The US International Trade Commission has launched a probe into tyres made in America, China and Thailand after a Japanese company filed a complaint alleging its patents had been infringed on.
The products at issue are tyres with certain tread and sidewall designs, Xinhua cited the trade panel as saying in a statement.
Japanese Toyo Tire and Rubber Company and its US entity filed a complaint in August with the commission, claiming the tyres made by 14 US, seven Chinese companies and one Thai firm have infringed upon its patents.
It requested the commission to issue a limited exclusion order and to cease and desist orders against those products.
Should the complaint be approved, the panel will issue a ban on import of such products, but during a subsequent 60-day review period, the Barack Obama administration can veto the order.