On March 3, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) delivered President Donald Trump’s 2025 Trade Policy Agenda, 2024 Annual Report, and World Trade Organization at Thirty report to Congress. This year’s trade agenda seeks to strengthen the middle class and national defense and to address trade deficits by focusing on a “Production
World Trade Organization
China Announces Retaliatory Tariffs and Other Trade Actions Against the U.S.
On February 4, 2025, when U.S. tariffs on goods produced by China increased by 10% (see Thompson Hine Update of February 3, 2025 and Federal Register Notice), China responded by undertaking several retaliatory trade and tariff actions. These actions include:
- Implementing a 15% tariff on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas, and a
USTR Releases President Biden’s 2024 Trade Policy Agenda and 2023 Annual Report
On March 1, 2024, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published President Biden’s 2024 Trade Policy Agenda and 2023 Annual Report. This year’s agenda aims to further the cause of worker-centered trade policy, enhance the resilience of supply chains, and promote fair and sustainable trade practices. Below is a summary of…
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.
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 Releases President Biden’s 2022 Trade Agenda and 2021 Annual Report
On March 1, 2022, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released President Joe Biden’s 2022 Trade Agenda and 2021 Annual Report. The trade agenda highlights President Biden’s continued focus on a “worker-centered trade policy” by “promoting a broader agenda of fair competition to ensure that workers are competing on the basis of…
USTR Again Criticizes China’s WTO Compliance
On February 15, 2022, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released its annual 2021 Report To Congress on China’s WTO Compliance. Upon the release of the report, USTR Katherine Tai said: “China has not moved to embrace the market-oriented principles on which the WTO and its rules are based … [but] has…
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…
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…