WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. International

Trade Commission said Monday it is investigating a complaint

filed by ArcelorMittal that Vietnamese

automaker VinFast violated its patents related to high-strength

aluminum and aluminum alloy-coated steel in imported vehicles.

ArcelorMittal in April filed a complaint with the ITC and

also filed suit against VinFast in U.S. District Court in

California, accusing the automaker of violating its patents in

its VF 8 vehicle.

VinFast, which started to deliver its sport utility vehicle

(SUV) VF 8 in California in 2023, did not immediately respond to

a request for comment. VinFast plans to open its first North

American manufacturing plant in North Carolina in 2025, which

will produce the VF 8 and VF 9 models.

ArcelorMittal first sent VinFast a letter in November

2022 asserting it was violating its patents but said VinFast has

not sought a license. The company said it believes the VF 3, VF

6, VF 7, and VF 9 also infringe on its patents.

ArcelorMittal purchased a VinFast VF 8 vehicle in May 2023

and then tested it as part of its patent infringement suit.