On October 12, 2022, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a notice and request for comments regarding its ongoing four-year statutory review of the Section 301 investigation of China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation. The USTR is seeking public comments on the effectiveness of the
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Plaintiffs in China Section 301 Tariff Refund Litigation File Comments on USTR’s Remand Explanation
On September 14, 2022, the plaintiff group in the ongoing China Section 301 tariff refund litigation before the Court of International Trade (CIT) filed its comments in response to the USTR’s remand explanation. The comments highlight that the CIT offered the USTR a final opportunity to explain its rationale and reasoning as to why it…
USTR to Continue Section 301 Tariffs on China During Four-Year Review Process
On September 2, 2022, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) confirmed, as part of its statutory four-year review process under the Trade Act of 1974, that (1) domestic industry representatives benefiting from the tariff actions in the Section 301 investigation of China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property,…
U.S. and Taiwan Open Formal Negotiations on Trade Initiative
On August 17, 2022, the Office the U.S. Trade Representative announced that formal negotiations have commenced with Taiwan on the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade. This trade initiative was first announced in June 2022 as an effort to “deepen the economic and trade relationship, advance mutual trade priorities based on shared values, and…
USTR Seeks Comments to Develop Trade Strategy on Forced Labor
On July 6, 2022, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a notice seeking public comments to assist in the development of a forced labor trade strategy. The notice indicates that the strategy “will identify priorities and establish an action plan for utilizing existing and potential new trade tools to combat forced labor…
USTR Announces U.S.-Taiwan Trade Initiative
On June 1, 2022, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, which is “intended to develop concrete ways to deepen the economic and trade relationship, advance mutual trade priorities based on shared values, and promote innovation and inclusive economic growth for our workers and businesses.” Under…
USTR Again Extends Certain China Section 301 Product Exclusions for COVID-19 Response
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced that it will again extend Section 301 product exclusions for imports from China of medical care products needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The USTR will extend product exclusions on 81 medical care products, as set forth in Annex B of USTR’s announcement, for an…
United States Announces Formation of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
On May 23, 2022, the United States and several allies in the Asia-Pacific-India region announced the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) to pursue regional economic engagement. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stated, “This framework will enable the United States to expand its economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific and work with our…
USTR Katherine Tai Discusses President Biden’s 2022 Trade Agenda
On March 30, 2022, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai appeared before the House Ways & Means Committee to discuss President Joseph Biden’s 2022 trade agenda. In Ambassador Tai’s written testimony, she primarily focused on the U.S.-China trade relationship. Ambassador Tai highlighted ongoing talks with China over trade distortions and imbalances, including China’s failure to…
USTR Reinstates Certain Expired China Section 301 Product Exclusions
On March 23, 2022, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it was reinstating certain previously granted and extended product exclusions in the China Section 301 investigation. Per the Federal Register notice, USTR has reinstated 352 of the 549 eligible exclusions identified in the October 8, 2021 USTR Federal Register notice…