Trump Weighs Blocking Exxon Investment as Venezuela Deemed “Uninvestable” 
Johnson & Johnson Secures Tariff Exemption by Agreeing to Lower Drug Prices in the U.S. 
GM Takes $6 Billion EV Write-Down as Electric Vehicle Demand Slows in the U.S. 
UBS Upgrades L’Oréal to Buy, Sees Strong Sales Momentum and 20% Upside 
Chevron Sees Path to Boost Venezuela Oil Output by 50% After Trump Administration Talks 
Stellantis to End Plug-In Hybrid Sales in the U.S. as Demand Shifts Toward Traditional Hybrids 
Trump Considers Starlink to Restore Internet Access in Iran Amid Protests 
Rio Tinto–Glencore Talks Spark Pressure on BHP as Copper Fuels Mining Mega Deals 
BESI Reports Strong Q4-25 Orders Surge Driven by Data Center and Hybrid Bonding Demand 
China’s AI Sector Pushes to Close U.S. Tech Gap Amid Chipmaking Challenges 
Aktis Oncology Prices Upsized IPO at $18, Raising $318 Million in Major Biotech Debut 
Hanwha Ocean Shares Rise on Plans to Expand U.S. Shipbuilding Capacity 
FTC Blocks Edwards Lifesciences’ JenaValve Acquisition in Major Antitrust Ruling 
AustralianSuper Backs BlueScope Steel’s Rejection of $9 Billion Takeover Bid 
Trump Calls for 10% Credit Card Interest Rate Cap Starting 2026 
EU Orders Elon Musk’s X to Preserve Grok AI Data Amid Probe Into Illegal Content 
SK Innovation scored a point when the U.S. International Trade Commission released its preliminary decision this week. The USITC sided with SK in the battery patent lawsuit filed by LG Energy Solutions when it said that no violation was committed.
As per The Korea Times, the U.S. trade watchdog ruled in favor of SK Innovation, and this ruling was announced on Wednesday, March 31. After clearing SKI in the battery infringement suit, it was reported that the company’s shares immediately surged by 15%.
Why USITC cleared SK
The trade commission said in its preliminary ruling that it could not find evidence that proves SK Innovation infringed any of LG Energy’s battery patents. The decision was handed down as the deadline to decide whether the White House could veto a separate ITC ruling based on February’s finding that stated SKI unlawfully obtained LG’s trade secrets.
"It is my initial determination in this investigation that there is no violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, in the importation into the U.S., the sale for importation, and/or the sale within the U.S. after importation of certain lithium battery cells, battery modules, battery packs, components thereof and products containing the same, with respect to the alleged infringement of asserted claims (of the four patents)," Judge Dee Lord stated.
But then again, it should be noted that this is just a preliminary resolution. The final ruling on LGES’ patent lawsuit against SK Innovation is due on Aug. 2.
SKI’s response to USITC decision
SKI applauded the commission’s ruling and said again that the company’s battery technologies are original. It also reiterated that the products were the results of hard work.
"We have been developing advanced battery technology over an extended period of time, and therefore anticipated that the ITC would rule that no infringements were made on LGES' patents,” SK stated. “The preliminary ruling shows SKI's technological capabilities."
This ruling is a separate case from the trade secret issue between LGES and SK Innovation. ITC sided with the former in this case, and it is facing a 10-year import ban in the U.S. SKI is currently making an appeal to reverse the resolution. This ban will take effect if President Joe Biden does not overrule the decision, and he has until April 11 to decide.
Meanwhile, Reuters noted that SK Innovation and LG Energy could dissolve the USITC ruling in this trade secret suit if they can agree to a settlement. The officials in Georgia also previously called on the companies to negotiate and end the dispute to avoid further troubles as it is not just SK and LG that will be affected if the decision is not revoked.
