USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Circular Welded Carbon-Quality Steel Pipe From China

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders on circular welded carbon quality steel line pipe from China would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, the existing orders on imports of these products will remain in place. 

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns 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 on Circular Welded Carbon Quality Steel Line Pipe from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-455 and 731-TA-1149 (Third Review), USITC Publication 5598, March 2025) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by April 11, 2025; 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 likely 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/2025/er0306_66626.htm

USITC Releases Report on U.S. Rice Industry and Global Competitiveness

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today released a report on the competitiveness of the rice industries in the United States and other major producing and exporting countries. 

The report, Rice: Global Competitiveness and Impacts on Trade and the U.S. Industry, was requested by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means (Committee) in a letter received on February 5, 2024. The Committee requested that the Commission conduct an investigation and produce a report that updates the findings of a USITC report on rice submitted to the Committee in 2015.

The new report, focused primarily on changes to the rice industry during from 2018 through 2023, provides information on recent developments in the rice industry in the United States, as well as Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Paraguay, Thailand, Uruguay and Vietnam. In addition, the report:

  • Compares the competitive strengths and weaknesses of the major exporters.

  • Provides a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the impact of government policies and programs on the U.S. rice industry and food security in developing countries.

  • Describes the effects of exports from major producing and exporting countries on the U.S. industry.

Major Findings of the Investigation

  • A small share of rice production is traded internationally, and rice exports are concentrated among a small number of exporters. India is the largest exporter. The United States supplies 1 percent of global production and 5 percent of global exports.
     

  • Rice is a staple food for more than half of the world’s population and plays an important cultural, economic and food security role for many countries. As a result, there is significant government intervention in the rice industry, including public stockholding, consumer and producer subsidies, policies that encourage production and trade policies.
     

  • Global events between 2018 and 2023 triggered price fluctuations in the rice industry. These events include:

    • The COVID-19 pandemic.

    • India’s export restrictions.

    • Spikes in transportation and input costs.

    • Climate- and weather-related disruptions such as droughts, floods and saltwater intrusion. Read More→

https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2025/er0310_66637.htm

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Adjusts Tariffs on Canada and Mexico to Minimize Disruption to the Automotive Industry

USING LEVERAGE TO PROTECT AMERICANS: Today, President Donald J. Trump announced adjustments to tariffs imposed on imports from Canada and Mexico in recognition of the structure of the automotive supply chain that strives to bring production into America.

  • Duties imposed to address the flow of illicit drugs across our borders are now:

    • 25% tariffs on goods that do not satisfy U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) rules of origin.

    • A lower 10% tariff on those energy products imported from Canada that fall outside the USMCA preference.

    • A lower 10% tariff on any potash imported from Canada and Mexico that falls outside the USMCA preference.

    • No tariffs on those goods from Canada and Mexico that claim and qualify for USMCA preference.

  • While the situations at our Northern and Southern borders continue to require appropriate action from the Governments of Canada and Mexico, our American automotive industry, which provides American jobs, should not suffer significant disruption just because of the structure of its supply chain.

ENSURING BORDER SECURITY AND ECONOMIC SECURITY: President Trump will not allow our national security to be compromised by our closest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, but recognizes the unique impact that these tariffs could have on American automotive manufacturers. Read More→

https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-adjusts-tariffs-on-canada-and-mexico-to-minimize-disruption-to-the-automotive-industry/

Update on Additional Duties on Imports from Mexico - USMCA Qualifying Products and Potash

This CSMS provides guidance on tariff updates pursuant to Executive Order, “Amendment to Duties to Address the Situation at the Southern Border,” issued on March 6, 2025. This guidance provides an update to the additional duties on imports that are the products of Mexico, pursuant to Executive Order 14194, “Imposing Duties to Address the Situation at Our Southern Border”(90 FR 9117) issued on February 1, 2025, and Executive Order 14198, “Progress on the Situation at Our Southern Border” (90 FR 9185) issued on February 3, 2025, and Executive Order 14227, “Amendment to Duties to Address the Situation at our Southern Border” (90 FR 11371) issued on March 2, 2025.

UPDATE

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)

Effective on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time March 7, 2025, goods that are entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption that qualify for USMCA, are exempt from the additional duty rates that were implemented March 4, 2025, with Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) 9903.01.01.

Articles that are entered free of duty under the terms of general note 11 to the HTSUS, including any treatment set forth in subchapter XXIII of chapter 98 and subchapter XXII of chapter 99 of the HTS, as related to the Agreement between the USMCA, shall not be subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty described in section 2(a) of Executive Order 14194.

The following new HTSUS classification applies to products that qualify for USMCA:

9903.01.04: Articles that are entered free of duty under the terms of general note 11 to the HTSUS, including any treatment set forth in subchapter XXIII of chapter 98 and subchapter XXII of chapter 99 of the HTS, as related to the USMCA. Read More→

https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3d5afad?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

Update on Additional Duties on Imports from Canada – USMCA Qualifying Products and Potash

This CSMS provides guidance on tariff updates pursuant to Executive Order, “Amendment to Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border” issued on March 6, 2025. This guidance provides an update to the additional duties on imports that are the products of Canada, which were imposed by Executive Order 14193, “Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border” (90 FR 9113), issued on February 1, 2025, as amended by Executive Order 14197, “Progress on the Situation at our Northern Border” (90 FR 9183), issued on February 3, 2025, and Executive Order 14226 “Amendment to Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs across our Northern Border” (90 FR 11369) issued on March 2, 2025.

UPDATE

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)

Effective on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time March 7, 2025, goods that are entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption that qualify for USMCA, are exempt from the additional duty rates that were implemented March 4, 2025, with the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) 9903.01.10 and 9903.01.13.

Articles that are entered free of duty under the terms of general note 11 to the HTSUS, including any treatment set forth in subchapter XXIII of chapter 98 and subchapter XXII of chapter 99 of the HTS, as related to the Agreement between the USMCA, shall not be subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty described in section 2(a) or section 2(b) of Executive Order 14193.

The following new HTSUS classification applies to products that qualify for USMCA. 

9903.01.14: Articles that are entered free of duty under the terms of general note 11 to the HTSUS, including any treatment set forth in subchapter XXIII of chapter 98 and subchapter XXII of chapter 99 of the HTS, as related to the USMCA. Read More→

https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3d5b0a5?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

GUIDANCE: Additional Duties on Imports from Canada

The purpose of this message is to provide guidance on the additional duties on imports that are the products of Canada, which were imposed by Executive Order 14193, “Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border” (90 FR 9113), issued on February 1, 2025, as amended by Executive Order 14197, “Progress on the Situation at our Northern Border” (90 FR 9183), issued on February 3, 2025 and as directed by the Executive Order issued on March 2, 2025.

GUIDANCE

APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL DUTY RATES

Effective on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on March 4, 2025, with respect to goods that are the product of Canada entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, the following HTSUS classifications and additional duty rates apply:

9903.01.10:  All imports of articles that are products of Canada, other than products classifiable under headings 9903.01.11, 9903.01.12, and 9903.01.13, and other than products for personal use included in accompanied baggage of persons arriving in the United States, will be assessed an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25%.

9903.01.13:  Imports of energy or energy resources of Canada, as defined in section 8 of Executive Order 14156 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency) as: crude oil, natural gas, lease condensates, natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal heat, the kinetic movement of flowing water, and critical minerals, as defined by 30 U.S.C. 1606 (a)(3) will be assessed an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 10%.

The additional ad valorem duty provided for in new HTSUS headings 9903.01.10 and 9903.01.13 applies in addition to all other applicable duties (including antidumping and countervailing duties), taxes, fees, exactions, and charges.

Products of Canada that are eligible for special tariff treatment under general note 3(c)(i) to the tariff schedule (e.g., the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), or that are eligible for temporary duty exemptions or reductions under subchapter II to chapter 99, are subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty imposed by headings 9903.01.10 and 9903.01.13. Read More→

https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3d519e9?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

GUIDANCE: Additional Duties on Imports from Mexico

The purpose of this message is to provide guidance on the additional duties on imports that are the products of Mexico, pursuant to Executive Order 14194, “Imposing Duties to Address the Situation at Our Southern Border” issued on February 1, 2025, and Executive Order 14198, “Progress on the Situation at Our Southern Border” issued on February 3, 2025 and as directed by the Executive Order issued on March 2, 2025. 

GUIDANCE

APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL DUTY RATES

Effective on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on March 4, 2025, with respect to goods that are the product of Mexico entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, the following HTSUS classification and additional duty rate apply:

9903.01.01: All imports of articles that are products of Mexico, other than products classifiable under headings 9903.01.02 and 9903.01.03 and other than products for personal use included in accompanied baggage of persons arriving in the United States will be assessed an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25%.

The additional ad valorem duty provided for in new HTSUS heading applies in addition to all other applicable duties (including antidumping and countervailing duties), taxes, fees, exactions, and charges. 

Products of Mexico that are eligible for special tariff treatment under general note 3(c)(i) to the tariff schedule (e.g., the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), or that are eligible for temporary duty exemptions or reductions under subchapter II to chapter 99, are subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty imposed by headings 9903.01.01.

The additional duties imposed by headings 9903.01.01 that apply to products of Mexico include both goods of Mexico under the rules of origin set forth in part 102, title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as applicable, as well as goods for which Mexico was the last country of substantial transformation prior to importation into the United States.

EXCLUSIONS

The following HTSUS classifications apply to products that are excluded from the additional ad valorem duties: Read More→

https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3d5194c?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

Updated Guidance – Additional Duties on Imports from China and Hong Kong

he purpose of this message is to provide the trade community with updated guidance for the additional duties for imports that are the products of China, pursuant to the Imposing Duties to Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China Executive Order issued on February 1, 2025.

UPDATE:

CBP will reject entry summaries that are not in compliance with the requirements of the Executive Order identified above, including but not limited to, entry summaries filed without the required additional duties. If an entry summary is rejected, CBP will require a resubmission within two business days of the rejection, per existing policy. If the rejected entry summary is not resubmitted timely with payment, the importer of record may be subject to liquidated damages.

For entry summary lines that include multiple HTS numbers, CBP requires that the duty be appropriately associated to the correct HTS. For example, if the entry is subject to 9903.01.20, then the 10% percent duty must be associated to 9903.01.20 when transmitting to ACE and when a printed 7501 is produced. The 10% duty must not be combined with the duty reported on a different HTS within the entry summary line. Further, duties across several required HTS numbers on a given entry summary line must not be combined and cannot be reported on only one HTS within the entry summary line.

CBP expects full compliance from the trade community for accurate reporting and payment of the additional duties. CBP will take enforcement action on patterns of non-compliance.

CSMS # 63988468 identified the applicable HTS numbers associated to the additional duties:

9903.01.20: All imports of articles that are products of China and Hong Kong, other than products classifiable under headings 9903.01.21, 9903.01.22, and 9903.01.23, and other than products for personal use included in accompanied baggage of persons arriving in the United States - an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 10%.

Read More→ https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3d4274e?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States

A Proclamation

1. On January 19, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effect of imports of aluminum on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862) (section 232). The Secretary found and advised me of the Secretary's opinion that aluminum is being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.

2. In Proclamation 9704 of March 8, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States), I concurred in the Secretary's finding that aluminum was being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States, and decided to adjust the imports of aluminum articles by imposing a 10 percent ad valorem tariff on such articles imported from most countries. Proclamation 9704 further stated that any country with which the United States has a security relationship is welcome to discuss alternative ways to address the threatened impairment of the national security caused by imports from that country, and noted that, should the United States and any such country arrive at a satisfactory alternative means to address the threat to the national security such that I determine that imports from that country no longer threaten to impair the national security, I may remove or modify the restriction on aluminum articles imports from that country and, if necessary, adjust the tariff as it applies to other countries, as the national security interests of the United States require.

3. In Proclamation 9704, I also directed the Secretary to monitor imports of aluminum articles and inform me of any circumstances that in the Secretary's opinion might indicate the need for further action under section 232 with respect to such imports. Pursuant to Proclamation 9704, the Secretary was authorized to provide relief from the additional duties, based on a request from a directly affected party located in the United States, for any aluminum article determined not to be produced in the United States in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or of a satisfactory quality, or based upon specific national security considerations. Proclamation 9776 of August 29, 2018, and Proclamation 9980 of January 24, 2020, similarly authorized the Secretary to provide relief from certain tariffs on other aluminum products and derivatives set forth in those proclamations. Read More→

President Trump Demands Fair, Reciprocal Trade

Today, President Donald J. Trump unveiled a plan for fair, free, reciprocal trade as he makes clear to the world that the United States will no longer tolerate being ripped off. The U.S. has one of the most open economies in the world, yet our trading partners keep their markets closed to U.S. exports — and reciprocal trade will finally correct that imbalance.

President Trump’s plan to restore fairness and put American workers first was met with immediate praise:

Renewable Fuels Association: “For almost a decade now, we have spent precious time and resources fighting back against an unfair and unjustified tariff regime imposed by Brazil’s government on U.S. ethanol imports. What’s more ironic is that these tariff barriers have been erected against U.S. ethanol imports while our country has openly accepted—and even encouraged and incentivized—ethanol imports from Brazil. As the two largest ethanol producers on the planet, we long enjoyed a cooperative free-trade relationship with Brazil involving ethanol, relying on each other when there were shortfalls or disruptions in the U.S. or Brazilian marketplace. However, that bilateral cooperation was abandoned by Brazil in 2017, when they instituted a tariff rate quota scheme, and eventually adopted a tariff in 2020. The Brazilian tariff on U.S. ethanol now stands at 18 percent and has virtually eliminated all market access for U.S. ethanol producers. We thank President Trump for taking this action and hope this reciprocal tariff will help encourage a return to free and fair ethanol trade relationship with Brazil.”

American Iron and Steel Institute: “AISI applauds President Trump’s action today ordering the development of a comprehensive plan for restoring fairness in U.S. trade relationships and countering non-reciprocal trading arrangements. American steel producers know well the negative impact of foreign unfair trade practices, including subsidies, currency manipulation and other unfair and discriminatory policies and practices, on domestic industries and their workers … We look forward to working with the Secretary of Commerce, the U.S. Trade Representative and other key administration officials as they develop their plan of action to ensure reciprocity in international trade and to preserve the competitiveness of the American steel industry and other sectors.”

Growth Energy: “While American biofuel producers have been almost entirely blocked off from the Brazilian market, Brazilian producers have enjoyed unfettered access to the U.S. In some cases, certain policies in the U.S. even incentivize the use of imported Brazilian ethanol instead of ethanol produced here in the U.S. This runs contrary to putting America first, and is exactly why President Trump is taking steps to address this issue. Thank you, President Trump for taking action and pushing for a level playing field for American ethanol producers.”

USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Polyvinylidene Fluoride Resins

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain polyvinylidene fluoride resins. 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 Solvay Specialty Polymers, USA LLC of Alpharetta, Ga.; Syensqo SA of Brussels, Belgium; and Solvay Specialty Polymers Italy S.P.A. of Bollate, Italy, on January 13, 2025, and supplemented on February 3, 2025. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain polyvinylidene fluoride resins 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 respondents in this investigation:

  • Sinochem Lantian Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China

  • Inner Mongolia 3F Wanhao Fluorochemical Industry Co. Ltd., Fengzhen, China

  • Zhejiang Juhua Co., Ltd, Quzhou, China

  • Zhejiang Fluorine Chemical New Material Co. Ltd., Shaoxing, China 

  • Hubei Fluorine New Materials Co., Ltd., Qianjiang, China

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1439), 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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USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Stilbenic Optical Brightening Agents from China

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping orders on certain stilbenic optical brightening agents from China and Taiwan 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 China and Taiwan will remain in place. 

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns 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 on Certain Stilbenic Optical Brightening Agents from China and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1186-1187 (Second Review), USITC Publication 5591, February 2025) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by March 21, 2025; 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→

Glass Wine Bottles From China and Mexico Does Not Injure U.S. Industry, says USITC

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of glass wine bottles from China and Mexico that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chair Amy Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the negative.

As a result of the Commission’s negative determinations, Commerce will not issue antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from China and Mexico. 

The Commission’s public report Glass Wine Bottles from China and Mexico (Inv. Nos.731-TA-1662 and 1663 (Final), USITC Publication 5588, February 2025) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by March 18, 2025; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp

Status of proceedings, links to relevant documents, and additional information for these investigations can be found at the Commission’s Investigations Database System (IDS)..

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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2025/er0204_66484.htm

E-Commerce Frequently Asked Questions

This page was created to answer questions to E-Commerce email inquiries to assist customers in having a better understanding of e-commerce processes and trade activities.

  • Section 321 does not allow:

    • Merchandise subject to antidumping and countervailing duties.

    • Merchandise subject to quota.

    • Merchandise subject to a tax imposed under the Internal Revenue Code that is collected by other agencies on imported goods (e.g. alcohol and tobacco products, etc.).  

    • Merchandise subject to fees not waived by another government agency.

  • Pursuant to the Customs Modernization Act, it is the responsibility of the importer to use “reasonable care” to “enter,” “classify” and “value” the goods and provide any other information necessary to enable CBP to properly assess duties, collect accurate statistics, and determine whether all other applicable legal requirements are met. 

  • Yes.

DHS Places New Additions to Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List 

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on behalf of the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF), announced the addition of 37 entities to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List, marking the largest single expansion of the list to date. Among entities added are a large supplier of critical minerals and one of the world’s largest textile manufacturers, both linked to forced labor practices in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This addition brings the total number of entities on the UFLPA Entity List to 144, representing significant progress in three years since the law was passed. These significant efforts reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to eliminating forced labor from our global supply chains and protecting U.S. consumers and businesses from tainted goods.

“In adding 37 companies to the UFLPA Entities List and bringing the total to nearly 150, we again demonstrate our relentless fight against the cruelty of forced labor, our unwavering commitment to basic human rights, and our tireless defense of a free, fair, and competitive market,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas.

“With each addition to the UFLPA Entity List, we are building momentum and showing that our efforts are sustainable and enduring in eradicating forced labor in our nation’s supply chains,” said Acting Under Secretary for Policy, Robert Paschall. “This largest-ever batch of additions reinforces that we are implementing the full force of this law, making impactful updates to the UFLPA Entity List, and enhancing U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s enforcement capabilities.”

The entities added today include globally recognized companies that mine and process Xinjiang’s critical minerals, that grow Xinjiang cotton and manufacture textiles for global export, and that manufacture inputs for solar modules with polysilicon made in Xinjiang. Read More→

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/01/14/dhs-announces-addition-37-prc-based-companies-uflpa-entity-list

USTR Requests USITC Investigation of Trade Distribution Effects on MSMEs in Underserved Communities

December 27, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today asked the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to launch an investigation of the distributional effects of goods and services trade and trade policy on U.S. micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with a focus on those owned or led by persons belonging to underserved and overburdened communities, including those based on race and ethnicity; gender; gender identity and orientation; age; skill, wage, and income; disability; rural location; or other factors. This new research and data analysis will enable USTR to better develop trade policy that contributes to promoting economic security, supporting decent work, and advancing the health and security of U.S. MSMEs.

USTR has requested the USITC to conduct surveys, research, and other outreach in order to prepare a public report that provides information on the distributional effects of trade and trade policy on MSMEs, with a focus on those owned or led by persons in underserved and overburdened communities and includes profiles of such MSMEs, highlighting how they have been affected by international trade.
 
The full text of the letter from Ambassador Tai to USITC Chair Amy Karpel can be found here.
 

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USTR Initiates Section 301 Investigation on China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Targeting of the Semiconductor Industry for Dominance

December 23, 2024

WASHINGTON – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced today the initiation of an investigation regarding China’s acts, policies, and practices related to targeting of the semiconductor industry for dominance. The investigation will be conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.
 
Evidence indicates that China seeks to dominate domestic and global markets in the semiconductor industry and undertakes extensive anticompetitive and non-market means, including setting and pursuing market share targets, to achieve indigenization and self-sufficiency. China’s acts, policies, and practices appear to have and to threaten detrimental impacts on the United States and other economies, undermining the competitiveness of American industry and workers, critical U.S. supply chains, and U.S. economic security.

“This investigation underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to standing up for American workers and businesses, increasing the resilience of critical supply chains, and supporting the unparalleled investment being made in this industry,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai.
 
The investigation will initially focus on China’s manufacturing of foundational semiconductors (also known as legacy or mature node semiconductors), including to the extent that they are incorporated as components into downstream products for critical industries like defense, automotive, medical devices, aerospace, telecommunications, and power generation and the electrical grid. The investigation will also initially assess whether the impact of China’s acts, policies, and practices on the production of silicon carbide substrates (or other wafers used as inputs into semiconductor fabrication) contributes to any unreasonableness or discrimination or burden or restriction on U.S. commerce.
 
As explained in a formal notice, USTR will be seeking public comments and will hold a public hearing in connection with this investigation. A docket for comments regarding the investigation will open on January 6, 2025. 
 
Background 

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, (Trade Act) is designed to address unfair foreign practices affecting U.S. commerce. Section 301(b) may be used to respond to unreasonable or discriminatory foreign government practices that burden or restrict U.S. commerce. Under Section 302(b) of the Trade Act, the U.S. Trade Representative may self-initiate an investigation under Section 301. 
 
The U.S. Trade Representative must seek consultations with the foreign government whose acts, policies, or practices are under investigation. USTR has requested consultations with China in connection with the investigation. 
 

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Export Enforcement Releases 2024 Year in Review

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Export Enforcement published its annual Year in Review, a compilation of highlights reflecting Export Enforcement’s accomplishments over the past year.    

The Year in Review includes numerous initiatives from 2024, including the expansion of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, which, to date, has brought 26 criminal cases charging sanctions and export control violations, smuggling conspiracies, and other offenses related to the transfer of sensitive information, goods, and military-grade technology to the People’s Republic of China, Russia, and Iran. 

The Year in Review also highlights significant criminal and administrative enforcement actions from the past year, including several related to Russian, Chinese, Iranian, and North Korean illicit procurement networks. In addition, the Year in Review describes key partnerships with the interagency, industry, academia, and foreign governments, and it describes updates to the antiboycott enforcement program.   

BIS Export Enforcement protects and promotes U.S. national security by aggressively investigating violations of export control and antiboycott regulations and by partnering with industry and academia to facilitate compliance with those regulations.

More information about the work of Export Enforcement to keep our country’s most sensitive items out of the world’s most dangerous hands can be found at https://www.bis.gov/enforcement. Read More→

https://www.bis.gov/press-release/export-enforcement-releases-2024-year-review

USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Quartz Surface Products from China

The U.S. International Trade Commission Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on quartz surface products from China 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 China will remain in place. 

Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns 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 Quartz Surface Products from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-606 and 731-TA-1416 (Review), USITC Publication 5578, January 2025) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by February 14,2025; 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/2025/er0110_66360.htm