USITC Investigates USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin Impact

ITC News Releases

Published February 19th, 2026

Detected February 19th, 2026

Summary

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has initiated a factfinding investigation into the impact of USMCA automotive rules of origin on the U.S. economy and competitiveness. This is the third in a series of required reports, with input being sought from interested parties.

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What changed

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has launched a new factfinding investigation (Inv. No. 332-608) to assess the economic impact and operational effectiveness of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) automotive rules of origin. This investigation will examine effects on U.S. GDP, trade, employment, industry competitiveness, and consumer interests, considering technological advancements. The USITC is required to submit this report, the third of five, to Congress and the President by July 1, 2027.

Regulated entities, particularly those in the automotive sector, should prepare to provide input. The USITC will issue a survey questionnaire and will hold a public hearing on October 14, 2026. Key deadlines for participation include September 29, 2026, for requests to appear at the hearing, and November 2, 2026, for all other written submissions. While this is a factfinding investigation and not an enforcement action, participation is crucial for ensuring accurate representation of industry impacts in the final report.

What to do next

Review the USITC's investigation scope regarding USMCA automotive rules of origin.
Prepare to respond to the upcoming survey questionnaire.
Submit requests to appear at the public hearing by September 29, 2026, and other written submissions by November 2, 2026.

Source document (simplified)

USITC to Investigate Impact of USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin on the United States in Third Factfinding Report in Series

February 19, 2026
News Release 26-026
Inv. No(s).

  332-608

Contact: Claire Huber, 202-205-1819 USITC to Investigate Impact of USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin on the United States in Third Factfinding Report in Series

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) is seeking input for its third factfinding investigation on the automotive rules of origin (ROOs) under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the ROOs’ impact on the U.S. economy, effect on U.S. competitiveness, and relevancy considering recent technology changes.

The Commission instituted this investigation, USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin: Economic Impact and Operation, 2027 Report (Inv. No. 332-608) , for the purpose of preparing the third of five reports required by section 202A(g)(2) of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act. The report will be transmitted to the President, the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Ways and Means no later than July 1, 2027.

As required, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will examine the USMCA automotive ROOs and their impact on the United States in an investigation and produce a report. The report will provide information on:

The economic impact of the USMCA automotive ROOs on U.S. gross domestic product (GDP); U.S. exports and imports; U.S. aggregate employment and employment opportunities; production, investment, use of productive facilities, and profit levels in the U.S. automotive industries and other pertinent industries; wages and employment of workers in the U.S. automotive sector; and the interests of U.S. consumers
The operation of the ROOs and their effects on the competitiveness of the United States with respect to production and trade in automotive goods, considering developments in technology, production processes, or other related matters
Whether the ROOs are relevant in light of technological changes in the United States; and
Other matters identified by the Commission as relevant to the economic impact of the ROOs, including prices, sales, inventories, patterns of demand, capital investment, obsolescence of equipment, and diversification of production in the United States As part of its investigation, the Commission intends to conduct a survey and will post the associated questionnaire on its website at a later date.

The USITC is required to submit reports on the USMCA automotive ROOs every two years until 2031, for a total of five reports. The Commission’s first and second reports are posted on the Commission’s website.

Public participation

The USITC expects to hold a public hearing in connection with this investigation on October 14, 2026, at U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The hearing also will be streamed online. Key dates related to the investigation are as follows:

September 29, 2026: Deadline for filing requests to appear at the public hearing
October 1, 2026: Deadline for filing prehearing briefs and statements
October 6, 2026: Deadline for filing electronic copies of hearing oral statements
October 14, 2026: Public hearing
October 21, 2026: Deadline for filing posthearing briefs
November 2, 2026: Deadline for filing all other written submissions Filings must be made through the Commission’s Electronic Document Information System (EDIS).

Interested individuals are encouraged to sign up for alerts from the USITC about Federal Register notices published with updates regarding USITC factfinding investigations like this one.

Further information on the scope of this investigation is available in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated February 19, 2026, which may also be obtained by contacting the Office of the Secretary.