The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) released the final implementing regulations of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”) on June 3, 2020, an important step for when the USMCA goes into effect on July 1, 2020. The implementing regulations cover the interpretation, application, and administration of the rules of origin, textile and apparel
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
President Trump Signs U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
President Trump signed the implementing legislation for the USMCA yesterday, making the United States the second of the three countries, after Mexico last December, to sign the agreement. The USMCA will not take effect until 90 days after it is ratified by Canada. The Liberals currently operate a minority government, and while the Conservatives have
U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Passes Senate
Today, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 89 to 10. While some Senators expressed disapproval over the deal for various reasons, passage of the USMCA enjoyed a great deal of bipartisan support after Democrats in the House of Representatives negotiated for more labor enforcement mechanisms that earned the endorsement
Trump Administration and House Democrats Reach Agreement to Move USMCA Forward
On December 10, 2019, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated in a press conference that Democrats had reached an agreement with the Trump Administration on the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”) intended as a NAFTA update, clearing the way for Congress to vote on the trade agreement. Speaker Pelosi called the agreement “a victory for America’s workers”
The Current and Future Status of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer and certain officials in the administration have expressed optimism about the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada
On October 23, 2019, Senator Grassley, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, stated that he had a “growing worry” about the current progress of USMCA and claimed that the Democrats are stalling in the
July Trade Law Update: U.S. Department of Commerce Decisions
Investigations
- Certain Steel Wheels 12 to 16.5 Inches in Diameter from the People’s Republic of China: On July 9, 2019, Commerce released the final affirmative Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty determinations and final affirmative determinations of Critical Circumstances.
- Diamond Sawblades and Parts Thereof: On July 16, 2019, Commerce released its final determination of Anti-Circumvention Inquiry.
- Certain Steel Racks and Parts Thereof from the People’s: On July 24, 2019, Commerce released the final affirmative Countervailing Duty determination and Antidumping Duty determination.
- Glycine from the People’s Republic of China: On July 25, 2019, Commerce released a notice of correction to the final affirmative Countervailing Duty determination and Countervailing Duty Order.
Continue Reading July Trade Law Update: U.S. Department of Commerce Decisions
Petition Summary: Utility Scale Wind Towers from Canada, Indonesia, Korea, and Vietnam
On July 9, 2019, Petitioner Wind Tower Trade Coalition filed a petition for the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of Utility Scale Wind Towers from Canada, Indonesia, Korea, and Vietnam.
Continue Reading Petition Summary: Utility Scale Wind Towers from Canada, Indonesia, Korea, and Vietnam
May Trade Law Update: Presidential Actions
USTR Publishes Notice on Increase in Section 301 List 3 Tariff Rate
On May 8, 2019, USTR released its federal register notice on the tariff increase for the third tranche (List 3) Section 301 tariffs on China. The duty rate on the estimated $200 billion worth of Chinese products will increase from 10% to 25% effective 12:01am ET on Friday, May 10, 2019. The notice also announces that an exclusion process will be instituted for these products in a separate notice.
The rate increase to 25% means that entries of goods
- entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 10, 2019, and
- exported to the United States on or after May 10, 2019 will now be subject to an additional tariff of 25%. Entries must be subject to both qualifiers-meaning that if a shipment has been exported prior to May 10, 2019 it will still be subject to the 10% duty rate. However, if the shipment is exported after 12:01am ET on May 10 the 25% duty rate will apply. To see our full post, click here.
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.