The Department of Commerce has issued a Federal Register notice seeking public comment on (1) the appropriateness of the information its Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) requested and considered in applying the Section 232 exclusion criteria to product exclusion requests, and (2) the efficiency and transparency of the product exclusion process itself. This request
Commerce Requests Public Comment on Section 232 National Security Investigation Concerning Imports of Mobile Cranes
On May 26, 2020, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a Federal Register notice seeking public comment, data analyses, and other relevant information concerning the Department of Commerce’s May 6 initiation of a national security investigation into the impact of imports of mobile cranes pursuant to Section 232 of the
Commerce Requests Public Comment on Section 232 National Security Investigation Concerning Imports Related to Electrical Transformers for Bulk-Power System Grid
On May 19, 2020, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a Federal Register notice seeking public comment, data analyses, and other relevant information pertaining to Commerce’s May 11 initiation of a national security investigation into imports of certain components for incorporation into transformers, electrical transformers and transformer regulators pursuant to
FEMA Holding Industry Meeting Thursday, May 21 to Address Production and Distribution of Critical Health and Medical Supplies
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that it will convene a virtual meeting via teleconference and web conference on Thursday, May 21, 2020 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. to discuss the terms of a voluntary agreement with industry aimed at “maximizing the effectiveness of the distribution of critical medical resources nationwide to respond
Commerce to Further Restrict Huawei’s Access to U.S. Semiconductor Technology and Software; Temporary General License Extended for Final Time
Due to continuing concerns with Huawei Technologies and its non-U.S. affiliates accessing and using U.S. technology and software to design and manufacture its semiconductors, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced that it will further tighten export restrictions on the Chinese conglomerate. Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will amend its foreign-produced direct product rule
U.S. Departments of State and Treasury and U.S. Coast Guard Issue Advisory Addressing Illicit Shipping and Sanctions Evasion Practices
On May 14, 2020, the U.S. Departments of State and Treasury and the U.S. Coast Guard issued a global advisory to alert the maritime industry and those active in the energy and metals sectors to deceptive shipping practices used to evade U.S. economic sanctions. It is intended to provide exporters, shippers and others utilizing the
USTR Grants Extensions for Imported Chinese Products With Section 301 Tariff Exclusions Expiring May 14, 2020
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), after seeking comments on whether to extend for up to 12 months exclusions from the Section 301 tariffs granted in May 2019 for certain imports from China (see Trump and Trade Update of March 2, 2020), has approved 13 extensions covering the following Harmonized Tariff
New Trade Remedy Petitions Filed With U.S. Government Against Imports of Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam
On May 13, 2020, the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO, CLC (USW), a union on behalf of the domestic industry employees, filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) seeking antidumping (AD) duties on imports of
OFAC Revokes Venezuela-Related General License 13E and Issues General Licenses 3H and 9G to Remove Nynas AB
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced its revocation of general license 13E and issuance of general licenses 3H (“Authorizing Transactions Related to Dealings in Certain Bonds”) and 9G (“Authorizing Transactions Related to Dealings in Certain Securities”) to remove references to Nynas AB. Nynas is no longer being blocked
USTR Issues Another Round of China Section 301 Tariff Exclusions for List/Tranche 4 Products, Including Medical Products
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a Federal Register notice excluding certain List/Tranche 4 products (imports from China with an annual trade value of $300 billion) from China Section 301 tariffs. The exemptions cover three 10-digit Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) subheadings and five specially-prepared product descriptions, which cover 27 separately submitted