On September 29, 2021, the Coalition of Freight Coupler Producers, consisting of Amsted Rail Company, Inc. and McConway & Torley LLC (“Petitioners”), filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) seeking antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of freight rail coupler (FRC) systems and components from the
U.S.-EU Hold Inaugural Trade and Technology Council Meeting
On September 29, 2021, the inaugural meeting of the United States–European Union Trade and Technology Council (TTC) met to discuss and establish “common principles to update the rules for the 21st century economy.” Attending were U.S. Co-Chairs, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai, and
Commerce Seeks Public Comment on Risks in the Semiconductor Supply Chain
On September 24, 2021, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a notice seeking public comment and input from domestic and foreign semiconductor design firms, semiconductor manufacturers, materials and equipment suppliers, and semiconductor intermediate and end-users regarding ongoing risks in the semiconductor supply chain. The goal of this public comment request
Commerce Initiates Section 232 National Security Investigation into Imports of Rare Earth Magnets
On September 21, 2021, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated an investigation to determine the effects on U.S. national security of imports of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets (sometimes referred to as neodymium magnets, neo magnets, or rare earth magnets). According to a Commerce press release, “critical national security systems rely on NdFeB permanent magnets, including
USTR Again Extends Section 301 Product Exclusions for Certain Medical Imports from China Necessary for COVID-19 Response
On September 27, 2021, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it was again continuing exclusions from Section 301 duties for certain medical care imports from China needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. These exclusions were set to expire on September 30, 2021 (see Update of March 8, 2021), but
OFAC Issues General Licenses Authorizing Humanitarian Activities and Export/Reexport of Certain Materials to Afghanistan
On September 24, 2021, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued two general licenses (GL) intending to alleviate the impact of U.S. sanctions on civilians in Afghanistan. Specifically, OFAC issued GL 14 “Authorizing Humanitarian Activities in Afghanistan” and GL 15 “Transactions Related to the Exportation or Reexportation of Agricultural Commodities, Medicine, Medical Devices, Replacement Parts
OFAC Issues Latest General License Update Extending Delay of PdVSA 2020 8.5% Bond-Related Authorizations
On September 10, 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License (GL) 5H, “Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to the Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. 2020 8.5 Percent Bond on or After January 21, 2022,” which continues to delay U.S. persons’ ability to enforce bondholder rights to the
CIT Eliminates Repository Requirement for List 3 and List 4A Entries in China Section 301 Tariff Refund Litigation
On September 8, 2021, the Court of International Trade (CIT) issued an order that revised its July 6, 2021 order granting the plaintiff group’s motion for a preliminary injunction in the ongoing China Section 301 tariff refund litigation. That preliminary injunction suspended liquidation of unliquidated entries from China subject to List 3 and List 4A
OFAC Sanctions Paraguayan Individuals and Entities for Money Laundering and Corruption
Recent additions to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List highlight an increasing enforcement focus on corruption and money laundering. On August 24, 2021, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated three Paraguayan individuals and five associated entities to the SDN List in response to a corruption and money-laundering scheme involving
USTR Seeking Comments on Continuing Section 301 Tariff Exclusions for Certain Medical Imports from China Necessary for COVID-19 Response
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking public comments on whether to continue exclusions from Section 301 duties for certain medical care imports from China needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. These exclusions are set to expire on September 30, 2021 (see Update of March 8, 2021). The USTR notice