On November 14, 2016, a judge granted a motion by respondents to terminate US Steel’s antitrust claim in the Section 337 case against China.
US Steel Corp. and the Commission Investigative Attorney responded on November 23 with petitions for a review of the termination and requested an opportunity to present oral arguments to the Commission.
The US ITC (International Trade Commission) has announced that it will review that initial determination. Parties to the investigation will file written submission on the issues identified by the ITC by January 17, 2017. The ITC will determine whether to conduct oral argument and announce decision by February 24, 2017. Oral argument, if granted, will be held on March 14, 2017.
The consideration for reopening the case is important to the steel industry as US Steel still has an opportunity to make the case for injury based on antitrust claims. Additionally, if those claims are successful, legal precedence may encourage other steel firms to follow suit.