The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) filed comments in the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (“ITC”) investigation on whether imports of mattresses from multiple countries are causing injury to the domestic mattress industry. The petition was filed on March 31, 2020, and the Commerce Department initiated the investigations on April 22, 2020. In an unusual step, the
DDTC Announces New COVID-Related Measures Covering Registration and Licensing
The U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”) recently announced on its website immediate measures intended to mitigate the impact of the SARS-COV2 pandemic on U.S. businesses and supply chains. These measures include the following temporary changes to the registration and licensing requirements:
- Temporary suspension of the requirements set forth in the
Commerce Department Proposes New Aluminum Import Licensing System
On April 29, 2020, the Commerce Department (“Commerce”) published a notice in Federal Register announcing that it is proposing new regulations that would establish an Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis System. The program appears to be modeled after the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (“SIMA”) System which has been in place since 2005. Under the
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Issues FAQ Guidance on PPE Exports
Following an April 10 temporary final rule restricting the export of personal protective equipment (PPE) and an April 21 Notice of Exemptions from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has now issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the export of PPE. The FAQs, available here,
FEMA Issues Notification of Additional Exemptions to the Export Restrictions on PPE
As previously reported here, on April 10, 2010, the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a temporary final rule restricting the export of certain types of personal protective equipment (PPE). The temporary rule required FEMA approval before certain kinds of PPE could be exported from the United States.
On April 21, 2020, FEMA
FEMA Issues Temporary Final Rule Restricting Export of Certain PPE
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a temporary final rule requiring FEMA approval before certain kinds of personal protective equipment (PPE) can be exported from the United States. The temporary rule is being issued pursuant to, among other authorities, the Defense Production Act of 1950 and a series of Executive Orders. Based on these
OFAC Extends General License for Companies Doing Business with PDVSA Affiliate Nynas AB
The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) recently issued General License 13E (“GL 13E”), authorizing certain activities involving Nynas AB, a Swedish manufacturer of specialty oils owned in part by PDVSA, Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, which would normally be prohibited by Executive Order 13850 (“E.O. 13850”). The notice issued by OFAC
Key U.S. Agencies and Federal Courts Handling International Trade and Trade-Related Matters Begin to Adjust to COVID-19 Concerns
UPDATED: April 1, 2020 – Several U.S. executive branch agencies along with federal courts are instituting significant operational changes. These changes have either already been implemented or are anticipated at the U.S. government agencies and courts which manage international trade-related concerns in the coming weeks due to personnel and public safety concerns over the COVID-19
Key U.S. Agencies and Federal Courts Handling International Trade and Trade-Related Matters Begin to Adjust to COVID-19 Concerns
UPDATED: March 25, 2020 – Several U.S. executive branch agencies along with federal courts are instituting significant operational changes. These changes have either already been implemented or are anticipated at the U.S. government agencies and courts which manage international trade-related concerns in the coming weeks due to personnel and public safety concerns over the COVID-19
Canada Approves U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Implementation May Be Slowed By COVID-19
On March 13, 2020, the Canadian Parliament approved the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (the “USMCA” in the United States or “CUSMA” in Canada), with Royal Assent, Canada’s equivalent to a U.S. presidential signature, following shortly thereafter. As a result, Canada became the final of the three countries to approve the revised NAFTA free trade agreement. Before implementing