On August 21, 2020, the United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and European Union (EU) Commissioner Phil Hogan issued a joint statement, announcing that both parties would reduce tariffs on certain goods. Specifically, the EU has agreed to eliminate tariffs on imports of U.S. live and frozen lobster products. The elimination of these tariffs
USTR Revises List of EU Imports Subject to Section 301 Tariffs
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued an updated list of goods from the European Union (EU) subject to Section 301 tariffs as part of the Large Civil Aircraft dispute. In October 2019, the World Trade Organization ruled in favor of the U.S. and Boeing in the dispute against the EU and Airbus,
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
EU Prepares Retaliation against U.S. over Expansion of Section 232 Tariffs
In retaliation for the United States’ expansion of Section 232 tariffs in February to cover steel and aluminum derivative articles, the European Union (“EU”) will hit certain U.S.-origin imports with additional tariffs. Duties of 20 percent for lighters and 7 percent for plastic furniture fittings will apply starting May 8, 2020. An additional 4.4 percent
USTR Announces Increase in Section 301 Tariffs for New Airplanes and Aircraft, Minor Changes for Other Goods
On February 14, 2020, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it had completed its review of the current Section 301 tariffs due to the ongoing Large Civil Aircraft dispute with the European Union (EU). As previously reported, various European goods (including aircraft, certain textiles and wearing apparel, hardware, cheeses, and other
U.S., EU, and Japan Trade Ministers Issue Joint Statement on Subsidy Reform
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a joint statement with the trade ministers of Japan and the European Union (EU) following a meeting between the three ministers on January 14, 2020. The joint statement announces the three economic powers’ frustrations with the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) current countervailable subsidy measures and their
USTR to Expand List of EU Imports Subject to Tariffs Awarded in WTO Aircraft Dispute
On December 12, 2019, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) announced in a Federal Register notice that they are reviewing the action taken as a result of the Large Civil Aircraft dispute with the European Union. USTR is requesting comments on whether any products currently subject to additional duties should have those
Trump Threatens to Prolong the Trade War with China and Start a New One with France
At a NATO meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, President Trump declared that he was prepared to wait to negotiate a trade agreement with China until after the 2020 U.S. presidential election, dashing hopes that “phase one” of an interim agreement was to be reached soon. The 15% Section 301 List 4b tariffs are likely
U.S. Levies Tariffs on E.U. Imports over World Trade Organization’s Airbus Decision
The U.S. is set to levy 25% tariffs on imports of specified European foods in response to the World Trade Organization’s (“WTO”) decision on October 2, 2019, that the European Union (E.U.) provided subsidies to Airbus at the expense of Boeing and the United States. These new tariffs will affect approximately $7.5 billion beginning today,
World Trade Organization Allows U.S. to Levy Tariffs on $7.5 billion on Exports from EU over Airbus Dispute
On October 2, 2019, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Arbitrator ruled in favor of the United States and Boeing in its dispute against the European Union and Airbus on the subsidies provided by the E.U. to Airbus. The ruling permits the U.S. to levy retaliatory tariffs on approximately $7.5 billion worth of European exports to