美国贸易代表办公室收到美国绵羊产业协会提交的申诉后，提议对羔羊进口发起保障措施调查。
本次调查将由美国国际贸易委员会开展，委员会将核查进口增量是否对美国绵羊产业及本土供应造成损害，并研判是否需要加征关税等贸易限制措施。
澳大利亚长期向美国市场供应羔羊。澳大利亚肉类及畜牧业协会、澳大利亚绵羊养殖协会、澳大利亚肉类行业理事会正协同澳大利亚政府，配合澳方参与本次调查，充分维护本国行业权益。
现阶段调查刚刚启动，尚未出台任何处置结论，澳大利亚现有市场准入条件与贸易安排维持不变。
以下为常见问题解答：
美国国际贸易委员会（USITC）是什么机构？
美国国际贸易委员会是负责开展各类贸易调查的独立联邦机构。在保障措施调查流程中，该机构收集并核查相关证据，判定进口量激增是否正对美国本土产业造成严重损害或存在严重损害威胁。
若情况属实，委员会可向美国总统建议实施保障措施；而是否采取相关贸易保障举措，最终决定权归总统所有。
为何启动此次调查？
本次调查源于美国绵羊产业协会提交的申诉，该协会要求美方主管部门核查羔羊进口对本土绵羊产业造成的影响。本次调查覆盖所有供应国进口羔羊，并非单独针对澳大利亚。
美国国际贸易委员会负责独立核查各项证据，判定案件是否符合美国法律中实施保障措施的法定标准。
什么是201条款？
1974年美国贸易法第201条款为保障措施相关法规，授权美国国际贸易委员会调查进口激增是否为美国本土产业遭受严重损害或严重损害威胁的重要诱因。
与其他部分贸易调查不同，201条款调查无需认定存在不公平贸易行为，仅核查案件是否满足美国法律规定的保障措施适用法定条件。
后续流程将如何推进？
美国国际贸易委员会将开始收集羔羊产业链各相关利益方提供的资料与证词。
作为调查工作的一部分，委员会计划开展以下工作：
收集相关利益方信息
梳理市场及行业数据
举行公众听证会
核查各方提交证据
判定进口激增是否对美国本土绵羊产业造成严重损害或构成严重损害威胁
若美国国际贸易委员会作出肯定裁决，将研讨是否向美国总统建议实施保障措施及具体措施类型。是否落实相关保障举措，由总统作出最终裁定。
澳大利亚肉类及畜牧业协会将如何应对？
澳大利亚肉类及畜牧业协会正联合澳大利亚绵羊养殖协会、澳大利亚肉类行业理事会、政府代表及其他行业相关方，协同统筹澳方应对工作。
工作重点在于向各相关方同步调查流程、适时协助各方参与调查，并提交佐证材料，全面说明澳大利亚羔羊产业对美国市场的供应价值。
美国市场对澳大利亚羔羊产业意味着什么？
多年来，美国一直是澳大利亚羔羊的重要出口市场。在澳大利亚肉类及畜牧业协会与全行业合作方的支持下，业内企业持续投入大量资源开展市场开发、消费者科普、零售推广及餐饮渠道宣传，拉动羊肉整体品类需求增长。相关举措有效提升了美国消费者对羔羊产品的认知与消费量，助力该市场实现长期稳定发展。
澳大利亚相关利益方可参与本次调查吗？
美国国际贸易委员会将在调查过程中，向羔羊产业链各类企业及相关利益方征集信息。
各方参与可让委员会在评估市场与行业情况时掌握更全面的资料。澳大利亚肉类及畜牧业协会将联合行业与政府合作方，待更多细节落地后同步最新进展与相关信息，其中包含澳方产业链从业者的参与渠道及方式。
调查时间安排是怎样的？
本次调查预计分为多个阶段推进：
正式启动调查
收集利益相关方资料与证词
举行公众听证会
美国国际贸易委员会出具裁决
如需，研讨可行保障措施并向总统提交建议
美国总统裁定是否实施保障措施
根据法定流程，美国国际贸易委员会一般需在调查启动后约120日内作出裁决；若需额外时间，期限可延长至150天。
消息来源：MLA
US to launch safeguard investigation into lamb imports
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has recommended a safeguard investigation into lamb imports following a petition from the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI).
The investigation will be conducted by the US International Trade Commission (USITC), which will examine whether increased imports have damaged the US sheep industry or domestic supply and whether any trade measures such as additional tariffs should be considered.
Australia has been a long-term supplier of lamb to the US market. Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Sheep Producers Australia (SPA), the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) and the Australian Government are working collaboratively to support Australia's participation in the investigation and ensure Australia’s interests are effectively represented.
At this stage, the investigation has commenced and no decisions have been made regarding potential outcomes. There has been no change to Australia's current market access or trading arrangements.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Who is the USITC?
The US International Trade Commission is an independent federal agency responsible for conducting trade investigations. In a safeguard investigation, it collects and examines evidence to determine whether increased imports are causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury to a US domestic industry.
Where appropriate, it may recommend safeguard measures to the US President. The President makes the final decision on whether any safeguard action will be taken.
Why has the investigation been initiated?
The investigation follows a petition lodged by the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), which has requested that US authorities examine the impact of lamb imports on the domestic sheep industry. The investigation considers imports from all supplying countries and is not directed at Australia alone.
The USITC's role is to independently review the evidence and determine whether the legal criteria for safeguard measures under US law have been met.
What is Section 201?
Section 201 of the US Trade Act of 1974 is the safeguard provision that allows the USITC to investigate whether increased imports are a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat of serious injury, to a US domestic industry.
Unlike some other trade investigations, a Section 201 investigation does not require a finding of unfair trade practices, Instead, it focuses on whether the legal criteria requirements for safeguard measures under US law have been met.
What happens next?
The ITC will begin collecting information and testimony from interested stakeholders across the lamb supply chain.
As part of its investigation, the Commission is expected to:
gather information from relevant stakeholders.
review market and industry data.
conduct public hearings.
assess evidence submitted by participants.
determine whether increased imports have caused serious injury, or threaten to cause serious injury, to the US domestic sheep industry.
If the USITC makes an affirmative determination, it will then consider what safeguard measures, if any, should be recommended to the US President. The President makes the final decision on whether any safeguard action will be taken.
How is MLA responding?
MLA is working closely with Sheep Producers Australia (SPA), the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC), government representatives and other industry stakeholders to support a coordinated Australian response.
The focus is on ensuring stakeholders are informed about the process, facilitating participation where appropriate, and contributing evidence that helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the Australian lamb industry’s role in supplying the US market.
What role does the US market play for Australian lamb?
The US has been an important market for Australian lamb for many years. Industry participants, supported by MLA and broader sector partners, have invested significantly in market development, consumer education, retail programs and foodservice promotions to grow demand for lamb as a category. These efforts have helped build awareness and consumption of lamb among US consumers and supported long-term growth in the market.
Can Australian stakeholders participate in the investigation?
The USITC is expected to seek information from a range of businesses and stakeholders across the lamb supply chain as part of the investigation process.
Participation will help ensure the Commission has access to a broad range of information when assessing the market and industry. MLA, in collaboration with industry and government partners, will provide updates and further information as details become available, including whether and how Australian supply chain participants can get involved.
What is the timeline?
The investigation is expected to proceed through several stages:
Formal commencement of the investigation.
Collection of information and testimony from stakeholders.
Public hearings.
ITC determination.
if required, consideration of potential safeguard measures and recommendations to the US President.
Decision by the US President on whether to implement any safeguard measures.
Under the statutory process, the ITC is generally required to reach a determination within approximately 120 days of commencing the investigation. This may be extended to 150 days where additional time is required.
Source：MLA
