The delay puts the decision off until after the Nov. 2 midterm elections, which is significant as more lawmakers campaign on the currency issue. The House in September passed a bill to authorize the Commerce Department to impose duties on imports from nations with undervalued currencies.
Earlier this year, currency experts wondered whether Treasury would name China a currency manipulator in its April report. But Treasury delayed that report until July, and then declined to label China a manipulator.
In a separate move targeting China trade, the U.S. on Friday launched an investigation into whether China has been subsidizing its wind and solar manufacturers as well as advanced batteries and energy-efficient cars.
Spurred by a United Steelworkers complaint, the investigation will look into whether China has discriminated against foreign companies and other imported goods while propping up its own domestic industry.
U.S.: Yuan still too cheapChina currency report delayed
