In an October 4, 2021 speech, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai offered several broad insights into President Joseph Biden’s approach to the U.S.-China trade relationship. Noting that this relationship is complex, competitive and “one of profound consequence,” she stated that “[f]or too long, China’s lack of adherence to global trading norms has undercut the
Section 301 Investigations
U.S. and Vietnam Resolve Section 301 Timber Investigation
On October 1, 2021, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam) reached an agreement resolving the Section 301 investigation into Vietnam’s alleged import and use of timber illegally harvested or traded. The investigation was initiated in October 2020 by former President…
U.S. Freight Rail Coupler Industry Files Trade Remedy Petitions Against Imports from China
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…
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…
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…
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…
CIT Further Adjusts Deadlines in Section 301 Tariff Refund Litigation
On August 16, 2021, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) once again issued an order revising certain deadlines originally established in its July 6 decision and order granting the plaintiff group’s motion for a preliminary injunction in the ongoing Section 301 tariff refund litigation involving imports of certain Chinese products. The preliminary injunction suspended…
TikTok and WeChat “National Security” Cases Are Dismissed
In February 2021, President Joseph Biden’s administration sought a pause in ongoing litigation involving Chinese mobile applications TikTok and WeChat in order to evaluate the record and determine whether there was an actual national security threat as previously determined by former President Donald Trump. On June 9, 2021, President Biden issued a new executive order…
CBP Releases FAQs on the Scope of the Recent WRO Related to Hoshine Silicon Industry Co., Ltd.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued five Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) relating to its June 23, 2021 Withhold Release Order (WRO) requiring U.S. ports to detain shipments of silica-based products and materials as well as goods derived from those products manufactured by Hoshine Silicon Industry Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries (“Hoshine”). Hoshine operates…
Plaintiffs File Cross-Motion for Judgment on Agency Record and Response to Government’s Motion to Dismiss in the China Section 301 Tariff Refund Litigation
On August 2, 2021, the plaintiff group in the ongoing Section 301 tariff refund litigation at the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) filed a Cross-Motion for Judgment on the Agency Record and a Response to the Government’s Motion to Dismiss. In seeking judgment and asking that the government defendants’ motion be denied, the…
