U.S. Hydraulic Cylinder Makers Seek Duties on Foreign Imports

The Hydraulic Cylinders Fair Trade Coalition, representing companies including Aggressive Hydraulics Inc. and Texas Hydraulics Inc., filed the formal request with the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission. The coalition alleges that foreign competitors are selling products at margins reaching as high as 744.85 percent in the case of Canadian imports, forcing domestic firms to contend with unsustainable price pressures.

Counsel for the petitioners, Alan Luberda of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, characterized the move as a necessary step to restore fair competition. The petitions detail a range of foreign government support, including preferential tax treatment, export loans, and grants. The complaint against Mexico notably includes allegations of transnational subsidies originating from China to support local production.

The Department of Commerce is expected to decide whether to launch a formal investigation within 20 days. The International Trade Commission has set a public staff conference for August 19, 2026, as part of a review process that will likely span over a year. The scope of the petition covers linear hydraulic cylinders with steel barrels and specific bore dimensions, which are essential components in heavy industries ranging from construction and earth-moving equipment to industrial lifts and manufacturing machinery.