. 300 202 236 16.5

3901.90 Polymers of ethylene n.e.s.o.i., in primary forms 247 270 213 -20.9

2836.20 Disodium carbonate 169 214 205 -4.0

8471.50 Digital processing units other than those of 8471.41 and 8471.49, n.e.s.o.i. 186 154 200 29.7

9018.39 Medical, etc. needles n.e.s.o.i., catheters, cannulae and the like; parts and accessories thereof 217 196 183 -6.7

8537.10 Boards, panels, consoles, etc. with electrical apparatus, for electric control or distribution of electricity, for a voltage not exceeding 

1,000 v 188 172 163 -5.0

3822.00 Composite diagnostic or laboratory reagents, other than pharmaceutical preparations of heading 3002 or 3006 183 183 156 -14.9

Total of items shown 18,537 13,403 15,294 14.1

All other products 23,898 18,248 15,003 -17.8

Total of all commodities 42,434 31,651 30,297 -4.3

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included. a Undefined.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |283

Table A.62 Leading U.S. general imports from Brazil, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

8802.40 Airplanes and other aircraft n.e.s.o.i., of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000 kg 1,756 2,348 2,578 9.8

2709.00 Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, crude 5,152 3,698 2,191 -40.8

0901.11 Coffee, not roasted, not decaffeinated 1,265 1,267 1,007 -20.5

4703.29 Chemical woodpulp, soda or sulfate, other than dissolving grades, semibleached or bleached, nonconiferous 932 976 925 -5.2

7207.12 Semifinished products of iron or nonalloy steel, under 0.25% (wt.) Carbon, rectangular cross section, width not less than twice the 

thickness 1,553 1,089 702 -35.6

7108.12 Gold, nonmonetary, unwrought n.e.s.o.i. (other than powder) 168 153 599 292.1

8802.30 Airplanes and other aircraft n.e.s.o.i., of an unladen weight exceeding 2,000 kg but not exceeding 15,000 kg 308 482 556 15.3

6802.93 Worked monumental or building stone n.e.s.o.i., of granite 639 628 500 -20.4

7224.90 Semifinished products of alloy steel (other than stainless) n.e.s.o.i. 463 368 435 18.5

2207.10 Ethyl alcohol, undenatured, of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higher 492 487 418 -14.1

1602.50 Meat or meat offal of bovine animals, prepared or preserved, n.e.s.o.i. 218 306 287 -6.2

2401.20 Tobacco, partly or wholly stemmed/stripped 251 243 280 15.3

4409.10 Wood continuously shaped (tongued, grooved, rebated, v-jointed, beaded, molded, etc.) along any of its edges or faces, planed, etc., 

or not, coniferous 296 291 276 -5.1

2710.19 Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and products containing by weight 70 percent or more of 

petroleum oils, not biodiesel or waste 1,022 571 266 -53.4

8409.99 Parts for use with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines, n.e.s.o.i. 333 349 238 -31.8

2710.12 Light oils and preparations containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals, not 

containing biodiesel, not waste oils 100 198 218 9.7

7210.49 Flat-rolled iron or nonalloy steel products, not corrugated, 600 mm or more wide, plated or coated with zinc other than 

electrolytically 23 129 194 50.6

2009.11 Orange juice, frozen, whether or not sweetened 255 183 177 -2.9

7202.93 Ferroniobium 288 226 177 -21.7

8703.23 Passenger motor vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1,500 cc but 

not over 3,000 cc 2 3 171 6,062.2

7201.10 Nonalloy pig iron containing 0.5% (wt.) or less phosphorus, in primary forms 644 449 166 -62.9

8412.90 Parts for engines and motors, n.e.s.o.i. 196 173 159 -8.0

2804.69 Silicon, containing by weight less than 99.99% of silicon 214 137 156 13.9

8429.20 Graders and levelers, self-propelled 190 182 156 -14.2

6802.99 Worked monumental or building stone n.e.s.o.i., of stone n.e.s.o.i. 110 121 152 26.1

Total of items shown 16,870 15,056 12,985 -13.8

All other products 13,151 12,412 13,191 6.3

Total of all commodities 30,021 27,468 26,176 -4.7

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included.
The Year in Trade 2016

284| www.usitc.gov

Table A.63 U.S. total exports to Cuba, by USITC digest sector, 2014–16

Sector Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

1 Agricultural products 285 148 221 48.7

2 Forest products (

a

) (

a

) (

a

) -44.4

3 Chemicals and related products 7 22 14 -36.2

5 Textiles and apparel (

a

) 0 (

a

) (

b

)

7 Minerals and metals (

a

) 0 (

a

) (

b

)

8 Machinery (

a

) (

a

) 1 20,213.3

9 Transportation equipment (

a

) (

a

) 2 827.8

10 Electronic products 1 5 4 -16.6

11 Miscellaneous manufactures (

a

) (

a

) (

a

) 4,954.2

12 Special provisions 7 4 5 11.6

Total 299 180 247 37.2

Source: Compiled from official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed May 3, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

a Less than $500,000.

b Undefined.
Appendix A: Data Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |285

Table A.64 U.S. total exports to Cuba, by HTS 6-digit subheading, 2014–16

HTS 6 Description 2014 2015 2016

% change 

2015–16

Million $

0207.14 Chicken cuts and edible offal (including livers) frozen 148 78 106 36.0

1005.90 Corn (maize), other than seed corn 28 5 39 692.7

2304.00 Soybean oilcake and other solid residues resulting from the extraction of soy bean oil, whether or not ground or in the form of 

pellets 67 44 36 -19.1

1201.90 Soybeans, other than seed 31 10 19 82.9

1507.90 Soybean oil, and its fractions, refined but not chemically modified 0 0 12 (

a

)

2835.26 Phosphates of calcium, except calcium hydrogenorthophosphate (dicalcium phosphate), n.e.s.o.i. 0 9 6 -36.9

3808.93 Herbicides, antisprouting products and plant-growth regulators, excluding those specified in subheading note 1 to chapter 38 6 13 5 -56.6

1905.31 Cookies (sweet biscuits) 0 0 4 (

a

)

1806.31 Chocolate and other cocoa preparations in blocks, slabs or bars, weighing 2 kg or less, filled 0 0 2 (

a

)

8800.00 Civilian aircraft, engines, and parts 0 (

b

) 1 13,284.7

3004.31 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc., containing insulin but not containing antibiotics 0 0 1 (

a

)

0207.12 Meat and edible offal of chickens, not cut in pieces, frozen 0 0 1 (

a

)

1806.90 Cocoa preparations, not in bulk form, n.e.s.o.i. 0 0 1 (

a

)

3004.90 Medicaments, in measured doses, etc. (excluding vaccines, etc., coated bandages etc., and pharmaceutical goods), n.e.s.o.i. 0 (

b

) 1 663.0

9018.12 Ultrasonic scanning apparatus 0 4 1 -79.6

9018.19 Electro-diagnostic apparatus (and apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological parameters) 

n.e.s.o.i., and parts, etc. (

b

) (

b

) 1 242.3

9018.39 Medical, etc. needles n.e.s.o.i., catheters, cannulae and the like; parts and accessories thereof (

b

) (

b

) 1 228.4

8512.10 Electrical lighting or visual signaling equipment for use on bicycles 0 0 1 (

a

)

2203.00 Beer made from malt 0 0 1 (

a

)

9018.90 Instruments and appliances for medical, surgical or veterinary sciences, n.e.s.o.i., and parts and accessories thereof (

b

) (

b

) (

b

) 13,045.3

8537.10 Boards, panels, consoles, etc. with electrical apparatus, for electric control or distribution of electricity, for a voltage not 

exceeding 1,000 v 0 0 (

b

) (

a

)

3306.10 Dentifrices 0 0 (

b

) (

a

)

8414.80 Air pumps and air or other gas compressors, n.e.s.o.i.; ventilating or recycling hoods incorporating a fan, n.e.s.o.i. 0 0 (

b

) (

a

)

9402.90 Medical, surgical, dental or veterinary furniture (except dentists’ chairs) and parts thereof 0 0 (

b

) (

a

)

2106.90 Food preparations n.e.s.o.i. 0 0 (

b

) (

a

)

Total of items shown 280 163 240 47.2

All other products 19 17 7 -58.8

Total of all commodities 299 180 247 37.2

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017). 

Note: Excludes HTS chapters 98 and 99. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. N.e.s.o.i. = not elsewhere specified or included. a Undefined.

b Less than $500,000.
286| www.usitc.gov
U.S. International Trade Commission |287

Appendix B 

Additional Tables Corresponding to 

Figures in the Report
288| www.usitc.gov
Appendix B: Additional Tables

U.S. International Trade Commission |289

Table B.1 U.S. trade balance in goods and services, 2002–16 (million dollars)

Year Services Goods

2002 67,991 -470,291

2003 62,339 -535,652

2004 69,194 -653,125

2005 80,430 -766,560

2006 83,704 -817,976

2007 123,160 -790,990

2008 133,561 -800,005

2009 136,843 -500,944

2010 166,196 -635,362

2011 201,122 -725,446

2012 209,424 -730,446

2013 242,893 -689,469

2014 265,904 -735,193

2015 263,448 -745,660

2016 250,601 -735,462

Source: USDOC, BEA, International Transactions, “Table 1.2: U.S. International Transactions, Expanded Detail,” March 21, 2017, 

http://www.bea.gov/international/; official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed 

May 17, 2017).

Note: Corresponds to figure ES.1. Merchandise trade data are on a balance-of-payments basis. 

Table B.2 U.S. goods and services trade with selected major bilateral trade partners, 2016

Goods Services

Exports Imports Total Exports Imports Total

European Union 270,325 416,666 686,991 229,573 168,182 397,755

China 115,775 462,813 578,588 53,044 16,000 69,044

Canada 265,961 278,067 544,027 53,726 29,320 83,046

Mexico 230,959 294,151 525,110 30,567 23,347 53,914

Japan 63,264 132,202 195,466 44,023 27,357 71,380

South Korea 42,266 69,932 112,199 21,261 8,768 30,029

India 21,689 45,998 67,687 19,949 26,776 46,725

Taiwan 26,045 39,313 65,358 11,136 7,601 18,737

Brazil 30,297 26,176 56,473 24,760 6,742 31,502

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017); USDOC, 

BEA, Interactive data, International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions, Tables 1.2 and 1.3, March 21, 2017.

Note: Corresponds to figure ES.2.

Table B.3 U.S. real gross domestic product, percent change, 2012–16

Year Real GDP % change

2012 2.2

2013 1.7

2014 2.4

2015 2.6

2016 1.6

Source: USDOC, BEA, National Data, “Table 1.1.1 Percent Change from Preceding Period in Real Gross Domestic Product” April 28, 2017.

Note: Corresponds to figure 1.1.
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Table B.4 Economic growth trends in the world, the United States, and selected economies, 2014–16

(percent)

Countries 2014 2015 2016

World 3.4 3.4 3.1

United States 1.9 2.6 1.6

European Union 1.6 2.4 2.0

China 7.3 6.9 6.7

Canada 2.5 0.9 1.4

Mexico 2.2 2.6 2.3

Japan 0.0 1.2 1.0

South Korea 3.3 2.8 2.8

India 7.2 7.9 6.8

Brazil 0.1 -3.8 -3.6

Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook, April 2017, 3; IMF, World Economic Outlook, October 2016, 3; EIU, "Country Report: South Korea," May 

2017, 7.

Note: Corresponds to figure 1.2.
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Table B.5 U.S. merchandise trade with selected major trading partners and the world, 2012–16

Country/region Trade flow 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Billion $

European Union

Total exports 265.7 262.1 276.2 272.0 270.3

General imports 382.2 387.5 420.6 427.6 416.7

Merchandise trade balance -116.5 -125.4 -144.4 -155.6 -146.3

China

Total exports 110.5 121.7 123.6 116.1 115.8

General imports 425.6 440.4 468.5 483.2 462.8

Merchandise trade balance -315.1 -318.7 -344.9 -367.2 -347.0

Canada

Total exports 292.7 300.8 312.8 280.6 266.0

General imports 324.3 332.5 349.3 296.2 278.1

Merchandise trade balance -31.6 -31.7 -36.5 -15.5 -12.1

Mexico

Total exports 215.9 226.0 240.3 235.7 231.0

General imports 277.6 280.6 295.7 296.4 294.2

Merchandise trade balance -61.7 -54.6 -55.4 -60.7 -63.2

Japan

Total exports 70.0 65.2 66.9 62.4 63.3

General imports 146.4 138.6 134.5 131.4 132.2

Merchandise trade balance -76.5 -73.3 -67.6 -68.9 -68.9

South Korea

Total exports 42.3 41.6 44.6 43.4 42.3

General imports 58.9 62.4 69.7 71.8 69.9

Merchandise trade balance -16.6 -20.7 -25.1 -28.3 -27.7

India

Total exports 22.1 21.8 21.5 21.5 21.7

General imports 40.5 41.8 45.4 44.8 46.0

Merchandise trade balance -18.4 -20.0 -23.9 -23.3 -24.3

Taiwan

Total exports 24.3 25.5 26.7 25.9 26.0

General imports 38.9 37.9 40.8 40.9 39.3

Merchandise trade balance -14.5 -12.4 -14.2 -15.0 -13.3

Brazil

Total exports 43.8 44.1 42.4 31.7 30.3

General imports 32.1 27.5 30.0 27.5 26.2

Merchandise trade balance 11.6 16.6 12.4 4.2 4.1

Cuba Total exports 464.5 359.6 299.1 180.2 247.2

General imports 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Merchandise trade balance 464.4 359.6 299.1 180.2 247.2

World

Total exports 1,545.8 1,578.5 1,621.2 1,502.6 1,453.7

General imports 2,276.3 2,268.0 2,356.4 2,248.2 2,189.2

Merchandise trade balance -730.4 -689.5 -735.2 -745.7 -735.5

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC), accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed February 23, 2017).

Note: Corresponds to figures 1.4, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, 6.11, 6.13, 6.15, 6.17, and 6.19.
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Table B.6 U.S. merchandise trade with selected major trading partners and the world, 2016

Major trading partner

U.S. total 

exports

U.S. general 

imports

Share of total 

exports

Share of total 

imports

Million $ Percent

European Union 270,325 416,665 18.6 19.0

China 115,775 462,813 8.0 21.1

Canada 265,961 278,067 18.3 12.7

Mexico 230,959 294,151 15.9 13.4

Japan 63,264 132,202 4.4 6.0

South Korea 42,266 69,932 2.9 3.2

India 21,689 45,998 1.5 2.1

Taiwan 26,045 39,313 1.8 1.8

Brazil 30,297 26,176 2.1 1.2

All others 432,377 481,973 29.7 22.0

World 1,453,721 2,189,183

Source: Official trade statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC), accessible via the USITC DataWeb (accessed April 12, 2017).

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add up to 100 percent. Corresponds to figures 1.5 and 1.6.
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Table B.7 U.S. private cross-border services trade with selected major trading partners and the world, 

2012–16

Country/region Trade flow 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Billion $

European Union

Exports 197.8 202.8 220.0 225.4 229.6

Imports 146.5 151.5 160.7 164.9 168.2

Trade balance 51.3 51.3 59.2 60.5 61.4

China

Exports 32.8 37.2 44.1 47.9 53.0

Imports 13.0 13.8 13.9 15.0 16.0

Trade balance 19.8 23.3 30.2 32.9 37.0

Canada

Exports 61.6 62.5 61.7 56.1 53.7

Imports 30.8 30.5 30.0 28.7 29.3

Trade balance 30.8 31.9 31.7 27.4 24.4

Mexico

Exports 27.8 29.5 29.9 31.1 30.6

Imports 15.3 17.1 19.8 21.8 23.3

Trade balance 12.5 12.3 10.1 9.3 7.2

Japan

Exports 46.1 45.2 46.2 43.8 44.0

Imports 24.5 27.6 28.2 26.3 27.4

Trade balance 21.6 17.6 18.0 17.5 16.7

South Korea

Exports 17.9 20.7 20.0 20.2 21.3

Imports 8.1 8.1 8.2 8.8 8.8

Trade balance 9.8 12.5 11.8 11.4 12.5

India

Exports 12.1 13.1 14.7 17.7 19.9

Imports 18.7 20.3 22.3 24.7 26.8

Trade balance -6.6 -7.3 -7.6 -6.9 -6.8

Taiwan

Exports 11.3 11.4 12.2 11.9 11.1

Imports 6.9 7.0 7.2 7.6 7.6

Trade balance 4.4 4.4 4.9 4.3 3.5

Brazil

Exports 24.9 26.6 28.5 28.0 24.8

Imports 7.4 7.6 8.2 7.8 6.7

Trade balance 17.4 19.0 20.3 20.2 18.0

World

Exports 633.6 678.6 722.9 730.6 732.6

Imports 424.2 435.7 457.0 467.1 482.0

Trade balance 209.4 242.9 265.9 263.4 250.6

Source: USDOC, BEA, Interactive data, International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions, “Table 1.2 U.S. International Trade 

in Services,” March 21, 2017.

Note: Data for 2016 are preliminary. Corresponds to figures 1.7, 6.2, 6.4, 6.6, 6.8, 6.10, 6.12, 6.14, 6.16, and 6.18.
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Table B.8 U.S. private services trade with major trading partners and the world, 2016

Major trading partners U.S. exports U.S. imports

Share of U.S. 

exports

Share of U.S 

imports

Million $ Percent

European Union 229,573 168,182 31.3 34.9

Canada 53,726 29,320 7.3 6.1

Japan 44,023 27,357 6.0 5.7

China 53,044 16,000 7.2 3.3

Mexico 30,567 23,347 4.2 4.8

India 19,949 26,776 2.7 5.6

Brazil 24,760 6,742 3.4 1.4

South Korea 21,261 8,768 2.9 1.8

Australia 21,756 7,398 3.0 1.5

All others 233,893 168,061 31.9 34.9

World 732,552 481,951

Source: USDOC, BEA, Interactive data, International Transactions, Services, & IIP, International Transactions, “Tables 1.2 and 1.3, U.S. 

International Trade in Services,” March 21, 2017.

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to 100 percent. 2016 data are preliminary. Corresponds to figures 1.8 and 1.9.

Table B.9 TAA petitions certified, by industry sector, FY 2016

Industry sectors Petitions Share of petitions (%)

Manufacturing 673 56.5

Professional, scientific, and technical services 147 12.3

Information 77 6.5

Finance and insurance 76 6.4

Administrative support and waste management and remediation services 65 5.5

Wholesale trade 46 3.9

Transportation and warehousing 33 2.8

Retail Trade 15 1.3

Other 60 5.0

Source: USDOL, ETA, email message to USITC staff, February 28, 2017. 

Note: Other includes all industry sectors where fewer than 15 petitions were certified in FY 2016. Corresponds to figure 2.1.