The investigation, initiated under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, started in May, in response to a petition Manitowoc filed in December. It was looking into whether imports of mobile cranes threaten to impair US national security. A public comment period followed, when a number industry players shared their opinion.
On September 8, 2020, Manitowoc requested to withdraw the application and terminate the investigation, citing a changing economic environment due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After consideration of Manitowoc’s request for withdrawal, the Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross determined that it was appropriate to terminate the investigation.
