Buchanan Achieves Landmark Victory Against Import Injuries to U.S. Freight Rail Coupler Industry

Buchanan Wins Key Battle for Domestic Rail Coupler Industry

In a significant development for the U.S. freight rail coupler (FRC) manufacturing sector, Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney has achieved an important victory at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). On September 5, 2025, the ITC unanimously established that imports of freight rail couplers from the Czech Republic and India are causing material injury to the domestic market. This preliminary determination is a crucial step towards protecting American manufacturers from unfair competition through subsidized and dumped imports.

The Coalition of Freight Coupler Producers had filed petitions back in July 2025, citing that low-priced imports from these countries were undermining the livelihood of U.S. workers and harming the integrity of the domestic FRC industry. The ITC's decision highlights the necessity of strong trade regulations to level the playing field in a market increasingly impacted by international practices.

Daniel B. Pickard, the lead counsel representing the petitioners, remarked on the ruling, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by U.S. manufacturers as they compete against countries that manipulate export costs. He noted that, following previous antidumping determinations against China and Mexico, Indian and Czech producers had capitalized on the absence of tariffs, further jeopardizing local jobs and production.

The implications of this ruling are profound. In August 2025, the Department of Commerce had initiated investigations into these imports under the antidumping and countervailing duties frameworks, revealing potential dumping margins that could soar to 119%. The preliminary ITC findings pave the way for these investigations to advance. As anticipated, preliminary determinations from the Department of Commerce will likely follow, with expected announcements by late December.

If the findings of the Department of Commerce align with the ITC’s preliminary decision, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will begin implementing cash deposit collections against these imports based on the calculated dumping margins. This proactive approach is designed to prevent further damage to the domestic FRC market.

As the U.S. navigates this complex landscape of international trade, the role of law firms like Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney becomes critically important. Their expertise and strategic advocacy not only protect client interests but also reflect broader efforts to foster fair trade practices that support domestic industries. The ITC's ongoing investigation, set to reach its next phase in the summer of 2026, will further evaluate the impacts of these imports. If affirmative final determinations are reached by both the ITC and Commerce, it will mean the introduction of binding antidumping and countervailing duties for at least five years.

Buchanan’s legal team, noted for its interdisciplinary approach, combines insights from various sectors to tackle complex litigation. With 475 attorneys spread across 18 offices, Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney has positioned itself as a leading player in legal matters concerning trade and commerce—representing many innovative and prominent companies, including a significant portion of the Fortune 100.

This recent victory marks a pivotal moment not only for the FRC industry but also reinforces the importance of regulatory frameworks that safeguard U.S. businesses against the adverse effects of international trade irregularities. As the situation develops, stakeholders are keenly monitoring the ITC and Commerce's forthcoming decisions that will shape the future of the freight rail coupler market in America.