ITC Investigation COVID-19 Related Goods: The U.S. Industry, Market, Trade, and Supply Chain Challenges.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a new investigation on COVID-19 related industry sectors and particular products. The investigation, COVID-19 Related Goods: The U.S. Industry, Market, Trade, and Supply Chain Challenges, was requested by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Ways and Means and the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance in a letter received on August 13, 2020.

As requested, the USITC, an independent nonpartisan factfinding federal agency, will provide the following:

• a brief overview of key U.S. industry sectors producing COVID-related goods, including, but not limited to, medical devices; personal protective equipment; and medicines (pharmaceuticals). The overviews will include, to the extent practicable, information on U.S. production, employment, and trade.
• case studies on key products within each relevant industry sector, including N95 respirators, ventilators, vaccines, and COVID-19 test kits. The case studies will focus on products for which there were reported shortages in the first half of 2020, including those affected by supply chain fragility, blockages, or barriers, and will include information on:
  • the U.S. industry, market, and trade, including, to the extent available:
    • the product, including key components and the production process;
    • the size and characteristics of the U.S. market;
    • the U.S. manufacturing industry, including key producers of finished goods and intermediate inputs, the extent of U.S. production, and employment; and
    • U.S. imports of finished goods and inputs, including leading source countries and supplying firms; and
  • supply chain challenges and constraints, including, but not limited to:
    • factors affecting domestic production, including, to the extent practicable, regulatory requirements that may impact entry into the market;
    • and foreign trade barriers and restrictions and other factors that may affect U.S. imports of finished goods or inputs needed for domestic production.

The USITC expects to deliver its report to the Committees by December 15, 2020.

The USITC is seeking input for the investigation from all interested parties and requests that the information focus on the issues for which the USITC is requested to provide information and advice. The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation on September 23, 2020. See below for important information regarding the format and location of the hearing.