International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for May 26-29 in case they were missed.
The International Trade Commission published notices in the May 27 Federal Register on the following AD/CV injury, Section 337 patent and other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will be in another ITT article):
The International Trade Commission is launching an investigation into possible additions and removals of products from the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program, it said in a May 21 press release. Conducted in response to a request from the U.S. trade representative, the investigation will inform USTR’s decisions on product eligibility in the ongoing 2020 GSP annual review. ITC and the USTR will also in the review consider whether to grant requests for de minimis and competitive need limitations waivers.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will accept comments on whether various kinds of rice should be removed from the list of products under the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program, and whether roses should be added. Comments are due May 27. Instead of an in-person hearing, due to the COVID-19 prevention guidelines the GSP Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee instead will respond to petitioners and commenters with any questions, and they will have time to reply to the subcommittee.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for April 27 - May 1 in case they were missed.
The International Trade Commission recently issued two rapid-fire updates to the 2020 Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Revision 8 to the HTS implemented the suspension of Generalized System of Preferences treatment for many products from Thailand in response to labor rights violations (see 1910280044), effective April 25. Also on that update, the ITC implemented extensions to list 1 Section 301 tariff exclusions under U.S. Note 20(j), as announced in an April 10 notice from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (see 2004080011). In Revision 9, issued April 29, the ITC implemented a new set of Section 301 exclusions for products on list 3, as announced in a USTR notice issued April 24 (see 2004230010). The exclusions are found under U.S. Note 20(xx), and filed under 9903.88.45.
CBP created Harmonized System Update (HSU) 2004 on April 27, containing 8,983 Automated Broker Interface records and 1,845 Harmonized Tariff Schedule records, it said in a CSMS message. The update includes recent Section 301 tariff exclusions. The update also covers changes to the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program, including the removal of Thailand from the program, which took effect April 25 (see 1910280044).
The National Association of Manufacturers is arguing that Section 301 tariffs should be lowered or at least suspended “to spur economic growth and job creation,” and, where Section 301 refunds were already due, accelerate the process. Speeding up tariff refunds and duty drawback payments would allow companies “to rehire and reinvest as soon as possible,” the trade group said.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of April 13-19: