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
United States Imposes Additional Sanctions on Russia for Its Occupation of the Crimea Region of Ukraine
The United States has announced additional financial sanctions on three individuals and nine entities supporting Russia’s attempt to integrate the Crimea region of Ukraine through private investment and privatization projects or engaging in serious human rights abuses in furtherance of Russia’s occupation or control over parts of Ukraine. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism…
Department of Commerce Finds Dumping and Subsidization of Imports of Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from China
On November 7, 2018, the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) issued an affirmative final determination in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of common alloy aluminum sheet from the People’s Republic of China (China). These investigations were self-initiated by the Trump administration last year (see Trump and Trade…
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…
United States Re-Imposes Iran Sanctions
On November 5, 2018, the U.S. government fully re-imposed sanctions on Iran as a result of the cessation of the United States’ participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) (see Trump and Trade Update dated May 8, 2018). November 5 marked the end of the 180-day wind-down period for activities that had…
Department of Justice Unveils New China Initiative
On November 1, 2018, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of a “China Initiative” aimed at identifying priority Chinese trade theft cases for investigation and enforcement. In prepared remarks, Sessions emphasized that “This theft is not just wrong; it poses a grave threat to our national security. And it is unlawful.” The…
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…
Treasury Releases Interim Rules Expanding Scope of CFIUS and Creating Pilot Program for Certain Transactions
On October 10, 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued several amendments and temporary regulations expanding the authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act, enacted as part of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, laid the…
U.S. Trade Representative Announces Intent to Launch Trade Negotiations with Japan, the European Union and United Kingdom
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that the United States is set to launch separate free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Japan, the European Union and the United Kingdom. In letters sent to Congress on October 16, 2018, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer wrote: “We are committed to concluding these negotiations with timely and…
U.S. International Trade Commission Initiates Investigation to Assess Likely Impact of USMCA
Following receipt of a request from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has initiated investigation No. TPA-105-003 for the purpose of preparing the report required by section 105(c) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015. The report will assess the likely impact of the United States-Mexico-Canada…