The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) announced on June 2, 2020 that it is initiating Section 301 investigations on Digital Services Taxes (“DSTs”) adopted or under consideration by Austria, Brazil, Czech Republic, the European Union (“EU”), India, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). The Section 301 DST investigations could lead
White House Issues Executive Order Providing Agencies with Regulatory Enforcement Discretion to Promote Economic Recovery
The Trump Administration issued its Executive Order on Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery (the “EO”) on May 19, 2020 (Executive Order). The EO seeks to remedy the economic impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by removing certain administrative barriers and providing flexibility in the implementation and enforcement of other administrative provisions and
United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) Set to Take Effect July 1, 2020
On April 24, 2020, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer notified Congress that Mexico and Canada had taken the necessary additional measures to comply with their commitments under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). The U.S. also notified the governments of Mexico and Canada that the U.S. had completed its domestic procedures to implement the USMCA. Mexico
G20 Trade Ministers Agree that Responses to COVID-19 Should Comply with WTO Rules
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