On Wednesday, May 15, 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) announced in a press release that it would add Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. (“Huawei”) and additional Huawei affiliates to BIS’s Entity List. BIS’s initial press release stated that this designation would become effective upon its publication in the Federal Register (which is scheduled for May 21, 2019). However, a copy of the designation action posted in the Federal Register Public Inspection List on Thursday, May 16, 2019 stated that the designation would take effect on its May 16 Public Inspection List display date. BIS explained that it is making this designation because it determined that “[T]here is reasonable cause to believe that Huawei has been involved in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States.” Among other reasons, BIS specifically cited Huawei’s Superseding Indictment in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York for violating US sanctions against Iran.
Cortney Morgan
An experienced attorney in the area of international trade and supply chain issues, Cortney advises foreign and domestic clients on all aspects of international trade regulation, planning and compliance, including import (customs), export controls, economic sanctions, embargoes, international trade agreements and preference programs.
China Hits Back With Higher Tariffs on $60B in U.S. Goods
On May 13, 2019, China’s Ministry of Finance announced that it will raise tariffs on $60 billion in U.S. goods, starting on June 1, 2019. This action was taken in retaliation for President Trump’s latest decision to raise tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese products from 10% to 25%.
April Trade Law Update: Court Decisions
Court of International Trade
Summary of Decisions
19-41
On April 1, 2019, the CIT sustained and further remanded Commerce’s remand redetermination in the 2014-2015 administrative review of the antidumping duty order on welded carbon steel standard pipe and tube products from Turkey. Commerce’s action on remand negated the statutory drawback adjustment that Plaintiff Toscelik earned by exporting its finished product to the United States and impinges on the agency’s ability to make a fair comparison. Commerce reasonably relied on Plaintff Toscelik’s questionnaire responses and concluded that Commerce’s grant of circumstances of sale adjustment was supported by substantial evidence.
April Trade Law Update: U.S. International Trade Commission and U.S. Customs & Border Protection
U.S. International Trade Commission
Section 701/731 Proceedings
Investigations
- Certain Pasta from Italy and Turkey: On April 10, 2019, the ITC announced its determination that the revocation on certain pasta from Italy and Turkey would lead to the continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States.
- Cast Iron Soil Pipe from the People’s Republic of China: On April 12, 2019, the ITC announced its final determinations in the AD and CVD investigation that industries in the US would be materially injured by the importation of the subject merchandise.
- Larges Diameter Welded Pipe from Canada, Greece, Korea, and Turkey: On April 19, 2019, the ITC announced its final determination that an industry in the United States is materially injured by the importation of the subject merchandise.
- Steel Propane Cylinders from China and Thailand: On April 29, 2019, the ITC issued a revised schedule of the final Phase of the Countervailing Duty and Anti-Dumping Duty Investigations.
- Certain Large Residential Washers from Korea and Mexico: On April 30, 2019, the ITC released its final determinations on whether or not the continuation of the subject merchandise from these countries would continue to cause material injury in the United States.
April Trade Law Update: U.S. Department of Commerce Decisions
Investigations
- Laminated Woven Sacks from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: On April 11, 2019, Commerce released its final AD and CVD determinations.
Administrative Reviews
- Stainless Steel Bar from Brazil: On April 12, 2019, Commerce released the final results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review (2017).
- Uncovered Innerspring Units from the People’s Republic of China: On April 18, 2019, Commerce released the final results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review (2017-2018).
- Large Power Transformers from the Republic of Korea: On April 19, 2019, the final results of the Antidumping Duty Review (2016-2017) were released.
- Light-Walled Rectangular Pipe and Tube from Mexico: On April 22, 2019, Commerce released its final results for the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review (2016-2017).
- Certain Steel Nails from the People’s Republic of China: On April 24, 2019, the final results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative review and Final determination of No Shipments (2016-2017) were released.
- Hydrofluorocarbon Blends from the People’s Republic of China: On April 25, 2019, the final results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative review and final determination of No Shipments (2016-2017) were released.
- Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires from the People’s Republic of China: On April 25, 2019, the final results of the Countervailing Duty Administrative Review (2016) were released.
- Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires from the People’s Republic of China: On April 26, 2019, the final results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and final determination of No Shipments (2016-2017) were released.
- Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: On April 29, 2019, Commerce released the final results and final determination of No Shipments of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review (2016-2017).
- Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Flat Products from Australia: On April 30, 2019, Commerce released the final results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review (2016-2017).
April Trade Law Update: Presidential Actions
USTR Proposes Products for Tariff Countermeasures in Response to Harm Caused by EU Aircraft Subsidies
On April 8, 2019, the World Trade Organization (WTO) found that the European Union subsidies to Airbus had caused adverse effects to the United States. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) began its process under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to identify products of the EU to which additional duties may be applied until the EU removes these subsidies. The USTR released a preliminary list of EU products to be covered by these additional duties.
United States Prevails on “Zeroing” Again: WTO Panel Rejects Flawed Appellate Body Findings
On April 9, 2019, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced that a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel had found in favor of the United States in a dispute involving the use of “zeroing” in calculating antidumping duties. This dispute concerned a challenge by Canada to an antidumping investigation of softwood lumber products.
President Trump to End Sanctions Waivers for Iranian Oil
On April 21, 2019, the White House announced that President Trump has decided not to reissue the Iranian oil sanctions waivers, called “Significant Reduction Exceptions” (SREs) when they expire in early May. The White House statement explained that “[t]his decision is intended to bring Iran’s oil exports to zero, denying the regime its principal source of revenue.”
February Trade Law Newsletter
Husch Blackwell announces its February Trade Law Newsletter on key issues and announcements related to International Trade and Supply Chain.
President Trump Announces Intent to Withdraw GSP Status for India and Turkey
At the direction of President Trump, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) has announced the United States’ intent to withdraw beneficiary status from India and Turkey under the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (“GSP”) program.
January Trade Law Newsletter
Husch Blackwell announces its January Trade Law Newsletter on key issues and announcements related to International Trade and Supply Chain.