On Monday, March 30, 2020, trade ministers of the G20 countries issued a joint statement stating that any emergency measures taken in response to the coronavirus pandemic must be temporary and consistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Several governments, including India and Germany, have already implemented export restrictions on medical supplies, and there are
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
Commerce Modifies Countervailing Duty Regulations to Address Currency Undervaluation
The Commerce Department issued its final rule amending the countervailing duty regulations to address potential currency undervaluation. This revision to Commerce’s regulations will take effect in 60 days and will apply to all new investigations and administrative reviews that begin on or after April 6, 2020. The new rules would effectively clear the way for
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
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
International Trade Law: 2019 Year in Review & 2020 Outlook
As we kick off a new year, Husch Blackwell’s International Trade and Supply Chain team offers an analysis of events that shaped the international trade landscape in 2019 as well as insight into what international trade issues are on the horizon in 2020 in a recently published white paper.
The “International Trade Law: 2019
December 2019 Trade Law Update
In Husch Blackwell’s December 2019 Trade Law Newsletter, you’ll learn about the following updates in international trade and supply chain law.
- USMCA Passes House, Setting Stage for Vote in the Senate in 2020
- U.S.-China Reach “Phase One” trade agreement
- USTR Announces New Round of Product Exclusions
- USTR to Expand List of EU Imports Subject
U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Passes House, Setting Stage for Vote in the Senate in 2020
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“the USMCA”) passed the U.S. House of Representatives on December 19, 2019, by a vote of 385 to 41. In order to be fully ratified by the United States, the USMCA must now be approved by the U.S. Senate, which has a total of up to 30 session days after the House
U.S. and China Reach “Phase One” Agreement to Resolve Trade War
After a long period of negotiation, Vice Minister Wang Shouwen of China’s Commerce Ministry announced on December 13, 2019 that the U.S. and China have agreed to “phase one” of an agreement to bring an end to the trade war that has disrupted global supply chains since 2018. China’s confirmation came after President Trump approved
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”