South Korean government and business officials made all-out efforts to convince the U.S. not to impose import restrictions on South Korean washing machines. 
 
The U.S. International Trade Commission(ITC) determined earlier this month that imports of washers by Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics were damaging the U.S. local industry.
 
In a related public hearing held at the ITC in Washington on Thursday, Samsung and LG claimed that the safeguard would be taking sides with local firms making little effort for innovation for customers. 
 
They added that the move will ultimately harm American distributors and consumers by limiting their choices and impairing the business of companies supplying innovative products. 
 
High-ranking U.S. officials, such as South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Commissioner Bob Rolfe of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, also argued against the safeguard case in support of the Korean firms.