On September 26, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security added three entities to the Uyghur Forced Labor Act (UFLPA) List as a result of each entity’s work with the government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to recruit, transport, transfer, harbor or receive forced labor or Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, or members of other persecuted groups
USTR Extends Certain China Section 301 Product Exclusions
On September 6, 2023, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a notice that it was extending certain China-related Section 301 product exclusions until December 31, 2023. This action extends 352 exclusions previously reinstated in December 2022 through September 30, 2023, and 77 COVID-related exclusions previously extended in May 2023 through September 30
WTO Rules China’s Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Imports Inconsistent with International Trade Agreements
In a landmark ruling on August 16, 2023, the World Trade Organization (WTO) determined that the retaliatory tariffs imposed by China on U.S. imports in response to U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs were inconsistent with international trade rules. The decision marks a significant moment in the long-standing trade dispute between the two major economic powers.
Executive Order Issued Restricting U.S. Investments in Chinese Technology; Treasury Seeks Public Comment on Implementation
- A new Executive Order prohibits U.S. investments in semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technologies, and artificial intelligence capabilities in China and other countries of concern and imposes certain notification requirements.
- Certain passive and similar investments will be excepted from the restrictions.
- An Advanced Notice of Public Rulemaking seeks public comment on the scope
DHS Adds to UFLPA Entity List and Releases Updated Strategy to Prevent Importation of Goods Produced with Forced Labor in China
On August 1, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced new actions to eliminate the use of forced labor practices in the U.S. supply chain by adding two China (PRC)-based companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List due to their participation in business practices involving Uyghur minorities in the Xinjiang
USTR Again Extends Section 301 Tariff Exclusions for Chinese COVID-19 Medical Products
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a Notice announcing the continuing extension of Section 301 tariff exclusions for 81 medical products that were scheduled to expire on May 15, 2023. These extensions come after a 75-day extension in February 2023 when USTR sought public comment on whether further exclusions were necessary
Plaintiffs File Notice of Appeal in China Section 301 Tariff Refund Litigation
On May 12, 2023, the plaintiff group in the China Section 301 tariff refund litigation, in response to the recently issued decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) upholding those Section 301 tariffs, formally filed its Notice of Appeal. The appeal will be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
BIS Imposes $300 Million Civil Penalty Related to Exports to Huawei and Violation of FDP Rule
On April 19, 2023, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) imposed a $300 million civil penalty against Seagate Technology LLC (California) and Seagate Singapore International Headquarters Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) to resolve alleged violations of U.S. export controls related to selling hard disk drives (HDDs) to Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. (Huawei) in
BIS Amends EAR to Explicitly Include Protection of Human Rights, Adds 11 Entities to Entity List
On March 28, 2023, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to confirm that the foreign policy interest of protecting human rights worldwide is a basis for adding entities to the Entity List. Specifically, this Final Rule amends 15 C.F.R. § 744.11 of the EAR regarding
Treasury Issues Proposed Rule to Clarify the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit Established by the CHIPS Act
On March 23, 2023, the Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit established by the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act (“CHIPS Act”). The CHIPS Act was enacted in August 2022 to incentivize the manufacture of semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing