On the sidelines of the international G-20 (Group of Twenty) forum in Buenos Aires, Argentina, U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto signed today the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), launching the formal process to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). During the signing ceremony,
Tariffs/Trade Policy
China Section 301 Tariffs: Second Tranche Product Exclusion Requests Due by December 18
On September 18, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the exclusion request process for the Trump administration’s second tranche of products covered under the Section 301 trade action against China for its unfair policies and practices involving forced technology transfers and intellectual property rights. On August 16, 2018, the United States implemented retaliatory tariffs…
USTR Releases Updated Section 301 Report on China’s Policies and Practices Concerning Technology Transfers and Intellectual Property Rights
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has released an updated Section 301 report concerning China’s forced technology transfers and infringement of intellectual property rights. This report updates the original March 22, 2018 investigation findings and follows the U.S. government’s imposition of import tariffs on July 6, 2018, August 23, 2018 and September 24,…
CBP Ruling Determines “Substantial Transformation” Requirements Trump NAFTA Marking Rules for Application of Section 301 Tariffs and Trade Remedy Duties
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a significant ruling in September that distinguished between North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) country-of-origin marking rules and the country-of-origin rules applying to products subject to Section 301 tariffs and trade remedy duties. In its ruling, CBP determined that Chinese-origin components imported into Mexico for assembly into an…
USTR Requests Comments on Objectives for a United States-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement
On October 16, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) notified Congress of the Trump administration’s plans to enter into free trade agreement negotiations with the United Kingdom (UK) after the UK has exited the European Union. (See Trump and Trade Update dated October 17, 2018.) The USTR is seeking to remove both tariff and…
USTR Requests Comments on Objectives for a U.S.-EU Free Trade Agreement
On October 16, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) notified Congress of the Trump administration’s plans to enter into free trade agreement negotiations with the European Union (EU). (See Trump and Trade Update dated October 17, 2018.) The USTR is seeking to remove both tariff and non-tariff barriers and to achieve fairer, more balanced…
U.S. International Trade Commission Initiates Investigation Regarding Economic Impact of Possible U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is seeking public comment concerning the probable economic impact of duty-free treatment for currently dutiable imports from Japan. The investigation, U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement: Advice on the Probable Economic Effect of Providing Duty-free Treatment for Currently Dutiable Imports, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer in…
USTR Requests Comments on Objectives for a U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement
On October 16, 2018, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) notified Congress of the Trump administration’s intention to enter into negotiations with Japan for a U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. (See Trump and Trade Update dated October 17, 2018.) USTR has stated that its aim in the negotiations is to address both tariff and non-tariff barriers…
NAFTA Becomes the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
After successful, last-minute negotiations, Canada and the United States agreed on September 30, 2018 to revise and modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The United States and Mexico previously announced their intent to proceed with a revised trade agreement (see Trump and Trade Update dated September 4). In remarks to the press,…
Revised Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement to Be Signed
With the international trade community’s focus on China (tariffs) and Mexico/Canada (NAFTA negotiations), it would be easy to forget another significant trade matter that the Trump administration has been seeking to finalize. According to reports, the revised Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) will be signed today after President Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in meet in New York City, where both are attending the start of the United Nations’ General Assembly plenary session.
