The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has launched a full-fledged investigation into the trade in remanufactured goods - including retreaded and remolded tires.
The investigation was requested in June, and formally launched last week.
In announcing the start of its investigation – Remanufactured Goods: An Overview of the U.S. and Global Industries, Markets, and Trade – USITC said “the data and analysis the USITC will provide could help remanufacturers, and in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, in growing their companies, accessing foreign markets, and responding to increasing resource scarcity as well as help the U.S. pursue discussions and negotiations on eliminating barriers to trade in remanufactured goods bilaterally and multilaterally at the World Trade Organization and at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.”
USITC’s fact-finding efforts in the investigation have included direct requests to U.S. tire industry groups – such as TIA, the RMA, TRIB and the Retread Tire Association – and other companies for their input.
The investigation “will provide an overview of the U.S. remanufactured goods industries and markets, estimate U.S. and global trade in remanufactured goods to the extent practicable, and examine factors affecting trends in remanufactured goods trade,” USITC said. “The investigation will focus on the 2009-11 time period.”
The USITC expects to deliver its report to the U.S. Trade Representative by Oct. 28, 2012. For more information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions, visit
usitc.gov.