Current Status
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) officially asked the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to investigate the impact of lamb imports on U.S. producers in October 2025. In July 2026, USTR recommended ITC investigation. The ITC will now collect testimony and data from all interested parties, hold a public hearing, and determine whether increased lamb imports are a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry. Under the statutory timeline, the ITC typically issues its determination within 120 days of receiving the petition. ASI will remain fully engaged throughout the process.
Anticipated ITC Investigation Timeline:
- Late July – ITC is scheduled to issue questionnaires seeking detailed information from U.S. producers, processors, importers and other market participants.
- Late August – Completed questionnaires are due back to the ITC.
- October – ITC injury hearing to receive testimony and arguments from domestic producers and companies, importers, foreign suppliers and other interested parties.
- November – ITC will vote on whether the increased imports have caused or threaten to cause serious injury to the domestic industry.
- December – If ITC rules in ASI’s favor, a remedy hearing will be scheduled.
- January – The final determination and recommendations will be issued by ITC.
Press Releases
USTR Recommends ITC Investigation into Lamb Imports Following ASI’s Safeguard Request
DENVER, CO (July 13, 2026) – The American Sheep Industry Association welcomed the decision by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) today to recommend that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) initiate a global safeguard investigation into imports of lamb meat under Sections 201 and 202 of the Trade Act of 1974. Read More >
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ASI Leads National Effort Urging U.S. Trade Representative to Investigate Lamb Imports
DENVER, CO (October 31, 2025) – The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), the nation’s oldest livestock organization, has formally requested that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) initiate a global safeguard investigation into U.S. imports of lamb meat under Sections 201–202 of the Trade Act of 1974. ASI submitted this request on behalf of its 42 state associations and more than 100,000 farms and ranches. Read More >
201 Case Timeline
- October 30, 2025: ASI submitted a formal request to the USTR for a global safeguard investigation into lamb meat imports under Sections 201–202 of the Trade Act of 1974.
- December 9, 2025: ASI Call to Action: Support for Section 201 Lamb Import Investigation – U.S. House Dear Colleague Letter
- December 15, 2025: ASI 2nd Call to Action: Support for Section 201 Lamb Import Investigation – U.S. Senate Dear Colleague Letter
- January 2026 – U.S. House and Senate Dear Colleague Letters filed
- July 13, 2026: USTR has officially referred ASI’s Section 201 petition on lamb imports to the International Trade Commission for formal investigation.
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