Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Determination in the Countervailing Duty Investigation of Imports of Forged Steel Fittings from India

FACT SHEET

Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Determination in the Countervailing Duty Investigation of Imports of Forged Steel Fittings from India

• On March 24, 2020, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced the affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of forged steel fittings from the India.

• The CVD law provides U.S. businesses and workers with a transparent, quasi-judicial, and internationally accepted mechanism to seek relief from the market-distorting effects caused by unfair subsidization of imports into the United States, establishing an opportunity to compete on a level playing field.

• For the purpose of a CVD investigation, a countervailable subsidy is financial assistance from a foreign government that benefits the production of goods by foreign companies and is limited to specific enterprises or industries, or is contingent either upon export performance or upon the use of domestic goods over imported goods.

• Commerce calculated a preliminary subsidy rate of 2.65 percent for Shakti Forge Industries Pvt. Ltd. and its cross-owned affiliate, Shakti Forge (collectively, Shakti). Commerce assigned a subsidy rate of 284.91 percent, based entirely on adverse facts available, to the mandatory respondents Nikoo Forge Pvt. Ltd. and Pan International, as well as several other producers/exporters that failed to provide information requested by Commerce. The preliminary subsidy rate calculated for all other producers/exporters is 2.65 percent.

• Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect cash deposits from importers of forged steel fittings from India based on these preliminary rates.

• The petitioners are Bonney Forge Corporation (Mount Union, PA) and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union.

• The scope of this investigation can be found in Attachment 1.

• In 2018, imports of forged steel fittings from India were valued at an estimated $92.6 million.

• The Preliminary Decision Memorandum is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance’s Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov, and to all parties in the Central Records Unit, Room B8024 of the main Department of Commerce building. Please refer to case number C-533-892.

NEXT STEPS

• Commerce is scheduled to announce its final determination on or about August 4, 2020, unless the deadline is extended.

• If Commerce makes a affirmative final determination, and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) makes an affirmative final determination that imports of forged steel fittings from India materially injure, or threaten material injury to, the domestic industry, Commerce will issue a CVD order. If either Commerce’s or the ITC’s final determinations are negative, no CVD order will be issued. The ITC is scheduled to make its final injury determination approximately 45 days after Commerce issues its final determination, if affirmative.

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Temporary Policy Regarding Preventive Controls and Foreign Supplier Verification Programs Food Supplier Verification Onsite Audit Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Guidance

for Industry; Availability

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notification of availability.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is announcing the availability of a final guidance for industry entitled “Temporary Policy Regarding Preventive Controls and FSVP Food Supplier Verification Onsite Audit Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.” The guidance communicates the Agency's intention not to enforce certain onsite audit requirements in three of our food safety regulations in certain circumstances related to the impact of the coronavirus if other supplier verification methods that are designed to provide sufficient assurance that hazards have been significantly minimized or prevented are used instead during the period of onsite audit delay.

DATES:

The announcement of the guidance is published in the Federal Register on March 26, 2020. Read More →

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/26/2020-05897/temporary-policy-regarding-preventive-controls-and-foreign-supplier-verification-programs-food

Trump Administration Notifies Congress of Intent to Negotiate Trade Agreement with Kenya

03/17/2020

Washington, DC – At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer today notified Congress that the Trump Administration will negotiate a trade agreement with Kenya.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we look forward to negotiating and concluding a comprehensive, high-standard agreement with Kenya that can serve as a model for additional trade agreements across Africa.  Kenya is an important regional leader, a strategic partner of the United States, and a commercial hub that can provide substantial opportunities for U.S. trade and investment,” said Ambassador Lighthizer.

In officially notifying Congress, the U.S. Trade Representative is following the procedures set out in the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 – often referred to as Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) – which requires ongoing consultations with Congress.  These consultations ensure that USTR develops negotiating positions with the benefit of Congress’ views.  USTR will also publish a notice in the Federal Register requesting the public’s input on the direction, focus and content of the trade negotiations.

In accordance with TPA, the U.S. Trade Representative will publish objectives of the negotiations with Kenya at least 30 days before formal trade negotiations begin.

To read the notification letter sent to Speaker Pelosi, click here.

To read the notification letter sent to Representative McCarthy, click here.

To read the notification letter sent to Senator Schumer, click here.

To read the notification letter sent to Senator Grassley, click here.

Key Trade Statistics

  • Two-way goods trade between the United States and Kenya: $1.1 billion in 2019, up 4.9% from 2018.

  • Top U.S. goods exports to Kenya in 2019: aircraft ($59 million), plastics ($58 million), machinery ($41 million), and cereals (wheat) ($27 million).

  • Top U.S. imports from Kenya in 2019: apparel ($454 million), edible fruit & nuts (mostly nuts) ($55 million), titanium ores and concentrates ($52 million), and coffee ($34 million).

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https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2020/march/trump-administration-notifies-congress-intent-negotiate-trade-agreement-kenya

USITC VOTES TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATION CONCERNING CORROSION INHIBITORS FROM CHINA

March 19, 2020

News Release 20-023

Inv. No. 701-TA-638 and 731-TA-1473 (Preliminary)

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

USITC VOTES TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATION CONCERNING CORROSION INHIBITORS FROM CHINA

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of corrosion inhibitors from China that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value. 

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue with its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning imports of this product from China, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about April 30, 2020, and its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about July 14, 2020.

The Commission’s public report Corrosion Inhibitors from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-638 and 731-TA-1473 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5039, March 2020) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after April 20, 2020; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library. Read More →

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2020/er0319ll1455.htm

WOODEN CABINETS AND VANITIES FROM CHINA INJURE U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS USITC

March 24, 2020

News Release 20-026-COR

Inv. No. 701-TA-620 and 731-TA-1445 (Final)

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

WOODEN CABINETS AND VANITIES FROM CHINA INJURE U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of wooden cabinets and vanities from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of these products from China.

The Commission’s public report Wooden Cabinets and Vanities from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-620 and 731-TA-1445 (Final), USITC Publication 5042, April 2020) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by April 27, 2020; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp. Read More →

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2020/er0324ll1458.htm

USDA Announces April 4 Start Date for Inspections Under Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico

Date: 

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 - 1:30pm

Contact Info: 

Public Affairs

PA@usda.gov

(202) 720-8998

Release No. 053-20

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 18, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today issued a reminder that the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will begin inspections of tomatoes coming into the United States from Mexico at border locations on April 4, 2020. The inspections are in accordance with the requirements of the Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico, negotiated by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA).

AMS will inspect all Mexican grape tomatoes in bulk, and all Mexican round and Roma tomatoes, including stem-on, for quality and condition upon their entry into the United States from Mexico. Importers must request an AMS inspection when the load is available for inspection and pay the associated fees. Tomatoes on the Vine, specialty tomatoes, and grape tomatoes in retail packages of 2 pounds or less are excluded from the inspection requirement.

AMS will also provide inspections of all tomatoes covered by the Suspension Agreement at destination locations, upon request. These inspections are offered on a user-fee basis. Importers should use the AMS Specialty Crops Inspection Division contact directory to schedule an inspection.

The Suspension Agreement was finalized on Sept. 19, 2019, by DOC and Mexican tomato producers and exporters, who account for substantially all imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico.

Details about the inspections are available in DOC’s 2019 Suspension Agreement Inspection FAQs.

The Suspension Agreement is separate from and does not affect Section 8e import requirements for tomatoes. Loads of fresh tomatoes from Mexico that are inspected in accordance with USDA Section 8e import requirements meet the requirements of the Suspension Agreement. Read More →

https://www.ams.usda.gov/press-release/usda-announces-april-4-start-date-inspections-under-suspension-agreement-fresh

Fact Sheet: DHS Measures on the Border to Limit the Further Spread of Coronavirus

Release Date:  March 23, 2020

In order to limit the further spread of coronavirus, the U.S. has reached agreements with both Canada and Mexico to limit all non-essential travel across borders. Working closely and collaboratively, the Department of Homeland Security is part of a North American approach to stop the spread of the virus.

Additionally, CBP will no longer detain illegal immigrants in our holding facilities and will immediately return these aliens to the country they entered from – Canada or Mexico. Where such a return is not possible, CBP will return these aliens to their country of origin.

These measures will be implemented on March 21, 2020 and will be in place for 30 days, at which point it will be reviewed by both parties.

The U.S., Mexican, and Canadian governments are taking necessary action to fight against this pandemic together.

To preview the video stream please click here:

To Read More →

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/03/23/fact-sheet-dhs-measures-border-limit-further-spread-coronavirus

Notice of Product Exclusions: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation

AGENCY:

Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION:

Notice of product exclusions.

SUMMARY:

On August 20, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to modify the action being taken in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation by imposing additional duties of 10 percent ad valorem on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $300 billion. The additional duties on products in List 1, which is set out in Annex A of that action, became effective on September 1, 2019. On August 30, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to increase the rate of the

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additional duty applicable to the tariff subheadings covered by the action announced in the August 20 notice from 10 percent to 15 percent. On January 22, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to reduce the rate from 15 percent to 7.5 percent. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in October 2019, and interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to grant certain exclusion requests, as specified in the Annex to this notice. The U.S. Trade Representative will continue to issue decisions on pending requests on a periodic basis.

DATES:

The product exclusions announced in this notice will apply as of September 1, 2019, the effective date of the $300 billion action, and will extend to September 1, 2020. Read More →

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/17/2020-05451/notice-of-product-exclusions-chinas-acts-policies-and-practices-related-to-technology-transfer

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Article 1904 Binational Panel Review: Notice of Request for Panel Review

AGENCY:

United States Section, NAFTA Secretariat, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of NAFTA Requests for Panel Review in the matter of Certain Fabricated Structural Steel from Canada; Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review (Secretariat File Number: USA-CDA-2020-1904-02).

SUMMARY:

Requests for Panel Review were filed on behalf of Canatal Inc. (Industries Canatal) and Les Constructions Beauce-Atlas Inc. (“CBA”) with the United States Section of the NAFTA Secretariat on February 28, 2020, pursuant to NAFTA Article 1904. Panel Reviews were requested of the Department of Commerce's final antidumping duty determination regarding Certain Fabricated Structural Steel from Canada. The final determination was published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2020. The NAFTA Secretariat has assigned case number USA-CDA-2020-1904-02 to this request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Paul E. Morris, United States Secretary, NAFTA Secretariat, Room 2061, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230, 202-482-5438. Read More →

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/12/2020-05058/north-american-free-trade-agreement-nafta-article-1904-binational-panel-review-notice-of-request-for

Notice of Product Exclusions: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation

AGENCY:

Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION:

Notice of product exclusions.

SUMMARY:

On August 20, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to modify the action being taken in the investigation by imposing additional duties of 10 percent ad valorem on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $300 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The additional duties on products in List 1, which is set out in Annex A of that action, became effective on September 1, 2019. On August 30, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to increase the rate of the additional duty applicable to the tariff subheadings covered by the action announced in the August 20 notice from 10 percent to 15 percent. On January 22, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to reduce the rate from 15 percent to 7.5 percent. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in October 2019, and interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to grant certain exclusion requests, as specified in the Annex to this notice. The U.S. Trade Representative will continue to issue decisions on pending requests on a periodic basis.

DATES:

The product exclusions announced in this notice will apply as of September 1, 2019, the effective date of the $300 billion action, and will extend to September 1, 2020. Read More →

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/10/2020-05000/notice-of-product-exclusions-chinas-acts-policies-and-practices-related-to-technology-transfer

Establishment of the Interagency Committee on Trade in Automotive Goods Under Section 202A of the United States Mexico Canada Agreement Implementation Act

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and section 202A of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (Act) (Public Law 116-113), it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Establishment of Interagency Committee. The Interagency Committee on Trade in Automotive Goods (Committee) is hereby established to provide advice, as appropriate, on the implementation, enforcement, and modification of provisions of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (Agreement) that relate to automotive goods, including the automotive rules of origin and the alternative staging regime that are part of such rules. The Committee shall also review the operation of the Agreement with respect to trade in automotive goods, including the economic effects of the automotive rules of origin on the United States economy, workers, and consumers, and the impact of new technology on such rules.

Sec. 2. Membership. The Committee shall be composed of the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Labor, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Chairman of the United States International Trade Commission, and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security. Members of the Committee may designate an officer of the United States within their respective executive department, agency, or component to serve as their representative on the Committee. The USTR shall serve as Chair of the Committee. The USTR may invite representatives from other executive departments or agencies, as the USTR determines are necessary, to participate as members or observers, and shall include the Secretary of the Treasury as a member of the Committee. Each executive department, agency, and component represented on the Committee shall ensure that the necessary staff are available to assist in performing the responsibilities of the Committee. Read More →

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/06/2020-04755/establishment-of-the-interagency-committee-on-trade-in-automotive-goods-under-section-202a-of-the

U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, January 2020

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $45.3 billion in January, down $3.3 billion from $48.6 billion in December, revised.

View U.S. International Trade in GOODS AND SERVICES DEFICIT HERE:

Deficit: $45.3 Billion (-6.7%)*

Exports: $208.6 Billion (-0.4%)*

Imports: $253.9 Billion (-1.6%)(

Next Release: April 2, 2020

(*) Statistical significance is not applicable or not measurable.

Data adjusted for seasonaility but not price changes

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, March 6, 2020

MTI-3-16-2020 SCREEN SHOT ARTICLE.GIF

Exports, Imports, and Balance (exhibit 1)

January exports were $208.6 billion, $0.9 billion less than December exports. January imports were $253.9 billion, $4.2 billion less than December imports.

The January decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of $2.6 billion to $67.0 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $0.6 billion to $21.7 billion.

Year-over-year, the goods and services deficit decreased $8.5 billion, or 15.8 percent, from January 2019. Exports increased $2.3 billion or 1.1 percent. Imports decreased $6.2 billion or 2.4 percent.

Three-Month Moving Averages (exhibit 2)

The average goods and services deficit decreased $0.7 billion to $45.9 billion for the three months ending in January.

  • Average exports increased $0.7 billion to $208.6 billion in January.

  • Average imports decreased less than $0.1 billion to $254.5 billion in January.

Year-over-year, the average goods and services deficit decreased $10.2 billion from the three months ending in January 2019.

  • Average exports increased $1.9 billion from January 2019.

  • Average imports decreased $8.2 billion from January 2019. Read More →

https://www.bea.gov/news/2020/us-international-trade-goods-and-services-january-2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts in preparedness and readiness have facilitated a speedy, whole-of-government response in confronting COVID-19, keeping Americans safe, and helping detect and slow the spread of the virus.

As part of Department-wide, layered response, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and others are actively working to protect the nation.

CBP and CWMD are providing direct support to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) efforts by conducting enhanced health screening at 11 major airports. At and between all air, land and sea Ports of Entry (POEs), CBP Officers (CBPOs) and Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) continue to identify and refer individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 or a travel history to China or Iran in the past 14 days to CDC or local public health officials for enhanced health screening. DHS CWMD houses the Department's Chief Medical Officer.

The routing of all flights with passengers who have recently been in China and Iran through select airports with established resources, procedures and personnel is an important, prudent step DHS is taking actively to decrease the strain on public health officials screening incoming travelers and protect the American public. Read More →

https://www.dhs.gov/coronavirus?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=(none)&utm_term=undefined&utm_content=undefined&utm_campaign=(not%20set)&gclid=undefined&dclid=undefined&GAID=1943773426.1584373792

USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN NICOTINE POUCHES AND COMPONENTS THEREOF AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME

March 9, 2020

News Release 20-020

Inv. No. 337-TA-1192

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain nicotine pouches and components thereof and methods of making the same.  The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by NYZ AB of Stockholm, Sweden; Swedish Match North America, LLC, of Richmond, VA; Pinkerton Tobacco Co., LP, of Owensboro, KY; and wm17 holding GmbH of Baar, Switzerland, on February 10, 2020.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain nicotine pouches and components thereof and methods of making the same that infringe a patent asserted by the complainants.  The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.  The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

The Art Factory AB of Helsingborg, Sweden;
Kretek International, Inc., of Moorpark, CA; and
DRYFT Sciences, LLC, of Moorpark, CA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1192), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case.  The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.  The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time.  Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.  USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.

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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2020/er0309ll1452.htm

Commerce Preliminarily Finds Dumping of Imports of Polyethylene Terephthalate Sheet from Korea and Oman

FACT SHEET

Commerce Preliminarily Finds Dumping of Imports of Polyethylene Terephthalate Sheet from Korea and Oman

• On February 26, 2020, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced its affirmative preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of imports of polyethylene terephthalate sheet (PET Sheet) from Korea and Oman.

• The AD law provides U.S. businesses and workers with a transparent, quasi-judicial, and internationally accepted mechanism to seek relief from the market distorting effects caused by injurious dumping of imports into the United States, establishing an opportunity to compete on a level playing field.

• For the purpose of AD investigations, dumping occurs when a foreign company sells an imported product in the United States at less than fair value.

• In the Korea investigation, Commerce calculated a preliminary dumping rate of 8.02 percent for mandatory respondent Jin Young Chemical Co., Ltd. Commerce assigned a preliminary dumping rate of 52.01 percent to mandatory respondent Plastech Co., Ltd., based on total adverse facts available. This rate will also apply to companies that failed to respond to Commerce’s requests for information. Commerce assigned a preliminary dumping margin of 8.02 percent to all other producers/exporters in Korea.

• In the Oman investigation, Commerce calculated a preliminary dumping margin of 2.78 percent for mandatory respondent OCTAL SAOC – FZC (OCTAL). Commerce assigned a preliminary dumping margin of 2.78 percent to all other producers/exporters in Oman. Commerce assigned a preliminary dumping margin of 2.78 percent to all other producers/exporters in Oman.

• As a result of the preliminary affirmative determinations, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to require cash deposits for imports of PET sheet from Korea and Oman based on these preliminary rates.

• The petitioners are Advanced Extrusions, Inc. (Rogers, MN), Ex-Tech Plastics, Inc. (Richmond, IL), and Multi-Plastics Extrusions, Inc. (Hazleton, PA).

• The scope of these investigations is listed in Appendix I.

• In 2018, imports of PET sheet from Korea and Oman were valued at an estimated $90.0 million and $208.3 million, respectively. More →

https://enforcement.trade.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-multiple-pet-sheet-ad-prelim-022620.pdf

Notice of the 2020 Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Annual Review and the Deadline for Filing Petitions

AGENCY:

Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION:

Notice of available statistics and announcement of the 2020 GSP Annual Review.

SUMMARY:

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will consider petitions to modify the GSP status of GSP beneficiary developing countries (BDCs) because of country practices; add products to GSP eligibility; remove products from GSP eligibility for one or more countries; waive competitive need limitations (CNLs); deny de minimis waivers for eligible products; or redesignate currently excluded products. This review will include separate hearings on accepted country practice review and product petitions, which USTR will announce in the Federal Register at a later date.

DATES:

March 26, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST: Deadline for submission of petitions to modify the GSP status of GSP BDCs because of country practices; add products to GSP eligibility; remove products from GSP eligibility for one or more countries; waive CNLs; deny de minimis waivers for eligible products; or redesignate currently excluded products. USTR will not consider petitions submitted after the deadline. USTR will announce the petitions accepted for review, along with a schedule for any related public hearings, and the opportunity for the public to provide comments at a later date. More →

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/02/2020-04220/notice-of-the-2020-generalized-system-of-preferences-gsp-annual-review-and-the-deadline-for-filing

USITC VOTES TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATIONS CONCERNING VERTICAL SHAFT ENGINES FROM CHINA

February 28, 2020

News Release 20-016

Inv. No. 701-TA-637 and 731-TA-1471 (Preliminary)

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of vertical shaft engines from China that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value. 

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue with its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning imports of these products from China, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about April 9, 2020, and its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about June 23, 2020.

The Commission’s public report Vertical Shaft Engines from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-637 and 731-TA-1471 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5034, March 2020) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after March 30, 2020; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library. More →

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2020/er0228ll1403.htm

APHIS Publishes Final Rule Establishing Exception to Lacey Act Declaration Requirement for Imported Products that Contain a Minimal Amount of Plant Material

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is establishing an exception to the Lacey Act import declaration requirements for products containing a minimal, or “de minimis,” amount of plant material. The Lacey Act—which combats trafficking in illegally taken wildlife, fish, or plants—requires importers to prepare an import declaration for certain plants and plant products. The import declaration must include the scientific name of the plant, value of the importation, quantity of the plant, and name of the country where the plant was harvested. However, the Lacey Act does not address whether declaration requirements are necessary for otherwise non-plant products that contain a minimal amount of plant material, such as wooden buttons on a shirt.   

To address this, APHIS published a proposed rule on July 9, 2018 inviting public comments on two options for a de minimis exception to the declaration requirement for products that contain less than a certain amount of plant material. The first option would adopt an exception for products containing plant material that constitutes no more than 5 percent of the total weight of the individual product unit, provided that the total weight of plant material does not exceed 2.9 kilograms (6.93 pounds). The second option would adopt an exception for products containing plant material that constitutes no more than 5 percent of the total weight of the individual product, provided that the total weight does not exceed a designated amount of plant material by weight or board feet.   

After reviewing all comments received, APHIS decided to adopt an option based on weight: a threshold of no more than 5 percent of the total weight of the individual product unit, provided that the total weight of the plant material in an entry of products in the same 10-digit provision of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule does not exceed 2.9 kilograms. This exception ensures that the declaration requirement fulfills the intent of the Lacey Act while reducing the regulatory burden on importers. The exception will not apply to protected plant species. More →

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2020/sa-03/lacey-act-exception

USITC VOTES TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATIONS CONCERNING WOOD MOULDINGS AND MILLWORK PRODUCTS FROM BRAZIL AND CHINA

February 21, 2020

News Release 20-014

Inv. No. 701-TA-636 and 731-TA-11469-1470 (Preliminary)

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of wood mouldings and millwork products from Brazil and China that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China. 

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.  Commissioner Randolph J. Stayin did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue with its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning imports of these products from Brazil and China, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about April 2, 2020, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about June 16, 2020.

The Commission’s public report Wood Mouldings and Millwork Products from Brazil and China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-636 and 731-TA-1469-1470 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5030, March 2020) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after March 23, 2020; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Wood Mouldings and Millwork Products from Brazil and China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-636 and 731-TA-1469-1470 (Preliminary)

Product Description:  The merchandise subject to these investigations consists of wood mouldings and millwork products that are made of wood (regardless of wood species), bamboo, laminated veneer lumber (LVL), or of wood and composite materials (where the composite materials make up less than 50 percent of the total merchandise), and which are continuously shaped wood that undergoes additional manufacturing or finger‐jointed or edgeglued moulding or millwork blanks (whether or not resawn).

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.
2.   Petitioners:  The Coalition of American Millwork Producers is comprised of Bright Wood Corporation, Madras, OR; Cascade Wood Products, Inc., White City, OR; Endura Products, Inc., Colfax, NC; Sierra Pacific Industries, Red Bluff, CA; Sunset Moulding, Live Oak, CA; Woodgrain Millwork Inc., Fruitland, ID; and Yuba River Moulding, Yuba City, CA.
3.   USITC Institution Date: January 8, 2020.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  January 29, 2020.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  February 21, 2020.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date: February 24, 2020. More →

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2020/er0221ll1361.htm