On June 30, 2020, Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. and Mississippi Silicon LLC (“Petitioners”), filed a petition for the imposition of antidumping duties on silicon metal from the Bosnia and Herzegovina (“Bosnia”), Iceland, and Malaysia. In addition, the petition alleges that imports of silicon metal from the Republic of Kazakhstan (“Kazakhstan”) are unfairly subsidized and requests
USMCA Set to Enter Into Force on July 1, 2020
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement (USMCA) will displace NAFTA and become effective July 1, 2020. Though similar to NAFTA in many ways, key changes in the USMCA include provisions for digital trade, implementation of new local labor standards in the automotive sector, and the adjustment of the rules of origin for a wide variety of
Supreme Court Declines Comcast’s Challenge to the ITC’s Jurisdiction, Thus Confirming the Broad Reach of Section 337
Entering October Term 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court had never reviewed a Section 337 investigation. However, some court-watchers thought that Comcast Corporation v. International Trade Commission might have the right ingredients to break that 90-year streak: a former U.S. Solicitor General representing the petitioners; allegations that Chevron deference had led to regulatory overreach; and a
Petition Summary: Phosphate Fertilizers from Morocco and Russia
On June 26, 2020, The Mosaic Company, (“Petitioner”), filed a petition for the imposition of countervailing duties on Phosphate Fertilizers from the Morocco and Russia.
SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION
The merchandise covered by these investigations is phosphate fertilizers in all physical forms (i.e., solid or liquid form), with or without coating or additives such as
Petition Summary: Twist Ties from the People’s Republic of China
On June 26, 2020, Bedford Industries, Inc. (“Petitioner”), filed a petition for the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties on twist ties from the People’s Republic of China.
SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION
The merchandise covered by these investigations consists of twist ties, which are thin, bendable ties for closing containers, such as bags, bundle
USTR Opens Online Portal to Solicit Input on Products to Carousel, Duty Rate in Large Civil Aircraft Section 301 Tariff Action
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a draft Federal Register notice outlining its process to review the Section 301 duties imposed on imported goods pursuant to the Large Civil Aircraft Dispute with the European Union (EU). This review is required by statute (Section 306(b)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974) and may result in goods
BIS Allows U.S. Companies to Work with Huawei on Standards
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing a rule change effective June 18, 2020, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) to allow for the release of certain technology to Huawei Technologies, Co., Ltd. and 114 of its non-U.S. affiliates designated on the
State and Treasury Departments Designate 39 Entities under “Caesar Act” Syria Sanctions
New U.S. sanctions on Syria took effect on June 17, 2020 as a result of the “Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019” (“Caesar Act”) that was signed into law on December 20, 2019 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. The Caesar Act is named after a
USITC Announces New Chairman and Vice Chairman
The U.S. International Trade Commission, a quasi-judicial federal agency that administers U.S. trade remedy laws, has announced new leadership. President Trump designated Jason E. Kearns as Chairman and Randolph J. Stayin as Vice Chairman of the ITC, each for two-year terms effective June 17, 2020. Both Chairman Kearns and Vice Chairman Stayin served
USTR Announces New Section 301 Product Exclusions for List 4A
On June 8, 2020, the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) issued new product exclusions pertaining to the 7.5% Section 301 List 4A tariffs. The new list of exclusions includes two 10-digit HTS subheadings and 32 specially prepared product descriptions that together cover 55 separate exclusion requests. The full list of excluded products is available here