ITC to Consider Extension of Washing Machine Safeguard TRQ Until 2024

The International Trade Commission is beginning an investigation into whether to extend Section 201 safeguard duties on large residential washers, it said in a notice released Aug. 11. The ITC will consider whether the tariff-rate quota put in place in 2018 “continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury and whether there is evidence that the domestic industry is making a positive adjustment to import competition.”

Whirlpool requested the extension in a petition filed Aug. 3 with the ITC. The company requests that the safeguard TRQs be extended another three years, until Feb. 7, 2024, “with only minimal liberalization of the quota and over-quota tariff rates.” It says the safeguard duties have helped stabilize the domestic washer industry, but that dangers still exist to justify continued application of the tariffs.

The ITC said requests to participate in the investigation are due Sept. 2. The commission will hold a hearing Nov. 5, with requests to appear at the hearing due Oct. 27. Participants in the investigation may file pre-hearing briefs by Oct. 26, and post-hearing briefs by Nov. 12.