Whirlpool Corp. has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to impose a 50% tariff on washing machines produced by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and LG Electronics Inc., Yonhap News Agency reported Oct. 18, citing South Korea's trade ministry.

This comes after the ITC ruled that increased imports of washers from the two South Korean companies harm U.S. producers. That opened an investigation by the commission into the possibility of setting duties or other restrictions on the Samsung and LG products, with a hearing set for Oct. 19 and findings and recommendations scheduled to be sent to President Donald Trump by Dec. 4.

Whirlpool filed a safeguard petition with the ITC in May seeking an investigation of Samsung and LG, and has claimed that the companies were moving operations around the globe in order to sell washers at lower prices in the U.S.

The U.S.-based home appliances maker has requested that a 50% tariff be imposed on Samsung and LG over the next three years, covering not only washers but also their parts, according to the Yonhap report. Both South Korean companies are planning manufacturing facilities in the U.S.

Samsung and LG have reportedly said the proposed restrictions would limit choices for consumers in the U.S.