Tentative Agreement reached between the BCMEA and ILWU Canada, operations to resume as soon as possible

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) is pleased to advise that the Parties have reached a tentative agreement on a new 4-year deal that recognizes the skills and efforts of B.C.’s waterfront workforce.

The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by both Parties, and subsequently, details of the agreement will not be released at this time.

In partnership with our member employers, the BCMEA is committed to working closely with ILWU Canada and their Locals and supply chain partners to safely resume operations as soon as possible. Please stay tuned for further operational updates.

We would like to express our appreciation to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service officers and the Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan Jr., for assisting both Parties throughout this process. Specifically, we would like to recognize the expertise and unwavering dedication of federal mediator Peter Simpson and his team, who were instrumental in achieving a tentative agreement.  

The BCMEA recognizes and regrets the significant impact this labour disruption has had on the economy, businesses, workers, customers and ultimately, all Canadians.

We must collectively work together to not only restore cargo operations as quickly and safely as possible but to also rebuild the reputation of Canada’s largest gateway and ensure supply chain stability and resilience for the future.

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USITC MAKES DETERMINATIONS IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING TOOL CHESTS AND CABINETS FROM CHINA AND VIETNAM

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revocation of the existing countervailing duty order on tool chests and cabinets from China and revocation of the existing antidumping duty orders on tool chests and cabinets from China and Vietnam would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China and Vietnam will remain in place. 

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

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.

The Commission’s public report Tool Chests and Cabinets from China and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-575 and 731-TA-1360-1361 (Review), USITC Publication 5445, June 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews. 

The report will be available by July 28, 2023; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review.  If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires. Read More→
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2023/er0622_64044.htm

USITC RELEASES SHIFTS IN U.S. MERCHANDISE TRADE 2022 REPORT IN NEW DATA-ONLY FORMAT

Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2022 (Trade Shifts 2022) is now available on the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) website.

Beginning this year, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan factfinding federal agency, is transitioning its annual Trade Shifts series of reports to a data-only format featuring tables and figures posted on the USITC website (http://www.usitc.gov). In the future, these tables and figures will be updated at regular intervals—at least annually—to reflect up-to-date U.S. government trade data.

As in past years, these data tables and figures incorporate interactive features that allow users to refine and view, as they choose, official U.S. government trade data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. Part I provides data pertaining to the most substantial trends in merchandise trade by industry sector and selected partner countries, and Part II provides more focused data for ten U.S. industry sectors, covering 92 percent of total U.S. merchandise trade in 2022. Each section includes a downloadable data set covering annual U.S. merchandise trade trends from 2018 through 2022.

Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2022 can be accessed at https://www.usitc.gov/research_and_analysis/tradeshifts/2022/index.

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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2023/er0621_64040.htm

CORRECTED--CERTAIN FREIGHT RAIL COUPLERS 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 certain imports of freight rail couplers and parts thereof from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the Government of China.

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

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

The Commission also made a negative critical circumstances finding with respect to imports of this product from China. As a result, these imports will not be subject to retroactive antidumping or countervailing duties. 

The Commission’s public report, Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-682 and 731-TA-1592 (Final), USITC Publication 5438, July 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

The report will be available by July 31, 2023; 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/2023/er0614_64013.htm

United States Announces Major Resolution on Key Trade Issues with India

WASHINGTON – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today announced that the United States and the Republic of India have agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes at the World Trade Organization.  India also agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs, which it had imposed in response to the U.S. Section 232 national security measures on steel and aluminum, on certain U.S. products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents. The Exchange of Letters between the United States and India is available here. 

These tariff cuts will restore and expand market opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers and manufacturers.  The resolution also maintains the integrity of the U.S. Section 232 measures.  This announcement comes as President Biden welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States for an Official State Visit.
 
“Prime Minister Modi’s visit has underscored the importance of the U.S.-India bilateral relationship and our cooperation on a range of shared priorities.  Today’s agreement represents the culmination of intensified bilateral engagement over the last two years, including through the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum, to deepen our economic and trade ties,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai.  “As a result of our work, U.S. agricultural producers and manufacturers will now enjoy renewed access to a critical global market and we will strengthen our trade relationship with one of our closest partners.  I look forward to continue to working with my counterpart, Minister Goyal, as we identify additional ways to bring our people and our economies together.” Read More→ https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2023/june/united-states-announces-major-resolution-key-trade-issues-india

Commerce Initiates Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations of Certain Paper Shopping Bags...

from Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Taiwan, the Republic of Turkey, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

On June 21, 2023 , the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced the initiation of antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of certain paper shopping bags from Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China (China), Colombia, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Taiwan, the Republic of Turkey (Turkey), and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam).

APHIS Authorizes Imports of Fresh Leaves and Stems of Garland Chrysanthemum (Glebionis coronarium) from Mexico into the continental United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Washington, D.C., June 28, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is authorizing imports of fresh leaves and stems of garland chrysanthemum (Glebionis coronarium) from Mexico into the continental United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Based on a pest risk analysis, APHIS has determined applying one or more designated phytosanitary measures will successfully manage the risks of introducing or spreading plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh leaves and stems of garland chrysanthemum from Mexico.

This action becomes effective June 28, 2023.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/federal-register-posts/sa_by_date/sa-2023/garland-chrysanthemum-mexico

Global Business Identifier Initiative

Background

The Global Business Identifier (GBI) initiative seeks to develop a single identifier solution that will improve the U.S. government’s ability to pinpoint high-risk shipments and facilitate legitimate trade, create a “common language” between government and industry, and improve data quality and efficiency for identification, enforcement, and risk assessment.

GBI is a priority initiative under the Border Interagency Executive Council (BIEC), an executive advisory board made up of more than 50 U.S. Federal agencies with import and export responsibilities. In 2017, the BIEC established the GBI initiative to address issues with the Manufacturer/Shipper Identification Number, known as the “MID” and identify potential improvements. Though the MID served the U.S. government well since the 1990s, increasingly complex global supply chains necessitate better insight into where and how imported goods are manufactured, packaged, and exported.

Evaluative Proof of Concept (EPoC)

The BIEC developed an Evaluative Proof of Concept (EPoC) that will test three global identifiers’ ability and determine the optimal combination to help the U.S. Government identify main legal entity and ownership, specific business and global locations, and supply chain roles and functions.

To improve the U.S. government’s visibility into imports, CBP is partnering with three globally recognized global identifier companies: GS1 U.S., Dun and Bradstreet (D&B), and the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) to test their identifiers’ ability to, alone or together, meet the U.S. government’s needs. Those identifiers are:

  1. Global Location Number (GLN)

  2. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)

  3. Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)

Through the GBI EPoC, CBP aims to leverage existing entity identifiers (GLN, DUNS, LEI) to develop a systematic, accurate, and efficient method for the trade to report, and the U.S. government to uniquely identify, legal business entities, their different business locations and addresses, and their various functions and supply chain roles. CBP will consider whether these three global identifiers, alone or together, ensure that CBP receives standardized trade data in a universally compatible trade language. Moreover, CBP will examine whether the identifiers submitted to CBP during the GBI EPoC can be easily verified, reducing uncertainties that may be associated with the information related to shipments of imported merchandise. Read More→
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/gbi

USITC MAKES DETERMINATIONS IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEWS CONCERNING FROZEN WARMWATER SHRIMP FROM CHINA, INDIA, THAILAND, AND VIETNAM

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty orders on frozen warmwater shrimp from China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam will remain in place. 

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

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.

The Commission’s public report Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1064 and 1066-1068 (Third Review), USITC Publication 5432, June 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews. 

The report will be available by July 18, 2023; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.  Read More→

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2023/er0601_63963.htm

USITC ANALYZES MARKET CONDITIONS AND OUTLOOK FOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES IN ANNUAL SERVICES REPORT

The United States was the world's largest services market and was the world’s leading exporter and importer of services in 2021, reports the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in its new publication Recent Trends in U.S. Services Trade, 2023 Annual Report. As also noted in the report, preliminary data on U.S. cross-border services trade for 2022 show that total services exports were 15.9 percent higher in 2022 compared to 2021.

The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, compiles the report annually. Each year's report presents a qualitative and quantitative overview of U.S. trade in services and highlights some of the services sectors and geographic markets that contribute substantially to recent services trade performance.

This year’s report focuses on distribution services, including specific discussions on retail supply chains, e-commerce, logistics, warehousing, maritime shipping, port services, trucking and rail, air cargo, and express delivery via drones. Each section analyzes global market conditions in the industry and summarizes the industry’s outlook.

The report describes detailed trade in services via cross-border transactions through 2021 and via affiliate sales through 2020, as well as preliminary cross-border trade data for 2022 (latest available data). Several highlights are listed below.

  • In 2021, the services sector represented the largest sector of the U.S. economy, and the United States is the world’s top cross-border exporter and importer of services. U.S. exports of private services totaled $771.9 billion, whereas imports totaled $524.9 billion, resulting in a $247.0 billion trade surplus.

  • Within the services sector, sales by foreign affiliates of U.S. firms—the leading channel by which many U.S. services are delivered to foreign markets—totaled $1.6 trillion in 2020 while the value of services purchased from foreign-owned affiliates in the United States totaled $1.2 trillion. 

  • The distribution services sector includes a wide range of activities that facilitate the movement of goods through the supply chain from producer to end consumer. Distribution services accounted for 7.1 percent of total cross-border services exports and 17.4 percent of imports in 2021. They represented 27.4 percent of total sales by the foreign affiliates of U.S. firms and 29.5 percent of total purchases from the U.S. affiliates of foreign firms in 2020. Read More→

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2023/er0526_63943.htm

USITC MAKES DETERMINATIONS IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING BIODIESEL FROM ARGENTINA AND INDONESIA

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revocation of the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from Argentina and Indonesia will remain in place. 

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

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.

The Commission’s public report Biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-571-572 and 731-TA-1347-1348 (Review), USITC Publication 5428, June 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews. 

The report will be available by June 30, 2023; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time. Read More→

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2023/er0525_63934.htm

USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION DEVICES WITH ROTATABLE WINDLASSES AND COMPONENTS THEREOF

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain blood flow restriction devices with rotatable windlasses and components thereof. 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 Composite Resources, Inc., of Rock Hill, SC, and North American Rescue, LLC, of Greer, SC, on April 24, 2023, and supplemented on April 27, 2023, May 11, 2023, and May 18, 2023. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain blood flow restriction devices with rotatable windlasses and components thereof that infringe patents, trademarks, and trade dress asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a permanent general exclusion order, or in the alternative a permanent limited exclusion order, and permanent cease and desist orders. 

The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation: Read More→

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2023/er0524_63929.htm

Substantial Conclusion of Negotiations on Landmark IPEF Supply Chain Agreement

The proposed IPEF Supply Chain Agreement would make our supply chains more resilient and competitive, and would establish a framework for lasting cooperation on issues like workforce development, supply chain monitoring, investment promotion, and crisis response.

Completing negotiations on the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement is a major achievement in support of the President’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and a win for consumers, workers, and businesses in the United States and throughout the region.

The IPEF partners will now take steps, including further domestic consultations and a comprehensive legal review, to prepare a final text for signature.

Today, the United States joined its IPEF partners – Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam – in announcing the substantial conclusion of negotiations on a landmark IPEF Supply Chain Agreement.

The proposed IPEF Supply Chain Agreement seeks to ensure that American workers, consumers, and businesses benefit from resilient, reliable, and efficient supply chains. It would support the President’s effort to revitalize U.S. manufacturing, facilitating the steady supply of the materials, components, and inputs that U.S. companies rely on to compete effectively on the world stage.

The agreement would foster coordination to identify potential supply chain challenges before they become widespread disruptions. Moreover, through the Agreement, partners would work collaboratively to increase the resilience, efficiency, productivity, sustainability, transparency, diversification, security, fairness, and inclusivity of our supply chains.

The IPEF Supply Chain Agreement would create an IPEF Supply Chain Council to oversee the development of sector-specific action plans designed to build resilience and competitiveness in critical sectors, including by helping companies identify and address supply chain vulnerabilities before they become significant bottlenecks.  

Through the proposed agreement, the IPEF partners would also create an IPEF Supply Chain Crisis Response Network that can serve as an emergency communications channel when one or more partners faces an acute supply chain crisis, facilitating more effective responses that can benefit American workers, businesses and consumers.  Read More→

https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2023/05/substantial-conclusion-negotiations-landmark-ipef-supply-chain

Argentina initiates WTO dispute complaint regarding US measures on certain tubular goods

Argentina has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States regarding certain US anti-dumping measures on oil country tubular goods (OCTG) from Argentina as well as Section 771(7)(G) of the US Tariff Act of 1930. The request was circulated to WTO members on 25 May.

Argentina claims that the challenged measures are inconsistent with a number of provisions of the WTO's Anti-Dumping Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994.  This is the third WTO dispute brought by Argentina relating to US anti-dumping measures on OCTG.

Further information is available in document WT/DS617/1

What is a request for consultations?

The request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the WTO. Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further with litigation. After 60 days, if consultations have failed to resolve the dispute, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.

Read More→ https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news23_e/ds617rfc_24may23_e.htm

Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs; Annual Determination and Certification of Shrimp-Harvesting Nations

ACTION:

Notice of annual determination and certification.

SUMMARY:

On May 12th, 2023, the Department of State determined and certified to Congress that wild-caught shrimp harvested in the following nations, particular fisheries of certain nations, and Hong Kong are eligible to enter the United States: Argentina, Australia (Northern Prawn Fishery, the Queensland East Coast Trawl Fishery, the Spencer Gulf, and the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery), the Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, France (French Guiana), Gabon, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Italy (giant red shrimp), Jamaica, Japan (shrimp baskets in Hokkaido), Republic of Korea (mosquito nets), Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Peru, Russia, Spain (Mediterranean red shrimp), Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. For nations, economies, and fisheries not listed above, only shrimp harvested from aquaculture is eligible to enter the United States. All shrimp imports into the United States must be accompanied by the DS–2031 Shrimp Exporter's/Importer's Declaration. Read More→

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/05/25/2023-11115/bureau-of-oceans-and-international-environmental-and-scientific-affairs-annual-determination-and

Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Final Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less-Than-Fair Value and Final Affirmative Determination

of Critical Circumstances

AGENCY:

Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that certain freight rail couplers and parts thereof (freight rail couplers) from the People's Republic of China (China) are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less-than-fair value (LTFV) during the period of investigation, January 1, 2022, through June 30, 2022. Read More→

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/05/30/2023-11358/certain-freight-rail-couplers-and-parts-thereof-from-the-peoples-republic-of-china-final-affirmative

USITC MAKES DETERMINATIONS IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING CARBON AND ALLOY SEAMLESS STANDARD, LINE, AND PRESSURE PIPE FROM JAPAN AND ROMANIA

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revocation of the existing the antidumping duty order on large-diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe from Japan and the antidumping duty orders on small-diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe from Japan and Romania would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of these products from Japan and Romania will remain in place. 

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

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.

The Commission’s public report Carbon and Alloy Seamless Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe from Japan and Romania (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-847 and 849 (Fourth Review), USITC Publication 5427, May 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews. 

The report will be available by June 23, 2023; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires. Read More→ https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2023/er0518_63916.htm

USITC RELEASES REPORT CONCERNING THE IMPACT OF U.S. FOREIGN TRADE ZONES AND SIMILAR PROGRAMS IN CANADA AND MEXICO

The U.S. International Commission (USITC) today released a report on the operation of the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) program and similar programs (FTZ-type programs) in Canada and Mexico, as well as the impacts of these programs on employment and the cost-competitiveness of products of firms operating in U.S. FTZs. 

The investigation, Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs): Effects of FTZ Policies and Practices on U.S. Firms Operating in U.S. FTZs and Under Similar Programs in Canada and Mexico, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative in a letter received on December 14, 2021. 

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, reported on the operations of U.S. FTZs and FTZ-type programs, and the effects of relevant policies and practices on employment and the cost-competitiveness of goods produced in U.S. FTZs. As part of its investigation, the Commission conducted a survey of firms producing in U.S. FTZs and used the questionnaire results in its quantitative and qualitative analyses. Per the request, the report includes: 

  • An overview of economic activity in FTZs operating in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including but not limited to employment, leading sectors, shipments, exports, and foreign direct investment in FTZs;

  • An overview of current FTZ policies and practices in the United States, Canada, and Mexico;

  • An analysis of the cost-competitiveness effects of current FTZ policies and praRead Morectices in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including effects on relative production costs and U.S. employment; and

  • Case studies on the impact of U.S. FTZs and FTZ-type programs on the automotive, upholstered furniture manufacturing, petroleum refining, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and warehousing and distribution industries. 

Detailed highlights of the Commission's findings can be found in the report's Executive Summary. 

Findings include:

  • Central features of the U.S. FTZ program and FTZ-type programs in Canada and Mexico are the special tariff treatments, principally duty deferral, duty exemption, duty reduction, and duty drawback. 

  • The cost-competitiveness effects of the U.S. FTZ program and FTZ-type programs in Canada and Mexico are impacted by multiple factors, including the design of the programs, national tariff regimes and applicable rates of duty, other trade policies, and material sourcing and destination markets for firms’ shipments. 

USITC MAKES DETERMINATIONS IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING CERTAIN HARDWOOD PLYWOOD PRODUCTS FROM CHINA

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revocation of the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on certain hardwood plywood products (hardwood plywood) from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury or threat of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China will remain in place. 

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

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.

The Commission’s public report Hardwood Plywood from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-565 and 731-TA-1341 (Review), USITC Publication 5426, May 2023) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews. 

The report will be available by June 16, 2023; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review.  If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires. Read More→

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2023/er0511_63892.htm

Centers of Excellence and Expertise Directory

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has designated new Centers of Excellence and Expertise (Centers) team codes within the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) modules. 

  • The new team codes will follow an alphabetical format, e.g. ABC, where the first letter will represent a Center, and the secondary and tertiary letters will be used by the Centers to direct transactions to a specific work unit or team. 

  • Legacy numerical team codes will automatically be replaced on newly submitted entry summaries and phased out as existing entries liquidate.  As such, existing team codes will remain in effect for existing transactions. 

  • Please refer to CSMS #43089259 for additional details