On August 30, 2024, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued a press release stating that the agency “intends” to publicize tariff increases on certain products subject to the China section 301 investigation “in the coming days.” The press release addresses the second self-imposed deadline missed by the USTR; initially, the agency
China
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…
DHS Updates UFLPA Entity List with Five Chinese Entities
On August 8, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced via a Federal Register notice that effective immediately, five Chinese entities have been added to the UFLPA Entity List. These entities have been determined by DHS to be either: (i) working with the government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) to recruit…
USTR Announces Minor Delay in Upcoming Changes to China Section 301 Tariffs
After closing the public docket on June 28, 2024, for comments on proposed tariff increases for certain products subject to the China section 301 investigation, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued a July 30, 2024 press release stating that it received more than 1,100 public comments requiring further review and that…
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…
Two Members of Congress Ask CFIUS to Review Chinese Company’s Purchase of Grain Terminal in Illinois
One week after China’s largest state-run food and agriculture company announced its acquisition of a grain terminal in Cahokia, Illinois, a bipartisan pair of U.S. House members from Illinois urged Treasury Secretary Janet Yellin to conduct “an immediate review of the acquisition to weigh the consequences for America’s national security and the region’s agricultural economy.” …
Treasury Proposes Rule on U.S. Investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in Countries of Concern
Key Notes:
U.S. Treasury Department Issues Proposed Rule Limiting Outbound Investments in “Countries of Concern”
On June 21, 2024, the Department of the Treasury issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), “Addressing United States Investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in Countries of Concern.” The NPRM builds on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) issued in August 2023 in response to President Joseph Biden’s Executive Order 14105…
USTR Extends Certain China Section 301 Product Exclusions but Allows Others to Expire
On May 24, 2024, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it was further extending certain product exclusions in the Section 301 Investigation of China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation. The current 429 product-specific exclusions were scheduled to expire on May 31, 2024. However…