President Donald Trump issued two executive orders (“EOs”) on March 6, 2025 delaying the 25% tariffs imposed against imports of products of Canada and Mexico (10% tariffs for imports of energy products of Canada) pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) until April 2, 2025. The EOs specifically provide that goods qualifying and entered
Automotive
U.S. Coalition Files AD/CVD Petitions on Certain Chassis and Subassemblies from Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam
On February 26, 2025, two U.S. chassis manufacturers representing the domestic industry – petitioners Cheetak Chassis Corporation and Stoughton Trailers, LLC – filed petitions with the Department of Commerce seeking the initiation of dumping and countervailing duty investigations into certain chassis and subassemblies imported from Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam that are allegedly being or are…
Department of Commerce Proposes Ban on Connected Vehicles Using Chinese or Russian Hardware and Software
Key Notes:
BIS Expected to Propose Barring Chinese Software in Autonomous and Connected Vehicles
On March 1, 2024, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to explore national security risks posed by connected vehicles (CVs) that incorporate Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) from “foreign adversaries,” including China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The initiative…
Following U.S. Lead, Canada Announces New Tariffs on Chinese EVs, Steel and Aluminum
On August 26, 2024, the Department of Finance Canada announced the country would introduce a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) and a 25% tariff on certain Chinese steel and aluminum products. The press release, citing “unfair, non-market policies and practices” by China coupled with a “lack of rigorous labour and environmental standards,” thus…
United States and Mexico Act to Protect North American Steel and Aluminum Markets from Unfair Trade
On July 10, 2024, the United States and Mexico jointly announced measures to protect the North American steel and aluminum markets from unfair trade. Both countries will implement policies to prevent tariff evasion on steel and aluminum and undertake efforts to strengthen North American steel and aluminum supply chains. These efforts are intended to prevent…
Panel Concludes Automakers May Continue Core Parts “Roll-up” to Meet USMCA’s RVC Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Requirements
A United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Chapter 31 Dispute Resolution Panel concluded that automakers may continue to use the longstanding practice of “roll-up” when calculating the percentage of North American-originating materials used in the production of core automotive parts (e.g., engines) that is subsequently factored into the computation for determining the total amount of originating content…
Russia Sanctions Disrupt Automotive Supply Chains and Production
As of February 22, 2022, President Biden and the Departments of State, Commerce and the Treasury have implemented an array of sanctions and export controls severely restricting international trade and financing involving Russia, Ukraine and Belarus in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These have been primarily imposed and implemented pursuant to executive orders,…
President Biden Invokes Defense Production Act for Development of Critical Materials in Large-Capacity Batteries
On March 31, 2022, President Joseph Biden issued Presidential Determination No. 2022-11 invoking the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) to ensure a sufficient and sustainable domestic industrial base for the production of large-capacity batteries. Stating that the United States “depends on unreliable foreign sources for many of the strategic and critical materials necessary for…
Vehicle Producer “Alternative Staging Regime” Petitions for Compliance with USMCA Rules of Origin Due July 1
In an April 21, 2020, Federal Register notice, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced procedures for North American producers of passenger vehicles or light trucks to submit petitions requesting an alternative staging regime: An interested vehicle producer must submit a petition with a draft alternative staging plan no later than July…