Notice2026-03499

USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin: Economic Impact and Operation, 2027 Report

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Published
February 23, 2026

Issuing agencies

International Trade Commission

Abstract

In accordance with section 202A(g)(2) of the United States- Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act ("the Act"), the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) has instituted Investigation No. 332-608, USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin: Economic Impact and Operation, 2027 Report, for the purpose of preparing the 2027 report.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 35 (Monday, February 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8521-8523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03499]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-608]


USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin: Economic Impact and Operation, 
2027 Report

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice of investigation and scheduling of a public hearing.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 202A(g)(2) of the United States-
Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (``the Act''), the U.S. 
International Trade Commission (Commission) has instituted 
Investigation No. 332-608, USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin: Economic 
Impact and Operation, 2027 Report, for the purpose of preparing the 
2027 report.

DATES: 
    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.
    No later than July 1, 2027: Transmittal of Commission report to the 
President, the Senate Committee on Finance, and the House Committee on 
Ways and Means.

ADDRESSES: All Commission offices, including the Commission's hearing 
rooms, are located in the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 
500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. All written submissions should 
be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 
E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The public record for this 
investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket 
(EDIS) at <a href="https://edis.usitc.gov">https://edis.usitc.gov</a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Leaders Fernando Gracia (202-
205-2747 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#422427302c232c262d6c253023212b230237312b36216c252d34"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="caacafb8a4aba4aea5e4adb8aba9a3ab8abfb9a3bea9e4ada5bc">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>) and Dixie Downing (202-205-3164 
or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dabeb3a2b3bff4beb5adb4b3b4bd9aafa9b3aeb9f4bdb5ac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d49445544480349425a4344434a6d585e44594e034a425b">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>) or Deputy Project Leaders Conor Hargrove 
(202-708-5409 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7a191514150854121b081d08150c1f3a0f09130e19541d150c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="accfc3c2c3de82c4cddecbdec3dac9ecd9dfc5d8cf82cbc3da">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>) and Tamara Gurevich (202-
205-3403 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bcc8ddd1ddcedd92dbc9ced9cad5dfd4fcc9cfd5c8df92dbd3ca"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e692878b879487c881939483908f858ea693958f9285c8818990">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>) for information specific to this 
investigation. For information on the legal aspects of this 
investigation, contact Brian Allen (202-205-3034 or 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#99fbebf0f8f7b7f8f5f5fcf7d9eceaf0edfab7fef6ef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dfbdadb6beb1f1beb3b3bab19faaacb6abbcf1b8b0a9">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>) of the Commission's Office of the General 
Counsel. The media should contact Claire Huber, Office of External 
Relations (202-205-1819 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f49798959d8691da9c81969186b481879d8097da939b82"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="482b2429213a2d66203d2a2d3a083d3b213c2b662f273e">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>). Hearing-impaired 
individuals may obtain information on this matter by contacting the 
Commission's TDD terminal at 202-205-1810. General information 
concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its website 
(<a href="https://www.usitc.gov">https://www.usitc.gov</a>). Persons with mobility impairments who will 
need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should 
contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: The 2027 report will be the third of five reports that 
section 202A(g)(2) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 4532(g)(2)) requires that the 
Commission provide on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) 
automotive rules of origin (ROOs) and their impact on the U.S. economy, 
effect on U.S. competitiveness, and relevancy considering recent 
technology changes. In particular, the Act requires that the Commission 
report on the following:
    (1) 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.
    (2) The operation of the ROOs and their effects on the 
competitiveness of the United States with respect to production and 
trade in automotive goods, taking into account developments in 
technology, production processes, or other related matters.
    (3) Whether the ROOs are relevant in light of technological changes 
in the United States.
    (4) Such other matters as the Commission considers 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 this investigation, the Commission intends to conduct a 
survey and will post the associated questionnaire on its website at a 
later date. The Act requires that the Commission transmit its report in 
this investigation ``to the appropriate

[[Page 8522]]

congressional committees and the President'' no later than July 1, 
2027, two years following submission of its previous report, USMCA 
Automotive Rules of Origin: Economic Impact and Operation, 2025 Report, 
Inv. No. 332-600, Pub. 5642 (August 2025). The Commission is required 
to submit reports on the USMCA automotive ROOs every two years until 
2031, for a total of five reports.
    Public hearing: A public hearing in connection with this 
investigation will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m., October 14, 2026, in 
the Main Hearing Room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The hearing can also be accessed 
remotely using the WebEx videoconference platform. A link to the 
hearing will be posted on the Commission's website at <a href="https://www.usitc.gov/calendarpad/calendar.html">https://www.usitc.gov/calendarpad/calendar.html</a>.
    Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed with the 
Secretary to the Commission no later than 5:15 p.m., September 11, 
2026, in accordance with the requirements in the ``Written 
Submissions'' section below. Any requests to appear as a witness via 
videoconference must be included with your request to appear. Requests 
to appear as a witness via videoconference must include a statement 
explaining why the witness cannot appear in person; the Chair, or other 
person designated to conduct the investigation, may at their discretion 
for good cause shown, grant such requests. Requests to appear as a 
witness via videoconference due to illness or a positive COVID-19 test 
result may be submitted by 3 p.m. the business day prior to the 
hearing.
    All prehearing briefs and statements should be filed no later than 
5:15 p.m., September 30, 2026. To facilitate the hearing, including the 
preparation of an accurate written public transcript of the hearing, 
oral testimony to be presented at the hearing must be submitted to the 
Commission electronically no later than noon, October 9, 2026. All 
posthearing briefs and statements should be filed no later than 5:15 
p.m., October 23, 2026. Posthearing briefs and statements should 
address matters raised at the hearing. For a description of the 
different types of written briefs and statements, see the 
``Definitions'' section below.
    In the event that, as of the close of business on September 11, 
2026, no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing 
will be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an 
observer or nonparticipant should check the Commission website as 
indicated above for information concerning whether the hearing will be 
held.
    Written submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in 
the hearing, interested persons are invited to file written submissions 
concerning this investigation. All written submissions should be 
addressed to the Secretary, and should be received no later than 5:15 
p.m., November 4, 2026. All written submissions must conform to the 
provisions of section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (19 CFR 201.8). Filings must be made through the Commission's 
Electronic Document Information System (EDIS, <a href="https://edis.usitc.gov">https://edis.usitc.gov</a>). 
Persons with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the 
Office of the Secretary, Docket Services Division (202-205-1802), email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eca9a8a5bfdf8489809cac999f85988fc28b839a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eca9a8a5bfdf8489809cac999f85988fc28b839a">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, or consult the Commission's Handbook on Filing 
Procedures.
    Definitions of types of documents that may be filed; Requirements: 
In addition to requests to appear at the hearing, this notice provides 
for the possible filing of four types of documents: prehearing briefs, 
hearing oral statements, posthearing briefs, and other written 
submissions.
    (1) Prehearing briefs refers to written materials relevant to the 
investigation and submitted in advance of the hearing, and includes 
written views on matters that are the subject of the investigation, 
supporting materials, and any other written materials that you consider 
will help the Commission in understanding your views. You should file a 
prehearing brief particularly if you plan to testify at the hearing on 
behalf of an industry group, company, or other organization, and wish 
to provide detailed views or information that will support or 
supplement your testimony.
    (2) Hearing oral statements refers to the actual oral statement 
that you intend to present at the hearing. Do not include any 
confidential business information (CBI) in that statement. If you plan 
to testify, you must file a copy of your oral statement by the date 
specified in this notice. This statement will allow Commissioners to 
understand your position in advance of the hearing and will also assist 
the court reporter in preparing an accurate transcript of the hearing 
(e.g., names spelled correctly).
    (3) Posthearing briefs refers to submissions filed after the 
hearing by persons who appeared at the hearing. Such briefs: (a) should 
be limited to matters that arose during the hearing; (b) should respond 
to any Commissioner and staff questions addressed to you at the 
hearing; (c) should clarify, amplify, or correct any statements you 
made at the hearing; and (d) may, at your option, address or rebut 
statements made by other participants in the hearing.
    (4) Other written submissions refers to any other written 
submissions that interested persons wish to make, regardless of whether 
they appeared at the hearing, and may include new information or 
updates of information previously provided.
    In accordance with the provisions of section 201.8 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, the document must 
identify on its cover (1) the investigation number and title and the 
type of document filed (i.e., prehearing brief, hearing oral statement 
of (name), posthearing brief, or written submission); (2) the name and 
signature of the person filing it; (3) the name of the organization 
that the submission is filed on behalf of; and (4) whether it contains 
CBI. If it contains CBI, it must comply with the marking and other 
requirements set out below in this notice relating to CBI. Submitters 
of written documents (other than hearing oral statements) are 
encouraged to include a short summary of their position or interest at 
the beginning of the document, and a table of contents when the 
document addresses multiple issues.
    Confidential business information: Any submissions that contain CBI 
must also conform to the requirements of section 201.6 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). Section 
201.6 of the rules requires that the cover of the document and the 
individual pages be clearly marked as to whether they are the 
``confidential'' or ``nonconfidential'' version, and that the CBI is 
clearly identified by means of brackets. All written submissions, 
except for CBI, will be made available for inspection by interested 
persons.
    The Commission will not include any CBI in its report. However, all 
information, including CBI, submitted in this investigation may be 
disclosed to and used by: (i) the Commission, its employees and 
offices, and contract personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the 
records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal 
investigations, audits, reviews, and evaluations relating to the 
programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission, including under 
5 U.S.C. Appendix 3; or (ii) U.S. government employees and contract 
personnel for cybersecurity purposes. The Commission will not otherwise 
disclose any CBI in a way that would reveal the operations of the firm 
supplying the information.

[[Page 8523]]

    Summaries of views of interested persons: Interested persons 
wishing to have a summary of their views included in the report should 
include a summary with a written submission on or before November 4, 
2026, and should mark the summary as having been provided for that 
purpose. The summary should be clearly marked as ``summary for 
inclusion in the report'' at the top of the page. The summary may not 
exceed 500 words and should not include any CBI. The summary will be 
published as provided if it meets these requirements and is germane to 
the subject matter of the investigation. The Commission will list the 
name of the organization furnishing the summary and will include a link 
where the written submission can be found.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: February 19, 2026.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2026-03499 Filed 2-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on February 23, 2026.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.