On February 7, 2022, the United States and Japan announced an agreement to allow “historically-based sustainable volumes of Japanese steel products to enter the U.S. market without the application of Section 232 tariffs.” Under the agreement, the United States will implement a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) on steel imports from Japan, effective April 1, 2022. Under
Tariffs/Trade Policy
CIT Holds Oral Argument in China Section 301 Tariff Refund Litigation
On February 1, 2022, a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) held oral argument in the China Section 301 tariff refund litigation to consider the government defendants’ motion to dismiss and the plaintiffs’ cross motion for judgment on the record. Arguments by both parties focused on three main issues: (1) justiciability;…
CBP Issues Notice of Finding that Certain Palm Oil and Derivative Products from Malaysia Involve Forced Labor
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a “Notice of Finding” in which it has determined that certain palm oil and derivative products made wholly or in part with palm oil produced by Sime Darby Plantation Berhad, its subsidiaries, and joint ventures with the use of convict, forced or indentured labor, are…
DHS Seeks Public Comment on Methods to Prevent the Importation of Goods Originating from Forced Labor in China
On January 24, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security, on behalf of the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (Task Force), issued a request for public comments on “how best to ensure that goods, wares, articles, and merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part with forced labor in the People’s Republic of China are…
CBP Issues Guidance on EU Section 232 Tariff Rate Quotas on Imports of Aluminum and Steel Articles
On December 29, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued several guidance documents through its Cargo Systems Messaging Service concerning recent Presidential Proclamations that established the tariff rate quota (TRQ) process for imports of aluminum and steel articles from the member countries of the European Union (EU). See Update of December 29, 2021 for…
Changes to HTSUS Classifications to be Effective on January 27, 2022
On December 28, 2021, Presidential Proclamation 10326 directing the modification of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) was published in the Federal Register, triggering the 30-day implementation process. As previously reported — see Update of November 23, 2021 — the recommended HTSUS modifications will primarily update the HTSUS to conform to…
President Biden Issues Proclamations Adjusting Imports of Steel and Aluminum into the United States
On December 28, 2021, President Joseph Biden issued two proclamations – Adjusting Imports of Steel into the United States and Adjusting Imports of Aluminum into the United States. In each proclamation, the president acknowledged that:
“the United States has successfully concluded discussions with the EU [European Union] on behalf of its member countries on…
USTR Again Criticizes Russia for Poor WTO Compliance
On December 21, 2021, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released its annual report submitted to Congress assessing Russia’s implementation and enforcement of its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments. In keeping with the tone of past annual USTR reports on this topic, Ambassador Katherine Tai, the USTR, stated that the 2021 report…
U.S. and India Reach Agreement on Digital Services Taxes
On November 24, 2021, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that the United States and India reached an agreement regarding the treatment of Digital Services Taxes (DSTs). Under the agreement, India will remove its existing DSTs before the entry into force of Pillar 1 of the agreement on global taxation of the…
U.S. and Turkey Reach Agreement on Digital Services Taxes
On November 22, 2021, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that the United States and Turkey reached an agreement regarding the treatment of Digital Services Taxes (DSTs).
Under the agreement, Turkey will remove its existing DSTs before the entry into force of Pillar 1 of the agreement on global taxation of the…
